fe which he had wrested from Atoa, his
intention evidently being to secure, and not to kill him.

"Atoa immediately leaped forward and seized the knife, and had his arm
already raised to stab Mr Knight in the back, when Frazer shot him
dead. At almost the same instant, Luerson struck Mr Knight a
tremendous blow on the head with his mallet, which felled him to the
earth, stunned and lifeless. He next rushed upon Frazer, who had fairly
covered him with the muzzle of his piece, and would inevitably have shot
him, but just as he pulled the trigger, the man whom I had seen creeping
round behind him, sprang upon him, and deranged his aim; two or three of
the others, who had stood looking on, taking no part in the affair, now
interposed, and by their assistance Frazer was overpowered and secured.
Whether they murdered him or not, as Luerson afterwards declared, I do
not know. As soon as the struggle was over, the man who had seconded
Luerson so actively throughout, (the tall dark man who goes by the name
of `the Boatswain,') shouted out, `Now, then, for the ship!' `Yes, for
the ship!' cried Luerson, `though this has not come about just as was
arranged, and has been hurried on sooner than we expected; it is as well
so as any way, and must be followed up. There's no one aboard but the
captain, and four or five men and boys, all told: the landsmen are all
ashore, scattered over the island. We can take her without risk--and
then for a merry life at the islands!'

"This revealed the designs of the mutineers, and I determined to
anticipate them if possible. As I started for the beach I was observed,
and they hailed me; but without paying any attention to their shouts, I
ran as fast, at least, as I ever ran before, until I came out of the
forest, near where you were standing."

From the words of Luerson which Morton had heard, it was clear that the
mutiny had not been a sudden and unpremeditated act; and we had no doubt
that it had grown out of the difficulties at the Kingsmills, between him
and the unfortunate Mr Nichol.

It was quite late before we felt any disposition to sleep; but
notwithstanding the excitement and the discomforts of our situation, we
began at length to experience the effects of the fatigue and anxiety
which we had undergone, and bestowing ourselves as conveniently as
possible about the boat, which furnished but slender accommodations for
such a number, we bade each other the accustomed "good night," an