It was a letter from Johnnie. Only an ill-spelt, badly written scrawl; but it rejoiced the hearts of all inside nevertheless, and raised hopes within them.
It was Leona who read it first.
“God has heard our prayers,” she said. “He will even yet give us the victory.”
Then she handed the note to Antonio.
CHAPTER II
THE DOOM OF THE MUTINEERS
Johnnie Smart’s note ran as follows:—
“Which I is a-makin’ on ’em berlieve I’se the biggest mootineer hout. They is now a clammerin’ for grog. Said I’d go aft and ax ye. I goes back now to say what I knows’ll please ’em. Which I means to save Teenie and ye all, if I can. Will let ye out when the time comes. Keep up yer peckers, I says, says I, and trust to yours truly,
“Johnnie Smart.”
We will follow Johnnie forward.
The mutineers, completely armed with knives and pistols, were seated in the galley. They had been eating; now they were smoking, and talking low together.