"Got one good smash at him, anyhow," found the key
of the handcuffs, and, first unlocking his own, went the rounds. Then he
found the key of the leg irons, and soon all were free, and the manacles
tossed down the hatch to be gathered up later. Then big Jenkins reached
his hand out to Forsythe--but not in token of amnesty.

"The keys," he said, in his hoarse whisper.

"Aren't they safe enough with me?" queried Forsythe, hotly.

Jenkins still maintained the outstretched hand, and Forsythe looked
irresolutely around. He saw no signs of sympathy. They were all closing
in on him, and he meekly handed the two bunches to Jenkins, who pocketed
them.

Meanwhile, Sampson had lifted Denman to his feet; and, as the boat still
rolled heavily, he assisted him to the bridge stairs, where he could get
a grip on the railing with his fettered hands. Daylight had come, and
Denman could see Florrie, still seated in the deck chair, looking
forward with frightened eyes.

"Jenkins, step here a moment," said Sampson; "and you other
fellows--keep back."

Jenkins drew near.

"Did you hear, in the fo'castle," Sampson went on, "what I said about
Mr. Denman saving my life, and that I promised him parole and the
possession of his gun in case we got charge again?"

Jenkins nodded, but said: "He broke his parole before."

"So would you under the same provocation. Forsythe called him a milk-fed
thief. Wouldn't you have struck out?"

Jenkins nodded again, and Sampson continued:

"All right. My proposition is to place Mr. Denman under parole once
more, to give him and the lady the run of the deck abaft the galley
hatch, and to leave them both the possession of their guns for
self-defense, in case"--he looked humorously around at the
others--"these inebriates get drunk again."

"But the other guns. He has them somewhere. We want power of
self-defense, too."

"Mr. Denman," said Sampson, turning to the prisoner, "you've heard the
conditions. Will you tell us where the arms are, and will you keep aft
of the galley hatch, you and the lady?"

"I will," answered Denman, "on condition that you all, and particularly
your navigator, keep forward of the galley hatch."

"We'll do that, sir; except, of course, in case of working or fighting
ship. Now, tell us where the guns are, and we'll release you."

"Haven't we something to say about this?" inquired Forsythe, while a few
others grumbled their disapproval of the plan.

"No; you have not," an