shoulders like sentries, but it will be well to have them always within
reach of the hand in case of sudden danger. The report of a musket would
give the alarm far quicker and more effectually than a shout would do,
especially if men are at work on deck and making a noise. Well, as you
agree, we will begin after breakfast."

"How about meals, sir?" Tom Allen asked. "If they mean to make an attack
I should think they would be likely to choose meal-time, when the
passengers are all below and the deck will be comparatively deserted."

"We must keep watch then also," Mr. Atherton said decidedly. "I will
speak to Mr. Ryan and ask him to tell the steward that two of us will
require something put on the table for them after the others have done.
I do not think that he himself is likely to leave the deck when the
captain is below, and the two of us who happen to be on duty can have
our meals when he does. Of course whenever those on duty come down for
this purpose the others will take their places until they return. We
will change about each day. This is supposed to be your watch, Allen,
from four to eight. Wilfrid and I will begin the work at that hour. You
will relieve us at twelve, and we shall take the watch from four to
eight. To-morrow we will take the early watch, and so on."

"I will tell the Grimstones," Wilfrid, who had always gone for a daily
chat with the men forward, said; "they will be glad to join us in the
watch, and I should think the other men forward would do so too. I know
they all find it very hard work to get through the day."

The Grimstones at once agreed to keep watch, as did the other three men
who occupied the fore cabin with them. Mr. Atherton got muskets and
ammunition for them from Mr. Ryan, and the two Grimstones were
appointed to his watch, the other men to that of the Allens.

At seven bells most of the passengers came on deck to enjoy the fresh
morning air for an hour before breakfast.

"You are not going to enjoy the pleasure of Wilfrid's or my company at
breakfast, Mrs. Renshaw," Mr. Atherton said, smiling, to that lady as
she stood with the three girls round her on the poop.

"Why not, Mr. Atherton?" she asked in surprise.

"He and the Allens and myself are going to do amateur sentry work as
long as we lie here, Mrs Renshaw. The crew will be all busy refitting
the ship, and so I have volunteered to undertake, with their assistance,
the duty of keeping a sharp eye on those tricky gentl