ut you in irons. A dozen Chinamen and the small interpreter are to
accompany you."

"Just as I thought. And your nephew is to go, too, and when we are on
shore the 'St. George' is to take advantage of favoring breezes, and we
are to be left for the cannibals. You'll have to murder the boy and me
right here; we'll not run our heads into any such trap. Heda! my
little Chinaman, now is the time for your countrymen to defend
themselves. The responsibility is mine," and with these words he threw
himself upon Redfox who drew out his knife with a curse. Green struck
him a blow that knocked him senseless, and then turned on the Captain,
who called loudly for help. The sailors to a man rushed to his aid,
while the Chinamen refused to mix in the white men's quarrel. Green
was quickly overpowered and was thrown into chains in the steerage.
There the Captain also put the boys who had openly taken the helmsman's
part.

CHAPTER X.

The Hurricane.

In utmost astonishment the sailors looked after the helmsman and the
two boys as they were led away. All honored and trusted Green as a man
true to his duty and a brave comrade; the Captain's nephew was the
favorite of the crew, and everybody liked faithful little Peppo. What
did it all mean? Now before their very eyes the helmsman had attacked
the first officer and the Captain, and even commanded the Chinamen to
be insubordinate, and the boys openly had taken sides with the helmsman.

"Green has lost his mind," cried an old sailor.

"It must be so," answered his companion. "Perhaps he is moonstruck;
more than one good fellow has gone moonstruck in the tropics."

"He must be out of his mind," put in the Captain, "but that's a matter
for the judge to find out. You can testify as to what he said and did,
and if the judge sends him to the mad-house instead of the gallows, I
shall be glad. Redfox has fortunately recovered himself after the
murderous attack and is going into my cabin." The Captain started
across the deck. "But hello, here!--What's the matter? The wind has
changed all of a sudden, or rather the breeze has ceased. The sails
are flapping against the mast, and the pennons are not moving. Every
man to his post," he shouted. "I fear the wind will veer suddenly
before we have time to turn round, and blow harder than will be
pleasant for us. Gray, go to the wheel. The rest of you mount the
rigging, furl the sails, all, even the great topsail. Oh, her