st of cruel fears that pressed upon him. Ruth--God! What would
happen to Ruth, what had happened to her, what was happening to her
even now, while he sat mooning, cooped and helpless in this black hole?
It was unendurable! He exploded a fierce oath.

"Bosun, we must do something--now--at once!" he cried.

The giant placed a restraining hand upon his shoulder.

"Easy lad! Not so loud, or ye'll 'ave them coming down for a look-see.
We don't want that," he admonished. "Steady! I know 'ow you feel--but
raising a rumpus down 'ere won't 'elp us none. We'll do something
right enough. I got a plan, didn't I tell ye! I was just thinking it
out--'ere, I'll tell you. First, though, let's fix these bleedin'
irons, in case they pay us a visit."

He leaned over, searching about on the dark deck, and Martin heard the
clinking as he gathered up the cuffs. He fiddled with them for a
moment.

"'Ere, Martin, stick out your 'ands!"

Martin complied, and felt the handcuffs close about his wrists.

"See if you can pull your 'ands out."

Martin found he could, easily.

"All right--just keep them 'anging from one wrist," said the boatswain.
"In case they come down on us, we don't want them to find us loose.
Just clap your 'ands be'ind you and slip your irons on. I 'ave mine
fixed, too, and I'll be 'uggin' the post in the same old way. They
won't think o' examinin' us."

"But we can't lounge here indefinitely," commenced Martin impatiently.

"We'll bide quiet for a bit," said the boatswain. "I 'ave a 'unch
they'll be coming down soon to give us some scoffin's. They wouldn't
'ave gone to the trouble o' chuck'in' us down 'ere if they was going to
kill us off'and. And they won't starve us to death--they'll feed us
till they get ready to slit our throats an' dump us overside. And if
ye strain your ears, lad, you'll 'ear the occasional rattle o' dishes
over'ead. They are eatin' up there. Now, what's the natural time to
send scoffin's below to the prisoners? Why, thinks I, after they 'ave
their own bellies full, and Charley Bo Yip is clearin' away the
leavin's. If they don't come in an 'alf-hour or so, I'll commence
work."

Martin immediately proposed rushing the hatch as soon as it was opened.
The boatswain vetoed the proposal.

"They'd slaughter us, lad. We'd never 'ave a chance. No--'ere's my
scheme: We can get out o' this lazaret into the 'old. Aye, that's
something ye didn't know, isn't it? Nor does Ichi