Chapter 11
What my feelings were I cannot describe; but it was hardly in terror so much as with a kind of resignation that I made my way to Curtis on the forecastle, and made him aware that the alarming character of our situation was now complete, as there was enough explosive matter on board to blow up a mountain. Curtis received the information as coolly as it was delivered, and after I had made him acquainted with all the particulars said—
“Not a word of this must be mentioned to any one else, Mr. Kazallon, where is Ruby now?”
“On the poop,” I said.
“Will you then come with me, sir?”
Ruby and Falsten were sitting just as I had left them. Curtis walked straight up to Ruby, and asked him whether what he had been told was true.
“Yes, quite true,” said Ruby, complacently, thinking tha
