uming a
nonchalance he did not feel as he dropped upon the deck, he thrust his
hands into his pockets, mastered the desire to run, and beginning to
whistle, stalked slowly aft till he reached the companion-hatch, and
began to descend the steps without a sound.

Now was the critical time, for as he went down he could see that the
cabin-door was shut, and hear the dull burr, burr, burr-like murmur of
the captain's voice talking to his son.

Half-way down Fitz stopped short, for he heard a movement as if Poole
were crossing the cabin, and if he came out now the opportunity was
gone.

The middy felt the sensation as of a spasm attacking his chest, and as
he paused there, half suffocated, he trembled with anger against himself
for losing such a chance; but the sound within the cabin ceased, the
captain's voice went murmuring on once more, and the suffocating
sensation passed away, leaving the boy ready to seize his opportunity,
and quick as thought he descended the last few steps, paused at the
cabin-entry, and raising his hand quickly and silently, secured the
outer door.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

A BOLD STROKE.

Fitz Burnett did not pause to think of the rights or wrongs of his
proceedings, but smothered up everything in the belief that he was doing
his duty.

He would not even pause to consider whether his ideas were possible or
impossible; everything was swallowed up in action, and with feverish
energy he hurried back on deck to make the most use of the flying
moments while he could.

Hurrying forward to where the men were dozing, smoking, and thinking, he
signed to those who noticed his approach, and called to the others.

"Now, my lads!" he cried.

The men sprang up wonderingly, apparently influenced by old traditions,
and in no wise surprised to find the young officer about to give them
some order.

"Look here, my lads," he said, in a low, quick, excited voice; "a word
with you! I know you were all ABs to a man."

"Ay, ay, sir!" said the nearest sailor at whom he looked.

"Old men-of-war's men," continued Fitz to another.

"Ay, ay, sir! That's right," said the sailor.

"It is my duty to make you, a crew of good men and true, know exactly
how you stand."

The listeners looked wonderingly at the excited boy, and then at one
another, as if asking for the meaning of these unusual words.

"Look here," continued Fitz, "you have all been good fellows to me since
I have been aboard."

"Ay, ay, sir!