rradas passionately, "he is a good fellow, and
I won't do it. No more such bloody work for me, Rawlings."

Rawlings picked up his half-smoked cigar from the table, and puffed at
it in silence for a few seconds. Then he laid it down again, and his
black eyes gleamed with suppressed fury as he looked at the Spaniard.
But he spoke calmly.

"And I tell you again that no one of us will ever be safe. If he
lives, something will come out some day--it always does, my brave and
tender-hearted Manuel. You and I have been lucky so far in smaller
matters, but this is a big thing, and we have to look to ourselves."

"Yes," said the Greek, with savage emphasis. "Mus' we all tree be hung
like dogga, because you, Manuel, have no pluck? Bah! you coward!"

"Don't you call me a coward, you dirty, ear-ringed Levantine thief!"
and Barradas sprang to his feet. "Take it back, you mongrel-bred
swine, or I'll ram my fist down your greasy throat!"

"You fools--you cursed fools!" said Rawlings with a mocking laugh, as,
rising to his feet, he pushed Barradas back into his seat, and then
turned furiously upon the Greek. "What the do you mean by insulting
Manuel like that? you must take it back," and, unperceived by the
Spaniard, he gave the man a deep, meaning glance.

The Greek, who had drawn his sheath knife, dashed it down upon the
cabin floor and extended his hand to the second mate.

"I take it back, Barradas. You are no coward, you are brave man. We
are all good comrada. I never mean to insult you."

Barradas took his hand sullenly. "Well, there you are, Paul. But I
say again, I want no more of this bloody work;" and then looking first
at Rawlings, then at the Greek, and then at Warner, his dark; lowering
face quivered, "come, let us understand each other. I swear to you
both, by the Holy Virgin, that I will be true to you, but this man must
not be hurt. Sometimes in the night I see the face of that girl, and I
see the face of Tracey, and I see and feel myself in hell----"

Warner laughed hoarsely, but Rawlings' foot pressed that of the Greek.

"There, that will do, Manuel; let us say no more about it. I yield to
you. We must take our chances."

Barradas sighed with relief, and held out his hand to Rawlings.

"You won't play me false?" he inquired.

"I swear it," said Rawlings, first pressing the Greek's foot again, and
then standing up and grasping his officer's hand.

"And I too," said the Greek, extending hi