accredited officer, and, for lack of orders to the contrary,
the helmsman--McNamara now--was holding her to her course. Burns had
taken Schwartz's place as second mate, but the situation was clearly
beyond him. Turner's condition was known and frankly discussed. It
was clear that, for a time at least, we would have to get along without
him.

Charlie Jones, always an influence among the men, voiced the situation
as we all stood together in the chill morning air:

"What we want to do, boys," he said, "is to make for the nearest port.
This here is a police matter."

"And a hanging matter," someone else put in.

"We've got to remember, boys, that this ain't like a crime on land.
We've got the fellow that did it. He's on the boat all right."

There was a stirring among the men, and some of them looked aft to
where, guarded by the Swede Oleson, Singleton was sitting, his head in
his hands.

"And, what's more," Charlie Jones went on, "I'm for putting Leslie here
in charge--for now, anyhow. That's agreeable to you, is it, Burns?"

"But I don't know anything about a ship," I objected. "I'm willing
enough, but I'm not competent."

I believe the thing had been discussed before I went up, for McNamara
spoke up from the wheel.

"We'll manage that somehow or other, Leslie," he said. "We want
somebody to take charge, somebody with a head, that's all. And since
you ain't, in a manner of speaking, been one of us, nobody's feelings
can't be hurt. Ain't that it, boys?"

"That, and a matter of brains," said Burns.

"But Singleton?" I glanced aft.

"Singleton is going in irons," was the reply I got.

The light was stronger now, and I could see their faces. It was clear
that the crew, or a majority of the crew, believed him guilty, and
that, as far as Singleton was concerned, my authority did not exist.

"All right," I said. "I'll do the best I can. First of all, I want
every man to give up his weapons. Burns!"

"Aye, aye."

"Go over each man. Leave them their pocket-knives; take everything
else."

The men lined up. The situation was tense, horrible, so that the
miscellaneous articles from their pockets--knives, keys, plugs of
chewing tobacco, and here and there, among the foreign ones, small
combs for beard and mustache unexpectedly brought to light, caused a
smile of pure reaction. Two revolvers from Oleson and McNamara and one
nicked razor from Adams completed the list of weapons we found. The
crew