Читать книгу The Secret Chart; or, Treasure Hunting in Hayti онлайн

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At the same instant he was lifted bodily from his feet and carried to the main hatch, where the mutineers had no difficulty in binding and gagging him without any more noise than might have been caused by one of the men turning in his sleep.

Now that it was too late, Jenkins saw the missing sailor lying close beside him, unable to move hand or foot, and he understood that the castaways had formed a very well-considered plan, which was already more than half successful.

“It’s time now to tackle that fellow at the wheel,” the leader of the party whispered. “I’ll lounge back there; he’ll think I’m the mate until it is too late to make any disturbance, and the minute I get him by the mouth you must close in.”

“Why not call up the captain first?” one of the crowd asked.

“Because then we should have two on hand at the same time, and there’s no knowing what them boys might succeed in doing. The easiest plan is the best, and so far you’ve got no call to kick at the way I’ve managed this business.”