pted to go to extremities. Do you hear?" he cried, after a pause.

"I'll answer for Mr Brymer," cried the captain, "as you answered for
that miserable, treacherous boy. No, he will not open the door for you
and your pack to come in and wreck and rob. This is our stronghold till
some ship heaves in sight, and you and your gang are put in irons to
await your fate. I give you all fair warning," he cried, raising his
voice so that every one present might hear. "If you wish to escape
being shot down, keep away from that door-way; for by all that is holy
we will shoot the first ruffian who tries to open it."

"Powder!" said Jarette, laconically, "half a keg. It's their own fault,
my lads. They shall soon see who is master here."

There was a quick movement in the cabin then, and Captain Berriman
turned to Mr Frewen.

"Try and make more of an opening," he said. "We must have full play for
the guns."

The doctor nodded and drew back three of the chests a little.

"That ought to do," he said. "If one of us stands aside and watches, he
can tell the others when to fire."

"Ah! but that will require care," said the captain, quickly; "the shot
must not be at the powder, or we shall be blown up. Look here, Mr
Denning, if you will lend me your gun I think I can pick off the first
scoundrel who comes to lay the powder. Perhaps another will come, but
if he is dropped they will not try again."

"I can shoot them," said Mr Denning, quietly. "I do not like to take
life, but I feel that I must fire now."

"Then keep your gun, sir," said Captain Berriman; "you need not
hesitate, for it is a good deed to rid the earth of such wretches as
these, and remember you are fighting for your sister's sake."

"Yes," said Mr Denning, in a low voice, almost a whisper to himself,
"for my sister's sake,"--and he moved a little to one side, where he
could get a better aim and command the outer portion of the door, though
it was only through quite a slit.

"Hah!" cried Jarette, then in a triumphant tone--"but too much, my lads.
We don't want to blow out the side of the ship. She's too much value
to us now. Never mind, we'll use half of it to make a good long train.
Come, lieutenant, here's a chance for you to distinguish yourself before
the men. You shall lay the train."

"I? Lay the powder?" cried Walters, so excitedly that the men burst
into a roar of laughter.

"Bah! Don't show the white feather, boy. It must be done. Wha