they had contemplated before their
runaway excursion in her, but under different circumstances from those
they desired. If they could get to Marseilles, the rest of the plan
might be realized.

They had kept everything in readiness for the enterprise which Little
had planned, and for a fortnight had been on the lookout for an
opportunity to strike the blow. After the vessel had come up with Cape
Antonio, Perth told the fellows he should make the attempt that night,
though it would be bright moonlight. The signal for those below to
perform the part assigned to them was three raps on the deck, over the
steerage, with the heel of the leader. But Perth was not in Cleats's
watch; so he and Herman hid themselves under the top-gallant
forecastle, when their watch was relieved. About three bells in the mid
watch, Little informed the leader that Cleats had gone below.

"Where's Bitts?" whispered Perth.

"In the waist, planking the deck."

"Call Phillips, quick!" added the leader, as he came out of his
hiding-place.

Phillips promptly appeared. He was a great, stout fellow, as ugly as he
was big. He immediately prepared to do his part. Herman was sent below
to see that every seaman in the steerage was awake and ready to act,
and he succeeded in eluding the sleepy vigilance of Bitts.

Perth gave the signal for those in the steerage, and at the same time
whistled for the information of those on deck. Bitts was not so
obliging as to lean against a mast, or anything else, and the
conspirators were compelled to take him flying. Phillips had prepared,
with a piece of whale line, a kind of lasso, and, stepping up behind
him, threw it over his head, drawing it tight around his neck, before
the astonished carpenter suspected any mischief. The end of the whale
line was then hooked to the clewline of the fore-square-sail, which had
been detached for the purpose. The hands at the clewline walked away
with it, until the rope bore hard on the throat of the carpenter. All
this was done in an instant, for Phillips had carefully adjusted all
the details of his share of the work. Bitts tried to cry out; but when
he did so, Phillips ordered the hands at the buntline to haul taut.

"Keep still, old fellow, or you shall be hung!" said the ruffian in
charge of the deed.

Bitts was obliged to keep still, for when he struggled to release his
neck with his hands the rope was tightened. In the mean time, Perth had
secured the slide, and those be