He glanced round once, and saw that Hester, with dilated eyes, was watching his every movement, and feeling that he had, as it were, her heart-strings in his hand, he pretended to ignore her presence on the other side of the deck, and played with the tube that was the life of Dutch Pugh, now pinching it or bending it so that the supply of air was slightly hindered, when Rasp, unobserved, signalled to those at the air-pump with one hand, causing them to accelerate their toil and so keep up the supply. Just then, though so weak that he could hardly walk, John Studwick crossed the deck. Bessy would have accompanied him, but he hoarsely told her to keep back, and so soft and slow was his step that he had his thin white hand upon the Cuban's arm before the latter was aware of his presence. "You cowardly cur!" said John Studwick, glaring at him with his unnaturally bright eyes, and with his hollow cheeks burning with a hectic flush. "I can hardly think it possible that God can let such a villain live." Laure started as if he had been stung, and his hand sought one of the pistols in his belt. "Pistols, yes," said John Studwick. "But pistols or no pistols, if I had the strength of a man instead of being a helpless wreck, one of us should not leave this deck alive." Captain Studwick and the doctor were intensely excited, but they dared not leave the air-pump lest the supply should fail for Dutch; but Mr Wilson drew nearer, and stood with parting lips and trembling hands watching the scene, while some of the armed crew now began to take an interest in the affair. "Go down to your berth--to your kennel--sick dog that you are," cried Laure savagely, as he showed his white teeth like the animal he mentioned. "Speak to me like that again, and you shall not live long enough to see your pretty sister become my mistress, like Hester Pugh." "You cowardly ruffian!" cried the young man, tottering on the brink of the grave as he was, and as he spoke he sprang at Laure's throat, clinging there with both hands, and in his surprise the Cuban staggered back. But only for a moment; the next Laure had shaken him off, and as the feeble man tottered away the ruffian drew a revolver, cocked it rapidly, and fired at the invalid as he fell. The bullet flew up through the rigging, for Wilson struck up his arm, and Laure turned savagely upon him, while the captain and the doctor were starting from the air-pump to go to Wilson's aid, when they were paralysed by a shout from Rasp. "Pump, pump! or you'll kill Dutch Pugh." Hester uttered a wild shriek, and the handles flew round again as she darted to the air-pump, and as if feeling that she could help her husband, seized the tube.