ood by the raft, grasping a handspike, with which he
threatened to knock the steward down if he set foot on it. The men were
grouped round them, some with looks that implied a desire to side with
Tarquin, while others muttered "Shame!"

"Shame!" cried Tarquin, looking fiercely round on his shipmates, "who
cried shame? We're pretty sure all on us to be starved to death on this
reef; and it's my opinion, that since we haven't got to live long, we
should try to enjoy ourselves as much as we can. There's not much
spirits aboard, more's the pity; but what there is I shall have. So
again I say, who cried `Shame?'"

"I did," said Glynn Proctor, stepping quickly forward; "and I invite all
who think with me to back me up."

"Here ye are, me boy," said Phil Briant, starting forward, and baring
his brawny arms, as was his invariable custom in such circumstances.
"It's meself as'll stick by ye, lad, av the whole crew should go with
that half-caste crokidile."

Gurney and Dick Barnes immediately sided with Glynn also, but Jim
Scroggles and Nikel Sling, and, to the surprise of every one, Markham,
the second mate, sided with the steward. As the opposing parties
glanced at each other, Glynn observed that, although his side was
superior in numbers, some of the largest and most powerful men of the
crew were among his opponents, and he felt that a conflict between such
men must inevitably be serious. Matters had almost come to a crisis
when Dr Hopley and the captain approached the scene of action. The
latter saw at a glance the state of affairs, and stepping up to the
steward, ordered him at once into the hut.

Tarquin seemed to waver for a moment under the stern gaze of his
commander; but he suddenly swore a terrible oath, and said that he would
not obey.

"You're no longer in command of us," he said gruffly, "now that you have
lost your ship. Every man may do what he pleases."

"May he?" replied the captain; "then it pleases me to do that!" and,
launching out his clenched right hand with all his might, he hit the
steward therewith right between the eyes.

Tarquin went down as if he had been shot, and lay stunned and at full
length upon the sand.

"Now, my lads," cried the captain, turning towards the men, "what he
said just now is so far right. Having lost my ship, I am no longer
entitled to command you; but my command does not cease unless a majority
of you choose that it should. Tarquin has taken upon himself to d