The vessel rolled considerably, and LeVere, who had evidently lost his nerve, sank into a chair as though no strength remained in him.
"You fear an uprising, a mutiny ?" I questioned, "when this is reported ?" "What will prevent ?" he asked.

"The Captain cannot stir; the mate dead; the men already crazed because we take no prizes.

They will murder us also, and take control." "Who will?
Those devils amidships ?" "Ay; they care only to fight for gold--it is their trade." "And who leads them?
Who would they make captain ?" "Manuel Estevan," he whispered, "he would be the one." "I thought as much.

Then it is Manuel Estevan we must secure first--before they know.

'Tis my thought he is at the bottom of it all, and our hope lies in our early discovery.