ou don't mind, and it may be murder."

There was no response, and the little party subsided into a state of
despair.

Excepting Mark.

He was as determined as ever to escape, and felt that there must be a
way if he could only hit upon it.

His last idea was to raise some of the cabin floor boards and get down
below, where they might reach a hatchway; but there was no chance of
doing this while a man was watching them, armed with a pistol. Nothing
could be done but wait.

Mark sat back against the bulkhead, with his hand playing with the hilt
of his midshipman's dirk, which he had managed to retain all through his
various struggles, from the habit of thrusting it into its sheath the
moment opportunity served; and as he sat he glared up at the skylight
feeling as if he would give anything to have a fair chance on deck, his
men against the American skipper's, and the victory to the bravest and
most strong. He was ready, boy as he was, to lead them on, being wound
up to a pitch of utter recklessness.

Almost, for he had sense enough and teaching enough to know that it
would be an act of cruel madness to his men to force them to squeeze
themselves, one by one, up through that light, ready to be knocked back
helpless into the cabin.

He glanced at Mr Russell, where he lay in his stupor, and recalled some
words that officer had once said to him respecting the management of his
followers:--"Always use them as if their lives were of greater value
than your own, Vandean," he said. "Never risk them recklessly."

"And that would be recklessly," Mark said, half aloud.

"You speak to me, sir?" said Tom Fillot.

"Eh? No, Tom; I was only thinking."

"Of how to get out of this place, sir, and dropping on to them beggars
up above?"

Mark shook his head.

"Don't say that, sir. Do think o' some way. It's 'orrid, and I feel
'shamed o' myself. I'd sooner have a fight for it, and be down in
hospital six months arter, than be beaten like this here."

"So would I, Tom; but what can be done?"

"Why, here's five on us, sir, and you to lead us, all ready to make a
rush for it. We're a bit knocked about, but full of fight. It's only
for you to say the word."

"I'm ready to say the word, man, but how can I?" cried Mark, eagerly.
"Can we get out on deck through that light?"

"Well, I'm feared as only 'bout a couple on us would, sir."

"Right, even if we could manage that; and the survivors would be thrown
back, worse