o saw by his looks
that a storm was brewing.

"What did you mean, sir," began the captain at once, "by that insolent
reply you made to me on shore yesterday?"

The young man might have answered temperately if they had been alone,
but Zeppa was lying on a locker reading, and his son was also present,
and Rosco knew that the captain meant to put him to shame before them.
His spirit fired.

"Scoundrel!" he cried, "the measure of your iniquity is filled. You
shall no longer command this schooner--"

Thus far he got when the captain, livid with rage, sprang up to rush at
him. Zeppa also leaped up to aid in putting down what he clearly
perceived was premeditated mutiny, but the mate sprang out of the cabin,
and, shutting the door with a bang, locked it. At the same instant the
man at the wheel--knowing what had occurred--closed and fastened the
cabin sky-light. The captain threw himself several times with all his
weight against the door, but it opened inwards and could not be forced.

There were two square windows in the stern of the schooner, one of which
was open. Orlando perceived this, sprang up, clambered through it,
gained the deck unperceived, and, running down the companion stair, past
all the men, rushed against the cabin door, and burst it open.

Zeppa was endeavouring at the moment to wrench off the lock and was
nearly thrown back. Recovering, he struck fiercely out at those who
thronged the dark passage.

"Oh! father," groaned Orlando, as he fell before the blow.

With a terrible cry of consternation Zeppa stooped to pick up his child.
He was felled with a handspike as he did so; the crew then rushed into
the cabin and the captain was overpowered and bound.

"Overboard wi' them all!" shouted one of the men.

There were some among these villains who, having once given the reins to
their rage, were capable of anything. These, ready to act on the
diabolical suggestion, attempted to drag Zeppa and the captain up the
companion ladder, but their great size and weight rendered the effort
difficult. Besides, Zeppa's consciousness was returning, and he
struggled powerfully. It was otherwise with poor Orlando. One of the
ruffians easily raised the lad's light frame and bore him to the deck.
Next moment a sharp cry and splash were heard. Zeppa understood it, for
he had seen his son carried away. With a wild shout he burst from those
who held him, and would certainly have gained the deck and leaped
ove