ellow, and as he saw the utter change that had
come over Leyden, a tiny shiver ran rippling up his spine. All Leyden's
anger and irritation had gone; the crafty, calculating man of the world
peered out through glittering eyes; if Barry had entertained any
foolish notions of the man's mettle before, they were dissipated now.
Yes, there was no doubt of it. Leyden was laughing at him.

"Nobody's stopping you getting your pouch," Barry blurted hotly. He
preferred taking a beating at any time, if necessary, to being laughed
at. "The whole wharf is open to you. But I advise you to move along a
bit before pulling that pouch. My men don't like the smell of Dutch
tobacco."

To Rolfe he said: "Leave Blunt here and come below. I want to speak to
you. Wait though," he suggested, "Blunt hasn't signed on yet. How does
he suit you?"

Bill Blunt's ears twitched with anxiety until the mate replied: "Good
man, sir! Darn glad to have him. Coolest hand I ever saw--and a sailor."

"Good. Stay here. I'll bring up the Articles and sign him on here. Then
he can stand gangway watch with you. I don't want to leave the gangway
without a white man on it so long as that craft lies ahead of us."

Bill Blunt entered into the company of the _Barang_ and took up his post
at the gangway with a roaring sea-song rumbling in his mossy throat.
Some of his stout, devil-may-care spirit had gone into the native crew,
and there was less of furtiveness and more of confident satisfaction
with their job as the little brown men listened to the jovial harmony of
their new white shipmate.

Rolfe followed the skipper below, and at the table Barry told him as
much of the day's events as seemed vital. Regarding the Mission, it was
merely mentioned as being in some manner connected with Leyden's obvious
familiarity in the trading station.

"He's gone off that way now, sir," remarked the mate. "I noticed him
beating up for the path as you brought up the Articles." Rolfe halted
suddenly at the sound of grinding teeth and stared at the skipper in
wonderment. But Barry cast off the spasm of rage and went along with
business.

"Now, Rolfe, you know what we're here for as well as I do. Much has
happened that I didn't expect, but the main thing remains. On or near
this stream gold is being taken out that belongs to my employer. It's
getting into other pockets. And the man who owns those pockets knows
more about the location of these gold sands than either I or Houten,