that any of our people were concerned in
this affair they might keep us here for three weeks or a month while it
is being investigated, or insist upon Mr. Atherton and your son and the
Allens remaining behind as witnesses. Mr. Ryan," he called to the
first-mate, "just come here a moment. This matter is more serious than
we thought. It seems that Mr. Atherton, who, as we have heard, dashed
the heads of two of these fellows together, killed them on the spot."

"Sure and I thought as much when young Allen was telling me about it,"
the mate said. "I have seen Mr. Atherton at work before this, and I
thought to myself that unless those fellows' skulls were made of iron,
and thick at that, they must have gone in when he brought them
together."

"The worst of it is," the captain went on, "they have traced marks of
blood down to the landing-stage, and of course have suspicion that
someone concerned in the affair took a boat, and either came off to one
of the ships or went away in one of the fishing craft. You know what
these fellows are; if they find out that anyone on board is mixed up in
the matter, they will keep the ship here for a month."

"That is true enough, sir. It is mighty lucky we would be if we got away
in a month."

"The first thing is to see about the boatmen," the captain said. "Of
course if they tell the authorities they brought a wounded man on board
here late last night there is an end of it; but if they hold their
tongues, and we all keep our own council, the thing may not leak out
to-day, and we will have our anchor up and get out this evening if we
can. You had better tell all the crew that not a word is to be said
about the matter, and I will impress the same on the passengers. When
they know that a careless word may lead to a month's detention, you may
be sure there will be no talking. But before you speak to them I will go
down and see Mr. Atherton, and hear what he says about the boatmen." He
returned in two or three minutes. "I hope it will be all right," he
said. "Atherton gave them a pound apiece, and told them to hold their
tongues. He thinks it is probable they will do so, for they would know
well enough that they would, as likely as not, be clapped into prison
and kept there while the investigation was going on. So there is a
strong hope that it may not leak out through them. You must stop all
leave ashore, Mr. Ryan. Tell the men whose turn it is to go, they shall
have their spree at Buenos Ay