ered them to Leslie.

Dick looked at them as they lay in the fellow's hand.

"There are four keys there, I see," he said, "What are they?"

"This," answered Dolan, "is the key of the forecastle hatch. This, the
key of the main cabin, which is locked. This is the key of Misther
Marshall's cabin. And this is the key of the irons that's on the same
gentleman's hands."

"Very good," said Leslie. "Now come forward with me, and unlock the
forecastle."

The man obeyed, and presently, in response to Dick's call, four very
decent-looking young fellows came up on deck and stared about them in
some bewilderment at the sight of three total strangers on board, and
two of the mutineers in bonds. From the forecastle Dick proceeded aft,
still with the cook in company, and compelled the latter to unlock first
the main cabin in which Reynolds was found confined, then the mate's
cabin, and finally the irons on the latter's wrists.

The mate of the _Minerva_, who proved to be a very smart-looking young
fellow, with a keen, resolute expression, but drawn and haggard with
anxiety, stared in amazement at the apparition of a total stranger in
his cabin, who was evidently acting with authority. But Leslie did not
leave him much time for wonderment.

"Mr Marshall," he said, "permit me to introduce myself. My name is
Leslie. It has been my misfortune to be cast away on the island, a
glimpse of which you have perhaps occasionally caught through your cabin
port. I have been on that island nearly ten months, and my preparations
for leaving it were practically complete when your vessel entered the
lagoon. Naturally, I came off aboard to make the acquaintance of your
skipper, and found the man Turnbull in command. Knowing the fellow so
well as you must, you will not be surprised to learn that, from what I
saw, I quickly guessed there was something very seriously wrong aboard
here; and a little judicious investigation soon enabled me to arrive at
the actual facts. I am now glad to inform you that, aided by my two
companions, I have managed to recover possession of the ship for you,
and have much pleasure in turning her over to you. You will find
Royston and Hampton, two of the mutineers, securely lashed to the rail,
on deck, and doubtless you will lose no time in clapping them in irons.
The other three--Turnbull, Burton, and Cunliffe--are prisoners ashore,
at present, and if you are disposed to maroon them, they can, of course,
rem