this girl prisoner. You have no plan?"

"None; to become a member of the crew was my only thought. But I must
act, if at all, before the Captain recovers. He would recognize me at
sight. You will aid, advise me?"

The sailor sat silent; the former expression of humor in his face
vanished.

"That is easier to ask, than answer, mate," he admitted finally. "I am
an English seaman, and will do my duty, but, so far as I can see,
there is no plan we can make. It is God who will save the girl, if she
is to be saved. He may use us to that end, but it is wholly beyond our
power to accomplish it alone. The only thing I can do is to sound out
the men aboard, and learn just what we can expect of them if any
opportunity to act comes. There are not more than a dozen at most to
be relied upon."

"And my part?"

"Do nothing at present. Play your part, and keep quiet. If you can let
her know of your presence aboard without discovery it might be
best--for if she saw you suddenly, unprepared, she might say or do
something to betray you. There are other reasons why it may be best
for her to know she is not entirely deserted."

He leaned over, motioning me toward him, until his lips were at my
ear.

"It may not prove as hopeless as it appears now," he whispered