ays you are to understand that he is
now master of this ship, and that no harm will be done to any one if you
all give up quietly."

"And if we do not," said Captain Berriman, sharply, "what then?"

"That is for Captain Jarette to decide," replied the voice, one which
made me writhe as I looked from one to the other, wondering whether they
recognised who was speaking.

"Captain Jarette!" cried our sturdy old officer, furiously. "Look here,
sir, don't you insult me by calling that French scoundrel by such a
title. And look here, are you making this announcement of your own free
will, or are you forced by that contemptible mongrel knave to deliver
his insolent message?"

"There is no compulsion, captain, and no need for you to call names,
without you wish to be punished for your insolence. I am Captain
Jarette, sir, and this is my good ship, these are my good brave men.
Brave enfans--do you hear, bons enfans. This lad is my young
lieutenant, who, like the rest, was sick of the vagaries of such a
tyrannical old wretch as you."

"You dog!" growled the captain, furiously.

"Yes, dog, sir, so don't tease me into biting, or I may use my teeth
sharply."

"You, Walters," cried the captain, "listen, boy--why are you with these
men? Are you a prisoner?"

There was silence for a space before Walters said sharply, as if some
one had made a threatening gesture close to his head--

"No, I am not a prisoner."

"But you have not joined these mutinous scoundrels, sir?" cried the
captain, and his voice sounded quite plaintive.

Walters made no reply.

"Do you hear me, boy? Answer me, you--Oh no, it is impossible."

There was a low derisive laugh plainly heard, and then in a mocking tone
Jarette said--

"Why don't you answer the good kind captain, Lieutenant Walters?"

I started at this, and my lips parted to give utterance to the
ejaculation, "Oh!" as I felt I was grasping the reason of my messmate's
conduct. Could it be ambition?

"What! you're too modest? All right, dear boy, I'll answer for you.
Yes, he has joined me, skipper, as my right hand, to help navigate our
ship. Do you hear--our ship? He was sick of your bullying and
domineering, just as we all were. I had only to ask the lads if they
were not tired of being slaves, to have them join me at once. And now
you've often talked to me; let me talk to you for your good. No more
bad language, please, unless you want to go overboard to join those
fool