The voice sounded so close now that the words seemed to be shouted in my ear, and for the minute, feeling certain that he knew where I was, I drew myself up ready to drop down. But still I hesitated, though I felt perfectly certain he was looking up and pointing his pistol at me. There was an interval of perfect silence then, save that a murmur came from below, and this encouraged me, for I felt that I must be invisible in the darkness, or else Jarette would have had me down. Then my heart sank, for the man shouted suddenly-- "There, boy, I can see you; come out or I'll fire." "Come out! Then he cannot see me," I thought, and I clung there spasmodically, hoping still that I was unobserved. "He's not here," said Jarette, sharply; "now then, one of you, I want a man at the wheel, the ship's yawing about anyhow. Who have you there-- Morris?" "Down on guard at the cabin-door," said a voice. "Brook?" "'Long with him." "Jackson?" "Sitting on the forksle-hatch." "Sacre! Where's Bob Hampton?" "Hee-ar!" came from the direction of the way down to the lower deck. "Come up here and take the wheel." "Ay, ay," growled the familiar voice, and I felt heart-sick to hear it, for Bob Hampton would have been the first man I should have picked out as one to be trusted, while the sound of his voice made it appear that every one would be against us. But though these thoughts flashed through my mind, I was listening all the time intently to what went on below, striving as I was to grasp the real state of affairs. "Here you are then, Bob Hampton. Behold you, my friend, though it's so dark I can't see you," said Jarette, and I heard a low chuckling noise which I recognised as Bob Hampton's laugh. "And that's a bull as arn't an Irish one," he said. "Ah, yes, faith of a man, but don't you try to be funny, my man," said Jarette, "for this is not a funny time, when men are working with their necks in the hang-dog noose. Now, look here, my friend, I did not ask you to join us, because I did not trust you; but you have joined us to save your skin; so you had better work for us well, or--there, I will not say ugly things. You are a good sailor, Bob Hampton, and know your work, and it would be a pity if you were to be knocked overboard and drowned." "Horrid pity, messmet." "Captain, if you please, Bob Hampton, and your friend if you are faithful. That will do. Now go to the wheel, and send the ship on her voyage south. She is rolling in the trough of the sea." "Right!" said Bob. "'Spose, captain, you won't be so particklar; man may light his pipe while he is at the wheel." "Oh yes. Smoke and be comfortable; but you will mind how you steer, for I shall be a hard severe man. You understand, extremement severe."