be sent off with a kick and a cuff,
and the crew would hear that I had informed against them. I thought,
however, that I would tell the second mate, who was better disposed, and
far more sensible than the rest of the officers. Then it occurred to me
that I had better consult Mark first, and hear what he thought. Perhaps
he would consider it wiser to speak to one of the passengers, three of
whom were determined-looking men. The fourth, Mr Alexander Fraser, was
much younger, and I liked his appearance. He had given me a kind nod
sometimes when I went aft. Their presence prevented the captain and
officers from ill-treating Mark and me as much as usual. We were
therefore inclined to regard them with a friendly spirit. I finally
came to the conclusion to tell Mr Fraser what I had heard, if I could
get the opportunity of speaking to him out of hearing of the rest of the
crew, though that might be difficult. I knew that, after all, I must be
guided by circumstances. The would-be mutineers talked on, and might
have talked on for a whole watch, had not all hands been summoned on
deck to shorten sail. I waited till they had gone up the rigging, and
then crept out. The ship had been struck by a squall. Sheets were
flying, blocks rattling, officers shouting, and a number of the men on
deck pulling and hauling, made a hubbub so that I escaped aft
unperceived, and was able to join Mark at one of the ropes it was his
duty to attend to. As there was no one near, I was able to tell him by
snatches what I had heard.

"I'm not surprised," he answered. "The villains would murder their own
mothers or grandmothers if they could gain anything by it; but I only
doubt whether they will venture to attack the captain."

"Still, we must let one of the officers know, or else their blood will
be upon our heads. I propose warning Mr Fraser, or one of the other
gentlemen," I observed.

"That will do," said Mark. "Either you or I may find a chance to speak
to one of them; but there's no time to be lost, for we can't say at what
moment these ruffians may take it into their heads to carry out their
villainous designs. We must be careful, however, that they don't
suspect us of giving the information, or they might heave us overboard
some dark night without ceremony."

Some time was occupied in taking in the canvas, but in the course of an
hour the squall passed off, and we had again to make sail.

While this was being done, Mark an