This he did by coming straight to the cabin-door, and depositing the bag there, opening it, and throwing out several handfuls of powder to help form the train; but just at that moment the door was snatched open, and a gun thrust out so suddenly that it struck the mutinous leader on the side, and he leaped back, lost his balance, and fell heavily upon his back, while a roar of laughter arose from his followers. Jarette leaped up with a cry of rage, snatched a pistol from his belt, and bravely enough dashed at the door; but as he nearly reached it, there was the sharp report of a gun, and almost simultaneously there was a burst of flame from the deck, a heavy rushing sound,--and the mutineer disappeared in a dense white cloud of smoke, out of which he staggered back to his followers, panting, startled, but, with the exception of a little singeing, unhurt. CHAPTER SIXTEEN. "Why didn't you aim straight, man?--why didn't you aim straight?" cried Captain Berriman. "You did not touch him." "I did not try to hit him," replied Mr Frewen, quietly. "Then why did you fire, sir? A loud noise is not likely to frighten such a man as that." "No; but the idea of being shot at, and the explosion of that loose powder about his ears has startled him, and he'll be careful about coming up to the door to lay powder-bags again." "Then you fired to light the loose powder?" "Yes, and it has had its effect, though I hesitated for a moment for fear the bag should not be far enough off. Where did you put it, Dale?" "Along with the other in Mr Preddle's cabin," I said triumphantly, for when the door was open I was down on my knees ready by Mr Frewen's legs, and as he thrust the barrels of his gun against Jarette's side, I snatched at the bag and drew it in. "Take my place, Mr Preddle," said Mr Denning to him, "I must go back to our cabin and speak to my sister. She will be terribly alarmed by the firing." "Shall I go and speak to her?" said Mr Preddle, eagerly. "If you are afraid to take my place," said Mr Denning, sternly. "I--I thought--I wanted--I wished to save you trouble," stammered the stout passenger. "Thank you; my piece is loaded." He was very red in the face as he stepped into Mr Denning's place by the door, which was now carefully watched in expectation of another attempt to blow it open. But the minutes glided on, and all grew quiet forward to our great surprise; but we soon knew why, for a man came along bearing some biscuit and cold pork in one hand, a bowl of steaming coffee in the other, and it was evident that he was taking the man at the wheel some breakfast from the meal of which the crew were partaking. "A good example, captain," said Mr Frewen. "I can keep on guard here while you people all have some refreshment. They must need it, for I'm sure I do."