"I think we have done so; two of the pirates are floored. Where's Baxter?"
"Here I am," replied the stout seaman, as he appeared with several handcuffs, which we had brought up for use in case of need; and there was a plentiful supply of the articles below, which the slavers had provided for the emergencies of their calling. "What's the row?"
"Mutiny," replied Sanderson. "We have floored Martino and Gorro; and I suppose there are others who need a rap on the side of the head."
"Where are they? Slip the handcuffs on their wrists."
We adopted this prudent suggestion, and pinioned the wrists of the two senseless ruffians behind them, rolling them into the scuppers, where they were out of the way.
"The captain has ordered the light sails to be furled. It is coming on nasty and squally weather," continued Sanderson.
"But the men are too drunk to go aloft," I suggested. "I will take in the royals myself, if you can find four men who are steady enough to handle the top-gallant sails."
Without waiting for this question to be answered, I went up the main rigging, and furled the main royal. Sliding down on the main top-gallant stay, I took in the fore royal. By this time four men had come aloft to furl the top-gallant sails. I assisted the two on the fore top-gallant yard, and then hastened down to the deck. The flying-jib was taken in, and then the bark went along easily; but the flaws of wind were very heavy, and it was evident that we should be obliged to reef topsails very soon.
"There's a row in the steerage, Phil," said Sanderson, coming aft, when we had taken in the flying-jib.
"Hallo!" I exclaimed. "The fore scuttle has been taken off!"