CHAPTER XVI.
RECAPTURE.

ORTUNE favored him just at this instant, for even

while he was pushing back the bolts the sharp crack
of the revolver from the forward portion of the brig told
that Bob and the Manilaman were exchanging compli-
ments, and, as a matter of course, this distracted the
attention of the man at the wheel from what might be
going on at the companionway.

When Ben flung open the doors but one of the muti-
neers could be seen, and he was gazing forward so in-
tently that, before he was aware of the fact, the young .
captain had covered him with his weapon.

“Keep your hands on the spokes of that wheel, and
don’t dare to so much as yip, or I’ll put a ball through
your head!” Ben said, in a low tone, taking good care not
to rise to his full height, lest the mutineers forward should
learn that he had gained control of the after portion of
the brig.

“T ain’t meanin’ to make any trouble, sir,” the man
said, with a whine.

«And I ain’t reckoning on letting you,” Ben replied,
grimly. “Sam, find something with which to make this