RECAPTURE. 221

villain fast, and move quick about it; there’s no knowing
when some of the crew may attempt to come aft.”

The sailor obeyed instantly, and Ben remained at the
head of the companionway, holding the man in check
with his revolver, on the alert for any sign of danger.

This portion of the scheme had worked so smoothly,
and had been such a decided success, that he could not
believe he was to accomplish his task so readily.

It seemed as if of necessity there must some further
complication arise, before he could secure this mutineer
who had allowed himself to be taken prisoner in such
a simple fashion.

Sam was a willing labourer in the task of securing the
captive.

In order that he might not expose himself to the view
of those forward, he tied first the sailor’s legs, and then,
forcing him to a sitting position, lashed his hands behind
his back.

“T can steer without bringing my head above the house,
sir,’ Sam said, as, his work done, he crawled on his knees
to the binnacle in order to get some idea of the course.

«“ All right, there’s no need of doing much more than
simply keeping the muslin full. I reckon this part of the
performance will soon come to an end,” Ben said, cheerily,
and then, turning to the prisoner, he asked, sternly:
“Where is your mate?”

“ He started around the port side of the house, sir, and
has come to an anchor somewhere between here and the
main hatch, on account of that shootin’, I reckon.”