A DEMAND. 187

question as to whether it might not be advisable to set
the studdingsails, when, from the gloom near the forward
cabin companionway, the two Manilamen darted.

Both the officers were taken so completely by surprise
that they did not have time to cry out, or even raise their
hands, before the yellow mutineers had each dealt a blow
with his keen Malay creese.

Mr. Rogers sank to the deck like one who has received
his death wound; but Mr. Bean was not yet wholly dis-
abled. His antagonist had been forced to strike at him
across the body of the second mate, and, owing to this
fact, the blow was a glancing one; but he had received a
knife thrust in the stomach which bid fair to prove mortal.

Swinging himself around suddenly, nerved to despera-
tion by the belief that his last moment had come, he
struck out with sufficient force to send one of the Ma-
nilamen spinning across the deck, and then, shouting for
all true men to follow, he ran hastily into the cabin, fas-
tening the companionway doors behind him as well as
was possible in his excitement and haste.

“It is mutiny, captain! Mutiny and murder!” he
shrieked, and the words had hardly been uttered when
Ben rushed from his room.

“Who is it?” the young captain cried, for the saloon
lamp was burning so low that objects could’ not be dis-
tinctly seen. °

“Tt is: Bean, and done for, I guess. Look out for the
other companionway while I arm myself!”

Ben sprang to obey his subordinate’s command, and