grees as it was
the best thing to do--because, you see, sir, when a man gets into that
sort o' state there's no knowin' what devilment he mayn't be up to,
without givin' of you any warnin'. So we agreed as it would be the
right thing to do for the safety of the ship and all hands; and we
promised the mate as we'd back him up in it when we arrived home and he
had to answer for hisself to the owners. Well, sir, nobody don't know
how it come about, but we suspects as the skipper must ha' overheard Mr
Talbot and Mr Vine talkin' about this here business a'terwards; anyhow,
he gets the two of 'em by some means into his own cabin, and there he
shoots 'em both dead with a revolver, killin' the chief mate at the
first shot, and woundin' poor young Mr Vine that badly that the poor
young feller died only a few minutes after we'd broke open the
state-room door, which was locked, and had got him out. And now, sir,
we've been obliged to put the cap'n in irons--he bein' stark, ravin'
mad, you see--and we've got nobody to navigate the ship. And we
thought, mayhap--Chips, and Sails, and I did--that, learnin' of our
trouble, you might be able to spare us somebody to navigate the ship
home."

"Certainly," said I, "that can be done; for I happen to have on board
the captain, mate, and part of the crew of a ship that was foundering
when we fell in with her, and I have no doubt they will all be glad of
this opportunity to get home. But this is a very dreadful story you
have told me, my good fellow, and I hope you have ample proof of its
truth; because, if not, it may go hard with you all when you reach home.
You may possibly be charged with the murder of your two officers, you
know; or with _all_ of them, should the captain unfortunately die. When
did this dreadful business happen?"

"The shootin', do you mean, sir? Four days ago."

"Well, if you will wait a bit I will speak to Captain Baker, and hear
what he says to the idea of taking charge of your ship. I suppose you
can find room for his crew? There are ten of them altogether."

"Oh yes, sir; and glad to have 'em. We were short-handed when we left
Calcutta; and now--"

"Yes, yes; of course," I interposed hastily. And, with a suggestion
that his crew should come on deck and get some breakfast while waiting
the progress of negotiations, I stepped aft to the wheel grating, where
Captain Baker was busy spinning yarns to the youngsters, and, beckoning
him aside, repeated the