www.freeclassicebooks.com

CHAPTER IX. ODA YORIMOTO

ONLY four men of the Halfmoon's crew were lost in the wreck of the vessel. All

had been crowded in the bow when the ship broke in two, and being far-flung by

the forward part of the brigantine as it lunged toward the cove on the wave

following the one which had dropped the craft upon the reef, with the exception of

the four who had perished beneath the wreckage they had been able to swim

safely to the beach.

Larry Divine, who had sat weeping upon the deck of the doomed ship during the

time that hope had been at its lowest, had recovered his poise. Skipper Simms,

subdued for the moment, soon commenced to regain his bluster. He took Theriere

to task for the loss of the Halfmoon.

An' ever we make a civilized port," he shouted, "I'll prefer charges ag'in' you, you

swab you; a-losin' of the finest bark as ever weathered a storm. Ef it hadn't o'

been fer you a-mutinyin' agin' me I'd a-brought her through in safety an' never

lost a bloomin' soul."

"Stow it!" admonished Theriere at last; "your foolish bluster can't hide the bald

fact that you deserted your post in time of danger. We're ashore now, remember,

and there is no more ship for you to command, so were I you I'd be mighty careful

how I talked to my betters."

"What's that!" screamed the skipper. "My betters! You frog-eatin' greaser you, I'll

teach you. Here, some of you, clap this swab into irons. I'll learn him that I'm still

captain of this here bunch."

Theriere laughed in the man's face; but Ward and a couple of hands who had

been shown favoritism by the skipper and first mate closed menacingly toward

the second officer.

The Frenchman took in the situation at a glance. They were ashore now, where

they didn't think that they needed him further and the process of elimination had

commenced. Well, it might as well come to a showdown now as later.

"Just a moment," said Theriere, raising his hand. "You're not going to take me

alive, and I have no idea that you want to anyhow, and if you start anything in

the killing line some of you are going to Davy Jones' locker along with me. The

best thing for all concerned is to divide up this party now once and for all."

As he finished speaking he turned toward Billy Byrne.

Are you and the others with me, or against me?" he asked.

The Mucker