Harry then say aloud; `now, we'll pay out
that devil below! I wonder how he'll like his mutinous dogs at close
quarters?' and he laughed a horrible bitter laugh.

"Then I heard them begin to descend the companion ladder into the
captain's cabin.

"They didn't go far enough! No sooner had Black Harry placed his foot
on the first stair, followed by the other mutineers, than there was a
flash and a stunning explosion from below. The captain, who had the
quick hearing of a hound, must have caught the sound of their tussling
with me on the deck, for he was ready for them with his double-barrelled
gun. I saw him distinctly by the flash through the skylight, standing
at the foot of the companion, while Gripper, the second officer, was
hurrying up behind him through the door leading into the steerage where
our berths were. Yes, I saw the captain. He had fired one shot, and
stood waiting with the other barrel ready.

"`Come on, you dogs!' I heard him exclaim as he discharged the gun.
`There's one dose of slugs, and I've got another handy for you!'

"The men from the sound appeared to shrink back for a second, but the
next minute they rushed down in a body; there was a second report of the
captain's gun, and I received, unbeknown to him, poor fellow--for he
didn't intend it, I know--a slug right in my eye here; and for some time
I was in such agony that I didn't know what occurred below, although I
heard plenty of shots fired, and the sound of hand-to-hand fighting
mingled with oaths, and curses, and cries.

"When I recollected myself again there was Black Harry near me
surrounded by only four others, as well as I could see after wiping the
blood off my face with part of my arm, which I was able to do by
wriggling at my lashings; the rest must have gone under in the
scrimmage.

"`Now, you villain,' I heard Black Harry say again in a voice full of
spite and anger, `I've got you! Lash him up there in the lee rigging!'
says he to his fellow-murderers; and in a trice I saw the poor cap'en,
quite pale and exhausted, fixed like a spread eagle in the mizzen
shrouds to leeward. `Now, you villain!' says Black Harry again, cocking
one of the captain's revolvers which he had ready in his hand, `you said
you would riddle us just now if we didn't go aloft after treating us
like dogs ever since we came on board your cursed ship! Well, Jarvis,
you dog--Cap'en Jarvis, I beg your pardon!--I intend to riddle you now!'

"The cap'