Sail Ho! or, A Boy at Sea, by George Manville Fenn. 

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This appears to be one of Fenn's later novels, and is just as excitingand full of tension as are his earlier ones. The hero is aseventeen-year-old boy called Alison Dale. We have never heard of a boycalled Alison before, but this one is pretty tough, and already knew alot about seamanship even before he went to sea, on account of havingoften sailed in his father's large yachts. 

Hopefully most boys on their first cruise to sea won't have anythinglike the adventures that befell Master Alison. The skipper was not apleasant man, and there was a mutiny, led by a nasty piece of workcalled Jarette, who was half-French. 

The story progresses through various degrees of terror, beginning whenthe ship is taken over by the mutineers, leaving the passengers andofficers isolated. Finally most of the latter are cast adrift to die, but leaving two of their number on board. Attempts are made to rescuethese. 

Eventually the drunken mutineers manage accidentally to set fire to thevessel, and flee it. But the heroic party of officers and passengerscome back to recover the missing two, get on board, and manage to putthe fire out. This is noticed by the mutineers, who are just over thehorizon, and who row back. There is then a good old battle in whicheventually Jarette is killed, and life begins to be restored to normal. 

The edition used was very difficult to work with. It is a longish bookwhich was squished into less than 160 pages. The pages were large, thetypeface was very small, and there were two columns of text per page. There were actually 130 lines of text per page, with the lines beingabout two-thirds the normal length. However, the Athelstane system ofe-book editing was not fazed, and we hope there won't be too many errorsfound in what we present. 

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SAIL HO! OR, A BOY AT SEA, BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN. 

CHAPTER ONE. 

A BOY AT SEA. 

Many many years ago seem like yesterday, and I hope it will always bethe same. For, just to be serious for a moment, what is the fullstretch of the oldest man's life to time? Just one star-wink, if theastronomers are right about the passage of light, and that the glitterof stars that we see now are only the rays which started from them awaythere in space long before we were born. 

Don't be frightened, I'm not going to talk astronomy, but about my oldship, the first I ever sailed in, after having a kind of training in myfather's little yachts, beginning with the shoulder-of-mutton sail; andnext with the Cornish lugger, which he bought at Newlyn, on beyondPenzance, when Penwalloc went wrong, and his two boats with all theirgear, and about two miles of drift mackerel and pilchard nets, were soldby auction. 

Father bought the _Brine_, and had her decked and newly rigged, andmany's the cruise I had with him and old Tom Sanders, we three managingthe two big sails well enough. After that came the cutter, when we hadto have two men and a boy, for the mainsail was pretty big to manage, and took some hauling and setting in a breeze, and some strength totackle in one of the squalls that come rushing out of the gullies andcombes down along our Cornish coast, where the great peninsula orpromontory, or whatever you call it, is scored across and across almostfrom sea to sea with deep valleys; just as you see a loin of pork cutwith a sharp knife before it is put down to roast. 

There, I'm not going to talk about Cornwall this time, but my adventureson the high seas in the Burgh Castle. 

So to begin:--

"Be-low!"

"Hi! you sirs!"

"Look out! Run!"

Quite a little chorus of warnings, and then--

_Spang_. 

And directly after--

_Crash_. 

One of the yards being hoisted up to its place across themain-topgallant mast of the Burgh Castle lying in the East India Docks, and still in the hands of the riggers, had slipped from the slings, through carelessness, and come down from high, up aloft to strike thedeck wich one end, and then fall flat within a foot of where two ladsdressed as midshipmen in the merchant service had been standing, but whoat the first shout had rushed in different directions, one to stumbleover a coil of rope, perform an evolution like the leap of a frog, andcome down flat on his front; the other to butt his head right into thechest of a big, burly, sunburnt man, who gave vent to a sound between abellow and a roar. 

"Where are--Hi! aloft there!--oh, my wind! Ahoy there, you--!"

Then followed, as the big burly man recovered his breath, a startlingvolley of words--expletives and sea terms, in which he denounced thegang of men aloft as sea-cooks and lubbers, and threatened diverspunishments and penalties for their carelessness. 

Then he turned to another man who was bigger, burlier, redder, andbrowner, especially about the nose, and made certain exceedinglyimpolite inquiries as to what he was about, to allow the owner's tackleto be smashed about in that fashion. To which the bigger and brownerman growled out a retort that he'd nothing to do with the gang, asthings hadn't been handed over to him yet. And then he grew frantictoo, and kicked the fallen yard, and yelled up to the riggers that thesaid piece of wood was sprung, that they'd have to get another yard, forhe wasn't going to sea with a main-top-galn'sl-yard fished and spliced. 

Meantime the first brown man had turned to the two lads, and coolingdown, nodded to them. 

"Come on board then, eh?"

"Yes, sir--yes, sir. "

"Lucky for you that you both hopped out of the way, youngsters, or Ishould have had to send one of you back home with a hole through him, and t'other broke in half. "

I was the boy who would have been sent home with a hole through him--Ithe boy who write this--and the other boy who would have been broken inhalf, was one whom I had encountered at the dock-gates, where we hadboth arrived together, that miserable, mizzly morning, in four-wheeledcabs with our sea-chests on the top, and both in mortal dread--and yetsomehow hopeful--that we should be too late, and that the good shipBurgh Castle had sailed. 

I had been very anxious to go to sea. I loved it, and all through thepreparations I was eagerness itself; but somehow, when it came to themorning that I started from the hotel where I had slept for the onenight in London, a curious feeling of despondency came over me, afeeling which grew worse as I passed through the city, and then alongthe water-side streets, where there were shops displaying tarpaulins, canvas, and ropes; others dealing in ships' stores; and again otherswhose windows glittered with compass, sextant, and patent logs, notwooden, but brass. 

Perhaps it was seeing all this through the steamy, misty rain. 

"What a while he is!" I said to myself, "and what a dismal place!"

Just then, as we were going down the muddiest street I ever saw, Ibecame aware of a dirty, ragged-looking fellow of eighteen or nineteentrotting along beside the cab, and directly after of one on the otherside, who kept up persistently till at last we reached the docks and thecabman drew up. 

"Drive on, " I shouted. 

"Don't go no further, " was the reply, and I stepped out into the drizzleto see about my chest and pay the man, just as a sharp quarrel was goingon close by, and I saw a lad a little bigger than myself scuffling withtwo more rough-looking fellows who had seized upon his chest, andinsisted upon carrying it. 

The next moment I was engaged with the pair who had trotted by my cab, and who had fastened most officiously upon mine. 

"You touch it again, " came sharply, "and I'll let you know. "

"Leave the box alone, " I said, "I don't want your help. "

"Carry it in, sir. I was fust, sir. Yah! you get out. "

"Don't let 'em take it, " shouted the lad who was squabbling with thefirst pair, and I was just beginning to think that I should have tofight for my belongings, when a dock policeman came to our help, thecabmen were paid, and our chests were placed upon a truck, while the cabtouts pressed upon us and insisted on being paid for doing nothing. 

"You must have got plenty of tin, " said my companion in difficulties, after I had compromised matters by giving each of the ragged touts ashilling; "you won't do that next voyage. I did first time I came. "

"Have you been to sea before, then?" I said, looking at the speakerwith interest. 

"Rather. Are you going in the Burgh Castle? Yes, I can see you are. "

"How?" I asked, as I saw him glance at my new cap, which I knew wasbeginning to be soaked by the rain. 

"By that, " he said, nodding at the embroidered flag and star upon thefront. "We're going to be shipmates, then. "

"I am glad, " I said; but as I uttered the words it did not seem as if Iwere uttering the truth, for I felt anything but joyful, and mycompanion did not impress me favourably. For he looked sour, yellow, and discontented as we tramped over the wet stones along by toweringwarehouses, stacks of chests, and huge buttresses of barrels on oneside, and with the great basins of water choked with shipping, allapparently in the most inextricable confusion, till we reached a greatloftily masted ship and passed up the sloping gangway on to her deck. 

Here every one was busy--officers, sailors, dockmen; hatches were offand bales of lading and stores were being lowered down, and we were juststanding together looking out for some one to show us our quarters andto carry down our chests, when the warning shouts came from aloft, andwe had so narrow an escape of being laid low. 

CHAPTER TWO. 

No one paid any more attention to us, and we still stood looking about, with my companion more helpless than myself, in spite of his having beento sea before, still wanting to get out of the rain and save my newclothes, I began to exert myself, with the result that at last I found asailor who told me where I could find the steward. 

That functionary was too busy, he said, but at the sight of a shillinghe thought he could spare a minute, and at the end of five we two damp, miserable, low-spirited lads were seated on our sea-chests in a littledark cabin, after doubling up our mackintoshes to make dry cushions forthe wet seats. 

There was not much room, our chests doing a good deal towards filling upthe narrow space, and hence our knees were pretty close together as wesat and tried to look at each other, not at all an easy job, for theround window was pretty close to the great stone wall of the basin, anda gangway ran across from the wharf up to the deck, shutting out thelittle light which would have come in if the way had been clear. 

"Cheerful, ain't it?" said my companion. 

"It's such a horrid day, " I said. 

"Beastly. It always is in London. Ain't you glad you're going to sea?"

"Not very, " I said, after a pause. "It'll be better when it's fine. "

"Will it?" said my companion, mockingly. "You'll see. I don't know howa chap can be such a jolly fool as to go to sea. "

"Why, you went!" I said. 

"Yes, I went, " grumbled my companion; "but of course I didn't know. "

"Did you go out in this ship?"

"Course I didn't, else I should have known where our bunks were. Mylast voyage was in the Hull. "

"Oh!" I said, looking at him as one of great experience; "and did yougo your other voyages in the Hull?"

"What other voyages?"

"That you went. "

"Who said I went any other voyages? I don't brag. I only went thatonce, and it was enough for me. She's being new rigged--and time, too. That's why I'm to go out in this boat. "

"Then you don't know the captain and officers?"

"I know you, " he replied, with a grin. 

There was a period of silence, which my companion utilised by biting thesides of his nails, till I said--

"Shall we have to do anything to-day?"

"I d'know. I shan't. Not likely. Don't think much of this ship. "

"Don't you think it's a good one?" I ventured to ask, with thedeference due to so much experience. 

"No. See how that rotten old yard came down. She looks to me like aregular tub. Sort of old craft as would melt away like butter if shetouched the sands. I say, how should you like to be shipwrecked?"

"Not at all. Were you ever wrecked?"

"Not yet. Dessay I shall be some day. I say, you're in for it. Sureto be pretty rough going down Channel. You'll have the mully-grubspretty stiff. "

"Oh! I don't know, " I said quietly. 

"Don't you? Then I do. Oh, Stooard! won't you be bad! Ever seen thesea?"

"Lots of times. "

"But you've never been on it?"

"Oh yes, I have. "

"And been sick?"

"I was once when we went across to Havre, but that's years ago, when myfather had the Swallow. "

"Had the what?"

"His first little yacht. The one he has now--the Swift--is four timesas big. "

"Oh, then you have been to sea?" said my companion, in a disappointedway. 

"Dozens of times, " I said; "and all about our coast--it's often roughenough there. "

My companion stared hard at me. "What's your name?"

"Alison Dale. "

"How old are you?"

"Seventeen, nearly. "

"I'm seventeen, " he cried. 

"And what's your name?"

"Nicholas Walters; and as I'm senior, you'll have to bustle about a bit. I won't be too hard on you, but you'll have to look sharp and pick upthings. I dare say I can put you up to a good deal of seamanship. "

"Thank you, " I said quietly. 

"Of course, I don't know what sort of officers we've got here; but youand I can swing together, and I'll help to make it as easy for you as Ican. It's rather hard for a boy making his first voyage. "

"I suppose so, " I said; "but I shall try not to mind. "

"Look here; is your father a gentleman?"

"Oh yes; he was in the army till he was invalided. "

"Then he's an invalid?"

"No, no, not now. He was badly wounded in the Crimea, and had to retirefrom the service. "

"Then why didn't you go in the army? 'Fraid of getting wounded in theCrimea?"

"No; I wanted to go to sea?"

"Then why didn't you go in the Royal Navy?"

"Because my father had a better opportunity for getting me in themerchant service. "

"Oh!"

I felt as if I should never like Mr Nicholas Walters, for he was ratherconsequential in his way, and seemed disposed to lord it over me on thestrength of having made one voyage. But I consoled myself with thethought that it was hard for any one to make himself agreeable on a daylike that; and then as we sat listening to the banging and thumpingabout overhead, I began to think of my promise to my father, for I hadpromised to make the best of things all through the voyage, and not beeasily damped. 

My musings were cut short by my companion. 

"I say, " he cried, "you seem a lively sort of officer. "

"One can't feel very lively just coming away from home amongststrangers, " I replied. 

"Bosh! You're talking like a boarding-school girl. What do you thinkof the skipper?"

