to be consulted. They're both by the wheel. Tharfore, let's go
aft, an' talk the thing there. There's no fear for our bein'
interrupted. The skipper's asleep, an' we've got the ship to
ourselves."

So saying, he leads up the ladder, the rest rising from their seats, and
crowding after.

Once on deck, they cluster around the forehatch, and there stop; the
first mate having something to say to them before proceeding farther.

The second does not take part in this conference; but stealing past
unseen, glides on towards the after-part of the ship.

Soon the others saunter in the same direction, in twos and threes,
straggling along the waist, but again gathering into a group around the
capstan. There the moonlight, falling full upon their faces, betrays
the expression of men in mutiny; but mutiny unopposed. For on the
quarterdeck no one meets them. The traitorous first officer has spoken
truly: the captain is asleep; they have the ship to themselves!

CHAPTER FIFTY THREE.

"CASTLES IN SPAIN."

Gomez is still at the wheel; his "trick" having commenced at the change
of the watches. As known, he is not alone, but with Hernandez beside
him.

Both are youngish men, neither above thirty; and both of swarthy
complexion, though with beards of different colours; that of Gomez
black, the other reddish-brown. Besides having heavy moustaches, their
whiskers stand well forward on their jaws, and around their throats;
growing so luxuriantly as to conceal the greater portion of their faces;
the expression upon which it is difficult to determine. Equally to tell
aught of their figures, draped as these are in rough sailor toggery, cut
wide and hanging loosely about their bodies. Both, however, appear of
about medium height, Gomez a little the taller, and more strongly built.
On their heads are the orthodox "sou'-wester" hats; that of Gomez drawn
slouching over eyes that almost continually glow with a sullen lurid
light, as if he were always either angry or on the point of becoming so.
At the same time he habitually keeps his glance averted, as though
wishing to conceal either his thoughts or his features; it may be both.

Acting in the capacity of a common sailor, he has nevertheless hitherto
appeared to control the second mate, as most others of the crew, and
more especially the Spaniards.

This, alleged by Striker, has been observed by Harry Blew himself; so
that of the conspirators Gomez is unquestionably chief