and
swung himself to the rail; farther aft the negro steward hung over, his
mouth wide open, grinning at the spectacle.

"Hard down!" yelled the Captain, motioning with one arm. "Plug her,
man. Now you damned army hound," he called to me, "catch that rope,
and make fast."

One of the hands flung the coil so that it fell at my feet, and I did
as directed, as otherwise we would have been crushed under the vessel.
As it drew taut, the boat swung in gently against the side of the _Sea
Gull_. Above us Henley hung, leaning far enough out so he could look
down.

"Now, you damn thief," he screamed, "it's my turn to play jailer. Come
up, both of you."

"Just a moment, Captain Henley," I answered, rising to my feet. "If
there is anyone to be punished I am the one; this woman had nothing to
do with it."

"That 's for me to decide," he snarled, and whipped out a revolver. "I
know how to handle both of you. Come, jump now, you dog, or you never
will move again. Pass the girl up first, and be lively about it. Give
them a hand there, Peters, and don't be too easy."

There was no excuse for delay; besides, those lads under the heavy
canvas must be nearly smothered. With my arm about her I lifted her up
to where Peters could reach down, and grasp her hand, and then followed
as quickly as possible. Henley had swung down to the deck, and stood
there, his men grouped about him, the revolver still in his hand. One
glance at his face told me he was insane from rage, thinking only of
revenge.

"Take the woman below," he snapped, his cruel teeth gleaming. "By God!
she 'll get her lesson. Here, Louis, you damned nigger, don't you hear
me? Lock her in, and bring me the key. I 'll handle this sniveling
thief first. So you could n't run a boat, hey! Not so easy as it
looked, was it, you dog. Thought we 'd be gone this morning, didn't
you? You 'll find I 'm not quite as easy as all that. Now, by God!
you 'll take your medicine!"

I still stood motionless, my back to the rail, letting him rave, but
watching every movement. I knew the girl's eyes were on my face,
although I did not venture to glance toward her, not even when the
negro guided her aft through the ring of seamen. Yet this was the one
thing I was waiting for, my heart beating fiercely, in fear lest the
Lieutenant might give signal for attack too soon. I remember the faces
about me, fierce, scowling faces, of men wild to lay hold upon me at
the first wo