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CHAPTER IX. WOMAN’S

WEAPONS.

he two discoverers of this awkward secret held a council
Tof war. Vickers was for at once calling the guard, and an-
nouncing to the prisoners that the plot—whatever it might
be—had been discovered; but Pine, accustomed to convict
ships, overruled this decision.
‘You don’t know these fellows as well as I do,’ said he.
‘In the first place there may be no mutiny at all. The whole
thing is, perhaps, some absurdity of that fellow Dawes—and
should we once put the notion of attacking us into the pris-
oners’ heads, there is no telling what they might do.’
‘But the man seemed certain,’ said the other. ‘He men-
tioned my wife’s maid, too!’
‘Suppose he did?—and, begad, I dare say he’s right—I
never liked the look of the girl. To tell them that we have
found them out this time won’t prevent ‘em trying it again.
We don’t know what their scheme is either. If it is a mutiny,
half the ship’s company may be in it. No, Captain Vickers,
allow me, as surgeon-superintendent, to settle our course of
action. You are aware that—‘
‘—That, by the King’s Regulations, you are invested with
full powers,’ interrupted Vickers, mindful of discipline in
any extremity. ‘Of course, I merely suggested—and I know

For the Term of His Natural Life