"Pray understand, gentlemen, that I do not doubt your courage," said the captain. "Nor I, gentlemen," cried Mr Brymer, warmly. "You have to a man--and boy," he added hastily as he glanced at me--"proved how I can trust you; but there is not one of you who would not shrink, and naturally too, from shooting down one of our enemies. Am I not right?" "I'm afraid so," replied Mr Frewen, gravely. "Even Mr Denning would shrink from the stern necessity." I glanced at Mr Denning, and saw him wince. "Then you will agree with Captain Berriman and me that some very stern measures must be taken?" "Yes," said Mr Preddle. "I do, certainly," replied Mr Denning. Mr Frewen and I were both silent; but at last the doctor spoke. "What do you propose doing?" he said, rather huskily. "That is what we are here to decide, and that quickly, for one or two of us must always be on deck. Can you suggest anything, either of you?" No one spoke, and I felt that whoever did would feel like a judge condemning a man to death. "Time is flying, gentlemen," said the mate. "We must act, and the captain and I ask for your help to share this terrible responsibility; for whatever we do we shall have to answer for to the laws of our country." "Yes," said Mr Frewen, solemnly, "and to our God." "Amen," said Mr Denning, softly; and he walked into the cabin, and laid his hand upon that of Captain Berriman, both men gazing into each other's eyes as if in their feeble state they might soon be called upon to answer the question what they had done with the talents committed to their charge. Perhaps I was very weak then, and I ought to have been stronger and more manly; but my eyes grew very dim, and for some minutes I could not see what was going on. Mr Frewen was the first to break the solemn silence. "Gentlemen," he said; and then he stopped while every one turned to him, and I thought how handsome, manly, and yet how stern he looked as he stood gazing straight before him and through the cabin-window at the glittering sea, while I could hardly hear a breath. Then he went on--"Heaven knows," he said, "that I would not shrink from my duty; and Mr Denning may rest assured, that if it comes to the worst, I will give my life sooner than harm should come to the dear lady we all reverence-- and love. But I shrink, as a man who has had so much to do with life and death, from taking the life of any one, however vile he may be." Mr Brymer fidgeted a little, and Mr Frewen saw it. "Bear with me a few moments," he said, "and I have done. I shrink, I say, from shedding blood; but if the stern necessity comes, I will strike home as a man should at such a time." "You--" began Mr Brymer. "Stop, sir, and hear me out," said Mr Frewen. "It seems to me that there can be no doubt of one thing: if we can shoot down--wounded, I hope--this man Jarette, we might easily master his followers." "I have no doubt of that whatever," said Mr Brymer.