Denning's?"

"Yes," whispered the captain. "The bullet crashed through there
afterwards and struck Mr Denning. Not hurt, but his sister shrieked on
hearing the shot and seeing him fall."

"Then they are in there?"

The captain nodded.

"And can hear our words?"

There was another movement of the head.

"Then let them hear that we are trying hard to put an end to this
miserable state of affairs. Mr Denning should be ready to help us if
called upon."

There was a gentle tapping on the partition at this, and I was on my way
to the bulk-head to reply, when the cabin-door was opened and Jarette
came inside.

"Come, doctor, you must be done if you can find all that time for
talking. Can you save him?"

"I am trying, sir, if only to be prepared to have a witness against you
when the time comes for your punishment."

"Oh yes, of course, doctor, we know all about that. This way, sir.
Now, boy. Come!"

"Good-bye, Captain Berriman," I said, as I leaned over my poor officer
and pressed his hand. Then in a whisper--"Cheer up! Perhaps we shall
re-take the ship after all."

Then I followed the doctor, and a minute later we were once more under
lock and key, while as I crossed the saloon I saw that a couple of men
were pacing up and down, pistol in hand.

I made a remark about this, and then I spoke about the way in which the
powder had driven in all the end of the saloon.

"I suppose Jarette must have used about all there is now."

Mr Frewen shook his head.

"Didn't you know?" he said. "There is a large quantity on board. It is
being taken--across for blasting purposes in New Zealand. Jarette, I
suppose, helped with the lading, and knew where it was stowed. That
accounts for its being brought out so soon."

"Pity we can't give them a dose of it," I said, "so as to frighten them
into better order. Just fancy, Mr Frewen, dropping a bagful into the
forecastle with a fuse attached and lit; how they would run for the
hatch, and before they could reach it--bang!"

"Yes, with that part of the deck blown up and a dozen or so of wretched
mutilated creatures lying about shrieking for help. Well, Dale, I dare
say there is one of the bags somewhere about the cabins, but I don't
think you could use it."

"Well, now you talk like that, I don't think I should like to," I said.

"I am sure you would not, boy. You and I could not fight that way. We
must have a better way than that."

We lay there trying to