sing were emancipated convicts,
and capable of any atrocity. I longed to warn the boatswain at once of
the plot hatching for his destruction; but I knew that if I moved I
should be suspected. I hoped, however, that at all events the wretches
would not attempt to carry their nefarious plan out that night, and I
resolved to take the first opportunity of telling the boatswain what I
had heard. Growing very sleepy, I was compelled at last to awake
Halliday and get him to keep watch. I told him to arouse me should the
men make any movement, or show that they were about to carry out their
treacherous project.

I went to sleep with the thought on my mind of the boatswain's danger;
and I suppose this caused me to awake suddenly. Starting up, I found
that Halliday had dropped off to sleep by my side. The raft had drifted
to some distance from the ship, which was, however, still burning, the
glare falling on the figures of my companions in misfortune,--some lying
down, others sleeping in sitting postures. I looked around towards the
spot where the boatswain's mate and his associates had been; they were
not there. I crept towards the place where I had left the boatswain;
but could not distinguish him. Happening to look to the further end of
the raft, I saw a hand lifted up holding a dagger, which gleamed in the
light of the burning ship. I shouted to Boxall and Halliday, who sprang
to their feet; while I, followed by them, rushed towards the spot where
I had seen the weapon raised.

"Stop! stop!" I shouted in Spanish. "Commit no murder." My voice
aroused most of the other sleeping occupants of the raft; but before my
friends and I could reach the spot the dagger had descended, and we were
met by the glaring eyes of the boatswain's mate and his convict
associates.

"You have killed the brave boatswain," I could not help exclaiming.

"You shall share his fate, whatever that is," growled out the murderer.
"Who are you, who dares to interfere with me and my friends?"

I made no answer. The man held the still reeking dagger in his hand,
and I could not help fearing that, should I get within his reach, he
would plunge it into me.

The people on the raft were now shouting and talking together--some
arranging themselves on our side, while others appeared inclined to take
part with the boatswain's mate and his vile associates.

"Where is the boatswain? where is the boatswain? Pedro Alvez!" cried
out some of the petty