“You don’t like Ward,” he continued, “and you may be almighty sure that Mr. Ward ain’t losing any sleep nights over love of you.  If you stick to that bunch Ward will do you out of your share as sure as you are a foot high, an’ the chances are that he’ll do you out of a whole lot more besides—­as a matter of fact, Byrne, you’re a mighty poor life insurance risk right now, with a life expectancy that’s pretty near minus as long as Bender Ward is on the same ship with you.  Do you understand what I mean?”

“Aw,” said Billy Byrne, “I ain’t afraid o’ that stiff.  Let him make any funny crack at me an’ I’ll cave in a handful of slats for him—­the piker.”

“That’s all right too, Byrne,” said Theriere.  “Of course you can do it if anybody can, provided you get the chance; but Ward isn’t the man to give you any chance.  There may be shooting necessary within the next day or so, and there’s nothing to prevent Ward letting you have it in the back, purely by accident; and if he don’t do it then there’ll be all kinds of opportunities for it before any of us ever see a white man’s port again.  He’ll get you, Byrne, he’s that kind.

“Now, with my proposition you’ll be shut of Ward, Skipper Simms, and Divine.  There’ll be more money in it for you, an’ you won’t have to go around expecting a bullet in the small of your back every minute.  What do you say?  Are you game, or shall I have to go back to Skipper Simms and Ward and tell them that I caught you eavesdropping?”

“Oh, I’m game,” said Billy Byrne, “if you’ll promise me a square deal on the divvy.”

The Frenchman extended his hand.

“Let’s shake on it,” he said.

Billy took the proffered palm in his.

“That’s a go,” he said; “but hadn’t you better wise me to wot’s doin’?”

“Not now,” said Theriere, “someone might overhear just as you did.  Wait a bit until I have a better opportunity, and I’ll tell you all there is to know.  In the meantime think over who’d be the best men to let into this with us—­we’ll need three or four more besides ourselves.  Now go on deck about your duties as though nothing had happened, and if I’m a bit rougher than usual with you you’ll understand that it’s to avert any possible suspicion later.”

“I’m next,” said Billy Byrne.

CHAPTER IV

PIRACY

By dusk the trim little brigantine was scudding away toward the west before a wind that could not have suited her better had it been made to order at the special behest of the devil himself to speed his minions upon their devil’s work.

All hands were in the best of humor.  The crew had forgotten their recent rancor at not having been permitted shore leave at Honolulu in the expectancy of adventure in the near future, for there was that in the atmosphere of the Halfmoon which proclaimed louder than words the proximity of excitement, and the goal toward which they had been sailing since they left San Francisco.