When the ship's force had been summoned, save for the two sailors known to be dead on the starboard side of the ship, Darrin continued:
"There were some wounded men."
"Two," said the boatswain.
"Where are they?"
"Below. One is badly hurt. The other is binding his wounds."
Dave had by this time walked down on to the deck. There was a forecastle large enough to hold the crew, and he ordered all of the men into it, except the boatswain, whom he sent with three of his own men to find the wounded. These latter two were brought to the captain's cabin. The two dead seamen, after Darrin had gained their names from the boatswain, were picked up and thrown overboard into the sea. The boatswain was then sent to join the prisoners.
"Four of you men come with me, and we'll search the rest of the cabin part of the ship," Darrin directed.
Off the dining room were four doors that Dave believed opened into sleeping cabins. The first door that Darrin tried proved to be locked. One of his men carried a sledge-hammer that had been found in the wheel-house.
"Batter down the door!" Dave ordered.
Ere this order could be carried out the door flew open. A tall young woman, barely more than twenty years of age, stood in the doorway, her head thrown back, cheeks flushed, her look proud and disdainful. In her right hand she held a revolver.