SHORT-HANDED. 245

Then, when the meal was ended, and Mr. Bean sleeping
quietly in his room, she insisted on being allowed to take
her trick at the wheel in order that the helmsman might
be released for a short time.

Ben followed her on deck, and there, where the absence
of so many men spoke eloquently of the tragedy which
had occurred, they naturally fell to discussing the exciting
incidents which had been experienced.

«Of course the Manilamen were the instigators of the
mutiny,’ Miss Dunham said, as the helmsman went for-
ward to join his mates around the mess-kids, “and surely
they knew nothing of navigation, so it puzzles me to make
out what they intended to do in case of success.”

“T reckon that is a question they couldn’t answer if
they were on board to hear you ask it. The only decent
thing they have done in the whole business was to drown
themselves, for if they were here now they would be a
constant source of anxiety. I should never feel safe with
those fellows, no matter how heavily they were ironed.”

“Did n’t Bart tell you what their plans were?”

“T never asked him.”

« But he seems repentant ?”

“Yes, I fancy he is, because he knows what awaits
him when we reach port.”

“Why don’t you question him now he’s in a proper
frame of mind?”

“Well, as a matter of fact I haven’t much curiosity
about it; but if you are interested I will do so at once
while there is a good opportunity.”