He slipped onto his bunk and lay with his hands folded under his head, thinking; for between the danger from the leader of the mutiny and the danger from McTee and Henshaw, he was utterly confused.

He made out the voices of the two gamblers, Hall and Cochrane.
"Three deuces to beat," said Hall.
"I'd beat three fives to get Van Roos," answered Cochrane.
Jan Van Roos was the second mate, a genial Dutchman with rosy cheeks and a hearty laugh for all occasions; but he was an excellent sailor and a strict disciplinarian.

Therefore he had won the hatred of the crew.

The entire group of mutineers had shaken dice to have the disposing of the mate in case he was captured alive.

Now the dice rattled and clicked on the deck as Cochrane made his cast.
"Forty-three!" called Cochrane.