it was a black prospect with which I must
present them. But I did not wish to increase the tension of the
situation, and merely recounted the facts I had gathered.

"Thirty against twelve," mused Day, "and there are six true men in the
hold. Three head men. We have opened well, gentlemen."

He looked round sarcastically as he spoke, but at once returned to his
colder formal manner. "They have the engine-room and we the bridge.
That means that their attack will be on the bridge."

"I have no doubt that is what they mean," I said.

"Very well, gentlemen," said Day. "We know exactly where we are now,
thanks to Dr. Phillimore. You have your stations. I shall be obliged if
you will take them. We are likely to have a lively night."

"And let me say, gentlemen," said the Prince, raising his voice, "that
I do not conceive it possible that a pack of mutineers can secure the
control of their ship from their officers. It is inconceivable, I
repeat. I shall be at your disposal, captain," he turned to Day, "when
it is necessary. I will take my share in the common danger and
struggle."

There was a murmur of applause at this, and we dispersed to our
quarters. Legrand had the bridge, and the man at the wheel was turning
the spokes as calmly as if there had been no such thing as an alarm or
a rising. Down below all was quiet, and the engines were moving slowly.
It was now about one in the morning, and on our beams the wind was
rising. The yacht was making about eight knots and no more, and we were
still a day's steam from Buenos Ayres. I paced the deck in cover of the
chart-house for an hour or more in a condition of nervous impatience.
Holgate, I knew, would move deliberately, but when he moved this time
he would strike hard.

It was towards the dawn that, stopping in my walk, I listened, and
heard amid the whistling of the wind and the wash of the water a little
mutter of sound somewhere in the disintegrating darkness below. I
called to Legrand under my breath, and I heard his "hist." He was at
attention, his ears straining in the wind to get news of what was
passing. Then there was a shot, and the noise of a _melee_ at the
ladder. Oaths and shouts and the reports of revolvers echoed from the
wooden walls.

"Can you see, Phillimore?" screamed Legrand against the wind.

"They are attacking the gangway," I shouted back. One of the two men
who stood armed near me rushed forward.

"Go back, go back," thundered Legrand from t