d Larry, in a low voice, and pointed to some cases of
canned goods. "Beans, corn, tomatoes, salt pork, condensed milk--we
won't starve just yet, Luke."

"An' here are some barrels o' flour," added the old tar. "No, they can't
starve us nohow now."

They had brought the chisel and hammer along, and with extra caution
opened some of the cases. Taking with them all the goods they could
carry, they returned to the cabin.

"This is splendid!" cried Captain Ponsberry. "With this stuff on hand we
can hold the cabin indefinitely."

"How is I gwine to cook?" questioned Jeff.

"Over the two lanterns, Jeff. It will be slow work, but our time is our
own. Luckily there are pots and tins in the pantry."

"All right, sah."

"Of course, I am hoping that we shall not have to stay here long," went
on the captain. "But it is best to be prepared."

That those on deck might not see the cooking going on, one of the
staterooms was cleaned out and Jeff went to work in this. In the
meantime Semmel called down the companionway once more.

"Are you gettin' hungry?" he asked.

"Tell him yes," whispered Larry.

"Why?" questioned the captain, in an equally low tone.

"Then he'll think we are getting ready to come to terms and he won't
watch us so closely."

"I see." Captain Ponsberry raised his voice. "Yes, we are hungry," he
called up. "What are you going to send us, something good?"

"Ve send noddings. Maybe you talk business soon, hey?" continued the
rascally Russian.

"Perhaps."

"How soon?"

"Well, perhaps to-morrow morning."

"Not before dot, hey?"

"No."

"All right den; you can go on an' starve so long!" growled Ostag Semmel,
and went away. A moment later he met Shamhaven.

"What did he say?" asked the latter, anxiously.

"He comes to terms to-morrow!" answered the Russian, triumphantly.

CHAPTER VIII

TURNING THE TABLES

The meal which Jeff prepared put all in the cabin in better humor, and
as soon as it was over a council of war was held.

It was decided to wait until darkness had set in, and then try to gain
the deck of the ship by way of the fore hatch. In the meantime the door
to the companionway was to be locked and barred, so that the mutineers
could not attack them very well from that direction, should a running
fight ensue.

As Jeff would be of no use in a struggle he was delegated to remain in
the cabin, to make as much noise as possible, singing and talking to
himself, so that the muti