I heard him dash the door wide open, call to those on deck, and then saw him wheel about to again confront the devils plunging blindly forward toward us through the dark cabin.

We could hold them here for a time at least, yet I had the sense to know that this check would prove only temporary.

They outnumbered us ten to one, and would arm themselves from the rack.

Yet the greater danger lay in the loyalty of my own men.

A dozen of us might hold these stairs against assault, but treachery would leave us helpless.