"Ay, ay," said the party, in a low tone, as they took the stations assigned to them.
I opened the scuttle, and whispered that all was ready. As I had anticipated, the three sailors were the first to obey the summons.
CHAPTER XXV.
IN WHICH PHIL COMPLETES THE VICTORY, AND EMPTIES THE RUM BARRELS.
"Hush!" said I, when the scuttle was opened, in order to impress upon the minds of those below the necessity of great caution, for I was not ready to do any talking with them. Of course I knew nothing of their plans except what I surmised. I had on a heavy pea-jacket, which I had found in the cabin; and dark as it was, I took care to show no more of myself than was necessary. Grego was the first man who came on deck. He said something in Spanish or Portuguese, which I could not understand.
"Aft," I replied, at a venture, muffling my voice so that it should not be recognized.
He went aft, and was immediately followed by the other two sailors, to each of whom I repeated the direction given to the first. The first two paused till the other had joined them, and they began to creep aft with great caution. The head of a fourth man, which I judged to be that of the mate, appeared; but I dropped down the scuttle, clamped and toggled it, as hastily as possible, but without noise.
By this time the three sailors had passed the fore mast, and the crisis had come. They took the weather side of the house on deck, and our three men who had been stationed on the forecastle went after them. Having secured the scuttle, I followed them. At the right time Sanderson and the rest of his party threw themselves upon the pirates, and taking them by surprise, threw them upon the deck, and ironed them before they knew what the matter was.
"Don't kill me! Don't kill me!" pleaded the cowardly pirates.