They crossed the saloon to Carew's cabin.
"Well, what is it?"
"The fever and the hot calm have done our work well while we have been standing by idle," said the Frenchman; "but now the time has come for us to act. We must seize this vessel to-night. There is a look of wind in the sky now, and Duval will set sail and make for Rio as soon as a breeze springs up. We must wait no longer."
"Let it be to-night, then."
"Come on deck at ten o'clock this evening. Bring the revolvers with you. Leave all the rest to me. You dislike details, so I will arrange everything."
Carew bowed his head in assent, but said nothing.
"You have two sick men in the forecastle, I think," said Baptiste; "are they strong enough to make any resistance?"
Carew shook his head.
"That is well. The captain will certainly not have much fight in him. So that leaves us only six healthy men to deal with; one on my watch, five on the other watch."
The mate now went on deck, and Carew returned to the captain's cabin. He found that brave sailor lying on his bed dead.