“Our main weapon is surprise of course.  By acting quickly we can gain control of the deck.  If Watkins’ estimate is correct, nine out of the port watch now on duty will be with us.  If he can add to these five or six from the starboard watch below this will make a total, not counting LeVere and myself, of fifteen.  There would be only five left to oppose us on deck and probably two of these would be on watch aloft.  Once we gain control of the deck we can lock the others below, and negotiate with them at our leisure.  The plan looks to me quite possible.”

She sat silently gazing at me across the table, seemingly failing to quite comprehend, her parted lips trembling to an unasked question.  Before she could frame this in words, the door to the companion opened, and Watkins descended the stairs.  At sight of her he whipped off his cap, and stood motionless, fumbling it awkwardly in his hands.

“You may speak freely,” I said.  “This is the young lady I told you about, and of course she is with us.  Only talk low, as the steward is in the stateroom yonder.”

“Yes sir,” using a hoarse whisper, and fastening his gaze on me.  “It’s all right, sir.”

“They are with us!  How many?”

“Eight sure from my watch, sir.  Harwood is in the fore-top and couldn’t be seen, but I’ll answer for his bein’ all right.  There was only four I could get word to in the forcastle, but there’s others there who’ll give us help soon as they know what’s goin’ on.”

“That makes twelve of the men, fifteen of us altogether.  Are the four from the starboard watch on deck?”

He nodded, clutching and unclutching his hands nervously, scarcely able to restrain himself.

CHAPTER XX

THE DECK IS OURS

I had the next step carefully outlined in my own mind, and yet I hesitated a moment, glancing into the two faces before me, with a sudden realization of what the contemplated action would mean to all of us, if by any chance it should fail of success.  Our lives certainly hung in the balance, for these fiends would show no mercy, if once they gained power to strike back.  Yet how could we fail?  Only through treachery, or some unforseen accident.  And, moreover, it was too late for retreat.  The one chance, desperate as it appeared, must be taken.  I managed to speak cheerfully, putting a ring of confidence into my voice.

“Then the sooner we act the better.  Watkins have LeVere order these men aft.  Let him say that Senor Estada wishes them to break out some stores in the lazaret.  That will create no suspicion.  They need be here only long enough for us to distribute these arms among them, and for me to speak a word of instruction to them.  Are you ready?”

“Ay, ay, sir.”

As he vanished, I turned to the girl, who had arisen to her feet, one hand grasping the edge of the table to balance herself against the pitching of the deck.