rs think to
starve us out or to lull us into a false security and catch us
unawares. As for starvation, the box of biscuits will last us both
for a week or more; and they stand little chance of taking us by
surprise, for one of us is always on the watch whilst the other
sleeps. They spent last night in drinking. Railton's voice was very
loud at times, and I could hear Colliver singing his infernal song--

"'Sing hey! for the dead man's lips, my lads.'

"That man must be a fiend incarnate. I have but little time to write,
and between every word have to look about for signs of the mutineers.
I wonder whither they are steering us.

"Oct. 8th.--A rough day evidently, by the way in which the vessel is
pitching, but I expect the crew are for the most part drunk. We must
find some way of getting rid of the dead bodies soon. I hardly like
to speak to Mrs. Concanen about it. Words cannot express the
admiration I feel for the pluck of this delicate woman. She asked me
to-day to show her how to use a gun, and I believe will fight to the
end. Her child is ailing fast, poor little man! And yet he is
happier than we, being unconscious of all these horrors.

"Oct. 9th, 3.30 p.m.--Sick of this inaction I made another expedition
up the companion to-day. Rogerson was steering, and Railton standing
by the wheel talking to him. He had a bottle in his hand and seemed
very excited. I could not see Colliver at first, but on glancing up
at the rigging saw a most curious sight. There was a man on the
main-top, the boatswain, Kelly, apparently asleep. Below him
Colliver was climbing up, knife in mouth, and was already within a
couple of yards of him. I fired and missed, but alarmed Kelly, who
jumped up and seized a block which he had cut off to defend himself
with. At the same moment Railton and Rogerson made for me. As I
retreated down the ladder I stumbled, the gun went off and I think
hit Rogerson, who was first. We rolled down the stairs together, he
on top and hacking at me furiously with a knife. At this moment I
heard the report of a gun, and my assailant's grasp suddenly relaxed.
He fell back, tripping up Railton who was following unsteadily, and
so giving me time to gain the cabin door, where Mrs. Concanen was
standing, a smoking gun in her hand. Before we could shut the door,
however, Colliver, who by this time had gained the head of the
stairs, fired, and she dropped backwards inside the cabin.
Locking th