“Yes, because, in addition to what you have already endured, you will have more trouble. The mutineers will soon break open the door, and, then—then—Oh! my God! What if they should kill you?”
“Fear not for me, dear girl,” replied the harpooner, “I am armed—and so is Stump. We can make a stout resistance and we will protect you as long as we can stand.”
“I do not fear for myself,” replied Alice, “I don’t think they would injure me. But you and your friend—what can you do against three times your number?”
“But they have only harpoons and lances while we are provided with fire-arms. I have your father’s rifle and—”
“I think I have heard him say that it is damaged so it won’t go off.”
“I will soon decide that point,” said Marline, and he lifted the weapon and scanned the lock.
“You are right, Alice, the piece can not be discharged, but it can be made useful in other respects.”
Crash! went a heavy ax, against the cabin-door, at this juncture, and the sharp edge of the instrument was seen to protrude through the wood-work!
“Ay, ay!” cried Stump, “there it goes—it’s a-going—the door!”
And even as he spoke, another tremendous blow shivered one of the panels into fragments.