mitted to the Crusoe men, at the same time reminding them
that the chasm was deep, and that a fall upon the rocks below might
break his neck, and give Sam and his band something more serious than
the robbing of a potato-patch to answer for.

"Now, don't you be any ways oneasy," replied the governor. "You didn't
harm my men while you had 'em pris'ners, an' I won't harm you, neither.
Are you fellers over there all ready? If you are, look out fur him, fur
here he comes."

Jed's position just then was not a comfortable one. His hands were
confined behind his back, his feet bound close together, and he was to
be swung over the chasm as if he had been a sack of corn. The governor
seized him by the hips, pulled him back until his feet were clear of the
ground, and then let him go. He swung safely over the gully, and when he
came within reach of Atkins and Friday, he was caught and held by one,
while the other untied the rope. The Crusoe men followed after, and when
all had crossed, the governor ordered Atkins and Jack Spaniard to put
out the fire. As soon as this had been done, and the mutineers had
collected the articles of the outfit, which they had intended to take
back to the village with them, the governor lighted his lantern, and
turned to the prisoner.

"Have you found out, by this time, that we can do just what we please
with you?" he asked. "Now, will you walk down to the cove, or shall we
tote you?"

"Well, I guess I'd best walk, hadn't I?" replied Jed, who was sharp
enough to know that, however carefully he might be handled, he could not
escape some severe bruises while being carried down that steep path.
"Yes. I reckon I'll walk."

"All right; Xury, untie his feet, and you an' the cap'n look out fur
him, an' see that he don't fall down."

The governor led the way to the cove, and, after the prisoner had been
laid on one of the beds in the cabin, and the two mutineers had restored
the outfit to its place, the Crusoe men stretched themselves on the
grass near the spring, to hold a council of war. By the aid of the
lantern, which he had placed on the little knoll that served for the
table, the chief scanned the faces of his companions, and saw that on
every one of them were reflected the thoughts that had been busy in his
own brain. All his men believed as he did--that a crisis in their
affairs was at hand. Tom Newcombe, as usual, was the first to speak.

"O, now, what's to be done?" he drawled. "If we keep th