Now all this had been regularly concocted in the mate’s mind in advance.  By these means he not only managed to get all our people together, but he got them away from the boat.  The whole was done so naturally, as to prevent the smallest suspicion of any design.  To do Sennit justice, I must acknowledge that he behaved himself particularly well on this sudden appeal to his activity and decision.  The loss of a man was, to him, a matter of deep moment; all his habits and propensities inclining him to be solicitous about the manning of ships.  A man saved was as good as a man impressed; and he was the first person in the boat.  By the time the ship had lost her way, the boat was ready; and I heard Sennit call out the order to lower.  As for us Americans, we had our hands full, to get the head-yards braced up in time, and to settle away the top-gallant halyards, aft, in order to save the spars.  In two minutes, however, the Dawn resembled a steed that had suddenly thrown his rider, diverging from his course, and shooting athwart the field at right angles to his former track, scenting and snuffing the air.  Forward all was full, but the after-yard having been square from the first, their sails lay aback, and the ship was slowly forging ahead, with the seas slapping against her bows, as if the last were admonishing her to stop.

I now walked aft to the taffrail, in order to make certain of the state of things.  Just as I reached the stern, Sennit was encouraging the men to “give way” with the oar.  I saw that he had six of his people with him, and no doubt six of his best men—­the boldest and most active being always the most forward on such occasions.  There was no time to be lost; and I turned to look for Marble.  He was at my elbow, having sought me with the same object.  We walked away from the man at the wheel together, to get out of ear-shot.

“Now’s your time, Miles,” the mate muttered, slipping one of my own pistols into my hands, as he spoke.—­“That master’s-mate is as muzzy as a tapster at midnight, and I can make him do what I please.  Neb has his orders, and the cook is ready and willing.  You have only to say the word, to begin.”

“There seems little necessity for bloodshed,” I answered “If you have the other pistol, do not use it unnecessarily; we may want it for the boat——­”

“Boat!” interrupted Marble.  “What more have we to do with the boat?  No—­no—­Miles; let this Mr. Sennit go to England where he belongs.  Now, see how I’ll manage Diggens,” he added; “I want to get a luff purchase up out of the forecastle;—­will you just order two or three of your fellows forward, to go down and pass it up for me?”

“D’ye hear there, forward,” called out Diggens, with a very thick tongue.—­“Tumble down into that forecastle, three or four of you, and pass up the tackle for Mr. Marble.”

Now, there were but three of the Englishmen left in the ship, exclusively of the master’s-mate himself, and the man at the wheel.  This order, consequently, sent all three immediately into the forecastle.  Marble coolly drew over the hatch, secured it, ordered the cook to keep a general look-out forward, and walking aft, as if nothing occurred, said in his quiet way—­