"What do you mean?" asked Paul.

"I'll tell you, lad," was the answer; and he whispered something into
his companion's ear.

Paul felt that there was a great deal to be done, and longed for the
moment of action. He observed with satisfaction that frequent visits
were made to the spirit-room, and that even the master was taking more
than his usual share of grog. The ship sailed steadily over the calm
sea--night drew on. Paul's heart beat unusually fast. He waited till
he was sure that he was not perceived, and then he climbed into one of
the boats. He was there for some time, and then descending he got into
another; and so he visited all in succession. Again he slunk down
below.

At length the master came on deck to keep his watch. The night, for
those latitudes, was unusually dark, but the sea was smooth. The ship
glided calmly on, the ripple made by her stem as she drove her way
through the water showing, however, that a fair breeze filled her sails.
The master leaned against a gun-carriage, and gradually sunk down on
it, resting his head on his hands. The helmsman stood at his post, now
gazing at the broad spread of canvas above him, and then mechanically at
the compass, with its light shining in the binnacle before him, but
looking neither to the right hand nor to the left. The rest of the
watch placed themselves at their ease between the guns, and were soon,
whatever might have been their intention, fast asleep. One by one
others now stole on deck towards the boat Paul had last visited. Not a
word was spoken. At length two men appeared bearing two slight figures
on their backs. The latter were carefully deposited in the boat, which
was quickly lowered. The whole manoeuvre was executed with the greatest
rapidity and in the most perfect silence. Even the helmsman, who,
though drowsy, could not have been entirely asleep, took no notice of
them. In another instant, had anybody been looking over the side, a
dark object might have been seen dropping astern. It was a boat, which
contained Paul Gerrard and his companions, who had thus made their
perilous escape from the blood-stained ship. Not till they were far
astern did any one venture to speak. Devereux at last drew a deep sigh.
"Thank Heaven, we are free of them!" he exclaimed.

"Amen!" said old Croxton, in a deep voice. "We have reason to rejoice
and be thankful. Sad will be the end of all those wretched men. Their
victims are more to be en