now! No rushing! Take your
turn. Every blasted one of you, I mean. What the hell are you hanging
back for,--you? You were so darned eager to go a little while ago,
what's the matter with you now? No one's trying to stop you. Here are
the boats. Put up your guns and knives, and pile in. You're absolutely
free to go, you swine. We'll be damned good and rid of you, and that's
all we're asking. It's a pity to waste powder and cannon-balls on you,
when we may have use for all we've got later on, killing the lions and
tigers and anacondas up there in the woods, but I'm going to do it."

He stepped back. Not a man or woman moved. They stood transfixed, packed
in a huddled mass along the deck. Then a woman cried out for mercy. The
cry was taken up by other women. Percival halted and faced them once
more.

"Get into those boats!" he roared savagely. "It won't do you a bit of
good to whine and pray and squeal. I'm through with you. You've got
to--Well?"

Several of the men edged forward, some of them trying to smile.

"Would you kill us when we are only trying to save our lives?" called
out one of them, finding his courage and voice.

"I don't want to talk to you. Get in!"

"We have as much right to remain on this ship as anybody else," shouted
another. "We paid for our passage. We are honest, hard-working--"

"No use! I'll give you ten minutes to climb into those boats."

There was a moment's silence. "And what will you do if we refuse to
leave the ship?" cried one of the men.

"Be quiet!" he bawled at the whimpering women. "We cannot hear what the
gentleman has to say."

"You'll soon find out what I'll do, if you don't obey me inside of ten
minutes," replied Percival.

"But the ship is not going to sink any more," protested another, looking
over the rail timidly. "She is safe. We do not wish to leave now."

Captain Trigger and Mr. Mott joined Percival. In an undertone he told
them what he had said to the mob.

"And now, gentlemen," he whispered in conclusion, "it's up to you to
intercede in their behalf. They're as tame as rabbits now. They know
the ship's all right, and they believe I intend to blow 'em to pieces
if they once put off in the boats. Start in now, Captain, and argue with
me. Plead for them. They know who I am. They know I come from the hills
and they think I'm a bloodthirsty devil. They're like a lot of cattle.
Most of them are simple, honest, God-fearing people,--and if we handle
them properly no