time, was devoting his energies to the task of piecing out from

what Theriere had told him and what he had overheard

outside the skipper's cabin some sort of explanation of the

work ahead.

As he pondered Theriere's proposition he saw the wisdom

of it. It would give those interested a larger amount of the

booty for their share. Another feature of it was that it was

underhanded and that appealed strongly to the mucker. Now,

if he could but devise some scheme for double-crossing Theriere

the pleasure and profit of the adventure would be tripled.

It was this proposition that was occupying his attention

when he caught sight of "Bony" Sawyer and "Red" Sanders

emerging from the forecastle. Billy Byrne hailed them.

When the mucker had explained the possibilities of profit

that were to be had by entering the conspiracy aimed at

Simms and Ward the two seamen were enthusiastically for it.

"Bony" Sawyer suggested that the black cook, Blanco, was

about the only other member of the crew upon whom they

could depend, and at Byrne's request "Bony" promised to

enlist the cooperation of the giant Ethiopian.

From early morning of the second day out of Honolulu

keen eyes scanned the eastern horizon through powerful glasses,

until about two bells of the afternoon watch a slight

smudge became visible about two points north of east. Immediately

the course of the Halfmoon was altered so that she

bore almost directly north by west in an effort to come safely

into the course of the steamer which was seen rising rapidly

above the horizon.

The new course of the brigantine was held as long as it

<<BackPagesTo menuNext>>