e foot of Natchez bluff, even in the bloodiest times
of Mike Fink the Keel-boatman or of Murrell the southern bandit king.

Partial, without invitation, climbed into the skiff with us. "Cast
off," I ordered. "Oars!" And my young men--whom by this time I had
trained in many ways nautical--obeyed in good seaman fashion. A moment
later we lay almost under the rail of the _Belle Helene_. No one
hailed us. We seemed taken only for some passing skiff.

"Listen!" I whispered, "there is risk in what we are going to do."

I looked at my blue-eyed pirate, L'Olonnois, who sat closer to me. On
his face was simple and complete happiness. At last, his adventure
had come to him and he was meeting it like a man.

"What is it, Black Bart?" I heard Jean Lafitte whisper hoarsely.

"We are to board and take yonder ship," I replied softly. "If we are
to succeed, you must do precisely as I tell you. Leave the main risk
to me, that of the law. I'll take possession on the ground that she is
my boat, that her charter money is not paid, and that yonder varlet is
making away with her out of the country. She holds much treasure, let
me assure you of that, my men--the greatest treasure that ever came
down this river.

"Now, listen. You, Lafitte, as soon as we get aboard, are to run and
close the hatch of the engine-room. That will pen Williams, the
engineer, below, where he can make no resistance. As soon as that is
done, run to those doors forward which lead down to the dining-room
companionway and shut those doors and latch them. That will take care
of John, the cook. The deck-hand is away with the varlet. That leaves
only the shipmaster and the women captives.

"While you are busy in this way, Lafitte, I will hunt for Peterson,
the master, who very likely is sitting quiet on the forward deck
somewhere. The main danger lies with him. While I attend to him, you,
L'Olonnois, run aft. You will find there two ladies, one very old and
ugly, the other very young and very beautiful. See that they do not
escape, and hold them there until I come aft to meet you.

"All this must go through as we have planned. Once the maiden is in
our power, and the ship our own, we will head down-stream for the open
sea. Are you with me, my bold mates?"

"Lead on, Black Bart!" I heard L'Olonnois hiss; and I saw Jean Lafitte
tighten his belt.

"All ready, then," said I. "I'll go forward and make fast the painter
when we reach the landing stair. Follow me quickly