"The captain? I haven't seen him yet. "

"Yes, you have. That was he who let go at the men up aloft. He's arough 'un, and no mistake. Berriman--I don't think much of him nor ofthe ship; I shall shift into another line after this trip. It isn'tgood enough for me. "

"I wonder whether I shall talk like that, " I thought to myself, "whenI've been on a voyage. " Then aloud: "Shall we go on deck for a bit, andsee if we can do anything?"

"Not likely, " was the shortly uttered reply. "What's the good? Get wetthrough in this mizzling rain. Let's wait for lunch. There'll be agood one, because of the passengers' friends being on board. Some saythey'll go down to Gravesend with us. Here, you're all green yet; youleave everything to me, and I'll tell you what to do. "

I said "Thankye, " and he went on cross-examining me. 

"Smoke?" he said. 

I shook my head. 

"Never mind, I'll teach you; and, look here, if it's fine thisafternoon, I'll take you round and introduce you to all the officers andpeople. "

"But I thought you were as strange as I am, " I said. 

"Well, I don't know the people themselves, but I know which will be themates and doctor and boatswain, and I can show you all about the ship, and take you aloft, can't I?"

"Oh yes, of course, " I said. 

"You'll find I can be a deal of use to you if you stick to me, and I cantake your part if any of the other middies try to bounce you. "

"Will there be any other midshipmen?" I asked. 

"P'raps. But it's all gammon calling us middies. We are only a kind ofapprentices, you know. It isn't like being in a man-o'-war. "

As it happened, a gleam of sunshine tried about half-an-hour after--justas I was growing terribly sick of my companion's patronising ways--toget in at the little cabin-window, and failed; but it gave notice thatthe weather was lifting, and I was glad to go on deck, where the plankssoon began to show white patches as the sailors began to use theirswabs; but the bustle and confusion was worse than ever. For the deckwas littered with packages of cargo, which had arrived late, withAuckland and Wellington, New Zealand, painted upon them in blackletters, and some of these appeared to be boxes of seeds, and otherscrates of agricultural implements. 

Then we were warped out of the dock into the river, a steam-tug madefast to the tow-rope ahead, and another hooked herself on to the portside of the great ship to steady her, as she began to glide slowly withthe tide, now just beginning to ebb, along through the hundreds of crafton either side. 

I looked sharply round for that monarch of our little floating world--the captain; but he had gone ashore to see the owners again, so my newfriend told me, and would come aboard again at Gravesend. But I had agood view of the crew, and was not favourably impressed, for theyappeared to be a very rough lot. A great many of them had beendrinking, and showed it; others looked sour and low-spirited; and therewas a shabby, untidy aspect about them, which was not at all what I hadexpected to see in the smart crew of a clipper ship, while my surprisewas greater still when I saw that four of the men evidently hailed fromChina, and as many more were the yellow, duck-eyed, peculiar-lookingpeople commonly spoken of on board ship as Lascars. 

The mates were so busy and hot, trying to get the decks cleared, andsucceeding very slowly with the unpromising material at their command, that we saw very little of them, and I looked eagerly round to see whatour passengers were like; but there were so many people on board that itwas hard to pick out who was for the other side of the world and who wasto stay on this. 

The time passed, and I ate as good a dinner as my companion thatevening, the first mate taking the head of the table; and that night, when all the visitors had said good-bye, and were gone ashore, and I hadretired to my bunk, it seemed as if I had been on board for days. I laythere longing to throw shoes or brushes at Walters, who was lying on hisback just under me, and breathing so exceedingly hard, that it was as ifhe kept on saying _Snork_ in a nasty spiteful manner on purpose to keepme awake. And it did keep me awake for some time. At last I droppedasleep for about a minute, as it seemed to me, and then started up andknocked my head against the woodwork. 

"Only cold water, lad, " said a voice. "I say, you, been to sea, and notknow how to tumble out of your berth without knocking your pumpkin. "

I was confused for the moment by my intense sleepiness, and the blow Ihad given my head, so that I could hardly make out where I was. Then asI awoke to the fact that my brother middy was half-dressed, and that hehad been holding his dripping sponge to my face, I crawled out, orrather lowered my legs down, and began to dress. 

"Look sharp, " said my companion; "don't stop to shave. "

CHAPTER THREE. 

"Well, youngsters!" saluted us as soon as we stepped on deck, and thebluff, brown-faced captain gave me a searching look. "Ready for work?"

"Yes, sir. "

"That's right. Well, I don't want you yet. Run about the ship, andkeep out of my way. That'll do for the present. Be off!"

He was rather rough, but it was in a good-tempered fashion, and I feltas if I should like the captain in spite of a whisper from Walters whichsounded like "boor. "

Then feeling free for the day, I upset my new friend and patron by goingamongst the men and passengers as they came on deck. 

"Here, don't you be so fast, " said Walters, as I was hurrying from placeto place asking questions of the sailors, and finding interest ineverything on board, where, though bearing a certain similarity, all wasso different to the arrangements upon a yacht. 

"Fast!" I said, wonderingly. 

"Yes, " said Walters, shortly. "You'll be getting into trouble. You'dbetter, now you're so new, let me lead, and I'll tell you all that youwant to know. "

"Mind your eyes, youngsters, " sang out a good-looking, youngish man, "Now, my lads, right under, and lash it fast. "

"Second mate, " whispered Walters to me, as about a dozen men dragged agreat spar, evidently an extra top-mast, close under the bulwarks, tosecure it tight out of the way. 

"Quite right, youngster, " said the officer, who seemed to haveexceedingly sharp ears, and then he gave me a nod. 

"Hang him and his youngsters, " grumbled Walters as we went forward. "Hehas no business to speak like that before the men. "

"Oh, what does it matter?" I said. "Look there, at that thin gentlemanand the young lady who came on board yesterday evening. He must be ill. Oh! mind, " I cried, and I sprang forward just in time to catch thegentleman's arm, for as he came out of the cabin entrance, looking verypale, and leaning upon the arm of the lady, he caught his foot in a ropebeing drawn along the deck, and in spite of the lady clinging to him hewould have fallen if I had not run up. 

"Don't!" he cried angrily, turning upon me. "Why do you leave yourropes about like that?"

"John, dear!"

Only those two words, spoken in a gentle reproachful tone, and the younglady turned to me and smiled. 

"Thank you, " she said; "my brother has been very ill, and is weak yet. "

"Lena, " he cried, "don't parade it before everybody;" but as he turnedhis eyes with an irritable look to the lady and encountered hers, achange came over him, and he clung to my arm, which he had thrust away. 

"Thank you, " he said. "Give me a hand to the side there. My legs areshaky yet. " Then with a smile which made his thin yellow face light up, and gave him something the look of his sister, as he glanced at myuniform--"You're not the captain, are you? Ah, that's better, " hesighed, as he leaned his arms on the bulwark, and drew a deep breath. "Thank you. Just wait till we've been a month at sea, and I'll race youall through the rigging. "

"All right, " I said, "you shall. My father says there's nothing like asea trip when you've been ill. He took me in his yacht after I had hadfever. "

"And you got well in no time, didn't you?"

I nodded, as I looked at his wasted figure, and noted his eager, anxiousway. 

"There, Lena, hear that, " he said quickly. "I told you so. " Thenturning to me again--"Come and sit near us in the cabin; I shan't be sonasty and snappish when I've had my breakfast. "

He laughed in a forced way, and promising that I would if I could, Idrew back to leave the brother and sister together, for Walters gave myjacket a twitch. 

"I say, I shall never get you round the ship, " he said, in an ill-usedtone. "Now look here, " he began, "this is the saloon-deck, that's themizzen-mast, and come along here and I'll show you the binnacle. "

"Why, I know all these, " I said, laughing merrily. "Come, I'll box thecompass with you. "

"Tuppens as you can't do it right, young gent, " said a rough-lookingelderly sailor, who was coiling down the rope which had nearly oversetthe sick passenger. 

"You keep your place, sir, and speak when you're spoken to, " saidWalters, sharply. 

"Certeny, sir. Beg pardon, sir, of course. Here, you Neb Dumlow, andyou Barney Blane, " cried the man to a couple of his fellows, who werebusy tightening the tarpaulin over a boat which swung from the davits. 

The two men, whose lower jaws were working ox-fashion as they ruminatedover their tobacco, left off and faced round; the first addressed, abig, ugly fellow, with a terrific squint which made his eyes look as ifthey were trying to join each other under the Roman nose, held a tarryhand up to his ear and growled--

"What say, mate?"

"These here's our two noo orficers, and you've got to be wery 'spectfulwhen you speaks. "

"Look here, young man, " said Walters, haughtily, "I've been to seabefore, and know a thing or two. If you give me any of your cheek I'llreport you to the first mate. Come on, Dale. "

He turned away, and the bluff-looking sailor winked at me solemnly as Ifollowed, and muttered the words, "Oh my!"

"Nothing like keeping the sailors in their places, " continued Walters, "and--"

"Morning, " said a handsome, keen-looking man of about thirty. 

"Morning, sir. "

"Our two new middies, eh? Well, shall you want me to-morrow?"

He looked at me as he spoke. 

"Want you, sir!" I replied. "Are you one of the mates?"

"Every man's mate when he's on his back, " was the laughing reply. "I'mthe doctor. "

"Oh!" I cried, catching his meaning, "I hope not, sir, unless it's veryrough, but I think I can stand it. "

"So do a good many folks, " he continued. "Morning. "

This was to a big, heavy-looking gentleman of about eight-and-twenty, who came up just then and shook hands with the doctor, holding on to himit seemed to me in a weak, helpless, amiable fashion, as if he was soglad he had found a friend that he didn't like to let go. 

"Good--good-morning, doctor, " he said, and as he spoke, I felt as if Imust laugh, for his voice was a regular high-pitched squeak, and itsounded so queer coming from a big, stoutish, smooth-faced man of sixfeet high. 

Walters looked at me with a grin. 

"Oh, here's a Tommy soft, " he whispered. 

"Don't, " I said with my eyes, as I screwed up my face quite firmly. 

"I'm so glad I met you, as every one is so strange, and I don't like toquestion the servants--I mean the stewards--because they are all sobusy. How long will it be to breakfast?"

"Quite half-an-hour, " said the doctor, smiling, as he looked at hiswatch. "Hungry?"

"Oh no; I wanted to know if there would be time to see to my littlecharges first. "

"Your little--Oh yes, I remember the captain told me. You have quite acollection. "

"Yes, very large, and I am anxious to get them all across safely. "

"I wish you success, I'm sure, " said the doctor quietly. "Younaturalists take a great deal of pains over your studies. "

"Oh, we do our best, " said the big man mildly, and it was just as if agirl was speaking. "Perhaps your two young gentlemen would like to seethem. "

"To be sure they would, " said the doctor. "Let me introduce them. Letme see, your name is--"

"Preddle--Arthur Preddle. "

"To be sure, you told me last night in the cabin. Then here are two ofour embryo captains, Mr--"

"Nicholas Walters, " said my companion, trying to speak gruffly. 

"And--"

"Alison Dale. "

"That's right; I like to know the name of my patients present or to be. Let me make you known to Mr Arthur Preddle, FZS. "

"And FLS, " said the big passenger, mildly. 

"To be sure, forgive my ignorance, " said the doctor. "Now let's go andsee the fish. "

Mr Preddle led the way--that is, his words and looks were eager, buthis body was very slow and lumbering as he walked with us to the steps, and then down to the main-deck, and forward; and all the time, as hemoved his feet, I could not for the life of me help thinking about theway in which an elephant walked onward in his slow, soft way. It putone in mind of india-rubber, and all the time our new acquaintance gavea peculiar roll from side to side. 

There was still a great deal of lumber about the deck, but the officerswere rapidly getting everything cleared, and we soon reached awell-protected and sheltered spot forwards, where several large frameshad been fitted up on purpose, and the boards which had been screwed onwhen they were brought on board having been removed, there they were, several shallow trays of little fish swimming hurriedly about in shoalsin the clear water, but ready enough to dash at the tiny scraps of foodMr Preddle threw in. 

"For fresh food, sir?" said Walters. "Won't they be very small?"

The doctor laughed, while the naturalist's eyes opened very wide andround, so did his mouth. 

"For food, my dear young friend?" he said in his quiet way. "They arebeing sent out by an acclimatisation society, in the hope that they willassist to furnish Australia and New Zealand with a good supply of salmonand trout. Look at the little beauties, how strong and healthy, andbright and well they seem!"

I was afraid to look at Walters for fear he should make me laugh, so Istood staring first in one tray then in the other, till it was time forbreakfast, and Walters whispered as we hung back to the last--

"I say, how I should like to kick that fish chap. "

"Why?" I asked. 

"Because he is so soft and fat. "

By this time we were up by the cabin-door, and as we entered ratherawkwardly, the captain shouted to us from the other end--

"Here, youngsters, you can find a seat at this table, " and just then Isaw my sick acquaintance standing up, and he beckoned to me. 

"Come and sit by me, " he said; "you will not mind, Captain Berriman?"

