Deserted!
There was a cry of consternation from the men on seeing the captain fall, for, although the majority of them evidently supported Moody in the rush for the boats, none had dreamt of going to the lengths he did; still, not a man stepped forward to seize the assassin, who, coolly throwing overboard the bloody blade with which the foul blow had been dealt, proceeded to carry out his original intention of casting loose the lashings of the long-boat and launching it over the side, several assisting him as he began the task.
However, Mr Meldrum had seen what had happened from the poop, not having followed Captain Dinks too closely, for fear of being again accused of interfering with the duties of the ship.
Now, single-handed as he was, he at once dropped on to the lower deck, rushing to where Moody was standing, but the other men got in between and hustled him away; so, seeing that he could do nothing towards arresting the miscreant for the present, he bent over the poor captain and lifted him on his knee to see whether life was quite extinct. Happily he still lived! moaning faintly as Mr Meldrum raised him in his arms; consequently, as it was too dark—for it was just under the break of the poop where the wounded man was lying—for him to see what was the extent of the injury he had received, Mr Meldrum called out loudly for assistance, that he might be able to carry him below to the saloon and bind up the wound properly. It was vitally necessary to staunch the blood speedily, as it was flowing copiously and had already saturated the coat-sleeve of Mr Meldrum’s supporting arm.
“What are you calling out for?” shouted out the miscreant Moody in derision. “None of them will hear you through the bulkhead. Let the cursed brute bleed to death and be hanged to him! I’m sorry I didn’t settle him, right out, as I intended!”
Somebody did hear, however; for at that moment, Frank Harness—who had been told to go below along with McCarthy and Adams at midnight by the unfortunate captain, who said he would take the sole duty of the ship on himself until the morning watch was called—rushed up the companion way on to the poop.
“Did you call, Captain Dinks—Mr Meldrum!” he cried, looking about and seeing nobody there. “I thought I heard someone call out for help!”
“I’m here below on the main-deck,” shouted Mr Meldrum. “Call for assistance and come and help me at once. Poor Captain Dinks has been stabbed by one of the crew, and I fear he’s dying!”
“Good heavens!” exclaimed Frank in startled surprise, staggered for the moment; but he did not stop long to think or act.
“Mr McCarthy!—Mr Lathrope!” he called loudly down the companion. “Come up here at once and leave the ladies for the present. Something dreadful has happened!”