Barbara pointed out the still form of Theriere, quickly
explaining what had occurred.
"It was the fellow Byrne who did it," she said. "He has
gone into the forecastle now, and he has a revolver that he
took from Mr. Theriere after he had fallen."
Several of the crew had now congregated about the
prostrate officer.
"Here you," cried Skipper Simms to a couple of them; "you
take Mr. Theriere below to his cabin, an' throw cold water in
his face. Mr. Ward, get some brandy from my locker, an' try
an' bring him to. The rest of you arm yourselves with crowbars
and axes, an' see that that son of a sea cook don't get
out on deck again alive. Hold him there 'til I get a couple of
guns. Then we'll get him, damn him!"
Skipper Simms hastened below while two of the men were
carrying Theriere to his cabin and Mr. Ward was fetching the
brandy. A moment later Barbara Harding saw the skipper
return to the upper deck with a rifle and two revolvers. The
sailors whom he had detailed to keep Byrne below were
gathered about the hatchway leading to the forecastle. Some
of them were exchanging profane and pleasant badinage with
the prisoner.
"Yeh better come up an' get killed easy-like;" one called
down to the mucker.
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