tion without
stint, sending the potatoes over and around the breastwork so thickly,
that Atkins and his companion were once more obliged to throw themselves
flat upon the ground to escape being hit. Suddenly the firing ceased,
and a dark object came flying over the chasm into the fort. It was the
governor, who, the moment he landed on his feet, began operations by
pouncing upon the mutineers, throwing an arm around the neck of each,
and holding them fast. How much he could have done toward conquering
them it is hard to tell. The rebels were both determined fellows, and
when they had sufficiently recovered from their astonishment to see that
Sam was alone, they began to struggle furiously. But help for the
governor was near. When he let go the rope it swung back into the hands
of Xury, who was waiting to receive it, and he, too, came sailing over
the breastwork, and dropped down upon Jack Spaniard, who had succeeded
in freeing himself from the chief's grasp, and was rising to his feet.
Tom Newcombe followed close behind, and Friday brought up the rear. They
came, one after the other, as rapidly as the rope could swing back and
forth; and the rebels, finding themselves overpowered, began to beg for
quarter.

"Avast, there!" cried Sam, and Friday's uplifted hand sank harmlessly to
his side, instead of falling upon the unprotected face of the chief
mutineer. "Let 'em up. I'll answer for their good behavior now."

The rebels were quite as much astonished at the governor's clemency as
were the other members of the band. They arose slowly to their feet, and
gazed about them with a bewildered, suspicious air, as if half expecting
to receive a kick or blow from some unlooked-for source. Atkins, in
particular, scarcely knew what to make of it. He surveyed the chief from
head to foot, as if he were hardly prepared to believe that he was the
same old ruler of the Crusoe band who had taught him so many lessons of
obedience at their cave in the village. Sam stood for a few moments
enjoying his surprise, when he suddenly became aware that Atkins's eyes
were not fastened upon him, but that they appeared to be looking through
him, at something on the other side of the chasm. A feeling of
uneasiness crept over the chief, for he saw that the expression on the
face of his man was changing from astonishment to alarm. "What is it?"
he whispered, not daring to look around.

Atkins, in reply, slowly raised his hand until it was on a level wi