On the starboard hand, amidships, was a heavy plank run out over the topgallant rail, about two fathoms beyond the vessel’s side. Its inner end was lashed fast and a crowd of men with pale faces and rough beards stood near it. That big-shouldered German, who had fought like a man, was being led toward it. Behind him came O’Toole. They were the last to go. Benson meant to leave but little to chance and he intended to leave no witnesses to hang him. I’ve no doubt that he meant to get rid of me in the same manner, after he had used me to take him where he intended to go. The German sailor halted at the inner end of the plank. His arms were lashed fast to his sides, but his legs were free. He was lifted or pushed up the steps set against the rail and then he stood on the plank’s end. “Walk!” came the hoarse order from a lean scoundrel. The German hesitated and the command was followed by a thrust from a boarding cutlass. Instead of walking to the end, he turned quickly. The convict’s face was within a couple of feet of the plank. He looked down on the villain coolly while he measured the distance with his eye. Then he kicked out so fully that the convict dropped as if shot. Both of his eyes were ruined and he never could see well enough afterward to get about the deck alone. Then the sailor walked slowly out over the side, while several convicts aimed their pistols at him. As he reached the farthest end of the plank he started to turn around. Several reports cracked out, and I saw him sway from the bullet-strokes. Then he fell with a splash and was gone. O’Toole was led up next. His face was hard set and he walked with a firm step. He reached the steps at the rail and a crowd of men started to push him up. “Bring him aft!” roared Benson, and the men hesitated. The leader’s hand went to his belt, but he did not repeat the order. His short henchman, who had stuck to his side, plunged his heavy-set body into the crowd and reached those nearest the second mate. Three more of the leaders then helped clear the way, while Benson stood there with his pistol out. The arms the convict ship had carried to control her cargo were the principal cause of her loss. A revolver, backed by a man like Benson, was an affair of authority that few men would care to dispute. O’Toole was led aft to the quarter-deck. “Bring a boat alongside,” ordered Benson. Several boats were towing astern, where [Illustration: “GAZING SILENTLY AFTER US, ADRIFT AND ALONE.”] they had been dropped by the convicts after they had gained the deck. One of these, a double-ended craft, was hauled alongside.