I am, I would be a dangerous enemy."

"I am not afraid of you."

I thought fast. She was right. It had not occurred to me before,
but it swept over me overwhelmingly.

"You are leaving me only one thing to do," I said. "I shall
surrender myself to the men at once." I took out my revolver and
held it out to her. "This rope is a dead-line. The crew know, and
you will have no trouble; but you must stand guard here until some
one else is sent."

She took the revolver without a word, and, somewhat dazed by this
new turn of events, I went aft. The men were gathered there, and I
surrendered myself. They listened in silence while I told them the
situation. Burns, who had been trying to sleep, sat up and stared
at me incredulously.

"It will leave you pretty short-handed, boys," I finished, "but
you'd better fasten me up somewhere. But I want to be sure of one
thing first: whatever happens, keep the guard for the women."

"We'd like to talk it over, Leslie," Burns said, after a word with
the others.

I went forward a few feet, taking care to remain where they could
see me, and very soon they called me. There had been a dispute, I
believe. Adams and McNamara stood off from the others, their faces
not unfriendly, but clearly differing from the decision. Charlie