sailing right away, but
instead was aiming right for the ship, Mr Brymer steering so that we
should pass close under the stern.

"Keep farther out!" yelled Jarette, as we approached, but no notice was
taken, and just then the mate said steadily to me--

"Now, Dale, hail Mr Denning. I want to speak to him as we pass."

"Denning, ahoy!" I shouted through my hands. "Mis-ter Den-ning!"

"Keep off there, do you hear?" roared Jarette, and I saw the sun gleam
on the barrel of a pistol.

"Den-ning, ahoy!" I cried again, but I must confess that the sight of
that pistol levelled at the boat altered my voice, so that it trembled
slightly and I gazed at it rather wildly, expecting to see a puff of
smoke from the muzzle.

"Hail again, Dale," cried Mr Brymer. "Never mind his pistol, my lad.
It would take a better shot than he is to hit us as we sail."

"Mr Denning, ahoy!" I shouted once more.

Bang! went the pistol.

"I told you so," said Mr Brymer coolly, and at that moment I heard a
sharp gasp behind me, and saw that a white face was at the little round
cabin-window we were nearing.

"When we are passing," said Mr Brymer, "that is, when I say `now,' and
begin to run off, tell Miss Denning to be of good cheer, for she and her
brother shall not be forsaken. We are going to keep close to the ship
till help comes."

"Keep off, you dogs," snarled Jarette; "you will have it then," and he
fired again.

I felt horribly nervous as I thought of the wounds received by Walters
and Dumlow, but I drew my breath hard, as I stood up in the boat and
tried not to look alarmed, though, as I waited for Mr Brymer's orders
to speak, I knew that I must offer the most prominent object for the
mutineer's aim.

And all the while nearer and nearer glided the boat, and I saw Jarette,
after cocking the pistol, raise his arm to fire again.

"Yah! boo! coward!" yelled Dumlow, and as he shouted, he lifted one of
the oars which he had thrust over the side, and let it fall with a heavy
splash just as the Frenchman drew trigger, and the bullet went through
the sail.

"Now," cried Mr Brymer, ramming down the tiller, and as we glided round
the stern I cried--

"We are going to stay close by, Miss Denning."

"Keep off!" roared Jarette, and he fired again.

"The boat will be kept close at hand to help you and your brother."

"Yes--yes--thank you," she cried shrilly. "God bless you all! I knew
you would not--"

"Go," I dare say she sai