ible. In order to accomplish this it would be necessary to prevent
either the steward or the mate from entering the after cabin. All
peril from the negro I dismissed quickly, confident that his knowledge
of my standing on board would impel him to accept any explanation I
might make. But with Herman the situation was not so clear. Whether,
or not, the Captain had informed him that I was a volunteer on their
lawless expedition, I did not know. We had not met since coming
aboard, and, unless he had received direct orders regarding my status,
any interference on my part would be apt to arouse instant suspicion.
Nor was he the kind to brook any assumed authority. I had him placed
as a gruff, hard-fisted sea-dog, who would strike first, and
investigate later--one in dealing with whom either diplomacy or force
might prove equal failures. Yet I possessed this advantage--I could
deal with him alone. With but two watch officers on board, only one at
a time could leave the deck, and Broussard, I felt assured, had no
privileges in the Captain's cabin. From what I knew of Henley I
doubted if even the first officer felt privileged to invade the privacy
of his chief without some special reason. There was discipline on
board, strict discipline; there had to be to control such a crew, and
it was my impression Henley was the very kind to insist on every
privilege of his station. Herman was of value merely for his ability
as navigator; socially, the Captain and he had nothing in common. It
was on this theory I decided to work.

As I lifted the helpless Captain into his berth, his eyes glaring at me
in impotent rage, my ears could distinguish the sound of oars as the
small boat rounded the stern of the _Sea Gull_. Much as I despised the
fellow, I hated to gag him, yet our safety depended on his silence, and
I dare not neglect the precaution. Even as the boat grated along the
side, I stepped forth into the main cabin, and sat down to wait. To my
surprise and relief, it was Broussard who came down the companion
stairs, driving the steward before him.

"Vat for you loaf, hey!" he snapped fiercely. "By Gar, I teach you. I
work four--seek--hour an' nodding to eat. You say ze Capitaine send
you; bah! eet vas not so--nevaire! Vat you hav'--hey?"

The negro mumbled something through thick lips, and the irate mate
gripped him by the collar of his jacket, shaking the fellow as he might
a dog, and hurling him half across the deck