Abeuchapeta, whom, in honor of his prowess, Kidd had appointed
executive officer of the House-boat. "I have no desire to be
mutinous, Captain Kidd, but I have not embarked upon this enterprise
for a pleasure sail down the Styx. I am out for business. If you
had thirty thousand women on board, still should I not turn back."

"But what shall we do with 'em?" pleaded Kidd. "Where can we go
without attracting attention? Who's going to feed 'em? Who's going
to dress 'em? Who's going to keep 'em in bonnets? You don't know
anything about these creatures, my dear Abeuchapeta; and, by-the-way,
can't we arbitrate that name of yours? It would be fearful to
remember in the excitement of a fight."

"Call him Ab," suggested Sir Henry Morgan, with an ill-concealed
sneer, for he was deeply jealous of Abeuchapeta's preferral.

"If you do I'll call you Morgue, and change your appearance to fit,"
retorted Abeuchapeta, angrily.

"By the beards of all my sainted Buccaneers," began Morgan, springing
angrily to his feet, "I'll have your life!"

"Gentlemen! Gentlemen--my noble ruffians!" expostulated Kidd.
"Come, come; this will never do! I must have no quarrelling among my
aides. This is no time for divisions in our councils. An entirely
unexpected element has entered into our affairs, and it behooveth us
to act in concert. It is no light matter--"

"Excuse me, captain," said Abeuchapeta, "but that is where you and I
do not agree. We've got our ship and we've got our crew, and in