ust in time, for almost before they had thrown the old
sacking over the rope, the bolt of the trap-door was thrust back, and
the sinister-looking sailor entered with four more, to give a sharp look
round the place, and then roughly seize the prisoners.

"Now, then!" cried Jem sharply, "what yer about? Arn't going to tie us
up, are you?"

"Yes, if you cut up rough again," said the leader of the little party.
"Come on."

"Here, what yer going to do?" cried Jem.

"Do? You'll see. Not going to spoil your beauty, mate."

Don's heart sank low. All that hopeful labour over the rope thrown
away! And he cast a despairing look at Jem.

"Never mind, my lad," whispered the latter. "More chances than one."

"Now then! No whispering. Come along!" shouted the sinister-looking
man, fiercely. "Come on down. Bring 'em along."

Don cast another despairing look at Jem, and then marched slowly toward
the opening in the floor.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

A DESPERATE ATTEMPT.

Just as the prisoners reached the trap-door a voice came from below.

"Hold hard there, my lads. Bosun Jones has been down to the others, and
he says these here may stop where they are."

"What for?"

"Oh, one o' the four chaps we brought in last night's half wild, and
been running amuck. Come on down."

"Yah!" growled the sinister sailor, scowling at Jem, as if there were
some old enmity between them.

"I say, don't," said Jem mockingly. "You'll spoil your good looks.
Say, does he always look as handsome as that?"

The man doubled his fist, and made a sharp blow at Jem, and seemed
surprised at the result; for Jem dodged, and retorted, planting his fist
in the fellow's chest, and sending him staggering back.

The man's eyes blazed as he recovered himself, and rushed at Jem like a
bull-dog.

Obeying his first impulse, Don, who had never struck a blow in anger
since he left school, forgot fair play for the moment, and doubled his
fists to help Jem.

"No, no, Mas' Don; I can tackle him," cried Jem; "and I feel as if I
should like to now."

But there was to be no encounter, for a couple of the other sailors
seized their messmate, and forced him to the trap-door, growling and
threatening all manner of evil to the sturdy little prisoner, who was
standing on his defence.

"No, no, mate," said the biggest and strongest of the party; "it's like
hitting a man as is down. Come on."

There was another struggle, but the brute was half thrust t