"Not I, sir, " said that gentleman bluffly, and as I moved towards wheremy new friend was seated, Walters said sharply in my ear, "Oh, that'sit, is it? Well, you are a sneak!"

CHAPTER FOUR. 

These were the people I saw most of, on that first day. The next I didnot see any of them, for when I awoke next morning, it was to feel thatthere was a heavy sea on, which somehow, from experience, I took quiteas a matter of course; but a deep groan below me, and sounding verystartling, taught me that some one else was not taking it in the samefashion. 

"That you, Dale?" came piteously. 

"Yes; what's the matter?"

"Oh, pray go and fetch the doctor. Some of that meat we had has upsetme. "

I looked at him, and certainly he seemed very ill, as I hurriedly beganto dress. 

"Oh dear, oh dear, " he groaned, "I never felt so bad as this before. "

"I shan't be long, " I said; "when did you begins to feel bad?"

"Don't, don't ask any questions, " he cried, half-angrily; "do you wantto see me die?"

"Poor fellow!" I muttered, as I fought hard to get buttons throughtheir proper holes, after a desperate struggle with my trousers, intowhich I got one leg, and had to try again and again to get in the otheras I stood; but so sure as I raised the second limb the ship gave alurch, and I either went against the bulk-head or banged up against ourbunks. 

"You're doing that on purpose, " groaned Walters. "Oh, do, do call forhelp. "

"No, I'd better run and fetch Mr--Mr--what's the doctor's name?"

"We never heard his name, " moaned my messmate; "fetch him. I knew howit would be. It's a shame to poison officers with bad preserved meat. "

"But I ate a lot of it, " I said, as I triumphantly finished fastening mysecond brace. 

"Ah, you'll have it directly. Oh dear, oh dear! I am so bad--why did Iever come to sea?"

Slosh--whish--bang!

A wave had struck the ship, and we could hear the water flying over us, as, after a tremendous effort to keep on my legs, I came down, sittingon my sea-chest; and then, instead of springing up again, I sat rollingfrom side to side, laughing silently and trying hard to master theintense desire to break forth into a tremendous roar. 

Walters did not see it for a few moments, but kept on bemoaning hiscondition. 

"I'll complain to the owners myself, if the captain doesn't take it up. It's too bad. Oh, do make haste--the doctor--the doctor--I'm dying. "Then with a good deal of energy he cried, "Why, you're laughing. "

"Of course I am, " I said, giving way now to my mirth. "Why, you're onlya bit sea-sick. "

"I'm not, " he snapped out; "I'm poisoned by that bad meat we had. Oh, the doctor, the doctor!"

"You're not, " I said. "It's only sea-sickness. Why, I should havethought you could stand it. "

"Oh, help--help!"

"Hush, don't make that noise!" I cried. 

"Then fetch the doctor, oh, pray, pray!"

I hesitated no longer, but hurried out, and one of the first Iencountered on deck was the bluff-looking sailor, whom my companion hadsnubbed. 

"Look here, " I cried quickly, "Mr Walters is very ill. Where's thedoctor's cabin?"

Just then the ship made a lurch, and so did I, but by giving a kind ofhop and jump and getting my legs apart, I preserved my balance. 

"Well done, youngster, " cried the man. "You've been at sea before. "

"Yes, often, " I replied, "but where's the doctor?"

"I'll show you, sir. Number three's his cabin. Next but two to theskipper's. But your messmate's only got the Channel chump, has he?"

"I think he's only sea-sick, but he says it was the meat last night. "

"Clck!"

It was a curious sound that one cannot spell any nearer, partly laugh, partly cry of derision. 

"That's what they all says, sir, " he continued. "Sea-sick, sure as myname's Bob Hampton. " As he spoke he had descended with me, and ended bypointing out number three. 

"There you are, sir; two rollers at night, and a shake the bottle in themorning. That's Mr Frewen's cabin; I must get back on deck. "

The next minute I was knocking at the doctor's door. 

"Hullo!" came instantly. 

"Would you get up, please, sir? Walters is very bad. "

"So will some more be, " I heard him say, "with this sea on. " Then, louder, "Wait a minute. "

I waited a minute and then a bolt was drawn. 

"Come in. "

I entered, to find the young doctor hurriedly dressing. 

"I thought it was your voice, " he said, "What is it?"

"He thinks the meat we had last night has poisoned him, sir!"

"Rubbish! The rough sea. But I'll come and have a look at himdirectly. "

I ran back to our cabin, which I reached this time without going firston deck. 

"How are you now?" I said. 

"Is he coming soon?" moaned Walters. "Oh dear! He'll be too late. Iknow I'm dying; and if I do, don't--don't let 'em throw me overboard. "

"You're not so bad as that, " I said, trying to cheer him up. 

"Oh, you don't know. Go and tell him to make haste before he is toolate. "

To my surprise and delight the door was opened, and the doctor with avery rough head came in. 

"Now, squire, " he cried, "what's the matter?"

"Ah, doctor, oh!"

"Ah, doctor, oh! Don't make that noise like an old woman of sixty. Pretty sort of a fellow you are to come to sea. "

"Oh dear, oh dear! I know I'm dying. "

"Then you are precious clever, my lad. Bah! There's nothing the matterwith you but the sea tossing you up and down. Lie still, you'll sooncome round. "

"It--isn't--sea--sick--ick--ickness, " moaned Walters. 

"Then it's uncommonly like it, that's all I can say, " cried the doctor, laughing. Then, turning to me--"There, you needn't be alarmed abouthim, my lad. "

"I wasn't sir, " I replied. "I told him that was what ailed him. "

"And quite right. I suppose you'll have a turn next if this roughweather keeps on. "

"But do, do give me something, doctor, " groaned Walters. 

"Your messmate will get you some tea presently, " said the doctor, quietly. "There, I must go and finish dressing. " And he left thecabin, while a good deal of my first work at sea was attending on poorWalters, who was about as bad as he could be for the next few days, during which the only passenger I saw was Mr Preddle, who came out ofhis cabin twice a day, looking miserably ill, and having hard work tostand; but Hampton the sailor and I used to help him go right forward toattend to his fish and then help him back again. 

"It's so good of you, " he used to say; "I'm not used to the sea, and ifI get worse, do please go and see to my poor fish. "

"Yes, they shan't be neglected, " I said. "But I think the sea's goingdown, and you'll be all right, sir, then. "

He shook his head sorrowfully, and when I helped him to lie down again--no easy task, for he was so big--he shut his eyes and whispered, "How isour sick friend?" he said. 

"What, Walters, my messmate?"

"No, no, the passenger, Mr Denning. "

"I haven't seen him, but the steward said he seemed pretty well, sir. "

"Impossible. In such a delicate state of health. Have you seen thelady?"

"No, she has not been on deck. "

"No. It would be too rough, " sighed the poor fellow. "What's that?" hecried, excitedly, "something wrong?"

"I'll go and see, " I said; for there had reached us the sound of anangry voice, and then a noise as of something falling overhead, and as Ihurried out and on deck, I could hear the captain storming furiously, evidently at one of the men. 

CHAPTER FIVE. 

"And sarve him jolly well right, " growled Hampton, looking at me as Ihurried forward to where Captain Berriman was following up one of thesailors, who, with his hand to his bleeding cheek, was gazing fiercelyat his officer and backing away toward the forecastle. 

"Yes, " shouted the captain, "get down below and don't show yourself tome again to-day, you scoundrel. Call yourself a sailor, and haven'tlearned the first line of a sailor's catechism--obedience to hisofficer. "

The captain's face was flushed and the veins in his brow were knotted, but the aspect of his countenance changed directly, as in backing awayfrom him the man did not allow for the heaving of the ship, and theconsequence was that he stumbled, tried to save himself, and then fellheavily and rolled over into the lee-scuppers, but picked himself up andthen hurried forward and out of sight. 

As I looked back at the captain, it was to see his rugged face twinklingnow with mirth, and he turned to Mr Frewen the doctor, who had hurriedon deck at the noise. 

"There, doctor, " he said, "you see the old Burgh Castle wouldn't resteasy, and see her skipper insulted. Pitched the scoundrel off his legs. That comes of having these mongrel sort of fellows aboard. He's half aFrenchman. Shipped in a hurry. An insolent dog. Got my blood up; foras long as I walk this deck, right or wrong, I'll be obeyed. Perhaps Iought to have put him in irons though, instead of being so handy with myfists. You'll have to go and stick half-a-yard of plaster on his cheek:it's cut. "

"What was the matter?" said the doctor, as soon as the captain gave himan opportunity. 

"Brymer told him and another of the men to go up aloft, and he refused. I heard him, and ordered him to go at once, and he said, loud enough forMiss Denning to hear--never mind what. Here she comes;--and I knockedhim down. "

"Ah, my dear young lady, " he continued, taking off his cap, "I apologiseto you for that scene. But a captain must be master of his ship. "

"I am very sorry too, " she replied sadly. "It seemed so shocking foryou to strike the man. "

"Now, now, now, my dear, don't you scold me, an old fellow who has toplay the part of father to you and your brother on this voyage. It wasa pity perhaps, but I was obliged. But there, there, it's all overnow. "

"Hope it be, " grumbled a voice behind me, and I turned sharply to seethat Hampton was close alongside. "Yes, sir, " he said again, "I hope itbe, but chaps who wears earrings has got tempers like spiteful women, and that chap Jarette arn't the sort to forget a blow. "

"Did the captain hit him very hard?" I said, after a glance over myshoulder, to see that the officers were walking aft talking to MissDenning. 

"Hard? Did the skipper hit him hard, sir? What says you, Barney, andyou, Neb Dumlow?"

This was to the two sailors who were generally pretty close to hisheels, all three men being thorough messmates, and having, as Iafterwards learned, sailed together for years. 

"Did he hit him hard?" said Barney, slowly, and giving his mouth a rubwith the back of his hand. 

"That's what I said, messmate; don't get chewin' o' my words over fivehundred times to show off afore our young orficer. Did he hit himhard?"

"Orfle!" said Barney. 

"Then why didn't you say so afore, 'stead o' getting into bad habits, a-saying things for the sake o' talking. Now, Neb Dumlow, just look theyoung gent straight in the face and say what you thinks. "

"Couldn't ha' hit him no harder, " growled the great fellow in his deepbass voice. 

"Not with one hand, " acquiesced Hampton; "but you needn't ha' screwedboth your eyes out o' sight to say it, matey. Bad habit o' hisn, sir, "he continued, turning to me, "but I'm a-trying to break him on it. Neb's a good sort o' chap if you could straighten his eyes; arn't youNeb?"

"Dunno, " growled the man. 

"Then it's a good job for you as I do, mate. Ay, the skipper did giveMaster Jarette a floorer, and I'm sorry for it. "

"Why, " I said, "if he deserved it?"

"Well, you see, sir, it's like this; if me or Neb or Barney there hadscared one of the officers, and the skipper had knocked us down, why, weshouldn't ha' liked it--eh, mates?"

"No, " came in a growl. 

"Course not; but then we're Englishmen, and knowing as we was in thewrong, why, next day we should have forgot all about it. "

"Ay, ay, " growled Dumlow, and Barney nodded his acquiescence. 

"But strikes me, sir--you needn't tell the skipper I says so, becausep'r'aps I'm wrong--strikes me as that chap won't forget it, and I shouldbe sorry for there to be any more rows with ladies on board, 'cause theydon't like it. But I say, sir!"

"Yes, Hampton, " I replied. 

"I thought as Mr Walters as had been to sea afore was going to put youthrough it all. When's he going to show on deck?"

"Oh, he'll come up as soon as he's well enough, " I said. 

"If I was skipper, he'd be well enough now, " said the sailor, roughly. "More you gives way to being sea-sick, more you may. I don't say asit's nice, far from it; but if a man shows fight, he soon gets too manyfor it. Here's him been a voyage, and you arn't. He lies below, below, below in his bunk, and you goes about just as if you was at home. "

"Because I haven't been ill, " I said, laughing. 

"No, sir, you arn't; but if I was you, I'd soon go down and cure him. "

"How?" I said, expecting to hear of some good old remedy. 

"Physic, sir. "

"Yes, what physic?" I said. 

"Bucket o' water, sir, --take a hair o' the dog as bit you, as the Scotchchaps say, --fresh dipped. "

"Rubbish, Bob Hampton; how could he drink a bucket of salt water?"

"Who said anything about drinking it, sir? I meant as lotion, `Outwardapplication only, ' as Mr Frewen puts on his bottles o' stuffsometimes. "

"What! bathe him with salt water?"

