rowled the boatswain; "it's no use kicking agen
it. Come on; lay to at the ropes, and let's get the work done."

"We arn't going to be bully-ragged by a thing like that," said the
oldest man present. "If he was a chap with anything in him, we would.
But he's a bully, that's what he is. Let Mr Roylance take command."

"Says as Mr Roylance is to take command, sir," shouted Strake.

"No," said Roylance, "I will not undertake the responsibility."

"Look ye here, messmates," cried Rogers, as Syd hung back from the
little tent, "Capen Belton's our skipper."

"Ay, ay," shouted the men.

"And he arn't here, and the luff's in orspittle."

"Well, we know that, Iky," said one of the men.

"Ay, lad; but here comes the son. I says let young Captain Belton take
command."

"Ay, ay!" thundered the men, and they gave three cheers.

"There you are, sir," said the boatswain. "Men says you're to take
command."

"I?" cried Syd; "nonsense. There's Mr Roylance."

"No, no," cried the men; and Terry stood grinding his teeth, and looking
threateningly at Syd.

"Look here, my lads," cried Syd; "the captain wants those guns mounted,
and this place held."

"Ay, ay, sir; we'll do it and hold it again anybody," cried Rogers.

"Very well put, Belton; very well," cried Terry.

"Your officer is helpless. Will you obey Mr Terry, and do your duty
like men?"

"No!" came with a roar.

"Then let Mr Roy lance take command. Come, be men."

"We arn't got nothing agen Mr Roylance," shouted a voice; "but we want
you."

"Go on, Belton; take command. The ship will be back perhaps to-night,
and we must have those guns up," said Roylance.

"Will you back me up?"

"Of course," cried Roylance, heartily.

"All right, then, my lads," cried Syd. "Now then, with a will."

"Ay, ay. Hooray!" shouted the men.

"Man signalling from the tent, sir," said Roylance.

"Oh!" ejaculated Syd, as a cold chill ran through him, and he shrank
from learning what it meant. "Go and see, Roy."

Roylance was already half-way there, and he came back directly.

"Mr Dallas says you are to take command, Mr Belton," he cried, loud
enough for the men to hear; "and he begs that at any cost you will get
the guns in position before dark."

"Ay, ay," yelled the men, and then there was dead silence.

"I am only one against you all, Mr Belton," said Terry, in a low,
snarling tone, "and the moment the _Sirius_ comes back, I go to the
captain and tell him t