“It is a desperate chance, is it not?” She questioned anxiously.  “Yes,” I admitted.  “Fifteen of us against a hundred and fifteen, but worth taking and such an opportunity may never occur again.  I believe the plan will work; its greatest weakness is, I do not know the men on whom I must rely.  If there should be a traitor among them we are done for.  I mean to work so fast no one man will be able to spread the news.”

“But have I no part?  Is there no way in which I can help?”

“You have your pistol?”

“Yes.”

“Then remain here.  I shall have to go on deck with the men, and will not dare leave them a moment until the ship is absolutely secure.  Manuel is locked in that stateroom, but must not be communicated with by anyone.  I hardly believe Gunsaules will attempt anything, but it is not safe to trust him alone.  It will be your part to see that the fellow neither enters that passage leading amidships, nor approaches this door.  Keep him in sight.  You can do this?”

“Of course I can.”

“Then you will do most valuable service, and save us a man.  Wait here now until I see how securely this passage forward is closed.”

It was as described to me—­a heavy oaken door, nail studded, not only locked, but held firmly in place by a stout iron bar.  There was not the faintest possibility of any entrance aft, except through assistance from this side.  As I returned to the cabin, Gunsaules came out of the Captain’s room and crossed the deck.  At sight of me he stopped instantly, holding his tray in front of him.

“Gunsaules,” I said, wasting no words, “you are to remain in this cabin until I give the word.  The lady here has a pistol, and orders to shoot if you attempt to either enter this passage, or approach the door of Manuel’s stateroom.”

“Yes, Senor,” his face like chalk, and his eyes rolling.

“How did you find Sanchez?”

“Sitting up in his bunk, Senor, and able to eat.”

“Does he know what is occurring on board?”

“No, Senor.  He questioned me, but I only told him everything was all right, so far.”

In my heart I believed the fellow deliberately lied, but there was no opportunity to question him further, for at that moment the door of the companion opened and a miscellaneous group of men thronged down the stairs.  They were a rough hairy lot, here and there a sturdy English countenance meeting my gaze, but the faces were largely foreign, with those of two negroes conspicuous.  I felt my heart beat furiously at sight of such poor material, and yet many a ship’s crew appeared worse.  The fellows grouped themselves awkwardly behind Watkins.

“Twelve here, sir; I couldn’t get Harwood down from the fore-top.”

“And there are others below who will join us?”

“Yes sir; six more I count on.”

“Which means lads, that with Harwood, Senor LeVere, and myself, we’ll total twenty-one in this shindy.  Now I’ll tell you what is up.  Watkins gave you some of it no doubt, but a word from me will make it clearer.  I’m no pirate; I’m an English sailor, shanghied on board.  Estada named me first officer because I understand navigation.”