78                                       KIDNAPPED.
it) not serving well for their true course. Some of the
hands were still hearkening for breakers; but the captain
and the two officers were in the waist with their heads
together. It struck me, I don't know why, that they
were after no good; and the first word I heard, as I
drew softly near, more than confirmed me.
It was Mr. Riach, crying out as if upon a sudden
thought:
"Couldn't we wile him out of the round-house?"
"He's better where he is," returned Hoseason; "he
hasn't room to use his sword."
"Well, that's true," said Riach;" but he's hard to
come at."
"Hut!" said Hoseason. "We can get the man in
talk, one upon each side, and pin him by the two arms;
or if that'll not hold, sir, we can make a run by both
the doors and get him under hand before he has the
time to draw."
At this hearing, I was seized with both fear and
anger at these treacherous, greedy, bloody men that I
sailed with. My first mind was to run away; my second
was bolder.
"Captain," said I, "the gentleman is seeking a
dram, and the bottle's out. Will you give me the
key?"
They all started and turned about.
"Why, here's our chance to get the firearms!" Riach
cried; and then to me: "Hark ye, David," he said,
"do ye ken where the pistols are?"