The next question was, how many were the mutineers?
I had guessed at once that Colliver and Railton had a hand in the business, for (in addition to my previous distrust of the men) it was just upon midnight when we heard the first cry, that is to say, the time when the watch was changed, and I knew that these two belonged to the captain's watch.

But could they be alone?
"It seemed impossible, and yet I knew no others among the crew to distrust, and certainly Davis, who was acting as mate at present, was, although an indifferent navigator, as true as steel.

Moreover, the fact that the mutineers' success in shooting the doctor had not been followed up, made my guess seem more likely.

Certainly Colliver and Railton were the only two of whom we could be sure as yet.
Nevertheless the supposition was amazing.
"I had arrived at this point in my calculations when a yell which I recognised, told me that they had caught Cox the helmsman and were murdering him.

After this came dead silence, which lasted all through the night.
"I must hasten to conclude this, for we have no light in the cabin, and I am writing now by the faint evening rays that struggle in through the sky-light.