"Yes, sir, on'y we calls it dowsin'. Sharp and sudden like. Furstdollop fails, give him another, and keep it up till he walks on deck toget dry; then call me to swab up the cabin, and he's all right. "

"I'll tell Mr Walters what you say, Hampton. "

"No, sir, I wouldn't do that; 'cause if you do, he'll have his knifeinto me. I on'y meant it as good advice. He on'y wants rousin' up. Why, if you was to set some of us to rattle a chain over his head, andthen make a rash, and you went down and telled him the ship was sinking, he'd be quite well, thank ye, and come on deck and look out for a placein the first boat. "

"You're too hard upon him, " I said, and not liking to hear the man talkin this way, which sounded like an attempt to, what my father used tocall, curry favour, I went aft to find that the invalid passenger, MrJohn Denning, had been helped out on to the poop-deck by his sister andthe steward, and was now having a cane-chair lashed for him close up bythe mizzen-mast. 

He beckoned as he caught sight of me, just as he was being lowered intohis place, and I went up slowly, for the captain and Mr Frewen were byhis side, and as I approached I heard him say rather irritably--

"Thank you, doctor. If I feel unwell I will ask you to help me. I'mquite right, only half-suffocated by being down so long. "

"Very good, Mr Denning. I only thought you might wish to availyourself of my services. "

"Thank you; yes--of course. "

I saw Miss Denning look pained, and press her brother's arm. 

He turned upon her impatiently. 

"Yes, yes, Lena, I know, " he said; "and I have thanked Mr Frewen forhis attention. Now I want to be alone. "

Mr Frewen raised his cap, and walked forward, descending to themain-deck, and the invalid said something angrily to his sister whichmade her eyes fill with tears. 

I was passing on, but Mr Denning made a sharp gesture. 

"No, no, I want you, " he cried sharply. 

"Then I'll say good-morning, " said the captain, smiling at Miss Denning. "I only wanted to say I was glad to see you on deck, sir. "

"Thank you, captain; but don't go. I can't help being a bit irritable;I've had so much to do with doctors that I hate them. "

"John, dear!"

"Well, so I do, Lena. I was dying for want of some fresh air, and assoon as I get on deck, captain, down swoops the doctor as if he were avulture and I was so much carrion. "

"Oh, come, come, my lad, you won't talk like that when you've been ondeck a bit. Nothing like fresh air, sir. Keep yourself warm, though, and we mustn't have you wet. "

"Now, captain, don't, pray, " cried the invalid. 

"All right, then, I won't. Look here, then. If it gets too rough, comeinto my cabin and have a cigar and a chat. You won't mind a littlesmoke, my dear?"

"Oh no, Captain Berriman; not at all. "

"That's right. You know where my cabin is, and don't you mind mecalling you my dear. I've got three girls at home as old or older thanyou, and a son as big as Mr Denning. "

Miss Denning smiled in his face, while I felt as if I wished he would beas fatherly with me. 

"Look here, " he continued, with a twinkle of the eye. "I've just had atelegram from old Neptune. He says the gale's pretty well over, andhe's going to give us some fine weather now. He was obliged to blow upa bit because the waves were getting sulky and idle, and the winds wereall gone to sleep. "

It did not seem like the same man who was so fierce with the sailor ashort time before. 

"And look here, Mr Denning, " he continued, turning back after taking afew steps toward the man at the wheel; "you're quite right, sir; pitchthe doctor overboard, and I'll prescribe for you. I've got a bottle ortwo of prime port wine and burgundy on board, --you understand? And assoon as the weather mends you must try some fishing; I dare say I canfit you up, and young Dale here will lend a hand. "

"Oh yes, " I said eagerly. 

"And don't know anything about it, eh?"

I stared at him in surprise. 

"Why, I've fished at sea hundreds of times, sir, " I said. "Whiffing, long line, trot, and bulter; and we used to go out to the rocks offFalmouth to set small trammels. "

"Why, you're quite a sailor, Dale, " said the captain. "All right, mylad, you'll do. "

"I like Captain Berriman, Lena, " said Mr Denning, thoughtfully; "but Iwill not have that doctor always hanging about my chair. "

I saw Miss Denning look sadly at me and colour a little as she glancedback at her brother, who nodded sharply and turned to me, and changedthe conversation. "Were you on deck when there was that disturbance?"

"Yes. "

"The captain knocked the man down, didn't he?"

"Yes; sent him sprawling upon the deck. "

I saw the young man's eyes flash, and there was a slight flush upon hissallow cheek as he laid a thin hand on my arm, and went on eagerly--

"I wish I had been on deck. "

"Oh, there wasn't much to see, " I said. "His cheek was cut, and bled. "

"So much the better. Let Mr Frewen go and attend him. But the man wasinsolent, wasn't he?"

"Very, I believe; and Captain Berriman said he would have properdiscipline in his ship. "

"Yes, of course. I should have liked to see the captain knock him down. Perhaps it will make him spiteful. "

I looked at him wonderingly, and he smiled. 

"Well, why shouldn't I?" he said. "One likes to see a few excitingscenes now and then. Life is so dull. "

He was holding on by the arms of the chair, for the ship rose and fell, and rolled a good deal in the short, choppy sea; but he seemed to likeit, and as his sister stood with her hands resting on the back of thechair, balancing herself and yielding to the motion of the ship, hereyes brightened, and she gazed away over the foaming sea, where the sunhad come through the clouds, and made the spray sparkle like diamonds asthe waves curled over and broke. 

They neither of them spoke to me, and I walked slowly away to see thatthe captain had raised his hand. 

"You can spend a little time with the sick passenger, Dale, " he said; "Imean when he wants you. Poor fellow, I'm afraid he's in a bad way. "

He walked back toward the group by the mizzen as he spoke, and then aswe drew near he changed the conversation. 

"Look here, Dale, " he said; "you'd better go down and pull your messmateout of his bunk by the hind leg. Time he was on deck now. And lookhere, go and see how that Mr Preddle is. He's keeping below, too, whena touch of this brisk breeze would set him up. Go down, and tell himthe fish are fighting--ah, fighting--that will be more like the truth. They're sure to fight. That will bring him on deck. "

"Shall I, sir?"

"Yes; off with you. "

As I started I saw that Mr Denning was frowning, and that his sisterlooked troubled. But it was only a momentary glance, and a minute ortwo later I approached the door of Mr Preddle's cabin and knocked. 

There was a groan, and in spite of its pitiful nature I could not helpsmiling, and I knocked again. 

"Come in, " I heard in quite a squeak; and then as I opened the door--"Isthat Doctor Frewen?"

"No, sir, " I replied. "I've come to ask you to get up and come ondeck. "

"On deck! Is there any danger?"

The speaker raised himself upon his elbow, and looked at me eagerly. 

"Oh no, " I replied; "the sea's going down, and the captain thinks anhour or two on deck would do you good. "

"Too ill, too much prostrated, " sighed the great fellow, who lay, as Ithought, like a sick elephant, when he had dropped back on to thepillow. 

"Captain Berriman said something about seeing to your fish, sir. "

"My fish! Ah, yes; you shall look at them for me. "

"But it really is nice and fresh on deck, sir. "

"Yes, for you. "

"And it seems to be doing Mr Denning and his sister ever so much good. "

Mr Preddle rose suddenly to his elbow. 

"Miss--They are not on deck?" he said eagerly. "What, Mr and MissDenning?"

"Yes, " I said, looking at him wonderingly, for he appeared to be soexcited. "Oh yes; he's sitting up there, looking at the sea, and hissister's standing by his chair. "

"Would--would you mind helping me on with a few of my things, Mr Dale?"he said hurriedly, as he began to creep out of his berth. "It's soawkward dressing when the ship sways about so. It makes me feel giddy. "

"Oh yes; I'll help you, " I said. 

"Thank you; it's very kind of you. The captain is quite right, and I'mnot doing what I ought about those fish. I will go and see to them. Somuch time and expense was devoted to--oh, my gracious!"

I tried to save him, but he was too heavy, and we went down togetherwith him half over me; but I didn't feel it much, for he was very soft. You see he had got one leg half-way into his trousers, when the BurghCastle gave a lurch, and bang he went up against the bulk-head, and thenon to the floor. 

"Hurt yourself much, sir?" I said, as we both struggled up. 

"Oh, horri--no, no, not much, thank you, " he muttered. "I--I--haven'tquite got my sea-legs yet, as you sailors call it. That's better. Nowif you wouldn't mind, Mr Dale. "

I didn't mind, of course, and I helped him all I could, thinking all thewhile he was like a big fat boy we used to have at school, only MrPreddle was nearly three times the size. And all the time, though hemust have felt very faint and poorly, he kept a good face upon histroubles, trying to laugh and make light of them, till I said, merrily--

"That's the way, Mr Preddle. Now, if you get up on deck and don'tthink about the ship rolling, you will soon be better. "

"Yes, " he said; "I believe I should if I only could keep from thinkingabout the ship rolling. But it won't let me. " This was while he wasrubbing his big, round, smooth face, which looked as good-natured aspossible, though the smile upon it was only forced. 

"Oh, but you'll soon get over it, " I cried. "I'll stop and help youup. "

"Yes, do please stop, " he said hurriedly; "but don't try and help me up. I'm going to walk up and balance myself. I shall keep close to thebulwarks, don't you call them, and hold on. Which is the best side?"

"I should go along on the weather side, " I replied. "You may getsplashed a bit; but you'll soon learn not to mind that. I've often beendrenched when out in the yacht with father, but one soon got dry again. "

"Didn't you catch a bad cold?" he said, out of the towel. 

"Oh no. "

Then he looked in his little glass as he steadied himself with one hand, and then in his highly-pitched voice he said, as he looked round at mewith a faint laugh, and passed his hand over his chin--

"It's a very good job, isn't it, that I don't have to shave? I'm sure Icouldn't use a razor with the ship rising and falling like this. "

Thud! Whish!

The little round window was darkened for a few moments, and Mr Preddleheld on with both hands. 

"What's that?" he cried, excitedly. "Is there any danger?"

"Danger? No, " I said with a laugh. "It was only a wave. Good job youhadn't opened your window. Don't you ever shave, then, sir?"

"No, " he said with a sigh; "my beard never came. "

"Then it never will, " I remember thinking to myself as I looked at hissmooth cheeks and chin, while he carefully combed and brushed his hairas he stood in his trousers and shirt, and then opened a little box andtook out three neckerchiefs, all different in colour. 

"Which one would you wear, Mr Dale?" he said, as he looked up at me. 

"Oh, I don't know, " I cried merrily; "which you like best--the blue one. There's plenty of blue sky and blue sea now. "

"Yes, you're right, " he said, eagerly. "And--you wouldn't mind, wouldyou?"

"Mind what, sir?"

"Showing me how to tie a sailor's knot. I never could manage itproperly. "

I showed him, and then he put on a white waistcoat and a blue sergejacket, like that worn by a yachting-man, buttoned up tightly, andlooked at me again. 

"It's very kind of you to help me, " he said; "but do you think it's fineenough for a straw hat?"

I shook my head as I pictured his round, plump, white face under thestraight brim, and thought how comic it would look. 

"I should wear that, " I said, pointing to a yachtsman's blue woollenpeaked cap. "There's so much wind, and it will keep on better. "

"Of course; you are quite right, " he said. "It's because you have hadso much experience of the sea. But it isn't quite so becoming as thestraw, is it?"

I stared at him wonderingly as I thought how vain he must be; but I saidit looked right enough. 

"I should keep the straw hat for when we get down into the hot parts, sir, " I said. 

"To be sure; so I will. Do you know, that wash seems to have done me alot of good, Mr Dale. I really think I feel better. "

"Then you'll be all right now, sir. I should get the steward to give mea basin of soup. "

He shuddered, and gave me a look of horror. 

"I couldn't touch it, " he whispered. "Don't ask me. Not now. "

"Wait till you've been on deck a bit, sir. "

"Yes, yes, " he said, excitedly; and after another look in the glass hetold me he was ready, and we went out to go on deck: but he declined togo up the steps to where the captain would be with the other passengers, and said he would go forward to have a look at the fish; but before hehad gone many steps, he altered his mind. 

"I do feel better, Mr Dale, " he said, with a half-laugh, "and I think Iwill go up and pay my respects to the captain and--and the otherpassengers, " and then, talking eagerly to me about his fish, andcarefully preserving his balance, we went up on the poop-deck, with theship gliding along swiftly and more easily. 

The captain saw us, and came to meet him along with Mr Brymer, thefirst mate, and both shook hands warmly. 

"Glad, to see you on deck, sir. There, you've got over your bit oftrouble. It was rather a rough beginning. "

"Yes, and of course I'm not much used to the sea, Captain Berriman, "said Mr Preddle, as he walked on by his side with legs rather widelyapart, I following behind with Mr Brymer. 

It seemed to me then that Mr Preddle was managing so as to get up towhere Mr Denning sat with his sister, and the next minute they wereabreast of them, and the captain said in his bluff way--

"There, Mr Denning, another of your fellow-passengers has found out theadvantage of coming on deck. "

"Yes, " said Mr Preddle, hastily, as he took off his cap to MissDenning, and then bowed to her brother. "So fresh and bright after theclo--clo--clo--Oh dear me!"

