Mike was lying with his face close to the bulkhead, and of course with his back to their visitor and his features in the shade; but Vince's was the harder task, for he had assumed his attitude as being the most sleep-like, and to give better effect to his piece of acting, he had opened his mouth, and went on breathing rather heavily, while the fact of his having his boots off, and one foot sticking out over the bunk side, helped materially over the bit of deception.
"I wonder who it is," thought Vince; and, as if in answer, a familiar voice said, in a low tone,-- "Aha! _Vous etes_ not too much frighten to go fast asleep ?" Vince did not need to open his eyes, for he could see mentally vividly enough the swarthy, brown, deeply-lined face, with the keen dark eyes, and the crafty look about the mouth, drawn into an unpleasant smile, while the big earrings seemed to glisten in the soft light.
"You are fast asleep--_hein_ ?" said the man, rather sharply; but no one stirred, though Vince could feel the perspiration standing in a fine dew upon his forehead and by the sides of his nose.
"I came to see if you are good boys, and sall put out your light quite safe; for all ze powder is down underneas you, and you muss not blow yourselfs up and spoil my sheep.

You hear, big, stupede boy ?" Vince gave vent to a low, gurgling sound, and made up his mind to babble a few words about the caverns; but his throat was dry, and his tongue refused to act.
Perhaps it was as well, for in doing so he might have overdone his part, which was perfect.
Then the light was withdrawn, the captain went out, and the door was carefully fastened, the light fading from round the door while something shook loudly as he ascended the ladder and dropped the trap down with a snap, which was followed by the crash of iron, as if another loop were passed on a staple.
"Hasn't dropped any sparks, has he, Vince ?" whispered Mike, turning softly in his bunk.
"Can't see any," was the reply.

"Oh, I say, Ladle, and I blew out our candle and saw them fly!" "But do you think it's true?
Is the powder here, or did he only say it to frighten us ?" "I don't know," whispered Vince.

"There must be a powder magazine, for he has cannon on deck.

But I didn't see any trap door: did you ?" "Yes--just as you put out the light.