"A lesson for us in being cautious in making our plans," observed Mr Frewen. "Now, Captain Berriman, will you give us our orders?" "My first idea is, gentlemen, that one of you stand on guard there by the door, and, if the opportunity offers, he is to shoot down that scoundrel Jarette. They're coming. Now, on guard." For as he spoke there were voices heard approaching and the trampling of feet. Directly after guns were seized, and the occupants of the cabin stood ready, for the door was unfastened, and an effort made to thrust it open. CHAPTER FOURTEEN. The result of that thrust was that the door was opened some little distance, and then stopped by part of the pile of chests and other luggage formed into a barricade. There was a dead silence in the saloon as the deep voice of a man was heard speaking in a subdued tone to those with him; and pointing to the sky-light, Mr Frewen stepped back from the defenders of the barricade so as to be ready in case an effort should be made to assail them there. Then the door was rattled loudly, and Jarette's voice was heard speaking angrily to some one without. Again there was silence for a few moments, and then Jarette cried, "Now then; do you hear?" This was followed by a sharp rap on the door, and a voice cried-- "You in the cabin--Captain Jarette says you are to understand that he is now master of this ship, and that no harm will be done to any one if you all give up quietly." "And if we do not," said Captain Berriman, sharply, "what then?" "That is for Captain Jarette to decide," replied the voice, one which made me writhe as I looked from one to the other, wondering whether they recognised who was speaking. "Captain Jarette!" cried our sturdy old officer, furiously. "Look here, sir, don't you insult me by calling that French scoundrel by such a title. And look here, are you making this announcement of your own free will, or are you forced by that contemptible mongrel knave to deliver his insolent message?" "There is no compulsion, captain, and no need for you to call names, without you wish to be punished for your insolence. I am Captain Jarette, sir, and this is my good ship, these are my good brave men. Brave enfans--do you hear, bons enfans. This lad is my young lieutenant, who, like the rest, was sick of the vagaries of such a tyrannical old wretch as you." "You dog!" growled the captain, furiously. "Yes, dog, sir, so don't tease me into biting, or I may use my teeth sharply." "You, Walters," cried the captain, "listen, boy--why are you with these men? Are you a prisoner?" There was silence for a space before Walters said sharply, as if some one had made a threatening gesture close to his head-- "No, I am not a prisoner." "But you have not joined these mutinous scoundrels, sir?" cried the captain, and his voice sounded quite plaintive. Walters made no reply. "Do you hear me, boy? Answer me, you--Oh no, it is impossible."