BESIEGED. 203

little danger they will expose their precious bodies as
much as would be necessary in forcing open either of the
doors. We can count on being unmolested until morn-
ing at least. Now the most important question in my
mind is, what these scoundrels propose to do with the
brig?”

«T don’t see that theyll make much of a fist at any-
thing but keeping her on her course, sir,’”’ Sam replied.
«None of ’em understand navigation, so far as I have
learned, and, unless they are countin’ on abandonin’ her,
it’s a case of trying to strike Ascension by a clear streak
of luck.”

“Tfave you heard them talking about any place in par-
ticular, which would give us a clue as to what they intend
doing?” Ben asked.

«“ Not a word, sir. We would n’t listen to any chin from
the coolies, so everything was kept mighty quiet from us.”

«Well, the only thing to be done now is to remain at
your stations by the doors ready for an attack, in case
they should make one, and at the same time hear anything
which may be said close at hand.”

There was nothing more Ben could do then, for he
intended to act upon his sweetheart’s advice by waiting
until morning before assuming the offensive, and he went
into the wounded mate’s room.

Old Eliphalet was curled up in one corner, evidently
with a view of occupying as small a space as possible, in
order that but little of his body could be used as a target,
and absolutely deprived, by fear, of the power of speech.