I walked with Sanderson to the forecastle, leaving Palmer in the steerage to warn us if anything went wrong in the cabin. Sanderson whispered to Baxter that we were ready, and the four men who were to join us came below.
"Don't do anything on deck, Baxter," I whispered. "Get our men out of their berths and on deck as quietly as possible."
"They are all wide awake, and will come out when I rap on the planks," replied the stout-hearted old salt.
"If Gorro and Martino attempt to come down from the cross-trees, make a spread eagle of them on the main-rigging. Don't let the three Spaniards come out of the forecastle."
"Ay, ay! But how about the second mate?" asked Baxter.
"In about ten minutes the work below will be done. By that time you can tell him what we are about."
"What if he objects?"
"He won't object."
"But if he does?"
"Serve him as you do the others. Make him fast, hand and foot. Now mind your eye."