"'You see,' says Campo, 'this flood is a fake. There ain't going to be no more flood; it's only a shore wash. But there's been enough of it to fix things all right for us. We've got the world in our fist! There's millions of money aboard this ship, and there's plenty of female beauty, and we've only got to reach out and take it.'" Cosmo Versál's brow darkened as he listened, and a look that would have cowed the mutineers if they could have seen it came into his eyes. His hand nervously clutched a paper-knife which broke in his grasp, as he said in a voice trembling with passion: "They don't _know_ me--_you_ don't know me. Show me the proofs of this conspiracy. Who are the others? Campo and his friend can't be alone." "Alone!" exclaimed the captain, unconsciously raising his voice. "There's a dozen as black-handed rascals in it as ever went unswung." "Do you know them?" "Jim Waters does." "Why haven't you told me sooner? How long has it been going on?" "Almost ever since the deluge stopped, I think; but it was only last night that Waters got on the track of it, and only now that he told me. This fellow that Waters heard Campo talking to is plainly a new recruit. I say there are a dozen, because Waters has found out that number; but I don't know but that there may be a hundred." "How did these wretches get aboard?" demanded Cosmo, fiercely opening and shutting his fists. "Excuse me," said the captain, "but that is up to you to say." "So it is," replied Cosmo, with a grim look; "and it's 'up to me' to say what'll become of them. I see how it is, they must have got in with the last lot that I took--under assumed names, very likely. I've been more than once on the point of calling that man Campo up and questioning him. I was surprised by his hangdog look the first time I saw him. But I have been so busy." "You'll have to get busy in another sense if you mean to save this ship and your life," said the captain earnestly. "So I shall. Are you armed? No? Then take these--and use 'em when I give the word." He handed the captain two heavy automatic pistols, and put a pair in his own side pockets. "Now," he continued, "the first thing is to make sure that we've got the right men--and _all of them_. Call in Joseph Smith." The captain went to the door, and as he approached it there was a knock. He turned the key and cautiously opened a crack to look out. The door was instantly slammed in his face, and six men rushed in, with Campo, a burly, black-browed fellow, at their head. Three of the men threw the captain on his back, and pinioned his hands before he could draw a weapon, while Campo and the others sprang toward Cosmo Versál, Campo pointing a pistol at his head. "It's all up, Mr. Versál!" cried Campo with a sneer. "I'll take command of this ship, and you'll go fish for nebulas."