eamt of going to the lengths he did;
still, not a man stepped forward to seize the assassin, who, coolly
throwing overboard the bloody blade with which the foul blow had been
dealt, proceeded to carry out his original intention of casting loose
the lashings of the long-boat and launching it over the side, several
assisting him as he began the task.

However, Mr Meldrum had seen what had happened from the poop, not
having followed Captain Dinks too closely, for fear of being again
accused of interfering with the duties of the ship.

Now, single-handed as he was, he at once dropped on to the lower deck,
rushing to where Moody was standing, but the other men got in between
and hustled him away; so, seeing that he could do nothing towards
arresting the miscreant for the present, he bent over the poor captain
and lifted him on his knee to see whether life was quite extinct.
Happily he still lived! moaning faintly as Mr Meldrum raised him in his
arms; consequently, as it was too dark--for it was just under the break
of the poop where the wounded man was lying--for him to see what was the
extent of the injury he had received, Mr Meldrum called out loudly for
assistance, that he might be able to carry him below to the saloon and
bind up the wound properly. It was vitally necessary to staunch the
blood speedily, as it was flowing copiously and had already saturated
the coat-sleeve of Mr Meldrum's supporting arm.

"What are you calling out for?" shouted out the miscreant Moody in
derision. "None of them will hear you through the bulkhead. Let the
cursed brute bleed to death and be hanged to him! I'm sorry I didn't
settle him, right out, as I intended!"

Somebody did hear, however; for at that moment, Frank Harness--who had
been told to go below along with McCarthy and Adams at midnight by the
unfortunate captain, who said he would take the sole duty of the ship on
himself until the morning watch was called--rushed up the companion way
on to the poop.

"Did you call, Captain Dinks--Mr Meldrum!" he cried, looking about and
seeing nobody there. "I thought I heard someone call out for help!"

"I'm here below on the main-deck," shouted Mr Meldrum. "Call for
assistance and come and help me at once. Poor Captain Dinks has been
stabbed by one of the crew, and I fear he's dying!"

"Good heavens!" exclaimed Frank in startled surprise, staggered for the
moment; but he did not stop long to think or act.

"Mr McCarthy!--Mr Lat