"Faith, an' would he thin. Well, he wouldn't be atin' of Jack Derringer none so aisy, anyhow. Be the Powers! but Jack could knock his d----d head off." FOOTNOTES: [4] Kaffir word meaning "finished," "done." [5] Whaling term meaning "scared." CHAPTER IV "BARBARISM" The bosun now appeared with the handcuffs, and they were speedily sent aloft with a bosun's chair. And now every eye was turned on the topsail yard to see Black Davis put the handcuffs on his prisoner. To go up on to that yard, with a raging dago waiting to knife you as you stepped on to the footrope, required nerve, and the mate knew that he was in a ticklish position, and that he could expect no help from the other men on the yard. Yet there was no hesitation about Black Davis; the man was so made constitutionally that he really did not know what fear was. "Git the dago's knife an' sling it overboard," he sang out to Broncho, as he climbed out of the top. At this Pedro bared his teeth like a tiger at bay, and turned upon the cowpuncher with knife ready. "He shore has me treed," said Broncho to Jack. "I ain't organisin' to bluff that bowie o' his, or he has me p'inting out on the heavenly trail too prompt for words." It was evident that Broncho was helpless against the desperate southerner, and was more than likely to get killed in his turn if he made the slightest attempt to wrest Pedro's knife from him. "The dago has me out-held, sir; he's due to cut me open a whole lot if I makes a move," called Broncho to the mate. At this, Black Davis, who was half-way up the topmast rigging, pulled out his gun, and pointing it at Pedro, sang out: "Heave thet knife overboard, or I'll fill yew full of holes, yew dogasted West Coast beachcomber." Quick as a flash Pedro turned and launched his knife full at the mate. It stuck quivering and shaking between the strands of the wire shroud, which, as Black Davis leant forward, was touching the top button of his waistcoat. It was a close call! Pedro, helpless without his weapon, snarled round like a wild beast; then, with wonderful agility, drew himself up on to the yard, and stepping on Broncho's hand, before any one could divine his intention, he sprang into the rigging on the opposite side to Black Davis, and in a moment was up over the crosstrees and running up the ratlines to the topgallant yard. "Come de-own outer that!" roared the enraged and baffled mate. "Come down, or I'll perforate yew." The Chilian gave a wild laugh as he reached over before swinging himself on to the topgallant yard. The bosun sprang into the rigging and hurried aloft to support his superior officer. Meanwhile, the old man looked on impatiently from the poop, fingering his rifle nervously, evidently debating what to do. Then up went his Winchester. There was a heavy report, and the wretched Pedro, straddled with one foot on the ratlines and one on the footrope, spun suddenly round, threw up his hands, and dropped.