www.freeclassicebooks.com

When she had recovered her equanimity she hastened to the head of the cabin

companionway and called aloud for help. Instantly Skipper Simms and First

Officer Ward rushed on deck, each carrying a revolver in readiness for the conflict

with their crew that these two worthies were always expecting.

Barbara pointed out the still form of Theriere, quickly explaining what had

occurred.

"It was the fellow Byrne who did it," she said. "He has gone into the forecastle

now, and he has a revolver that he took from Mr. Theriere after he had fallen."

Several of the crew had now congregated about the prostrate officer.

Here you," cried Skipper Simms to a couple of them; "you take Mr. Theriere

below to his cabin, an' throw cold water in his face. Mr. Ward, get some brandy

from my locker, an' try an' bring him to. The rest of you arm yourselves with

crowbars and axes, an' see that that son of a sea cook don't get out on deck again

alive. Hold him there 'til I get a couple of guns. Then we'll get him, damn him!"

Skipper Simms hastened below while two of the men were carrying Theriere to his

cabin and Mr. Ward was fetching the brandy. A moment later Barbara Harding

saw the skipper return to the upper deck with a rifle and two revolvers. The

sailors whom he had detailed to keep Byrne below were gathered about the

hatchway leading to the forecastle. Some of them were exchanging profane and

pleasant badinage with the prisoner.

Yeh better come up an' get killed easy-like;" one called down to the mucker.

We're apt to muss yeh all up down there in the dark with these here axes and

crowbars, an' then wen we send yeh home yer pore maw won't know her little boy

at all."

"Yeh come on down here, an' try mussin' me up," yelled back Billy Byrne. "I can

lick de whole gang wit one han' tied behin' me--see?"

"De skipper's gorn to get his barkers, Billy," cried Bony Sawyer. "Yeh better come

up an' stan' trial if he gives yeh the chanct."

"Stan' nothin'," sneered Billy. "Swell chanct I'd have wit him an' Squint Eye

holdin' court over me. Not on yer life, Bony. I'm here, an' here I stays till I croaks,

but yeh better believe me, I'm goin' to croak a few before I goes, so if any of you

ginks are me frien's yeh better keep outen here so's yeh won't get hurted. An'

anudder ting I'm goin' to do afore I cashes in--I'm goin' to put a few of dem ginks

in de cabin wise to where dey stands wit one anudder. If I don't start something

before I goes out me name's not Billy Byrne."

The Mucker