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When Si saw the wheelmen, there had been two of them, desert their post, and almost instantly the nose of the Halfmoon turned toward the rocks; but scarcely had the men reached the deck than Theriere leaped to their place at the wheel

Unassisted he could do little with the heavy helm Barbara saw that he alone of all the officers andan atteht be, it at least bespoke the coolness and courage of thewith death in a hopeless struggle a little wave of pride surged through the girl Here indeed was a man! And he loved her--that she knew Whether or no she returned his love her place was beside hiement and physical aid lay in her power

Quickly she ran to the wheelhouse Theriere saw her and smiled

"There's no hope, I'hting, and not like those rasped the spokes of the heavy wheel and tugged as he tugged Theriere made no effort to dissuade her froht would help soto put into effect

"What do you hope to do?" asked the girl "Make that opening in the cliffs?"

Theriere nodded

"Do you think me crazy?" he asked

"It is such a chance as only a brave man would dare to take," she replied "Do you think that we can get her to take it?"

"I doubt it," he answered "With another h"

Below the the deck on the side away froht with one another for useless bits of planking and cordage The giant figure of the black cook, Blanco, rose above the others In his hand was a huge butcher knife When he saw a piece of wood he coveted in the hands of another he rushed upon his helpless victi weapon Thus he was rapidly accule figure upon the deck that did not seeainst the capstan watching the wild antics of his felloith a certain wondering expression of incredulity, the while a conte chanced to look in his direction he also chanced to turn his eyes toward the wheelhouse It was the mucker