use against the devils
who are pillaging the ship yonder. The sea-gate I can take care of,
Miss Ruth. It's what's below in the pit that I fear."

She listened with a curiosity which drank in every word and yet was not
satiated. Nevertheless, I believe but half of my story was plain to
her. And who blames her for that? Was not it enough for such a bit of a
girl to say, "My friends are with me. I trust them. They will win my
liberty." The arguments were for the men--for Mister Gray and me, who
sought a road in the darkness, but could not find one.

"Two doors to this house, captain," says the doctor, after a little
while, "and one of them shut. So much I understand. Are you sure that
the cavern below is empty, or do you still count men in it?"

"'Tis just neither way," said I, "and that's the worst of it, doctor.
The sea's to be held while the shell lasts and perhaps afterwards; but
if there are men down below, why, then it's another matter. I'm staking
all on a throw. What more can I do?"

He leaned back upon the sofa and appeared to think of it. Presently he
said:

"Captain, a man doesn't shoot with his foot, does he?"

And then, not waiting for me to answer, he goes on:

"Why, no; he shoots with his hand. Just you plant me in the passage and
give me a gun. I'll keep the door for you--by Jove, I will!"

Now, I saw that this promise frightened Miss Ruth more than she would
say, for it was the first time that it occurred to her that men might
come out of the pit. But she was just the one to turn it with a laugh,
and crying, "What folly! what folly!" she called out at the same time
for little Rosamunda, and began to think of that which I had clean
forgotten.

"Jasper," says she, "you will never make a general--never, never! Why,
where's your commissariat? Would you starve your crew and think nothing
of it? Oh, we shall feed Mister Bligh, and then it will be easy," says
she, prettily.

I made no objection to this, for it was evident that she wished to
conceal her fears from us; but I knew that the doctor was wise, and
before I left him there was a rifle at his side and twenty rounds to go
with it.

[Illustration: "If there is any sound at the door, fire that gun."]

"If there's any sound at the door of the corridor--as much as a
scratch," said I, "fire that gun. I shall be with you before the
smoke's lifted, and you will need me, doctor--indeed, you will!"

I left him upon this and went up, more anxious