I was obliged to laugh, and though Mr Denning looked angry, I saw MissDenning turn away to hide a smile, for the captain and Mr Brymerlaughed as merrily as I did. And no wonder, for just as Mr Preddle wasbowing and smiling and talking hurriedly, the ship gave another suddenlurch; he made a wild grasp at the captain, missed him; another at MrDenning's chair; and then sat down involuntarily on the deck, to look upruefully at me, his eyes seeming to say, "Oh, how can you laugh!"

"All right, sir, not hurt, I hope?" said the captain, and he and thefirst mate helped our stout passenger to rise. 

"No, not at all, thanks; sadly awkward though at first, " he said, ratherpiteously. "Mr Dale--would you mind?"

I hurriedly offered him my arm, and he gave a quick look round. 

"A little weak and giddy, " he continued, with his eyes resting on MissDenning, who held out her hand, and in a quiet sweet way, said--

"Yes, we have been rather unwell too. I turned quite giddy once. "

Mr Denning looked at her angrily, and Mr Preddle shook hands veryawkwardly before walking away with me, and as I helped him down theladder, he said in a whisper--

"Are they all laughing at me? Look. "

"Oh no, " I said, after a hasty glance. "I'm afraid we were all veryrude, but every one meets with these accidents at sea. "

I fancied he muttered something about "disgraced, " but he was verysilent, and hardly noticed the men who touched their caps to him as wewent forward, where he stayed with the fish for a few minutes, andlifted out a couple which lay floating wrong side up, with a tinylanding-net; and then walked back without me towards his cabin. I lethim get nearly to the companion-way, and then ran after him with my faceburning. 

"I beg your pardon for laughing at you, Mr Preddle, " I said. 

He turned his piteous face toward me, and smiled in a simple, good-natured way, as he held out his hand. 

"You couldn't help it, " he said; "I suppose I did look very ridiculous. It's because I'm so stout; p'r'aps being at sea will take it down. "

He nodded and went on, leaving me thinking. 

It was awkward, just too as he wanted to show how well he was. Then Istarted and looked round, for some one clapped me on the shoulder. 

"You and Mr Preddle seem to be getting capital friends, Dale; how smarthe had made himself look!"

"Yes, sir, " I said; "but he had quite an accident on deck, " and I lookedhalf-smilingly in the young doctor's face, for it was he. 

"Accident? Hurt?" he said, eagerly. 

"Oh no, sir. He was going up to speak to Miss Denning and her brother, and the ship lurched, and he came down sitting. "

"Oh!" said the doctor, and it struck me at the time that he lookedrather pleased. 

CHAPTER SIX. 

The next morning broke bright and glorious. We were right away in theopen sea now, going south before a brisk north-west breeze, which wasjust enough to make the water dance and glitter in the sunshine, as theBurgh Castle with a full press of sail careened gently over. Whilefeeling fresh and eager, I thought how delightful the ocean looked, andwas eager to see what the tropic waters would have to show. 

"Here, Dale, " said the captain, "this sort of thing won't do. Where'syour messmate--Walters?"

"He's a little better this morning, sir, but not out of his bunk. "

"You go down and tell him that if he is not up on deck in a quarter ofan hour, I'll send two of the men down to fetch him. "

"Yes, sir, " and I went and delivered my message to the poor, miserable-looking, yellow-faced fellow, as he lay with his face screwedup, only half seen in his bunk. 

"I don't care. Let him send if he dares. I can't get up. I'llcomplain to the owners. It's a cruel shame, and it's a wonder I haven'tdied, left neglected down here. "

"That you haven't been, " I cried; "why, I've regularly nursed you, andthe steward couldn't have been kinder. "

"Who said he could?" cried Walters, with plenty of animation now. "Butwhere's the doctor? What's a doctor carried on a ship for if he isn'tto attend to the sick people?"

"Oh, but you're not sick, " I said. 

"What?" he cried fiercely. 

"Well, not now, " I replied, laughing. "Of course you were, but you'reonly qualmy now. Here, this place does smell stuffy. I'll open thewindow. "

"That you won't; I don't want to catch a bad cold. Wish I hadn't cometo sea in such a miserable ship. "

"Nonsense. Get up and dress. "

"Shan't!"

"But you'd feel ever so much better. "

"How do you know? You go and tell the captain he's a brute, and I'm notgoing to get up till I'm better. "

"Not I. It would only be a lie, " I said. 

"What?"

"You are ever so much better. Shall I ask the steward to make you sometea?"

"No, I couldn't touch it, and he wouldn't make it if you did. Thisain't a London hotel. "

"Of course it isn't; but he'd make a cup if I asked him. "

"No, he wouldn't. They're all brutes here. "

"Look here, " I cried, as I saw how argumentative he could be, and thatif he roused himself up he'd be better, "if you don't jump into yourtrousers I'll be a brute too. "

"What do you mean?" he said, sharply. 

"I'll lay hold of one leg, and pull you out on to the floor. "

"You dare to touch me, and I'll give you the biggest hiding you ever hadin your life. "

"Not you. Come, get up, or the skipper will send down two fellows tofetch you out. "

"Let him at his peril, " snarled my messmate, pulling the clothes higher. 

"Shall I go and tell him that?"

"If you dare. "

"Oh, I dare, " I said, "but I wouldn't be such a sneak. But he reallywill send after you, if you don't get up. "

"Let him. "

"Come, you are better. "

"I'm not; I'm half dead. "

"You're not. "

"I am, you unfeeling brute; I am so weak, I can't stir. "

"You said you were strong enough to give me a good hiding. "

"Yes, when I'm better. "

"You're better now, so get out. "

"Shan't. "

"Am I to pull you out?"

"You dare to touch me, and I'll half-kill you. "

"Here goes, then!" I cried, and diving my hand under the blanket, Icaught hold of him by his leg, and with one good tug had him out on thefloor of the narrow cabin, kicking and struggling to get from beneaththe clothes. As soon as he was free he flew at me, hitting outfiercely, while I only closed with him to keep him from hurting. 

Then for about a minute we had a combined wrestle and fight about thecabin, with the result that I, being dressed and in better condition, got him down and sat upon his chest, panting heavily, to get my breath, while I could feel the saddle upon which I sat move sharply up and down. 

"There, " I said good-temperedly, "I knew you weren't bad. Will youdress yourself, and come on deck if I get off?"

"I'll half-kill you!" he snarled through his set teeth. 

"Then I'll sit here till you change your mind. "

He drew up his knees, so as to get his heels as near me as he could, then placed his hands close to his ribs, waited a few moments to get hisbreath, and at a moment when he thought I was quite off my guard, heraised his chest so as to make a bow of his spine, and giving a suddenquick heave, tried to throw me off sidewise. 

But I had too good a seat for my restive steed, and nipping him tightly, held on while he frantically tried the same movement again and again, till he was compelled to stop from lack of breath. And all the time hisface grew blacker with fury, while mine was puckered up by mirth, for Iwas thoroughly enjoying the fun of the thing, and not in the leastalarmed by his threats. 

"You beast!" he snarled. "Only wait till my turn comes, and you shallhave it for this. "

"Not I, my lad, " I cried merrily. "You'll be as pleased as can beto-morrow, and thank me for doing you so much good. Why, Walters, oldchap, you're growing stronger every minute. I thought you were so faintyou couldn't move. "

"So I am, and you're suffocating me by sitting on my chest, you cowardlywretch. "

"Not I. It makes the bellows work better, " I cried, as I bumped gentlyup and down. "Good for you after lying there so long. Ready foranother try?"

I gave so heavy a bump that he yelled out, but I only laughed, for everydoubt of his condition had passed away, as he proved to me in ourstruggle that he was as strong and well able to be about as I. 

"Now then, if I get off, will you wash and dress?"

"I'll thrash you till you can't stand, " he snarled. 

"Not you. Be too grateful; and if you speak like that again I'll nipyour ribs twice as hard. "

"You wait till I get up. "

"You're not going to get up, " I said, "till you promise to behaveyourself. "

"I'll make you sorry for this, my fine fellow, as soon as I'm well. "

"Then you had better do it at once, " I said, "if you can. "

He gave another heave, but I was too firmly settled, and he subsidedagain, and lay panting and glaring at me fiercely. 

"There, let's have no more nonsense, " I said at last; "don't be sosilly. I only did it all in fun to get you to make an effort. Will youget up quietly and shake hands?"

"No!" he roared, and he gave such a jerk that I had hard work to keep myseat, while he struck at me savagely with his doubled fists. 

"Wo ho!" I cried, as I managed to secure his wrists, and now as I sawhis malignant look, I began to feel uncomfortable, and to wish that Ihad gone some other way to work to bring him round. 

"You shall repent all this, you wretch!" he cried. 

"Pooh!" I said contemptuously, for my own temper was rising; "I am notafraid. There, get up and dress at once, and don't make an idiot ofyourself. "

As I spoke I gathered myself together, and with one effort I sprang tomy feet, being quite on my guard, but expecting the greater part of whathe had said was talk, and that he would not dress himself. But to myastonishment he leaped up, dashed at me, striking out right and left, and the next minute there would have been an angry fight on the way, ifthe door had not suddenly darkened and a voice which I recognised as MrBrymer's exclaimed--

"Hullo! what's all this?"

My rising anger was checked on the instant as Walters started back, andthe chief mate and Mr Frewen came in. 

"Walters has got a fit, sir, " I said, laughing. 

"I haven't, " he cried furiously; "this cowardly beast has been draggingme out of my bunk when I was so ill I could hardly move myself. "

"The captain said he was to get up, sir, " I pleaded; "and I tried tocoax him first, but he wouldn't stir. Then I did pull him out, but he'sbeen going on like mad ever since. "

"Let me see, " said Mr Frewen, seriously, and he felt Walters' pulse. "Let me look at your tongue, sir, " he continued; "no, no, not the tip. Out with it. Hah! And so you had the heart to drag this poor fellowout of his bed, Dale, when he was as weak as a baby?"

"Why, I could hardly hold him, sir, " I protested. "He's stronger than Iam, only I got him down and sat upon him. "

"Sat upon him--got him down! Why, you might have killed him. "

"I didn't think he was bad, sir, " I said. "You should have seen him alittle while ago. "

"Oh!" groaned Walters, piteously, and he lowered the lids of his eyes, and then let them wander feebly about the cabin. 

"He's looking for his breeches, " said the doctor, changing his tone. "There, dress yourself, you cowardly sham!" he cried. "A great stronghealthy lad like you, who has been to sea for eighteen months, to lay uplike a sickly weak girl. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. "

Walters opened his eyes widely and stared. 

"Dale ought to have tugged you out a couple of days ago, and given you abucket of water. There, nothing whatever's the matter with him, Brymer. Come along, and I'll report the case to the captain. "

"Well, to see the way he was showing fight, " said the mate, "didn't seemto me like being weak. "

"Weak? Pish! You did quite right, Dale. I'm sympathetic enough withany poor fellow who is really bad, but if there is anything that raisesmy dander it's a cowardly pitiful fellow who gives up for nothing. Lookhere, sir, if you're not on deck in a quarter of an hour, I shallsuggest strong measures to the captain in answer to his order to comedown and see how you were. "

He stepped out of the little cabin, but put his head in again. 

"Open that window, Dale, my lad, this place is stifling. "

"Yes, " said the first mate. "On deck in a quarter of an hour, sir, oryou'll wish yourself on shore. "

They both left the cabin, and I only made poor Walters more bitteragainst me by bursting out laughing as he began to dress quickly. 

"A set of brutes!" he grumbled; "a set of unfeeling brutes!"

"There, drop it now, " I cried; "I shall stop and help you. "

"You'll stop till I help you, " he said through his clenched teeth. "Ishan't forget this. "

"All right, " I replied, and I left him to himself to cool down; butfeeling sorry for him, and thinking that I had been unfeeling, I hurriedoff to the cook, who was pretending to be very busy in the galley, andwho gave me a suspicious look as soon as I showed myself at the door. 

"I say, have you got any beef-tea?" I asked. 

"Beef-tea, sir!" he said, giving the lad with him a sharp look. "Anything else, sir?--Turtle, sir; gravy, spring, or asparagus soup, --like it now?"

I stared for a moment, then seeing that the man was poking fun at me, Ichanged my tone and slipped a shilling in his hand. 

"Look here, " I cried; "Mr Walters has been very queer and he's nowgetting up, can't you give me a basin of soup for him?"

"Soup, sir! Ah, now you're talking wisdom. I'll see what I can do; butto talk about beef-tea just when the butcher's shop round the corner'sshut up--butcher's shop is shut up, arn't it, Tom?" he continued, turning to his assistant. 

"Yes; all gone wrong. Trade was so bad. "

"Now, no chaff, " I said; "you will get me a basin of something?"

"I should think so, sir. Here, Tom, strain off some of the liquor fromthat Irish stoo. "

A lid was lifted off, and a pleasant savoury steam arose as a basinfulof good soup was ladled out, strained into another, and then the manturned to me--

"Like to try one yourself, sir?"

