l of the plunging hull as I
continued to gaze contemplatively at the windy sky away on our starboard
quarter.

"Why," answered, Harry, "it's no use denyin' that they're all of the
same mind as t'other two. They s'ys that you knows enough to hang all
hands of us, and that you'd be certain sure to do it, too, if we was
only to give yer half a chaunce."

"And what is _your_ opinion upon the matter, my man?" demanded I.

"Well," said he, "I thinks as p'rhaps they're right, so far as that
goes. But I don't hold with murder; and I said as I thought we might be
able to plan out a way of makin' ourselves safe without doin' no hurt to
you and the young lidy. But they wouldn't listen to me; they're all for
makin' theirselves _safe_, as they calls it."

"And what is their scheme?" asked I.

"Why, accordin' to their present way of thinking they intends to ast you
to make the Brazilian coast, somewheres about twenty mile or so from
some big port; and they're goin' to tell you as when we've made the land
the brig is to be scuttled, and all hands--you and the lidy included--is
to take to the boats and land, givin' ourselves out to be a shipwrecked
crew. But, at the last minute, when all is ready for leaving you and
the lidy is to be seized, lashed hand and foot, and locked up below, to
go down with the brig."

"A very pretty, diabolical, cold-blooded scheme," commented I, "and one
that would have been very likely to prove successful, had you not warned
me. I am infinitely obliged to you, my man, and you may rest assured
that I will not forget, the good turn you have done me in making me
acquainted with the plan. I shall endeavour to frustrate it, of course.
May I depend upon you to help me?"

"Why, as to that, sir," answered the fellow, "everything'll depend upon
what you makes up your mind to do. I won't have nothin' to do wi'
murderin' of you, that's certain. But, on t'other hand, I don't mean to
mix myself up with no job that means havin' my throat cut if the thing
don't happen to turn out all right."

"Just so," said I; "I see your position exactly. I will think the
matter over, and see if I cannot devise some practicable scheme to get
to windward of those scoundrels, and will then have another talk with
you. Meanwhile, kindly keep your ears open; appear to fall in with the
plans of the others, and let me know if any alterations are made--you
will find it greatly to your advantage to do so."

"Thank'ee, sir; I