ight ironing was a favorite
sport of Swope's; he was notorious for it among sailormen. I saw the
results upon Newman.

The flesh above the irons was puffed and inflamed; the constriction and
chafing had broken the skin, and the cuffs upon both arms and legs were
buried in the raw wounds. Exquisite agony--aye, trust Swope to produce
that! I had to push back the swollen, bruised mass before I could
insert the little flat key, and effect the release.

When I had them off, I turned Newman over on his back, and, with my arm
about him, prepared to lift him erect. Before I could do so,
assistance arrived. Light feet pattered down the lazaret ladder; there
was a swish of skirts, a gasp, and the lady was on her knees by
Newman's side. "Roy--Roy--I was in time--" she cried. Her arms went
around his neck.

I released him to her for the instant, and straightened up and
listened. There was noise on deck, and confusion. The ship was in
stays; she hung there, aback. I could hear Lynch, somewhere forward,
bawling orders; and overhead, Swope sang out to the wheel, and then
hailed the roundhouse.

"Roundhouse, there--on deck and lend a hand! Man the
lifeboat--lifeboat falls, there! For God's sake, Mister--what's the
matter there on deck?"

Oh, he was worried, was Swope. It showed in his voice; for once his
tone was not full and musical, it was shrill and screechy. He was
sorely shaken, madly anxious to save his faithful jackal; the
Eliminator had not planned Fitzgibbon's removal.

Thoughts, questions, rushed through my mind. I listened for other
sounds, for shots and shouts and sounds of strife. For there was
confusion up there on the dark decks, and the captain had forgotten his
caution and withdrawn his ambush. I knew that Boston and Blackie would
not overlook this chance; promise or no promise they would profit by
this occasion.

It was this thought that spurred me to action. We must get out of this
hole we were in; the lazaret was a trap. The die was cast; the mutiny
was on--or would be in a moment.

I said as much to my companions. Newman attempted to get to his feet.
"A hand, Jack--it must be stopped," he said.

I gave him the hand. More than that, I took him upon my back and
tottered up the ladder with him, the lady assisting as well as she was
able. She knew what had happened on deck, and she told us in a word or
two.

She had not been able to find Wong (we afterwards discovered that Wong
had