"Yes, " I cried eagerly, for the odour was tempting. "No, " I said, resisting the temptation. "Give us hold, " and the next minute I was onmy way back with the basin and a spoon toward the cabin aft. 

I don't know how it is, but so sure as you don't want to be seen doinganything, everyone is on the way to meet you. It was so then. I wascarefully balancing the steaming basin so as not to spill any of itscontents on the white deck, as the ship rose and fell, when I came uponthe doctor, who laughed. The next minute Mr Brymer popped upon me. 

"Hullo!" he said, "who's that for?"

"Mr Walters, sir. "

"Humph!"

I went on watching the surface of the soup, which kept on threatening toslop over, when a rough voice said--

"Thankye, sir. I'll have it here. Did you put in the salt?"

I gave the speaker, Bob Hampton, a sharp look, and saw that the two menwho were generally near him, Barney Blane and Dumlow, were showing alltheir teeth as they indulged in hard grins; and then I was close uponthe cabin-door, but started and stopped short as I heard a cough, andlooking up, there was the captain leaning over the rail and watching me. 

"That's not your duty, is it, my lad?" he said. 

"No, sir. For Walters, sir, before he comes on deck. "

"Oh!" he ejaculated with a grim look, and he turned away, while I divedin through the door and made my way to the cabin, where I could hearthat Walters was having a good wash. 

"Here, I've brought you something to take, " I cried. 

He glanced round sharply, saw what I had, and took no more notice, butwent on with his washing. 

"Better have it while it's hot, " I said. 

He took up the towel and began to rub. 

"Look sharp, you must take it, " I cried. "If I stand it down, it willslop over the side. "

"Oh, well, if you won't, " I cried at last, "I shall eat it myself. "

He threw down the towel, turned, half-snatched the basin away, and heldit as if he were going to throw the contents in my face. 

His action was so sudden that I flinched. 

"Ah, you know you deserve it, " he cried, sourly. 

"Yes, shall I eat it?" I replied, recovering myself. 

"Bah!" he snarled out, and feeling that I had done all that wasnecessary, I backed away and went up on deck, from whence I saw mymessmate come out of the cabin about ten minutes after, and as thecaptain signed to him to come near, I slipped down out of curiosity, hurried to the cabin, and found that the basin was emptied to the lastdrop. 

I ran forward and popped my head in at the galley. 

"Send a boy to fetch the empty basin from our cabin, " I said quickly. 

"All right, sir, " was the reply, and I went aft, just as Walters wasleaving the cabin, but he took care not to come near me, and I went onwith my work. 

CHAPTER SEVEN. 

Down south we sailed as swiftly as favouring gales and plenty of sailcould take us, and in course of time we had passed below the Azores, andevery one on board was waking up to the fact that we were getting intolatitudes where the weather grew hotter and more sunshiny day by day. 

All the foul winds and rough seas had been left far behind in the north, and anything more delightful than the life on board it would have beenimpossible to conceive. 

There were troubles, of course, and I used to think that the captain wasunnecessarily severe on Jarette and several of the other men; but I setit down to a desire to preserve good discipline, and of course I feltthat he must know best how to manage his crew. 

The passengers passed the greater part of their time on deck, coming upearly to bathe in the bright sunshine which made the metal look too hotto touch, and the tar to glisten in little beads all along beneath theropes and about the seams of the deck, and they stayed late at night inthe brilliant moonlight, till I used to think that our voyage was goingto be one long time of pleasure; for every one--no, not every one--seemed to be happy and cheerful, and I made no end of friends. I hadplenty to do, but even in their strictest moments the officers werepleasant to me, and I thought, thanks to the breaking in I had had withmy father on his yacht, going to sea in a big clipper ship one of themost delightful of lives. 

But there was some bitter in it. Walters and I never grew to be warmfriends, though I did my best. He did not get on with the officerseither, but used to seize every opportunity to get away and talk to someof the sailors, particularly with the Frenchman Jarette, who was introuble with the captain just after our starting, but who, thanks to thesevere treatment he had received, now proved to be one of the smartestof the crew. 

He spoke English as well as I did, but if ever I drew near when Waltershad gone to lean over the bulwarks and talk to him, I could hear that itwas in French--bad French, spoken very slowly on Walters' part, and heused to have to make Jarette say what he had to say two or three timesover before he could quite make it out. 

"No business of mine, " I thought. "I might do the same and practise upmy French, " which needed it badly enough, for I had pretty wellforgotten all I had learned. 

Things were not quite happy either on deck. I did not thoroughlyunderstand why, and attributed it to Mr Denning's ill-temper, consequent upon his being unwell, for he was haughty and distant withMr Frewen whenever he tried to be friendly, and I used to set it downto his having had so much to do with doctors that he quite hated them;but there seemed to be no reason why he should snub Mr Preddle sowhenever the big stout fellow approached him and his sister and tried toenter into conversation. 

Mr Preddle used to complain to me about it when I went with him to seeto the aerating and giving fresh water to the fish, which needed a greatdeal of attention, and in spite of all our care would insist in turningwrong side up, to paddle about slowly and helplessly for a while, andthen make a vigorous effort and swim naturally. 

But the next minute they were back down and white up, and so they wouldgo on till they were too weak to move, and a few minutes after theywould die. 

"Yes, it's sad business, Alison Dale, " Mr Preddle would say with asigh, as he lifted a little trout out of one tray, or a tiny salmon fromanother. "I'm afraid that I shall not have many left by the time Iarrive over in New Zealand. "

"Perhaps they will get on better when we are in warmer parts. "

"I'm afraid they'll die faster then, " he said, taking something out of alocked-up box under one of the water-troughs, and to my surprise I sawthat it was an ordinary pair of kitchen bellows. 

"What! are you going to light a fire to warm them, sir?" I said. 

He smiled. 

"No, no; don't you know that fish require plenty of air?"

"Yes, I've heard something of the kind, and that if a pond is frozenover, and the ice is not broken, the fish die. "

"Exactly, for want of air. Look at those fish in that trough. "

"Yes, they're hungry, " I said, for in one corner a number of them wereputting their mouths nearly out of the water, and opening and shuttingthem. 

"No, they want air; there is not enough in the water. Now you'll see. "

He thrust the nozzle of the bellows beneath the surface, and beganpuffing away till the water boiled and bubbled and was covered withfoam, while after the first few puffs the fish swam about morevigorously and left the surface. 

"There, you see, " he said, "there is plenty of air now, " and he servedthe other troughs the same. "Now, look here, Alison Dale, " he said, ashe replaced the bellows, and locked the box, "I'll leave the key behindthis trough, and if you would not mind, I should be greatly obliged ifyou would give the fish a little air now and then just to help me, for Ishould dearly like to keep the poor things alive. "

"Oh yes, " I said, "I'll do it whenever I have a chance, but I don'tquite understand; I thought fish breathed water. "

"With air in it. If there is no air to mingle with the water, the fishsoon die. "

"But air over the water, you mean, " I said. 

"No; in the water; it will hold an enormous deal of air or gas. Look atsoda-water, for instance, how full of gas that is, and how the tinybeads come bubbling out as soon as the pressure is removed. Now, if Ionly had a few fish in these troughs, there would be plenty of air forthem naturally in the water, but with so many in my charge, " he sighed, "it must be supplied artificially. "

"All right, then, we'll supply it artificially; but it looks very comicto be blowing the water with bellows instead of the fire, and if Walterscatches me at it, he'll tell everybody that I've gone mad. "

"Then you will help me?" he said, appealingly. 

"Oh yes, I'll help you, " I replied, and he looked so big and boyish thatI felt as if I ought to slap him over the back and call him "old chap. "

"Thank you, thank you, " he said in his mild way; "and--er--er--"

Then he stopped, with his mouth opening and shutting; and as I stared athim, I could not help thinking how like he was to one of his fish. 

"Yes, " I said; "you were going to say something. "

"Eh? Was I?" he said, looking quite red in the face, and uneasy. "Oh, it was nothing--nothing--I--er--I hardly know what I was about to say. Yes, I do, " he cried, desperately; "I remember now. You were close tous this morning when Mr Denning spoke to me. Did you hear what hesaid?"

"No, I was too far off, " I replied; "but he seemed to be speakingsnappishly. "

"Yes, he does sometimes; I'm afraid that he does not like me. "

"You worry him, " I thought to myself, "by hanging about him so, andtalking to Miss Denning when he wants her to read to him. "

"Yes?" said Mr Preddle; "what were you thinking?"

"Oh, about what you said. He is irritable, you know, from bad health. "

"Yes, " he said, quite in a whisper, "irritable from bad health, poorfellow. "

He stood with the little landing-net in his hand, gazing down into thetrough nearest to us as if watching the little trout; but his thoughtswere, I dare say, of something else, and I did not like to disturb him, but stood giving a side look now and then at him, but for the most partwatching his charge, and thinking how thoroughly man had imitated theshape of a fish in making a ship, even to the tail to steer it with. Then all at once I looked up, for there were voices outside, and I knewit was Jarette the Frenchman saying something very earnestly to Walters. 

I did not hear what either of them said, for they spoke in a very lowtone, and in French. But I caught just the last words which wereuttered by Jarette, and they were these--

"Mais prenez-garde, mon ami. Prenez-garde. "

Then they had passed on, and all was silent again, with Mr Preddlestill watching the fish. 

"`But take care, my friend, take care. ' That's what he said, " I thoughtto myself; "I know French enough for that. Take care of what? And whydoes he call Walters `my friend'? He's only a common sailor, and amidshipman even in a merchantman oughtn't to be friends in that way withthe men. "

Then I laughed silently to myself as I thought of how fond I was ofleaning over the bulwarks and talking to old Bob Hampton when he had thewatch, and listening to his sea-tales about storms and pirates. 

"How ready one is to find fault with people one doesn't like, " I said tomyself. 

"I beg your pardon, " said Mr Preddle. 

"I didn't speak, sir. "

"No; but I had gone into a brown study. There, the fish will do now. "

We both went on deck, and somehow when I was alone I too went into abrown study, and began wondering at Mr Preddle's curious ways, andthinking what a pity it was that a gentleman like Mr Denning, who wason a voyage for the sake of his health, should take such a dislike toMr Frewen and Mr Preddle too. It hardly seemed to be likeirritability, for after all he was as merry and friendly with theofficers as he was with me. I never went near him without his beckoningto me to come to his side, and both he and his sister were quiteaffectionate to me, making my first long voyage wonderfully pleasant, and the captain encouraged it. 

"He must have heard something about them, " I thought, and then I beganto think about Walters and the French sailor and the other sailors, ofthose who seemed to form one party all to themselves, and of the otherswho kept more along with Bob Hampton and his two friends, who had sailedtogether for so many years. 

"There, what does it matter?" I said to myself, as I roused myself frommy musings. "Walters doesn't like Bob Hampton because Bob laughed athim, and that's why he hangs toward Jarette; pities him, perhaps, because they both got into trouble with the officers, and birds of afeather flock together. "

These were all dreamy thoughts, like clouds in my mind. I could notunderstand them. I grew wiser later on when the troubles came. 

CHAPTER EIGHT. 

I had so many things to take up my attention that I forgot all abouthearing Jarette and Walters talking together. Perhaps it came to mindonce or twice afterwards, but it made no impression then, however much Imay have thought about it afterwards. For then I was trying to learn myduties, studying up a little navigation, helping Mr Preddle with hisfish that were to stock the New Zealand rivers with trout, and attendingto Mr Denning. I suppose it was attending upon him, but to me it wasall one jolly time of amusement, during which the poor fellow seemed toforget all about his bad health, and became as interested as a boy withour various bits of sport. 

Now in a fast steamer there is not much done, for I suppose that quickrush of the vessel, as it ploughs its way through the sea, startles thefish away to right and left, and then when they might be swimmingquietly after the first rush, the tremendous beating up of the water bythe whirling screw sends them off again, and makes the water so foamythat they cannot see a bait. 

But with a sailing vessel it is different. When there is not much wind, of course she glides along gently, leaving a wake of foam, but the wateris not so disturbed; and soon after the weather had settled down, andwas day by day growing warmer, so that the awning was rigged up over thepoop, and our fishing began. 

"Oh yes, " Captain Berriman said, "fish away, sir, and the more freshfish you catch for us, the better the passengers and crew will like it. "

I was standing by one morning when this was said, and Miss Denningglanced at me and smiled as if she knew what was coming. 

"You will let young Dale help me?" said Mr Denning. "Want him?"

"Oh yes. "

"Take him, then. He isn't much use, " said the captain, laughingly. "Ioften wonder why the owners have boys on board. Better have youngWalters, he's more of a sailor than this fellow. "

"Oh no, " said Mr Denning, "I should like Dale. "

"All right, " said the captain. "Don't tumble overboard, Dale. "

"I'll try not, sir, " I said, "but I can swim. "

"So much the better, my lad, but it takes a long time to lower a boatdown, and a man overboard gets left a long way behind when a ship is infull sail. "

He walked away, and looking as eager as I did, Mr Denning began about afishing-line, while his sister looked bright and happy to see herbrother so much interested in the plans he had in view. 

