"I've been having a rummage about, and here's two or three tools to go on with. S'pose you take this, Mr Pug, it's your shark knife; and here's one for you, Mr Parkley, and one for the captain. Is there any gent as would like an axe?" "Give it to me," said the doctor. "Have you anything for yourself?" "Only another chopper," said the old fellow, "but it's as sharp as a razor." The diving implements in Rasp's cabin had been forgotten by all save him, and these he now passed round, sending a thrill of satisfaction through all present, for it was like doubling their strength; and, as they all, well-armed now, stood round the door, there was a rush of feet overhead, the sound of curses, a heavy fall, and those below felt mad with rage at being unable to go to the aid of some one who was evidently fighting on their side, when there was a tremendous crash, and something heavy fell through the skylight to the floor by their side. In an instant Dutch sprang upon the man who had fallen through, held his knife at his throat, and hissed,-- "If you stir, you're a dead man. Stand ready to strike down the next one who comes through," he added to his friends. "Who's a-going to stir?" said a surly voice. "I'm too beat out. There, you needn't be skeared; no one else won't come down that way." "Oakum!" exclaimed Dutch, taking his knee from the prostrate man's chest. "I ain't quite sure yet," said the old fellow. "It was me--what them warmint had left; but you've most squeezed out the little bit of breath as I had." "My good fellow," exclaimed the captain, "I'm very glad you've escaped. Are you wounded?" "I'm blessed if I know, capen," growled the old fellow, rising and shaking himself. "I'm precious sore all over and pumped out, but I can't feel any holes in my carkidge as yet. How's everyone here?" "Unhurt at present," was the reply. "Got the ladies safe?" "Yes." "That's a blessing," muttered the old fellow. "But who has been killed?" whispered Dutch in a low voice. "Well, that's about what I was a-going to ask you, gentlemen," said Oakum. "Far as I can make out, there's the whole of the watch. Bob Lennie--" "Some one hit me on the nose and tumbled me down the hatch, first go off," growled that worthy. "That's good," said Sam. "Well, then, they've done for Dick Rolls, I know." "No they ain't," said the sailor, in an injured tone. "I got a chop on the head, and it's bleeding fine, and I bolted down here. Where's the good o' you going and telling such lies, Mr Sam Oakum?" "Well, third time never misses," muttered Sam. "What's come o' Mr Jones?" There was no reply here. "He wouldn't jyne the mutineers, would he?" said Sam after a pause. "No," said the captain sternly. "Then it was him as they've cut down and chucked overboard." "Where are the other men?" said the captain, after a horrified pause caused by Sam Oakum's announcement.