Part 24 (2/2)

Hovey continued: ”Now, lads, I know you're gettin' excited and impatient. That's why I've got you together. You've got to wait. And until I give the word, you've got to keep your eyes on the deck an' run every time one of the mates of White Henshaw--d.a.m.n his heart!--gives the word. Why? Because one wrong word--one queer look--will tip off the skipper that something's wrong, and once he gets suspicious, you can lay to it that he'll find out what we're plannin'. I _know!_”

There was a grim significance in that repeated phrase, ”I _know_,” for it hinted at a knowledge more complete and evil than falls to the share of the ordinary mortal.

”Lads, keep your eyes on the deck and play the game until I give the word! If the wind of this comes to the captain, it's overboard for Jerry Hovey. I'd rather give myself to the sharks than to White Henshaw. That's all.

”Now, lads, it's come to the point where we've got to know what we'll do. There's two ways. One is to crowd all them what ain't in the mutiny into one cabin an' keep 'em there till we beach the boat.”

”So that they can get out and tell the land sharks what we've done?”

suggested Garry Cochrane in disgust.

”Garry,” said Hovey with deep feeling, ”you're a lad after my heart.

And you're right. If one of them lives, he'll be enough to put a halter around the necks of each of us. We couldn't get away. If we're once described, there ain't no way we could dodge the law.”

He grinned sardonically as he looked about the circle: ”There's something about us, lads, that makes us different from other men.”

The sailors glanced appreciatively at the scarred countenances of their fellows and laughed hoa.r.s.ely.

”So the second way is the only way,” went on Hovey, seeing that he had scored his point. ”The rest of the crew that ain't with us has got to go under. Are you with me?”

”Aye,” croaked the chorus, and every man looked down at the floor. Each one had picked out the man he hated the most, and was preparing the manner of the killing.

”Good,” said Hovey; ”and now that we've agreed on that, we've got to choose--”

He stopped, going rigid and blank of face. He had seen the open, chilling blue eye of Harrigan, who, drawn on into forgetfulness, had lain for some time on his bunk watching the scene without caution.

CHAPTER 21

”He's heard!” stammered Hovey, pointing. ”Guard the door! Get him!”

”Bash in his head an' overboard with the lubber!” growled Sam Hall.

Not one of the others spoke; their actions were the more significant.

Some leaped to the door and barred the exit.

Others started for Harrigan. The latter leaped off his bunk and, sweeping up a short-legged, heavy stool, sprang back against the wall.

This he held poised, ready to drive it at the first man who approached.

Their semicircle grew compact before him, but still they hesitated, for the man who made the first move would die.

”You fools!” said Harrigan, brandis.h.i.+ng his stool. ”Keep off!”

He was thinking desperately, quickly.

”Harrigan,” said Hovey, edging his way to the front of the sailors, ”you heard!”

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