But of course Turnbull's brace of revolvers gives him an
immense advantage, should it come to fighting. But I can plainly see
that if the slip is to be recaptured at all--and I believe it can be
managed--it must be done without fighting; for you are not strong-handed
enough to risk the loss, or even the disablement, of so much as a single
man. Now, tell me this. Turnbull informs me that your water is bad,
and that he intends to re-water the ship, here. Is that true, or is it
only a fabrication to account to me for the presence here of the
_Minerva_?"

"Why, just that, and nothin' else, sir," answered the steward. "Our
water's good enough. But certingly we're runnin' rather short of it;
and I don't doubt but what 'e'll fill up, if there's water to be 'ad
'ere. But it's the treasure as 'e's after, first and foremost, and
don't you forget it."

"Quite so," agreed Leslie. "Now, no doubt he will go ashore again soon
after daylight; and as I shall not come off to the ship he will be
compelled to come ashore in his own boat. How many men will he be
likely to bring with him, think you?"

"Not more'n two, sir, certingly," answered the steward; "and p'rhaps not
any at all. Likely enough when 'e finds as you don't come off 'e'll
scull 'isself ashore in the dinghy. Because, you see, sir, 'e don't
trust none of us 'ceptin' the four as is standin' in with 'im, and them
four 'as their orders to keep a strict heye upon us to see that we don't
rise and take back the ship from 'em. So I don't think as 'e'll take
any o' them ashore with 'im if 'e can 'elp it. And 'e won't take none
of the others either, 'cause 'e'd be afraid to trust 'isself alone with
'em."

"Very well," said Leslie. "I think I can see my way pretty clearly now.
If Turnbull should go ashore by himself to-morrow, I will look after
him and see that he does not return to the barque. But if he should
take any of his own gang with him--say two of them--that will leave only
two and the cook aboard against six of you, which will make you two to
one. In that case you must watch your chance, and, if you can find an
opportunity, rise upon those three and retake the ship. And if you
should succeed, hoist the ensign to the gaff-end as a signal to me that
the ship is recaptured. But do not run any risks, mind; because, as I
have already said, you cannot afford to lose even one man. If you
cannot see a good chance to retake the ship, we must watch our
opportuni