man may do for dear life," said Mr Frewen,
sadly.

"But Walters. Did you see anything of him?" said Mr Brymer.

I was silent. Something seemed to choke me, and I could not speak for
the hot indignation I felt.

"Poor boy!" groaned Mr Brymer. "I never liked him, but it is horrible
for him to have come to such an end as this."

"Yes!" I said bitterly, as I found my tongue; "horrible for him to have
come to such an end as this."

They did not grasp the truth, and I would not tell them.

"They'll know soon enough," I thought.

"Well, gentlemen," said Mr Denning, speaking now, "there is no doubt
about the catastrophe. What is to be done?"

"Barricade the companion-way," said Mr Frewen, "and shoot down every
ruffian who tries to enter. There is a lady on board, and we must
defend her with our lives."

I saw Mr Denning dart an angry look at the young doctor, whose pale
face had lighted up so that he looked eager and animated.

"What do you say, Mr Brymer?" said Mr Denning, turning from the
doctor.

"The same as Mr Frewen," was the reply. "Doctor, you'll have to patch
me up so that I can fight a bit."

"Your spirit will do more for you than I can, sir," was the reply. "I
am sorry to say, though, that Captain Berriman is completely prostrated.
He must have received a crushing blow from behind."

"Then you will fight?" said Mr Denning, eagerly.

"Of course," said the mate quickly. "Now, gentlemen, please, the first
thing is to pile up all the chests and boxes we have at command in the
companion-way, so as to keep out the ruffians. They will get at the
drink, and then stop at nothing. I'm afraid I cannot lift, but I can
fire a pistol or a gun."

"And I cannot lift," said Mr Denning, with his eyes flashing, "but I
can fire with this and take good aim. I brought it to shoot birds on
the voyage. It will be gaol-birds now!"

Just then there was a stir and movement on deck, and the men gathered in
that saloon made a rush for the door with such fierce determination that
my heart gave a leap, and I felt that I was about to see blood shed, as
I had often read of it in books. But this was no romance.

There were quick whispers, and as it rapidly grew lighter I saw Mr
Denning stand right in the centre with the mate and Mr Frewen, all
armed with guns ready to fire upon any one who appeared; but the alarm
passed off, and Mr Denning being left on guard, the others all set to
work carrying chests and portman