"Hold still, then," replied Baxter.
They were secured to the weather rail, and Captain York and Franklin hastened to the cabin, as they had been instructed, to meet any demonstration which might be made in that direction. I followed them, but found that there was no appearance of the conspirators in that quarter. We listened for some time, but could hear nothing which indicated a movement of any kind.
"It's all right so far, Phil," said the captain. "You managed that very well."
"It worked better than I expected," I replied. "I dropped the scuttle upon Waterford's head, so that I think it aches somewhat. If he had come on deck with the others, we should not have had so easy a time of it. He is a desperate fellow, and has a pistol, without any doubt."
"There is certainly one pistol among them."
"We will take care that they don't have a chance to use it."
"But there are four of them between decks now," added the captain.
"Yes; and the worst of the battle is yet to be fought."
"We will leave it all to you, Phil."
"Palmer, you will tell Baxter to bring Grego into the cabin. Let Sanderson have an eye to the fore scuttle. Franklin, you will stand by the steerage door, and let us know if you hear any movement in there."