would—in a manner of speaking—I would as soon shoot you where you stand as let you go to raise an alarm all over this sea about your confounded yacht. I have other lives to consider—and friends—and promises—and—and myself, too. I shall keep you,” he concluded, sharply.     

       Carter drew a long breath. On the deck above, the two men could hear soft footfalls, short murmurs, indistinct words spoken near the skylight. Shaw's voice rang out loudly in growling tones:     

       “Furl the royals, you tindal!”      

       “It's the queerest old go,” muttered Carter, looking down on to the floor.       “You are a strange man. I suppose I must believe what you say—unless you and that fat mate of yours are a couple of escaped lunatics that got hold of a brig by some means. Why, that chap up there wanted to pick a quarrel with me for coming aboard, and now you threaten to shoot me rather than let me go. Not that I care much about that; for some time or other you would get hanged for it; and you don't look like a man that will end that way. If what you say is only half true, I ought to get back to the yacht as quick as ever I can. It strikes me that your coming to them will be only a small mercy, anyhow—and I may be of some use—But this is the queerest. . . . May I go in my boat?”      

       “As you like,” said Lingard. “There's a rain squall coming.”      

       “I am in charge and will get wet along of my chaps. Give us a good long line, Captain.”      

       “It's done already,” said Lingard. “You seem a sensible sailorman and can see that it would be useless to try and give me the slip.”      

       “For a man so ready to shoot, you seem very trustful,” drawled Carter. “If I cut adrift in a squall, I stand a pretty fair chance not to see you again.”      

       “You just try,” said Lingard, drily. “I have eyes in this brig, young man, that will see your boat when you couldn't see the ship. You are of the kind I like, but if you monkey with me I will find you—and when I find you I will run you down as surely as I stand here.”      

       Carter slapped his thigh and his eyes twinkled.     

       “By the Lord Harry!” he cried. “If it wasn't for 

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