A companion tentatively readjusted his lip. "I don't envy Wilkins his
job breaking in that man when he gets awake."

"Don't waste no time, mates," came the order. "Up with 'em an' aboard.
We've done our share; let the mate do his, an' be hanged. Hullo,
Portsmouth; coming around, eh?" he asked the man who had first felt the
wedge. "I was scared you was done for that time."

"No more shanghaiing hair pants for me, no more!" thickly replied
Portsmouth. "Oh, my head, it's bust open!"

"Never mind about the bartender--let him alone; we can't waste no time
with him now!" commanded the leader sharply. "Get these fellers on board
before we're caught with 'em. We want our money after that."

"All clear!" came a low call from the lookout at the door, and soon a
shadowy mass surged across the street and along a wharf. There was a
short pause as a boat emerged out of the gloom, some whispered orders,
and then the squeaking of oars grew steadily fainter in the direction of
a ship which lay indistinct in the darkness.



CHAPTER II

THE REBOUND

A man moaned and stirred restlessly in a bunk, muttering incoherently.
A stampeded herd was thundering over him, the grinding hoofs beating him