The crew still hustled round the long-boat, however, and showed signs of insubordination, whilst a voice called out, “Let the passengers be! I say every man for himself now!”
“What is that I hear?” exclaimed the captain. “Are you men—are you British seamen—to abandon women and children in time of peril and seek your own safety?”
“My life’s as good as anyone else’s, passenger or no passenger,” cried out Bill Moody defiantly, pressing closer to Captain Dinks.
“Ah!” ejaculated the latter, “I thought it was you—what! you haven’t learnt your lesson yet, eh?” and he made a grab at the man’s neck as if to grasp it.
But, Bill Moody was prepared this time. The captain did not catch him unawares, as he had done on the previous occasion when he had knocked him down with the butt-end of his pistol.
Raising a sheath-knife, which he must have had ready drawn for the purpose in his hand, the man plunged it with all his force into the breast of the captain as he approached him.
Captain Dinks was borne back and half turned round by the strength with which the blow was delivered. Then, staggering first on to his knees, and exclaiming, “Murder! I’m a dead man! The villain has stabbed me!” he fell forwards on the deck in a pool of blood.