ng, that I tried out our strangers. Two of
them I took for'ard with me in the raid on the small boats. One I left
beside Margaret, who kept charge of the poop. On the other side of him
stood the steward with his big hacking knife. By signs I had made it
clear to him, and to his two comrades who were to accompany me for'ard,
that at the first sign of treachery he would be killed. And not only did
the old steward, with signs emphatic and unmistakable, pledge himself to
perform the execution, but we were all convinced that he was eager for
the task.

With Margaret I also left Buckwheat and Tom Spink. Wada, the two sail-
makers, Louis, and the two topaz-eyed ones accompanied me. In addition
to fighting weapons we were armed with axes. We crossed the main deck
unobserved, gained the bridge by way of the 'midship-house, and by way of
the bridge gained the top of the for'ard-house. Here were the first
boats we began work on; but, first of all, I called in the lookout from
the forecastle-head.

He was Mulligan Jacobs; and he picked his way back across the wreck of
the bridge where the fore-topgallant-yard still lay, and came up to me
unafraid, as implacable and bitter as ever.

"Jacobs," I whispered, "you are to stay here beside me until we finish
the job of smashing the boats. Do you get that?"

"As though it could fright me," he growled all too loudly. "Go ahead for
all I care. I know your game. And I know the game of the hell's maggots
under our feet this minute. 'Tis they that'd desert in the boats. 'Tis
you that'll smash the boats an' jail 'm kit an' crew."

"S-s-s-h," I vainly interpolated.

"What of it?" he went on as loudly as ever. "They're sleepin' with full
bellies. The only night watch we keep is the lookout. Even Rhine's
asleep. A few jolts of the needle has put a clapper to his eternal
moanin'. Go on with your work. Smash the boats. 'Tis nothin' I care.
'Tis well I know my own crooked back is worth more to me than the necks
of the scum of the world below there."

"If you felt that way, why didn't you join us?" I queried.

"Because I like you no better than them an' not half so well. They are
what you an' your fathers have made 'em. An' who in hell are you an'
your fathers? Robbers of the toil of men. I like them little. I like
you and your fathers not at all. Only I like myself and me crooked back
that's a livin' proof there ain't no God and makes Browning a liar."

"Join us n