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 "That's the way we got it. One of your fellows was talking to a petty officer and he says this American"

"But how did an American come to be in the crew?"

"Oh, he was a prisoner and they needed men and just took him. Suppose they told him he'd have to do it or be shot. That's about the way they'd put it, I fancy. I dare say he agreed in the hope that some time he'd either be able to escape or"—Tip shrugged his shoulders—"drown himself and the rest of them. That's what I'd do if they put it to me like that."

"An American!" exclaimed Nelson. "Did you see him?"

"Not close. They took him back to the Old Man. He's there yet, I guess." Martin looked back along the deck. "They've got the officers there, too. One of them"

"What is it, Troy?" cried Tip. "I say, you don't think"

"I—I don't know," muttered Nelson, wide-eyed, tremulous.

Martin stared uncomprehendingly for an instant. Then: "By Jove!" he exclaimed awedly. "Nep, it couldn't be, could it? Listen! This 293