"I suppose there are plenty of fishing-lines on board, " he said. "Let'sget right back beyond the man at the wheel, and fish from there. "

"I'll go and see about the lines, " I said; and I went forward to wherethe boatswain was looking after some men who were bending on a new sail. 

"Lines? Fishin'-lines, my lad?--no, I don't know of any. "

Directly after I came upon Walters. "I say, do you know anything aboutany fishing-lines?" I said. 

"Of course I do, " he replied in a contemptuous tone; "who doesn't?"

"But where do they keep them--with the stores?"

"Who's going fishing?" said Walters. "Mr Denning. "

"Oh! I'll come and help him; I like fishing, " he said. 

I looked at him curiously, as I thought of what had been said, and thenasked him again. 

"I don't know, " he cried, "I don't carry fishing-lines in my pockets. Ask old fat Preddle, he's a regular fisherman. But you won't catchany. "

I did not think Mr Preddle was likely to have lines, so I did not askhim, but thought I would go and ask every man I met, when I caught sightof Bob Hampton, and went to him. 

"Fishin'-lines, my lad? No, I don't think there's any aboard. "

"Yes, there are, " growled Barney; "I see Frenchy Jarette rigging some upt'other day, as if he meant to have a try. "

I felt as if I did not like to ask a favour of the Frenchman, forsomehow I did not like him; but feeling that Mr Denning would bedisappointed if none were found, I asked where the man was, and foundthat he was down in the forecastle asleep, for he had been in one of thenight watches. 

It was so dark there, that for a few moments I could not make out whichof the sleeping men lying there was the one I sought. They were allbreathing heavily, and at first going down out of the bright sunshinethe faces all looked alike; but after getting a little more accustomedto the gloom, I saw a hand just where the faint rays came down through alittle sky-light, and on one of the fingers there was a silver ring. Thinking that the wearer might possibly be the Frenchman, I went fartherand looked a little more closely, and saw that I was right, for though Icould not have been sure that the ring on the hand proved this to be theman I sought, one that I could just make out in the ear satisfied me, and stooping lower still I laid my hand upon his shoulder. 

The touch had no effect, and I took hold and shook him. 

"Jarette--Jarette!" I said. 

He sprang partly up with a faint cry, and to my horror, gripped me bythe throat. 

"Curse you, I'll--Ah, it's you, cher ami, " he said, beginning fiercely, and changing his tone to a whisper. "No, no, not yet, " he continued, "it isn't ripe. Wait, cher ami, wait a little. "

"Jarette, " I said wonderingly, for the man puzzled me--I had no key tohis meaning then--"wake up. I'm sorry I roused you, but we want afishing-line, and Bob Hampton says you have some. "

"What--to fish! No, you wish to speak. Hist! I--ah, I see now, " hecried quickly. "It is dark below. I see it is you, Mr Dale. Fishing-lines? Yes, I get you some. "

"Why, you thought I was Mr Walters, " I said, laughing. 

"I?--my faith, no, sir. I was asleep and dreaming. Yes, " he continued, scrambling out and going to a canvas bag, out of which he drew a largesquare wooden winder. 

"There; it is a very long line and nearly new. I have not used it once, sir. Mister the captain objects to the men having these delassements, these untirings, when you are weary. "

"Oh, thank you, Jarette, " I cried eagerly. 

"And here are these hooks, if the one at the end breaks. "

"Yes. "

"And the good fortune to you. Good luck you say it. "

I went back on deck with my prize, and called at the galley, thinking nomore of the Frenchman's mistake. 

There the cook readily furnished me with a sharp knife and some toughrind pieces of pork and bacon liberally furnished on one side with fat. 

"Cut 'em in long baits, sir, " he said, "and the fish are sure to come atthem. "

"But they will taste too salt, " I said. 

He laughed. 

"How can a fish know whether the bait is salt when it takes it in saltwater?"

I had not thought of that, and I returned aft, passing Mr Frewen andMr Preddle, both of whom looked disturbed, and then I reached the spotwhere I had left Mr Denning and his sister. He was looking angry, andMiss Denning had tears in her eyes as she quickly turned away. 

"I've got a line and baits, " I said, speaking as if I had not noticedthat anything was wrong, though I felt sure that the doctor and MrPreddle had been there in my absence. 

"You can take them back, " said Mr Denning, shortly, "I shall not fishto-day. "

Miss Denning turned round quickly. 

"John dear!" she whispered, and she gave him a piteous look. 

He frowned and turned to me, when seeing, I suppose, my disappointment, he smoothed his face and then smiled. 

"Oh, very well, " he said, "I was going to my cabin, but we will have atry. "

I saw Miss Denning lay her hand upon his arm, but took no notice, for Iknelt down on the deck directly, cut a bait ready--a long strip of thebacon rind--stuck the point of the large sharp hook through one end asif I were going to fish for mackerel at home, and then after unwindingsome of the line, to which a heavy leaden sinker was attached, I wasabout to throw the bait over the stern. 

"But that piece of lead will be too heavy, " cried Mr Denning, now fullof interest in the fishing. "It will make the line hang straight down, and I keep seeing the fish play near the top. "

I shook my head. 

"It will not sink six feet, " I said, "because we shall drag it along sofast. If we were going faster I should require a heavier lead. "

"Ah, well, I suppose you know best, " he said, smiling. "Go on. "

He gave an uneasy glance back along the deck to see if any one else werenear but the man at the wheel, who had his back to us, and I let aboutfifty yards of the stout line run out before I checked it and placed itin Mr Denning's hands as he stood leaning against the bulwarks. 

"Shall I give a twist round one of the belaying-pins?" I said. 

"What for?" he cried sharply. "Do you think I am too weak to hold it?"

"Oh no, " I said quickly, "but we may hook a big fish, and the line wouldcut your hand. "

He smiled as if he doubted me, and to guard against his letting go, Iunwound the whole of the remaining line and laid it out in rings beforefastening the winder tightly beneath the bulwark, so that even if theline were all run out the fish would be checked and caught. 

Just then Walters came sauntering up, and I could not help thinking thatfrom his size and our uniform being the same, how easily we might betaken one for the other in the gloom of the forecastle. 

Mr Denning turned and looked at him for a moment, and then back towatch his line without a word, while Miss Denning bowed slightly. 

"They don't like Walters, " I said to myself. 

"Had any bites?" he said with a sniggering laugh. 

"No, " replied Mr Denning, coldly; "I have only just begun. "

There was silence for a few minutes, Walters' coming having seemed todamp our proceedings. 

"Here, I know what's the matter, " he said suddenly, taking a couple ofsteps close up to Mr Denning. "Your bait isn't right. "

"Mind!" I cried. "You're treading on the line. "

"Well, it won't hurt it, " said Walters, roughly, and he kicked some ofthe rings up with one of his feet. Then to Mr Denning--"It isn't as ifI'd got on nailed boots. Here, let me pull in your bait and pat aproper one on. I've caught lots of fish. He doesn't know anythingabout it. "

"Thank you, " said Mr Denning, coldly, "when I require your help, I willask for it. Ah!"

He uttered a sharp ejaculation, as there came a sudden fierce tug at theline which dragged his hands right out to the full length of his armsand brought his chest heavily against his side. 

"Hooray! you've got him, " cried Walters, "and a big one too. Holdfast!"

It was as if Mr Denning was playing at the old forfeit game of theRules of Contrary, for he let go. The line rushed out, and the nextmoment the rings in which Walters had stepped tightened round his legsjust as he was changing his position, and with so heavy a drag that thelad lost his balance and came down heavily upon the deck, which his headstruck with a sharp rap. 

"That was your doing!" he shouted, as I rushed at him where he wasstruggling to free himself, for the line kept on tightening round himfrom the furious jerks given by the fish which had seized the bait. 

But I was not thinking of freeing him, only of getting hold of the line, and as he struck at me quickly, I thrust him back so sharply that hishead struck the deck again. 

By that time I had hold of the line, and, thinking no more of Walters, Itried to hold the prize, but was fain to call excitedly upon Mr Denningto help me. 

He seized the line too, and for the next five minutes the fish wastearing about here and there in the water far below where we stood, andjerking our arms and shoulders till they ached. Now it would go off atright angles, now directly in the opposite direction. 

Then slacking the line for a few moments it shot right away aft, jerkingthe line so heavily that it was dragged through our hands. The nextmoment we saw what looked like a huge bar of blue and silver shoot rightout of the water and come down with a heavy splash. 

"Gone!" I said with a groan, for there were no more fierce tugs, and asI hauled, the line came in yard by yard for me to cast down on the deck. 

"The line's broken, " said Mr Denning in a husky voice, as he drew outhis handkerchief to wipe his face. 

"Yes; it was a monster, " I said dolefully. "Oh, what a pity!"

"Missed one?" said the captain. 

"Yes, sir; a great fellow, five feet long at least. "

"One of the big albicores, I dare say, " he said. "They are very strongin the water. But he has not broken your line, has he?"

"I'm afraid so, " I replied, as I hauled away till the lead rattledagainst the ship's side. Then another haul or two brought the hook overthe rail, for the line was not broken, but the stout wire hook hadstraightened with the weight of the fish, and had been drawn back out ofthe creature's jaws. 

By this time Walters had pretty well cleared himself from the linetangled about his leg, and he stood looking on and scowling at me inturn as I removed the straightened hook, and put on another from thespare ones with which Jarette had furnished me. This I baited as beforeand threw over, the line running out rapidly till about the same lengthwas out; and Mr Denning took hold again, the red spots in his cheeksshowing how thoroughly he was interested in the sport. 

"Better luck to you this time, " said the captain, and he nodded andwalked away; but Walters stayed, saying nothing, but leaning against therail, and looking on in a sulky, ill-used way at me and my every actionas I attended on Mr Denning. 

"We shall never get to be friends, " I thought. "He always looks as ifhe was so jealous that he would like to throw me overboard. "

"Shall I fasten the line this time, sir?"

"No, no; not on any account, " said Mr Denning. "It would take awayhalf the excitement, and I get so little in my life. Eh, Lena?"

Miss Denning smiled at him half-pityingly, and his face looked verygentle now as he smiled back at her. Then all his attention wasdirected to the line where it hit the water. 

"You will be ready to help if I hook a big one, " he said to me; "I'm notso strong as I used to be. "

"I'll catch hold directly you tell me, " I replied; "but perhaps it willbe a small one this time. "

I turned to arrange the spare line once more so that it would run outeasily, and Miss Denning went closer to her brother, while I becameaware now of the fact that Walters was watching me in a sour, sneeringway. 

"What's the matter?" I said. 

"Oh, go on, " he whispered; "make much of it. You did that on purposejust now. "

"What, when you went down?" I said eagerly. "I didn't, really. "

"All right; I'm not blind, and I'm not a fool. Of course we're thefavourite, and everything is to give way to us; but never mind, my lad, every dog has his day. "

I looked at him with a feeling of wonder that any one could be sothoroughly disagreeable, so determined to look at everything from awrong point of view, and then I laughed, for it seemed to be utterlyabsurd that he should misconstrue even that look, for he exclaimedviciously--

"That's right, grin away, my lad; but the day may come when you'll laughthe wrong side of your mouth. "

"Why, what a chap you are, Nic!" I whispered. "I never saw such afellow. Come, let's be friends; I'm sure I want to. "

"And I don't, with a miserable sneak who is always trying to undermineme with people. "

"Under-grandmother you, " I said in a low voice, so that Miss Denningshould not hear. "Don't talk such stuff. "

"Go on. Insult me as much as you like, " he whispered back: "I shan'tsay anything. You're setting everybody against me, so that instead ofbeing friends, as a young officer should with his equals, I'm obliged togo and talk to the men. "

I could not help laughing again at his mock-tragic and absurd way oftaking things, and as I honestly felt that if matters were unpleasant itwas all his own fault, he leaned toward me now with his eyes half shutand his teeth pressed together as he whispered close to my ear--

"All right. You'll be sorry for it some day, and then--"

"Here's another, Dale! Quick!" cried Mr Denning. 

"Yes, yes, quick, quick, " cried his sister, and I offended poor Waltersagain quite unintentionally by swinging one arm across his chest in myhurry and excitement to get to Mr Denning's help; and as I reached overthe rail to get hold of the line, I felt sure that my messmate wouldthink that I struck him. For the moment I felt vexed and sorry, then Icould not help smiling to think how comic it was that I should keep onupsetting him. Then I forgot all about it in the excitement of rightingthe fish. 

"It's a big one, Mr Denning, " I said, as we both held on to the line--holding on now with it across the rail. "Let's give him a chance torun, and then haul in. Then he can run over again to tire himself. "

Mr Denning was too much excited to speak, but he nodded his head, andwe let the line run, after I had placed one foot upon it to hold it downon the deck and check its race. 

