“Oh, you’re there then?” he cried. “I must punish some of my lads for only half doing their work. There, you are not so mad as Berriman is. Never mind the fool; open the door, and don’t make me savage, so that I am tempted to go to extremities. Do you hear?” he cried, after a pause.
“I’ll answer for Mr Brymer,” cried the captain, “as you answered for that miserable, treacherous boy. No, he will not open the door for you and your pack to come in and wreck and rob. This is our stronghold till some ship heaves in sight, and you and your gang are put in irons to await your fate. I give you all fair warning,” he cried, raising his voice so that every one present might hear. “If you wish to escape being shot down, keep away from that door-way; for by all that is holy we will shoot the first ruffian who tries to open it.”
“Powder!” said Jarette, laconically, “half a keg. It’s their own fault, my lads. They shall soon see who is master here.”
There was a quick movement in the cabin then, and Captain Berriman turned to Mr Frewen.
“Try and make more of an opening,” he said. “We must have full play for the guns.”
The doctor nodded and drew back three of the chests a little.
“That ought to do,” he said. “If one of us stands aside and watches, he can tell the others when to fire.”
“Ah! but that will require care,” said the captain, quickly; “the shot must not be at the powder, or we shall be blown up. Look here, Mr Denning, if you will lend me your gun I think I can pick off the first scoundrel who comes to lay the powder. Perhaps another will come, but if he is dropped they will not try again.”
“I can shoot them,” said Mr Denning, quietly. “I do not like to take life, but I feel that I must fire now.”
“Then keep your gun, sir,” said Captain Berriman; “you need not hesitate, for it is a good deed to rid the earth of such wretches as these, and remember you are fighting for your sister’s sake.”