aration."

"I'm ready," I said, making an effort to feel brave as we sat there in
the darkness. "I don't think I could do better if I thought till
to-morrow night."

"How would you manage?" said the mate.

"I know," I said. "I'm not very strong, but if you made the boat drift
under the ship's bows, I could catch hold of and swarm up the bob-stay
easily enough. Nobody would see me, and if I got hold quickly, the boat
could go on round to the stern, and if anybody was on the watch he would
think you were trying to get to the Dennings' window."

"Some one would be on the watch," said the mate; "and that some one
would be Jarette."

"And he would think as Dale says," exclaimed Mr Frewen, "that is
certain."

"Oh yes, I must go to-night," I said, with a bit of a shiver. "It would
be so cruel to Miss Denning to keep her in suspense, and thinking we
were not trying to help her."

A hand touched my arm, glided down to my wrist, and then a warm palm
pressed mine hard.

"Then you shall go, Dale," said Mr Brymer, firmly. "Keep a good heart,
my lad, for the darkness will protect you from Jarette's pistol, and you
can recollect this, we shall be close at hand lying across the stern
ready to row along either side of the ship if we hear a splash. That
splash would of course be you leaping overboard, and you must remember
to swim astern to meet the boat."

"And what is he to do when he gets on board, sir?" said Mr Frewen.
"Make for the Dennings' cabin at once?"

"No," I said sharply. "That's just where I shouldn't go. Some one
would be sure to be watching it. I should try and find out which was
the cabin Jarette uses, for the arms would be there, and then I should
tie some guns--"

"And cartridges," whispered Mr Preddle, excitedly.

"Oh yes, I shouldn't forget them. I'd tie 'em together and lower them
down out of the window. He's sure to have the captain's cabin, and the
window will be open, ready."

"Bravo!" cried Mr Preddle. "Oh dear! I wish I was a boy again."

"And the best of the fun will be," I continued excitedly, "old Jarette
will never think anyone would go straight to his cabin, and be watching
everywhere else."

"Then you think you can do this?" said Mr Frewen, eagerly.

"Oh yes, I think so, sir."

"I'd better come with you, my lad," he continued.

"No; that would spoil all. A boy could do it, but I don't believe a man
could."

"He is right, Frewen," said the mate. "Then understand thi