my eyes grew very dim, and for some minutes I could not see
what was going on.

Mr Frewen was the first to break the solemn silence.

"Gentlemen," he said; and then he stopped while every one turned to him,
and I thought how handsome, manly, and yet how stern he looked as he
stood gazing straight before him and through the cabin-window at the
glittering sea, while I could hardly hear a breath. Then he went
on--"Heaven knows," he said, "that I would not shrink from my duty; and
Mr Denning may rest assured, that if it comes to the worst, I will give
my life sooner than harm should come to the dear lady we all reverence--
and love. But I shrink, as a man who has had so much to do with life
and death, from taking the life of any one, however vile he may be."

Mr Brymer fidgeted a little, and Mr Frewen saw it.

"Bear with me a few moments," he said, "and I have done. I shrink, I
say, from shedding blood; but if the stern necessity comes, I will
strike home as a man should at such a time."

"You--" began Mr Brymer.

"Stop, sir, and hear me out," said Mr Frewen. "It seems to me that
there can be no doubt of one thing: if we can shoot down--wounded, I
hope--this man Jarette, we might easily master his followers."

"I have no doubt of that whatever," said Mr Brymer.

"Exactly, and that shall be done if all other methods fail."

"What other methods, sir?" said Mr Denning.

"You gentlemen may have some plans, for my part I have but one."

"We have no plans," they all said eagerly. "Then you have one?"

"Yes," said Mr Frewen. "I have one--a wild and desperate one, whose
aim is to separate Jarette from his followers, living, and to make him
prisoner. It may fail, for it is, as I say, a wild and desperate plan."

"In Heaven's name then, doctor, what is it?" said the captain, feebly.
"Speak out, sir; you know how bad I am, and that this business is
killing me."

"Then I will speak out, captain," said Mr Frewen, warmly. "I did mean
to ask you all to wait, and have confidence in me sufficient to let me
have forty-eight hours for my trial without divulging what I intended to
do."

"The times are too desperate, Mr Frewen," said the mate. "Don't ask
that of us."

"No; I say I will speak, but I ask you not to look upon the attempt as
childish or absurd until it has been tried."

He paused, and seeing how faint and hot the captain looked, bade me step
back, and push the saloon-light farther open.

I did so, an