know, for all 'e was
cook aboard. One time, some years ago, we was tradin' in the New
'Ebrides, and the Old Man stowed some o' 'is trade stuff in the
after'old. 'E 'ad a door cut in the for'rd bulk'ead, 'ere, so 'e could
get at the goods without opening the 'atch on deck. Afterward, we
boarded it up--but the boards aren't nailed; just 'eld by cleats.
Right at the for'rd end o' this alley we're squattin in, be'ind the
beef casks. We can get through into the 'old."

"What good will it do?" queried Martin. "We would be just as much
prisoners in the hold as where we are. The hatches are battened down."

"Don't ye see? We can make our way for'rd, there being naught but a
bit o' ballast in the 'ooker. And from the fore'old I think we can
reach deck by way o' the peak. The two of us ought to be able to bust
our way into the peak. And ye know where the forepeak 'atch is--in the
middle o' the fo'c's'le deck! Well, I figure they 'ave what's left o'
our foremast crowd locked in the fo'c's'le. Aye, I figure there is
some o' them left. If Carew 'ad meant to make a clean sweep at once,
we'd not be down 'ere. So--if we can get into the fo'c's'le and join
our lads, the odds won't be so great against us. Be great enough,
though, even if most o' our 'ands are safe; swiggle me, fifteen o'
them, and the blighters 'ave the use o' our own guns, out of the cabin.

"But our lads are good boys. They'll fight if we get to them to lead
them; every man Jack would go to ---- for the lass! And if we can bust
out on deck, there's capstan bars and belaying-pins to fight with.
It's a long chance, Martin, but a better one than your plan would give
us, tryin' to break into the cabin from 'ere, just us two, and gettin'
knocked on the 'ead, or shot, soon as we started through the 'atch!"

Better than his plan! Why, it was a definite campaign. A flame of
hope kindled in Martin's breast. He was for immediate action.

"Come on--let's start!" he exclaimed, and he started to scramble to his
feet.

"'Ere--'old on!" exclaimed the boatswain, pulling him back on his
haunches. "Swiggle me, don't fly up like that, lad! Keep your 'ead
cool. We got to wait a bit. We don't want them comin' down 'ere to
find we've did the wanishin' stunt. We got to pull this off as a
surprise. We ought to wait till night when 'alf o' them, at least,
would be asleep; but, blimme, I can't wait till then, nor can you. But
we'll wait a little while an' see if