mood in which she had spoken the
last words, while yet my anger was rising, and my anxiety increasing, as
I noted the continued absence of the men from the deck. "But at this
moment," I continued, "I have no option; that fellow O'Gorman must be
brought to book _at once_, or my authority will be gone for ever; and
that would never do; the others would only too probably take their cue
from him, and become insolent and insubordinate in their turn, and there
is no knowing what excesses they might in that case commit!"

My companion turned pale as she at length realised that it was something
more that mere anger springing from my wounded dignity that was moving
me; she gazed anxiously into my eyes for a moment, and then said:

"Have you any weapons of any kind?"

"None but these," I answered, indicating by a glance my doubled fists;
"and, in case of need, a belaying-pin snatched from the rail. But," I
added cheerfully, "there is no need for weapons in this case; I shall
but have to firmly assert my authority, and the fellow will be brought
to his bearings forthwith."

"I wish I could think so!" exclaimed Miss Onslow earnestly. "But,
somehow, I cannot; I utterly distrust the man; it is not only his
appearance but his behaviour also that is against him. He is a sailor,
and, as such, must know perfectly well what respect is due to a captain;
and I cannot think he was ever allowed to behave to his former captain
as he just now behaved to you. I have a presentiment that he means
mischief of some kind. And see, too, what influence he appears to
possess over the rest of the men."

"Precisely," I agreed. "You see you are coming rapidly round to my view
of his conduct; and therefore I think you will agree with me as to the
immediate necessity for me to assert myself."

"Yes," she assented--"if you can do so _effectively_. But you must not
go among those men unarmed. They have their knives; but you have
nothing. Let us go downstairs and see if we cannot find a pistol, or
something, in one or the other of our cabins. I have never yet
thoroughly searched my cabin, to see what it contains."

"I have searched mine," said I, "and have found no weapon of any kind;
but--ah, there is O'Gorman, now coming out of the forecastle--and the
rest of the men following him. And, by Jove! they are coming aft! You
are right, there is something in the wind. Kindly go below for a few
minutes, until the discussion which I foresee has c