d I had time to discuss the matter.

That night, while it was my watch, I managed to get aft, where I found a
person walking the deck, occasionally stopping and gazing at the bright
stars overhead, the southern cross and others so different from those of
the northern hemisphere. I waited till he had gone right aft out of
earshot of the man at the wheel. I knew by his figure that it was Mr
Fraser, so I went boldly up to him.

"I have got something to say to you," I whispered. "It's of great
consequence. I mustn't speak loud."

I then briefly told him that I had heard the men propose to get rid of
the officers and passengers in some way or other.

"I've already heard something of this from your young messmate, but I'm
very incredulous about it," he answered.

"Pray don't be that, sir," I said. "Your life, and the lives of many
others besides, depends on your believing the truth of what I say and
taking measures to protect yourselves;" and I then told him more
circumstantially what I had heard. He now seemed to listen attentively,
and evidently considered that there was something in what I had said.

"I'm very much obliged to you for the information you have given, and
I'll consult my friends on the subject," he answered. "The captain
seems to be a man who will know well how to deal with the villains, if
what you say is true. We'll tell him what has come to our ears."

"Indeed what I say is true," I exclaimed with energy. "They may be upon
you at any moment, while you are unprepared."

"Well, laddie, I'll lose no time," said Mr Fraser; and, afraid that if
we remained much longer we might be observed by some of the men, I crept
forward under the shadow of the bulwarks.

I waited anxiously during the remainder of the watch to see what would
occur; but as the men turned in, I was thankful to find that they had no
intention of carrying out their project that night, and it was not
likely that they would do anything in the daytime, when their movements
would be observed by the officers. My only fear was that they might
have seen Mark and me talking to Mr Fraser, and might have their
suspicions aroused. If so, Mark and I would run, I knew, great risk of
being knocked on the head as soon as darkness again came on. I
therefore kept a sharp look out whilst I was on deck during the night,
though I had an uncomfortable feeling that I might possibly be smothered
in my sleep, or that Mark might be treated in the sam