he bullets zip-zipping from wave to wave.

The boat we were pursuing had squared away and was running before the
wind to escape us, and, in the course of its flight, to take part in
repulsing our general boat attack.

Attending to sheets and tacks now left me little time to see what was
taking place, but I happened to be on the poop when Wolf Larsen ordered
the two strange sailors forward and into the forecastle. They went
sullenly, but they went. He next ordered Miss Brewster below, and smiled
at the instant horror that leapt into her eyes.

"You'll find nothing gruesome down there," he said, "only an unhurt man
securely made fast to the ring-bolts. Bullets are liable to come aboard,
and I don't want you killed, you know."

Even as he spoke, a bullet was deflected by a brass-capped spoke of the
wheel between his hands and screeched off through the air to windward.

"You see," he said to her; and then to me, "Mr. Van Weyden, will you take
the wheel?"

Maud Brewster had stepped inside the companion-way so that only her head
was exposed. Wolf Larsen had procured a rifle and was throwing a
cartridge into the barrel. I begged her with my eyes to go below, but
she smiled and said:

"We may be feeble land-creatures without legs, but we can show Captain
Larsen that we are at least as brave as he."

He gave her a quick look of admiration.

"I like you a hundred per cent. better for that," he said. "Books, and
brains, and bravery. You are well-rounded, a blue-stocking fit to be the
wife of a pirate chief. Ahem, we'll discuss that later," he smiled, as a
bullet struck solidly into the cabin wall.

I saw his eyes flash golden as he spoke, and I saw the terror mount in
her own.

"We are braver," I hastened to say. "At least, speaking for myself, I
know I am braver than Captain Larsen."

It was I who was now favoured by a quick look. He was wondering if I
were making fun of him. I put three or four spokes over to counteract a
sheer toward the wind on the part of the _Ghost_, and then steadied her.
Wolf Larsen was still waiting an explanation, and I pointed down to my
knees.

"You will observe there," I said, "a slight trembling. It is because I
am afraid, the flesh is afraid; and I am afraid in my mind because I do
not wish to die. But my spirit masters the trembling flesh and the
qualms of the mind. I am more than brave. I am courageous. Your flesh
is not afraid. You are not afraid. On the one hand