“The men are not interested in the welfare of Vepajans,” he reminded us, “and they may resent the idea of endangering their lives and risking their new-found liberty in a venture that means nothing whatever to them.” “How do you feel about it, personally?” I asked him. “I am under your orders,” he replied; “I will do anything that you command, but I am only one—you have two hundred whose wishes you must consult.” “I shall consult only my officers,” I replied; “to the others, I shall issue orders.” “That is the only way,” said Kamlot in a tone of relief. “Inform the other officers that we shall attack the _Sovong_ at daybreak,” I instructed them. “But we dare not fire on her,” protested Kamlot, “lest we endanger the life of Duare.” “I intend boarding her,” I replied. “There will be no one but the watch on deck at that hour. On two other occasions the ships have been brought close together on a calm sea; so our approach will arouse no suspicion. The boarding party will consist of a hundred men who will remain concealed until the command to board is given when the ships are alongside one another. At that hour in the morning the sea is usually calm; if it is not calm tomorrow morning we shall have to postpone the attack until another morning. “Issue strict orders that there is to be no slaughter; no one is to be killed who does not resist. We shall remove all of the _Sovong_’s small arms and the bulk of her provisions, as well as the Vepajan prisoners, to the _Sofal_.” “And then what do you propose doing?” asked Gamfor. “I am coming to that,” I replied, “but first I wish to ascertain the temper of the men aboard the _Sofal_. You and Kamlot will inform the other officers of my plans insofar as I have explained them; then assemble the original members of the Soldiers of Liberty and explain my intentions to them. When this has been done, instruct them to disseminate the information among the remainder of the ship’s company, reporting to you the names of all those who do not receive the plan with favor. These we shall leave aboard the _Sovong_ with any others who may elect to transfer to her. At the eleventh hour muster the men on the main deck. At that time I will explain my plans in detail.” After Kamlot and Gamfor had departed to carry out my orders, I returned to the chart room. The _Sofal_, moving ahead at increased speed, was slowly overhauling the _Sovong_, though not at a rate that might suggest pursuit. I was certain that the _Sovong_ knew nothing of what had transpired upon her sister ship, for the Amtorians are unacquainted with wireless communication, and there had been no time for the officers of the _Sofal_ to signal their fellows aboard the Sovong, so suddenly had the mutiny broken and so quickly had it been carried to a conclusion.