It was unoccupied, yet I must move with caution.  It was possible for one on deck to look down through the skylight, and even if Estada was not in his own room, the nurse assigned to Sanchez might be awake and appear at any moment.  The risk was not small, yet must be taken, and I crept swiftly forward following the circle of the staterooms, until I came to the closed door of the one I sought aft.  I bent here an instant, listening for some sound from within, but heard none.  I dared not remain, or even venture to test the lock.  Gunsaules had said this was her place of confinement, and there was seemingly no reason why she should have been given a guard.  Beyond doubt the girl was within and alone, and I must trust her quick intelligence to respond to my written message.  I thrust it through the narrow opening above the sill, and the moment it disappeared within, stole swiftly back to my own room.  The action had not been seen, and yet I had scarcely a moment to spare.  Before I could lather my face, standing before a small cracked mirror, bracing myself to the roll of the bark, the steward returned, bearing in his hands tobacco and pipe.

Estada, however, remained away longer than I had anticipated he would, and I was fully dressed and comfortably smoking before he came down from the deck and crossed the cabin to my partially open door.

“The starboard watch has been called,” he said, “and you are to take charge of the deck, relieving LeVere.  I waited to explain the situation to the men before you appeared.  I suppose you are ready?”

“Ay, ay, Senor,” knocking the ashes out of my pipe, and rising.  He eyed my clothes disapprovingly.

“Rather a fancy rig, Gates, for a first officer on duty.”  “Some style I admit, Senor, but they were all the steward offered me.”

“You’ll have to carry a hard fist, my man, to back up that costume aboard the Namur,” he said coldly.  “Those black devils are apt to mistake you for a plaything.”

“Let them test it once; they will soon find I have the hard fist.  I’ve tamed wild crews before today and it might as well be first as last.  I suppose half measures do not go with these lads.”

“Santa Maria—–­no!  It is kill, or be killed, in our trade, and they will try out your metal.  Come on now.”

I followed him up the stairs to the deck.  His words had in no way alarmed me, but served rather to harden my resolve.  I looked for trouble, and was inclined to welcome it, anxious indeed to prove to Estada my ability to handle men.  Nothing else would so quickly appeal to him, or serve so rapidly to establish me in his esteem; and to win his confidence was my chief concern.  Nothing occurred, however, to cause any breach of authority.  A few fellows were lounging amidships and stared idly at us as we mounted to the poop deck.  These were of the fighting contingent I supposed, and the real members of the crew were forward.  LeVere was still on duty, and came forward and shook hands at my appearance.