the open hatchway it was dark indeed, and
the approaching storm made the gloom almost impenetrable.

The second cask was open, the head was out. This fact he determined by
feeling about, and reaching down his hand encountered a dry, powdery
ingredient. He noted now that there was a dividing partition just aft,
on which his hand rested. The partition, he discovered, was hot with an
unnatural heat, while the air about him was cool. What was the powdery
stuff in the cask? He could not see, but a little held in his hand by
sense of smell he recognized. And now a crackling sound beyond the
partition wall reached his ear.

The whole picture of their awful position at once flashed upon his mind.
The lugger was a veritable trap. They had been beguiled aboard with but
one horrible purpose in view. There were people Captain Broome wished to
annihilate. The Senor was surely one, Jim and his party the others. The
substance in the cask was powder. Doubtless there was more of the same
stuff about. The boat was on fire.

With one bound Jim was back to the ladder, and was quickly on deck. The
deep intonation of a crash of thunder reverberated through the air,
drowning for the moment his voice. Jo saw his blanched face and knew
that something unusual had happened.

There was no uncertainty in Jim's commands.

"Quick! Instantly, Senor! Your daughter and Berwick into the dinghy! Ask
no questions. We have not a moment to lose!"

Even as he spoke he was drawing the dinghy alongside, Jo springing to
his aid.

"Tom, put into the boat the guns and the Senorita's handbag! Now, quick,
Berwick, man the oars! Row with all your might away from this boat!"

No one had uttered a sound. Jim's white face showed there must be motive
back of his command, and instant action followed. Quickly those ordered
to do so had taken their place in the boat.

"You are not going to stay and face the danger, whatever it is, alone?"
questioned Berwick. The oars were even then bending to the first stroke
of his powerful effort. Jim deigned no reply.

"Tom, Jo, into the water both of you, and swim with the boat!"

Such is the value of quick obedience to command. With no explanation and
without a single question both sprang into the waters of the bay,
followed by Jim himself.

"What's it all about?" Jo finally gasped.

"Not yet. Not yet," repeated Jim, but even as he spoke there came from
the lugger the sound of a most terrible scream. Human voice could n