You believe this to be the ambition of Manuel Estevan to become chief, and that in this he is backed by those buccaneers amidships whom he commands.

But to accomplish this end there must soon be other murders aboard--the Captain Sanchez, and possibly our own as well, although 'tis likely he may offer us life to join him.

But I doubt if the fellow be ready yet to throw off the mask and openly declare himself.

He will claim the murder of Estada to be the act of some fiendish member of the crew, and wait until things aboard ripen to his purpose.

He is not likely to dream that we suspect him.