check upon his
temper, a serious outbreak on more than one occasion would have
occurred.

"I cannot think what evil influence is at work among the men," said
Hartog to me one evening, when we sat together alone in the cabin, for
Van Luck, except at meals, seldom joined us. "As sailors, they ought to
know that treasure hunts often prove disappointing, and they will each
receive a good round sum in back pay when the crew is disbanded after
the voyage. What, then, would they gain by mutiny? Without a navigator
they would either lose the ship, or, if they succeeded in making a
port, they would become food for the gallows. Knowing sailors as I do,
I cannot understand, in present circumstances, what it is that fosters
rebellion, unless some influence is at work that we wot not of."

It was then that I thought it my duty to tell the captain of my
suspicions regarding Van Luck, and of how I had seen him looking down
upon us through the skylight at the counting of the pearls.

Hartog was amazed at such treachery on the part of his first officer.
His own nature was so open that he found it hard to credit deception in
others. My disclosures, however, enlightened him on much that was
taking place, and he bade me keep him advised of anything further I
might see or hear. To this end, I made frequent excuses for spending my
time in the forecastle among the men, pretending I found the
companionship in the cabin irksome. I had not been long among them
before I discovered a plot that was hatching to take the ship. Hartog
and I, together with those who would not join in the mutiny, were to be
set adrift with three days' provisions in one of the boats, when Van
Luck would navigate the "Endraght" to the nearest port, promising to
divide the pearls, the value of which he had greatly exaggerated,
equally among all hands, share and share alike.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed, and I had no sooner divulged the
plan of the mutineers to the captain than Hartog began to consider how
we might meet the situation. Janstins, the pilot, the ship's carpenter,
and three of the crew we knew we could depend upon, and they were
instructed where to find arms and ammunition, and told to rally to us
aft at the first signs of mutiny. Having completed these arrangements,
Hartog's next step was to bring matters to a climax, for he argued
rightly there was nothing to be gained, and much might be lost, by
delay.

Stepping boldly upon his quarterdeck, he