to reach the boat, which was bottom upwards. In this,
however, he failed, for the tide seemed to suck him away. The boat
drifted outwards, and after a few ineffectual struggles, finding
probably that his strength was failing him, Pierce struck out towards
the shore. He landed a hundred yards or more away from Holgate. Between
the two men were gathered in a bunch, irresolute and divided in
counsels, the remaining mutineers.

For the moment I think I was so taken up with the situation that I did
not consider my own case. No one had eyes for me in the fast-descending
dusk, and behind the shelter of a bush I watched the course of that
singular drama. Holgate had indifferently reloaded his revolver, and
now stood holding it carelessly by his side.

"Gray, is that you? Come here," he called. But the knot of men did not
move; and now Pierce was walking rapidly towards it. It opened to
receive him, and swallowed him up again cautiously, as if there was
safety in that circle against the arch-mutineer. Holgate strode
leisurely towards them.

"I suppose you guess where we are?" he said, in his malevolent, fluent,
wheezing tones. "You've dished us, Pierce, my man."

Pierce replied from the group with an oath, and there was an
undercurrent of murmur, as if a consultation was in progress.

"Say, where's that damned little lawyer cuss?" asked a voice, that of
an American, who was one of the hands. Holgate put one hand in his
trousers' pocket.

"How should I know?" he said; "and what's that got to do with the
situation?"

"It's your doing. You've put us in this hole. You've strung us up
to-day in this blooming island," said Gray fiercely. "What did you
shoot for? Haven't you any other use for your pop-gun?"

"Come out, Gray; come out, my man, and talk it over," said Holgate
suavely. "You were always good at the gab. Step out in front, man," and
he played with his revolver. But Gray did not budge.

I wondered why he was not shot there and then if they were in this
temper, for it was plain that some of them were armed. But I suppose
that they were overawed by the bearing of the man, and, lawless
ruffians, as they were, were yet under the influence of some
discipline. Holgate had known how to rule in his triumph, and the ghost
of that authority was with him still in his defeat.

"Look here," called out Pierce after further consultation, "this is as
good as a trial, this is. You're standing for your life, Mr. Holgate,
and don'