he went below with a firm tread, and I heard her slam the door of her
stateroom. Andrews looked toward me and spoke.

"You can leave the girl aboard," said he. "You'll have enough in
the boat."

"Chips," I called, "stand by for a rush. Don't let Dalton get forward
alive. Miss Sackett either goes with us, or we all stay here together and
fight it out."

Andrews, who had recovered somewhat, now staggered to his feet and drew
his knife.

"Stand by and follow along the port rail," he said to Journegan and
England. "You two," addressing Bell and Jenks, "go to starboard."

Dalton, who was below and separated from his fellows, would be our
object.

Jenks, however, remonstrated at the attack.

"Hold on," said he, and England stopped. "What's the use of crowding in
this thing like this? Some of us will get killed sure with seven fresh
men out for it, and what's the use? All for a gal. No, sir, says I,
don't go making a fool job of the thing. I ain't out for murder, not
fer no gal."

"You'll do as I say or get done," answered Andrews, with a fierce snort,
turning toward him.

Jenks backed toward us, and Bell tried to hold Andrews back. He partly
succeeded, but was close enough to the old man-o'-war's man to get a
slight cut from a blow meant for Andrews. Then England took a hand, and
with Journegan they held the assassin in check.

Jenks came toward us.

"I'll go with you fellows if you say so," said he, and he tossed his
knife over the rail to show that he meant no treachery.

"'Tis a little late ye are, but ye're welcome," said Chips, who had
advanced at my cry nearly to him. Frank, the young English sailor, and
Johnson were both close behind Chins, with the rest following. It looked
as if there would be a collision, after all.

"Take the girl and go," screamed Bell, almost fainting from the
cut received.

"Yes, take her and be damned!" cried Journegan. "Only get off before it's
too late."

"Seems to me," said Chips, "we could do for them now wid no trouble.
Let's try 'em."

Johnson advanced at the word, but I called him back just as Chips was
making ready for a spring at England. The big prize fighter had made
ready for the Irishman, and for an instant it seemed that we would have
another ending of the affair.

"Come," I said to one of the young sailors who held back, "get aboard the
small boat," and the fellow, who was shrinking from the knives, took the
opportunity to get away. This made Chips hesitat