ered at the hatchway leading to the
forecastle. I stepped briskly toward them, though Johnson's revolver was
covering me. I'll admit I took a chance, but it was a calculated one.
If Caine or Bothwell had been with them I would not have dared so far,
but I reckoned that their mental habits as seamen were still strong
enough to keep them from shooting an officer.

"You poor devils, Dennis, Johnson and Mack! Do you know what this means?
It spells hanging for every mother's son of you. Don't be a madman and
fire that gun, Johnson. There's still a chance, even for you. Cut loose
from the pirate you're serving and join the honest party. Mack, you're
not a mutineer, are you? You don't want to be hanged at the yardarm, do
you?"

The group at the stairway had become four instead of three.

"Avast there, Mr. Sedgwick. Get back or I'll fire," growled Caine.

"I'm not speaking to you, Caine. Your bacon is cooked. I'm making my
offer to the others. I've got no time to wait, my men. Are you coming?"

A bullet from Caine's revolver whistled past my ear. I stayed no longer,
but fell back to the stairs and took to my heels. A bullet chipped away
a splinter of wood beside me as I ran.

I found Dugan stretched on one of the long saloon seats, already being
ministered to by Morgan and Evelyn. Alderson had locked one door and
was on guard at the other, cutlas and revolver in hand.

"Well done, Alderson. That's the way to keep a lookout," I sang out
cheerfully.

"Thank you, sir. Were you hit? That was risky, sir, talking to them
without cover."

"They can't hit a barn door," I answered with a laugh.

I had moved over to the hospital corps and was looking down at the
wounded man.

"Is he badly hurt?" I asked.

Evelyn looked at me with an expression I did not understand.

"I don't think so. You mustn't do that again, Mr. Sedgwick. It isn't
right to take unnecessary risks." Her voice was a little tense and
strained.

We heard the sound of a shot and presently of slapping footsteps.

"Let me in," called a panting voice.

Alderson turned to me.

"It's Williams, sir. Shall I let him in?"

"Yes."

There came the crack of a rifle. Simultaneously Williams burst in on us.

"They're shooting at me, sir. I watched my chance to follow you."

"You're an honest man?" I asked sharply.

"Of course I am, sir. Couldn't say so with all of them around me."

"Good." I gave Jimmie the key of our armory. "Take Williams down and let
him