"One fireman and two boys have turned in by this time," added Ben. "Then there is no one up but the engineer and one fireman?" "No." "Where is the gold, Ben?" "In the starboard saloon stateroom." "All right; have your pistols ready, but don't use them, for it will be bad for us if we have to kill any one." The party walked down to the _Woodville_. All was still on board of her, except the sound of escaping steam. Ethan stood sentry at the door of the stateroom containing the gold, and the man on watch in the fire-room was busy reading a newspaper. It was not sunset yet, but the crew of the _Woodville_ had been worked so hard for three days that those off duty could sleep without an opiate. "Put on that hatch," said the fireman, who became the leading spirit of the party, as he pointed to the companion-way of the forehold, where the hands slept. Ben obeyed the order without making any noise, and then the party went aft, where Ethan was keeping guard over the treasure. "Good evening, Ethan," said Ben, with more suavity than he was in the habit of using. "Good evening," replied the engineer. "Haven't turned in yet?" continued Ben. "No." "Going to start at midnight, I hear." "Yes." "Some friends of mine wanted to look over the boat; I suppose I can show them through." "I don't know; Captain Lawry can tell you," answered Ethan, who did not like Ben, and was not favorably impressed by the appearance of the other men. Ben walked aft into the saloon, followed by his companions. Ethan was sitting in a chair by the side of the stateroom door. The fireman passed round behind, and suddenly fell upon him, throwing him on the floor and pinioning his arms to his back. "What are you about?" cried Ethan, struggling to release himself. "Help! help!" "Stop his mouth!" said Ben fearfully. Vainly poor Ethan endeavored to shake off his assailants; his arms were tied together behind him, and a handkerchief stuffed into his mouth. In this condition he was lashed to a stanchion, so that he could move neither hand nor foot. The commotion of this outrage attracted the attention of Mrs. Light and the two waiter-girls, who were employed in the lower cabin. The fireman exhibited a pistol to them, drove them below again, and threatened to shoot them if they made any noise. A similar demonstration quieted the fireman, and compelled him to return to the fire-room. "The job is done," said Baker, the leader of the enterprise. "But we haven't got the money," added Flint, the deckhand. "We don't want that yet. It is safe where it is. Now both of you to your stations," continued Baker; and he went down into the fire-room.