ntity
there is of it."

"Indeed! And what's their demand?"

"That we shall share it with them. They say they'll have it so."

"The devil they do!"

"The old _ladrone_, Striker, began it. But what will astonish you still
more; the first mate knows all our plans, and's agreed to go in along
with us. He's at the head of the mutineers, too, and insists on the
same thing. They swear, if we don't divide equally, the strongest will
take what they can. I've hastened hither to ask you what we'd best do."

"They're determined, are they?"

"To the death--they all say so."

"In that case," mutters Gomez, after a moment or two spent in
reflection, "I suppose we'll have to yield to their demands. I see no
help for it. Go straight back, and say something to pacify them. Try
to put things off, till we have time to consider. _Maldita_! this is an
unexpected difficulty--ugly as sin itself!"

Padilla is about to return to his discontented shipmates on the
forward-deck; but is saved the journey, seeing them come aft. Nor do
they hesitate to invade the sacred precincts of the quarter; for they
have no fear of being forbidden. There they pause for a few seconds,
and then continue on.

Soon they mount to the poop-deck, and cluster around the wheel; the
whole crew now present--mates as men--all save the captain and cook.
And all take part in the colloquy that succeeds, either in speech or by
gesture.

The debate is short, and the question in dispute soon decided. Harry
Blew and Jack Striker are the chief spokesmen; and both talk
determinedly; the others, with interests identical, backing them up by
gestures, and exclamations of encouragement.

"Shipmates!" says the first officer, "this thing we're all after should
be equally divided between us."

"Must be," adds Striker, with an oath. "Share and share alike. That's
the only fair way. An' the only one we'll gie in to."

"Stick to that, Striker!" cries Davis: "we'll stand by ye."

"_Pe gar! certainement_," endorses the Frenchman, "Vat for no? _Sacre
bleu_! ve vill. I am for _les droits de matelot_--_le vrai chose
democratique_. Vive le fair play!"

Dane and Dutchman, with Tarry and Slush, speak in the same strain.

The scene is as short, as violent. The Spaniards perceiving themselves
in a minority, and a position that threatens unpleasant consequences,
soon yield, declaring their consent to an equal distribution of the
"dust."

After which, the men bel