saw the barrel of
his revolver glistening in the pale light.

Then with his face close to the hatch he shouted--

"Once more, stop that or I fire!"

A shout of derision came from within.

"I warn you again!" roared Mr Brymer. "I fired before without trying
to hit you, now I shall aim straight. Stop that this moment!"

"Fire away! Ready below, lads, I'll have it off--"

The report of the revolver, a hoarse, half-stifled cry from within, and
then a yell of rage arose, to mingle with the shrieking of the wind.

"I was obliged to fire, Mr Frewen," said the mate, sharply, "for at any
cost we will keep the upper hand now."

No one spoke, and I could not help shivering as I saw the stern looks of
the men by me, even Mr Preddle's round smooth face looking fierce and
determined.

Mr Frewen was the first to open his lips.

"It is a bitter necessity," he said; "those men must be kept down, but I
am obliged to speak now. Brymer, I am a surgeon, and there are at least
two wounded men there below, perhaps more. It is necessary for me to go
down."

"It is impossible, Mr Frewen. If I give orders for that hatch to be
opened, there will be a rush, and even if we remain masters and beat
them down, it can only be at the cost of wounding more, perhaps causing
death."

"Why not make a truce with them?"

"With the men it would be easy enough, but not with their leader, a
scoundrel who feels that he is fighting with penal servitude before him,
perhaps the halter! But, Mr Frewen, these are no times for being
humane. No; that hatch shall not be opened."

"But I will stand ready, after telling the men what I am going to do,
and if they will keep away while the hatch is open there can be no
rush."

"I think differently, sir," said Mr Brymer, coldly.

"I agree with Mr Brymer, sir," said Mr Denning, "that it would be
madness."

"But you agree with me, Mr Preddle?" cried the doctor, excitedly.

"No, I don't, Mr Frewen," came in Mr Preddle's high-pitched voice. "I
don't like men to suffer, but I won't give my vote for you to go down
into that wild beasts' cage."

Mr Frewen laughed bitterly, and turned to me.

"What do you say, fellow-prisoner?" he cried.

"I shall vote against Mr Frewen being allowed to go down," I said
sturdily. "We want your help more than they do."

"Bravo! my lad," cried Mr Brymer.

"Well, yes; bravo! then," said the doctor, sadly. "I am beaten; I give
in."

"Thank you, Frewen," cried Mr