The prisoners had been aware that something was afloat on deck, but what they could not make out, and any attempt to gain information was in vain, for when they saw 'Pollo, who brought them their meals, which, thanks to him, were good and palatable, Laure was always watching, and to make matters worse it was very evident that the black was currying favour with the Cuban, and belonged now to the opposite faction. At last, after vainly planning and giving up each plot as futile, the prisoners sat about in the cabins or wearily gazed out of the windows one morning, waiting for change. The wounds were healing fast, and gave but little trouble, and Hester, in spite of the close imprisonment, had changed rapidly for the better, joining with Bessy in ministering to those who suffered with them, and making more than one eye bright as their owners made a vow that no harm should befall them while they had a hand to raise. Dutch had long known now how causeless had been his jealousy, and how bitterly his young wife had been persecuted; while she had borne all in silence lest, as so important a stake was in question, she might offend the Cuban, and so injure not merely her husband's prospects, but those of Mr Parkley, to whom they were both indebted so much. All was very quiet below, and one day had so strongly resembled another that the prisoners watched them pass in a way that grew more and more hopeless, when they were startled by the loud rattle of the heavy chain with which their door had been of late secured, and, followed by four of his partners in iniquity, Laure presented himself, gave a sharp look round, and then in a hard commanding tone exclaimed:-- "Every man on deck!" No opposition was made to his orders for the moment, and the captain, Mr Parkley, Meldon, and Wilson went up on deck, where they found Oakum, Rasp, and the sailors, but Dutch drew back as he saw Laure's eyes turned upon Hester and her companion. "Have him up, lads," exclaimed the Cuban, with flashing eyes; and Dutch was seized and dragged to the door way, Laure drawing a pistol and holding it to his head until he was on deck. "Now you," exclaimed Laure, brutally; and with tottering gait John Studwick obeyed him, but there was a look on his eyes as he passed the Cuban that made him start uneasily, and then with a contemptuous laugh he turned it off and followed him on deck. Dutch heaved a sigh of relief as he saw that Laure stayed with them, had them ranged along by the starboard bulwarks, and then addressed them.