. I lifted the trap in the floor, but
for some moments gazed dubiously into the darkness of the lazarette
beneath. I hesitated to descend. What if his lying down were a ruse?
Pretty, indeed, to be caught there like a rat. I crept softly up the
companion-way and peeped at him. He was lying as I had left him. Again
I went below; but before I dropped into the lazarette I took the
precaution of casting down the door in advance. At least there would be
no lid to the trap. But it was all needless. I regained the cabin with
a store of jams, sea-biscuits, canned meats, and such things,--all I
could carry,--and replaced the trap-door.

A peep at Wolf Larsen showed me that he had not moved. A bright thought
struck me. I stole into his state-room and possessed myself of his
revolvers. There were no other weapons, though I thoroughly ransacked
the three remaining state-rooms. To make sure, I returned and went
through the steerage and forecastle, and in the galley gathered up all
the sharp meat and vegetable knives. Then I bethought me of the great
yachtsman's knife he always carried, and I came to him and spoke to him,
first softly, then loudly. He did not move. I bent over and took it
from his pocket. I breathed more freely. He had no arms with which to
attack me from a distance; while I, armed, could always forestall him
should he attempt to grapple me with his terrible gorilla arms.

Filling a coffee-pot and frying-pan with part of my plunder, and taking
some chinaware from the cabin pantry, I left Wolf Larsen lying in the sun
and went ashore.

Maud was still asleep. I blew up the embers (we had not yet arranged a
winter kitchen), and quite feverishly cooked the breakfast. Toward the
end, I heard her moving about within the hut, making her toilet. Just as
all was ready and the coffee poured, the door opened and she came forth.

"It's not fair of you," was her greeting. "You are usurping one of my
prerogatives. You know you I agreed that the cooking should be mine,
and--"

"But just this once," I pleaded.

"If you promise not to do it again," she smiled. "Unless, of course, you
have grown tired of my poor efforts."

To my delight she never once looked toward the beach, and I maintained
the banter with such success all unconsciously she sipped coffee from the
china cup, ate fried evaporated potatoes, and spread marmalade on her
biscuit. But it could not last. I saw the surprise that came over her.