“Hurry,” I said.  “I will wait here at the companion.”

She went below with a firm tread, and I heard her slam the door of her stateroom.  Andrews looked toward me and spoke.

“You can leave the girl aboard,” said he.  “You’ll have enough in the boat.”

“Chips,” I called, “stand by for a rush.  Don’t let Dalton get forward alive.  Miss Sackett either goes with us, or we all stay here together and fight it out.”

Andrews, who had recovered somewhat, now staggered to his feet and drew his knife.

“Stand by and follow along the port rail,” he said to Journegan and England.  “You two,” addressing Bell and Jenks, “go to starboard.”

Dalton, who was below and separated from his fellows, would be our object.

Jenks, however, remonstrated at the attack.

“Hold on,” said he, and England stopped.  “What’s the use of crowding in this thing like this?  Some of us will get killed sure with seven fresh men out for it, and what’s the use?  All for a gal.  No, sir, says I, don’t go making a fool job of the thing.  I ain’t out for murder, not fer no gal.”

“You’ll do as I say or get done,” answered Andrews, with a fierce snort, turning toward him.

Jenks backed toward us, and Bell tried to hold Andrews back.  He partly succeeded, but was close enough to the old man-o’-war’s man to get a slight cut from a blow meant for Andrews.  Then England took a hand, and with Journegan they held the assassin in check.

Jenks came toward us.

“I’ll go with you fellows if you say so,” said he, and he tossed his knife over the rail to show that he meant no treachery.

“’Tis a little late ye are, but ye’re welcome,” said Chips, who had advanced at my cry nearly to him.  Frank, the young English sailor, and Johnson were both close behind Chins, with the rest following.  It looked as if there would be a collision, after all.

“Take the girl and go,” screamed Bell, almost fainting from the cut received.

“Yes, take her and be damned!” cried Journegan.  “Only get off before it’s too late.”

“Seems to me,” said Chips, “we could do for them now wid no trouble.  Let’s try ’em.”

Johnson advanced at the word, but I called him back just as Chips was making ready for a spring at England.  The big prize fighter had made ready for the Irishman, and for an instant it seemed that we would have another ending of the affair.

“Come,” I said to one of the young sailors who held back, “get aboard the small boat,” and the fellow, who was shrinking from the knives, took the opportunity to get away.  This made Chips hesitate, and in another moment I had two more of the men going over the side.

Miss Sackett came on deck.  Her face was ruddy even in the moonlight, but she carried herself with a firm step to the mizzen channels.