Ink alone was thus wanting, and a substitute was immediately found for this by means of a slight incision with the pen-knife on the back of a finger just above the nail--a copious flow of blood ensuing, as usual, from wounds in that vicinity.

The note was now written, as well as it could be in the dark and under the circumstances.

It briefly explained that a mutiny had taken place; that Captain Barnard was set adrift; and that I might expect immediate relief as far as provisions were concerned, but must not venture upon making any disturbance.

It concluded with these words: "_I have scrawled this with blood--your life depends upon lying close._" This slip of paper being tied upon the dog, he was now put down the hatchway, and Augustus made the best of his way back to the forecastle, where he found no reason to believe that any of the crew had been in his absence.

To conceal the hole in the partition, he drove his knife in just above it, and hung up a pea-jacket which he found in the berth.