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Louis fired, but the bear did not appear to be hit, for he leaped with a bound towards the top. The whole mast shook. Vasling uttered a shout of exultation. "Herming," he cried, "go and find Marie! Go and find my betrothed!" Herming descended the cabin stairs.
The first mate was an able officer, who had proved his skill in bringing the "Jeune-Hardie" into port. Yet, from what motive could not be told, André made some difficulties and asked time for reflection. "As you will, André Vasling," replied Cornbutte. "Only remember that if you accept, you will be welcome among us."
André Vasling must have hated Louis Cornbutte bitterly not to extend his hand to him, but he did not. Pierre Nouquet was wild with joy. He embraced every body; then he threw some wood into the stove, and soon a comfortable temperature was felt in the cabin. There were two men there whom neither Jean Cornbutte nor Penellan recognized.
André Vasling understood the young girl's resolution. He reflected a moment, and his course was determined on. "Jean Cornbutte," said he, advancing towards the old sailor, who now entered, "I will go with you. The cause of my hesitation has disappeared, and you may count upon my devotion." "I have never doubted you, André Vasling," replied Jean Cornbutte, grasping him by the hand.
They struck each other violently. The blows were only half parried, for blood soon flowed from both. Vasling tried to clasp his adversary about the neck with his arm, to bring him to the ground. Louis, knowing that he who fell was lost, prevented him, and succeeded in grasping his two arms; but in doing this he let fall his cutlass. Piteous cries now assailed his ears; it was Marie's voice.
"Yes, we will find Louis," added André Vasling. "You are going with us, then?" asked Penellan quickly. "Yes, Penellan, André Vasling is to be my first mate," answered Jean. "Oh, oh!" ejaculated the Breton, in a singular tone. "And his advice will be useful to us, for he is able and enterprising. "And yourself, captain," said André.
At the beginning of the affray the basin had been upset on the stove, and the grease running over the burning coals, impregnated the atmosphere with its odour. Marie rose with cries of despair, and hurried to the bed of old Jean Cornbutte. Vasling, less strong than Penellan, soon perceived that the latter was getting the better of him. They were too close together to make use of their weapons.
"André Vasling!" said Louis Cornbutte, in a gloomy tone, "if my father dies, you will have murdered him; and I will kill you like a dog!" Vasling and his confederates retired to the other end of the cabin, and did not reply.
As he was about to stab the Breton's back with his cutlass, the latter felled him to the earth with a vigorous kick. His effort to do this enabled Vasling to disengage his right arm; but the door, against which they pressed with all their weight, suddenly yielded, and Vasling fell over. Of a sudden a terrible growl was heard, and a gigantic bear appeared on the steps. Vasling saw him first.
"Our lamp is going out, for want of oil, and we are fast exhausting our provisions. At last, thank God!" Penellan went to replace André Vasling, who was vigorously working for the common deliverance. "Monsieur Vasling," said he, "I am going to take your place; but look out well, I beg of you, for every tendency of the house to fall, so that we may have time to prevent it."
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