"It's just a queer hunch I've always had. I don't like the idea of takin' any oath. I'm a man of action, Hovey. When the night comes, give me a club, and you'll see where I stand!" There was a subdued, purring danger in his voice which made Kate tremble. Evidently it convinced Hovey. "I guess you're right, Harrigan. I don't want to doubt you; God knows we got a need for men like you when the time comes. The other lads think there'll be nothin' to it, but I know Henshaw--I _know_!" "It'll be a hard nut to crack. I don't make any mistake about that," said Harrigan; "but if we work cool and with a rush, we'll sweep them off their feet." "Now you're talkin'," said Hovey. "Speed is the thing we want most. Speed, and no quarter." "You'll need no urging for that. The boys are all set to kill. Have the officers many revolvers?" "Not many. Salvain has one, and so has Henshaw. I don't think the rest pack any. Harrigan, I've got a weight off my mind, knowing that you're sure with us. And you'll get any share of the loot you want to name." There was another brief pause. "I'm easy satisfied," said Harrigan. "What I want is that the girl who has this cabin--Kate Malone--should be handled with gloves." "Ah, there speaks the Irish!" "I want the care of her to fall to my hands." "Aye, you could have ten like her, as far as I'm concerned." "Then I'm your man, Hovey. There comes one of the mates. Let's move on." "Right-o, lad." Their voices retreated, and after a time McTee looked down at Kate. She was dazed, as if someone had struck her in the face. "What does it mean, Angus?" "Wasn't it plain? Mutiny!" She struck her hand sharply across her forehead with a little moan. "I warned you, Kate, that he was capable of anything, but I never dreamed of a proof coming as quickly as this." "I can't believe it; I won't believe it." He shrugged his shoulders. "Why should I blame him?" he said. "He sees a way to get you. I could almost sink as low as that myself--but not quite--not quite! I know something of mutinies at sea. Have you noticed the fellows who are in this crew?" "I don't know--yes--I'm too sick to remember a single face except one scar-faced man." "On the whole they're the roughest lot I've ever seen cooped up together. If they should be turned loose, they would make a shambles of this ship--a red shambles, Kate!" There was not a trace of color in her face. She watched him with a horrified fascination. "Of course," he went on easily, "I'll be the first one to go down. Harrigan would see to that. Well, it would be a worthwhile fight--while I lasted!" "It can never take place!" she said desperately. "You are forewarned. Tell Captain Henshaw at once, and--" He raised his hand solemnly. "You must not do that, Kate. You must promise me not to speak a word on the subject until I have given you leave." "I will promise you anything--but why not speak of it at once? I feel as if we were standing over a--a magazine of powder!"