The sailors glanced appreciatively at the scarred countenances of their fellows and laughed hoarsely. "So the second way is the only way," went on Hovey, seeing that he had scored his point. "The rest of the crew that ain't with us has got to go under. Are you with me?" "Aye," croaked the chorus, and every man looked down at the floor. Each one had picked out the man he hated the most, and was preparing the manner of the killing. "Good," said Hovey; "and now that we've agreed on that, we've got to choose--" He stopped, going rigid and blank of face. He had seen the open, chilling blue eye of Harrigan, who, drawn on into forgetfulness, had lain for some time on his bunk watching the scene without caution. CHAPTER 21 "He's heard!" stammered Hovey, pointing. "Guard the door! Get him!" "Bash in his head an' overboard with the lubber!" growled Sam Hall. Not one of the others spoke; their actions were the more significant. Some leaped to the door and barred the exit. Others started for Harrigan. The latter leaped off his bunk and, sweeping up a short-legged, heavy stool, sprang back against the wall. This he held poised, ready to drive it at the first man who approached. Their semicircle grew compact before him, but still they hesitated, for the man who made the first move would die. "You fools!" said Harrigan, brandishing his stool. "Keep off!" He was thinking desperately, quickly. "Harrigan," said Hovey, edging his way to the front of the sailors, "you heard!" "I did!" They growled, infuriated. His death was certain now, but they kept back for another moment, astonished that this man would sign his own sentence of doom. From marlinspikes to pocketknives, every man held some sort of a weapon. Garry Cochrane, flattening himself against the wall at one side, edged inch by inch toward Harrigan. "I heard it all," said the Irishman, "and until the last word I thought you were a lot of bluffin' cowards." "You had your chance, Harrigan," said Hovey, "an' you turned me down. Now you get what's due you." The sailors crouched a little as if at a command to leap forward in the attack. Cochrane was perilously near. "If I get my due," said Harrigan coolly, "you'll go down on your knees. Stand back, Cochrane, or I'll brain ye! You'll go down on your knees an' thank God that I'm with ye!" "Stand fast, Garry!" ordered Hovey. "What do you mean, Harrigan?" The Irishman laughed. Every son of Erin is an actor, and now Harrigan's laughter rang true. "What should I mean except what I said?" he answered. "He's tryin' to save his head," broke in Kyle, "but with the fear of death lookin' him in the eye, any man would join us. Finish him, lads." "You fool!" said Harrigan authoritatively. "Don't talk so loud, or you'll have White Henshaw down on our heads. Maybe he's heard that bull voice of yours already!"