e two belts far
along the deck beyond the reach of their owners. "Now, come here, my
joker, and let me tie you up," he continued, addressing one of the men
as he flung a coil of the fore topgallant brace off its belaying-pin.

"I'll be shot if I do!" exclaimed the man addressed, with a furious
oath.

"You will be shot if you _don't_" retorted Leslie, in a quiet,
concentrated tone of voice that made the man addressed involuntarily
shudder. "It is no good, men," he continued, "your comrades are
prisoners ashore and utterly powerless to help you. The game is up. We
are here to regain possession of this ship, _and we mean to do it_. And
if either of you is foolish enough to offer resistance, you will be
badly hurt."

Leslie's stern and uncompromising manner had its effect; and the two
men, realising their utter helplessness, sullenly and with many curses
submitted to be bound--an operation that Nicholls performed with much
gusto and an effectiveness that left nothing to be desired. Then,
leaving Simpson to mount guard over the grumbling pair, Dick and
Nicholls went forward to the forecastle to call the remainder of the
crew on deck, noticing, as they passed the galley door, that the Irish
cook was busying himself inside with his pots and pans, and it was not
difficult to discern that he was in a state of extreme mental
perturbation. Arriving at the forecastle hatch, they found the cover on
and secured with a bar and padlock, whereupon Dick returned to the
galley and, putting his head inside, said--

"Dolan, I see that the fore scuttle is locked. Who has the key?"

"Sure, and it's Jack Hampton that has that same, sor," answered the cook
with alacrity, and some surprise at Leslie's unaccountable familiarity
with his name. "And by the same token he also has the key of the main
cabin and of Misther Marshall's stateroom, your honour's honour," he
added.

"Which of those two men is Jack Hampton?" demanded Leslie.

"It's the fellah that's triced up so nately to the port rail, sor,"
answered Dolan.

"Then go you and take the keys out of his pocket," commanded Dick. "I
have no doubt you know which they are."

"Ay, ay, sor; faith and I do that same," replied the man.

And with ready officiousness he bustled out of the galley and, walking
aft, to the spot where Hampton was lashed up, thrust his hand
unceremoniously into the man's trousers pocket, withdrew a bunch of keys
secured together upon a ropeyarn, and off