said nothing, and resolved to test for himself the wonderful qualities
of the modern breech loader, which the average mountaineer distrusts in
proportion to his ignorance.

The boy noticed that the most of the crew, together with the captain
and first mate, were absent. Only Bludson, with three or four sailors,
were left on board, after Duff and his boatmen were pulling towards the
mouth of the river above.

"Now, lads," said Long Tom, "look alive. We've got to get the hold
ready against cap'n gets back with the first batch. We're rid of the
squeamish ones, I reckon. 'Fore they come in with their meat we'll be
loaded; that is, s'posin' they show up in time."

The boatswain grinned in a knowing, mirthless way, that his assistants
seemed to understand, for they responded in kind. The main hatch was
then opened and an iron grating substituted.

Between the main hold and the cabin was a strong bulkhead with a double
door, strongly barred and padlocked. This was thrown open and a four
pound howitzer mounted in the gangway in such a manner that when the
upper half of the door was thrown open, the gun could rake the hold
from end to end.

Water butts were set up where water could be handed inside by the
bucket. From store rooms on either side of the gangway, long chains
with short fetters attached at intervals were brought out and stretched
across the hold about seven feet apart and about a foot from the floor.
Ankle cuffs that closed with spring locks were attached to these
fetters.