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Updated: May 11, 2025
I felt giddy then, and the wonder has always been to me that I did not let go and fall. But my fingers were well hooked on to the ropes, and there I hung listening, as after pretty well scouring the deck the men below me stopped, and the voice that I had set down as Jarette's said "Well, have you got him?" "No." "Did you feel under the seats?" "Yes; there's no one on this deck."
Then as with a strange contraction at my heart I realised the fact that Jarette's victim had not risen to struggle on the surface of the water, I could not help feeling what power that man had over his companions, and what a leader he might have proved had he devoted himself to some good cause.
I nodded, and the time being near, I thrust my hands into my pockets, and began to whistle as I walked forward, passed the galley, and I was about to speak to Dumlow, who was on the watch, when a voice came out of the hatchway sounding smothered but unmistakable as Jarette's. "Now then, you sirs. Are there to be any rations served out, or are we to set fire to the ship?"
By-and-by another boat came into sight, gliding along over the golden water, and we could see the faces of the men shining in the light as they gazed at the burning ship, and every now and then we could make out all they said, Jarette's abuse and orders being quite distinct as they worked more busily than ever.
For death in a more horrible form threatened them than that from the pistol which had held them in subjugation, and with one consent they all began to shout the word "Boats!" Just then there was the report of a pistol, and Jarette's voice rose loud and clear. "Silence idiots fools!" he shouted.
I turned cold all down my back without the help of the spray, for it was Jarette's voice we heard, and we had bagged the wrong fox!
But before the hatch was rattled on again, and hammered down into its place, I managed to get a glimpse of the opening in among the cargo, into which we had been thrown, and in that rapid glance I grasped the fact that it had evidently been made by the removal of a number of cases, probably hoisted out by Jarette's men.
But the blaze was as great as ever, and as we looked, and I wondered that the main-mast and its sails had not caught fire, we heard the clanking of the pumps cease, and Jarette's voice rise above the noise and confusion. "Boats," he said laconically. "But no hurry, my lads. Water and stores in first. We're all right for hours yet."
So intent was every one upon the task in hand that not an eye was cast upwards, and it was with a devout feeling of thankfulness that I saw the man who carried the lantern follow his comrades, the last rays of the light falling upon Jarette's features as he stood by the hatchway. "Now then," he said savagely, "no more drinking to-night.
There was a quick ejaculation, and the sound of something dropped into the water; but at the same moment I felt my jacket seized by two strong hands, and I was drawn close in to the stern of the ship, and held there fast. Then from overhead came in Jarette's voice "A lantern here, quick!"
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