Away went the fish, with ring after ring working off beneath my foottill only about three yards were left. 

"Stop it now, " cried Mr Denning, and I pressed my foot down hard, feeling a curious quivering sensation run up my leg before I quitestopped the running. 

And now the fish began to rush in another direction, giving us anopportunity to haul in some of the line; but we soon had to let it goagain; and every time I glanced at Walters, all hot, excited, and eageras I was, I could see that he was looking on with a half-mocking scowl. 

But the next minute he gave quite a start and seized the line, for thecaptain, Mr Brymer, and Mr Frewen had all come up on seeing that afish had been hooked, and the former said sharply--

"Come, Walters, don't stand there with your hands in your pockets andlet Dale do all the work. "

And again I upset my messmate as if it were a fatality, for I criedout--

"All right, sir, we can manage. Don't touch the line, Walters. "

"No; don't touch the line!" cried Mr Denning, and the lad shrank backas if the thin hemp were red-hot. 

Then amidst plenty of excitement and some of the crew coming aft, Ihelped Mr Denning haul and haul till the fish was gradually drawn soclose in that we could see its failing efforts to regain its freedom. Apparently it was nearly five feet long, and its sides flashed in theclear water where it was not foaming with the lashing of the captive'svigorous widely-forked tail. 

"Bonito, " cried the captain. 

"No, no, albicore, " said Mr Brymer. 

"Suppose we wait till it's fully caught, " said Mr Frewen, smiling atMiss Denning, when I saw her brother give him an angry look. 

But the next moment I was thinking only of the fish, which was now soexhausted that it had ceased struggling, and allowed itself to bedragged along in the wake of the ship, merely giving a flap with itstail from time to time which turned it from side to side. 

"Now, " said Mr Denning to me, "let us both haul it on board. "

But I protested, saying that the weight of the fish would certainlybreak it away, and that we should lose it. 

To save us from such a catastrophe, I unfastened the other end of theline, made a running noose round the tight line beneath Mr Denning'shands, and let it run down till the noose struck the fish on the nose, and made it give a furious plunge to escape. 

But the hook held firm in spite of my dread, and after a littletwitching and shaking, with the lookers-on making remarks which onlyfidgeted me instead of helping, I managed to make the noose glide overthe slippery body. 

"Now!" cried Mr Frewen, who was as interested as the rest; but beforethe word was well uttered, I had given the line a sharp snatch just asthe running noose was in the narrow part before where the tail fincurved out above and below like a new moon. 

This meant a double hold, for the noose tightened, and now in spite of afresh set of furious struggles the fish was steadily hauled out of thewater, and we nearly had it up to the poop-rail, when the hook was tornout of its holding, and the fish hung down quivering and flapping fromthe noose about its tail. 

The weight seemed to be tremendous, but I gave two or three sharp tugs, had the fish over the rail, and over on to the deck, whose planks itbegan to belabour heavily, while we gazed excitedly at the beautifulcreature glistening in its splendid coat of many colours, which flashedgold, silver, orange, scarlet, and metallic blue and green at everyquivering blow. 

"What is it?" said Mr Denning eagerly, and I remember thinking howanimated and well he looked that day. 

"Well, " said the captain, "many years as I've sailed these seas, Ihardly know what to say. It's something like a dolphin, but it's morelike a bonito, and it isn't unlike an albicore. What should you say, Brymer?"

"Quite fresh to me, " said the mate. "Certainly one of the mackerelfamily, by its head and the great crescent moon tail. "

"Yes, and the short fins on front, top, and bottom. Never mind, itlooks a good one for the table, and I congratulate you, Mr Denning, upon your luck. Going to try again?"

"No, " said the invalid, peevishly, as he glanced quickly from his sisterto the doctor and back. "Thank you for helping me, Alison Dale. Lena, your arm; I'll go below. "

No one spoke till he had disappeared, and then the captain shook hishead. 

"Poor chap, " he said, with a sigh. "Here, Dale, Walters, carry the fishto the cook; Hampton--Dumlow, swabs and a bucket. "

"Keep tight hold, " I cried to my companion, who was holding the head ofthe fish by a loop of yarn passed through its gills, while I carried itby getting a good grip of the thin tail. 

"Do you want to carry it yourself?"

"Not at all. Too heavy. "

Just then the fish began to quiver as if it were all steel spring, andwaggled its tail so sharply that it flung off my grasp, and once more Ioffended Walters, for the fish fell across his feet. 

"There!" he cried, "you can't deny that. You did it on purpose. Afilthy, slimy thing!"

As he stood there with both his hands clenched I thought he was going tostrike me; but even if he had it would have made no difference, I shouldhave been obliged to laugh, and laugh I did, till as I was wiping myeyes I found that Jarette the French sailor was close up and looking atme keenly. 

"Here, Barney Blane, " I said, "take hold. "

The man grinned and came and helped me bear it away to the cook, afterwhich I put away the tackle, hanging it to dry before giving it back toits owner. 

CHAPTER NINE. 

All at once, just as our life at sea was as calm and peaceful as couldbe, Captain Berriman grew quite queer in his manner. He was pleasantenough to the passengers, and I never had an unkind word from him, buthe was most tyrannical to a number of the men, ordering them about, making them set fresh sail, take it down, and altering his ordershalf-a-dozen times over, till the men used to go about muttering, andmore than once I heard words spoken about him that were startling, tosay the least. 

One evening when it was very dark, the moon not having risen, I waslooking over the side and down into the calm, black water which was asfull of tiny specks of light as the sky above me, and every now and thenthese little glittering points beneath the surface would be driven hereand there as if a fish had swum sharply by. It was all so beautiful, towatch point after point gliding about lower and lower till all was jetblack, that I had forgotten everything, heard nothing, till all at oncejust behind me I heard Mr Brymer say--

"Of course it is very unpleasant for me. I'm afraid the men will notstand much more of it. Do you think he is going mad?"

There was a pause for a few moments, and then Mr Frewen said--

"No; I feel sure that it is only a temporary trouble due to the heat andover-anxiety about the ship. "

"But he is getting worse; and twice over to-day I felt as if I ought toshut him up in his cabin and take charge altogether. "

"No, I should not do that, " said Mr Frewen, "so long as nothing seriousgoes wrong. If he really gets too bad, I suppose I must help you byjustifying your proceedings in superseding him. "

"For the owners' sake, of course. "

"Of course. It is a very serious position for us both. But there, hemay be better to-morrow. If not, we must hope for the improvement whenwe get further south. "

"Then you would not take command?"

"Certainly not, under the present circumstances. "

"Halloa!" cried Mr Brymer--"a spy! Who's that--Walters?"

"No, sir; it is I. "

"And what are you doing there, listening?"

"I was watching the phosphorescence of the sea, sir, and you came andstood close to me and began talking. "

"And you heard?" said Mr Frewen. 

"Every word, sir. "

"And do you know that we were talking about Mr Denning?" said the mate. 

"No; you were talking about the captain. "

They were silent for a few moments, and then Mr Frewen spoke. 

"Look here, Dale, " he said, "this is a delicate matter. You have seenthat Captain Berriman is ill?"

"I thought he was very strange, and a bit cross sometimes. "

"Far worse than that. Look here, Dale, if you go chattering about whatyou have heard, " said Mr Brymer, "you may make a great deal ofmischief. "

"I am not likely to talk about it to anybody unless it be to MrDenning, " I said, feeling a little hurt. 

"Then pray don't mention it to him. It would only make him and hissister uneasy, " cried Mr Frewen, quickly. 

"I'm afraid they've seen enough for themselves, " said Mr Brymer. "Lookhere, youngster, I shall speak plainly to you, because you are asensible lad. If you spoke about what we have said, and it reachedCaptain Berriman's ear now he is in that excitable state, he wouldimmediately think I was conspiring against him, go frantic, and theremight be terrible mischief. So don't say a word, even to your messmate, or he'll go chattering to that French scoundrel and the rest of the men. By the way, Dale, let me give you a word of advice. I don't like theway in which young Walters is going on. It is not becoming for amidshipman or apprentice to make friends too readily with the sailors. Don't you follow his example. "

"I don't sir, " I said indignantly. 

"Softly, my lad; I've seen you talking a good deal with that old fellowHampton, and the two men with him. "

"Oh yes; I have talked to them a good deal, " I said: "but it was onlywhen we were on the watch, and I wanted them to tell me something aboutthe sea. "

"Ah, well, be careful, my lad. Here, shake hands. I'm not cross withyou, for you have behaved uncommonly well since you've been on board. There, that will do. "

"Good-night, Dale, " said Mr Frewen, kindly; "a still tongue maketh awise head, my lad. "

They walked on, and disappeared in the darkness directly, while I stoodwith my back to the bulwarks and my hands in my pockets, thinking aboutwhat they had said, and recalling the little things I had thoughtnothing of at the time, but which came back now looking to be bigthings. Yes, I remembered the captain had certainly been rather strangein his manner sometimes. Why, of course, Mr Denning had said to hissister that the captain need not be so disagreeable to the men. 

I was just wondering what would happen, and then thinking that it wouldnot make much difference if Mr Brymer were captain, and that it wouldbe better perhaps for Captain Berriman to lie by and be attended by MrFrewen, when I heard a sound over my head--something like a low hiss. 

"Some kind of night-bird, " I thought. But the next moment I felt quitestartled, for the sound was repeated, and I knew now that it was someone whispering. Then, as I stood quite still in the darkness, with theglow coming from the cabin-windows and from the binnacle-light, therewas a faint rushing up above, and a little off to my left, and directlyafter I knew what it was, --somebody's feet on the ratlines coming downfrom the main-top. 

There was no sail being made or reduced, and it seemed strange for anyone to be up there, and it had just struck me that perhaps it wasCaptain Berriman, who had seen Mr Brymer and Mr Frewen talkingtogether and had gone up to listen, when, so close to me that I wonderedI was not seen, somebody stepped down on to the top of the bulwarks, andthen swung himself softly on to the deck; then crouching down closeunder the side, he crept forward swiftly and was gone. 

"That couldn't have been the captain, " I thought; "the step was toolight. It was some one quite active. "

I was thinking of going forward to try and make out, when there wasanother rustling noise above, which recalled the whispering that hadpassed out of my mind for the moment; then the rustling continued, andsome one else came down, stepped lightly on the deck, and stoodperfectly still as if looking about to see if any one was near. 

It was so dark that I could not make out who it was till he walked aftnot very far from where I stood, and a few moments later I saw who itwas, for his figure came between my eyes and the glow from thecabin-windows. 

"Why, it was Walters, " I said to myself, and then I began to wonder moreand more what it all meant. I ran it over in my mind, but I could notthink of any one at all likely to be Walters' companion at night in themain-top; in fact, I could not think of any one at all likely to climbup so high, or even half-way up the shrouds. 

"It couldn't have been a cabin passenger, " I thought, "for he wentforward; nor yet one of the steerage people. "

Then I knew, and wondered that I had not thought of him at first. 

"Why, it was Jarette, " I said to myself. "He's as light and active as acat. "

I waited a bit; and then went slowly right forward and stood for a timewith the men at the look-out, to gaze right away into the soft, hot, black darkness, thinking how easily we might run into another vessel, oranother vessel run into us. Then setting my face aft, I went back alongthe starboard side, and made my way, blinking like an owl after being solong in the darkness, into the saloon-cabin, where the passengers weresitting about, some reading, others working, and where on one side Ifound Mr Denning playing chess with his sister. 

Everything looked calm, and as if the people were happy enough, andnever thinking it likely there could be any trouble about CaptainBerriman or anything else. 

But the saloon-cabin was so warm down there in the south that I soonwent back on deck to hang over the bulwarks for a time, and then goright aft to look down at the sparkling water, all ablaze now as itseemed to rush from both sides of the rudder, where in the daytime allwould be white foam. 

I had no duty to perform that night to keep me on deck; but still Ilingered, thinking that perhaps the cabin would be terribly hot, as ithad been on the previous night, only I dropped off to sleep so soon thatthe heat did not trouble me. 

"And I shall have it all to myself to-night, " I thought, "for Walterswill have to take his turn in the watch. "

At last, half envying him the task of passing a good deal of the nighton deck, I took a look round. The saloon-lights were out, and there wasno one there; the sailing-lights were up in their places, and the faintglow rose from about the binnacle, just faintly showing the steersman'sface. Away forward I could hear the low murmur of conversation wherethe watch were on duty, and now, for the first time, I yawned, and someone spoke from close behind me and made me start. 

"Well, " he said, "if you are so drowsy as that, why don't you go to yourbunk?"

"Just going, sir, " I said, for it was the first mate, Mr Brymer; andnow I hurried down, threw off my clothes, and in a very few minutes Iwas sound asleep. 

I suppose it was the heat, for I don't believe that it had anything todo with the coming danger, but at any rate I slept badly that night--anuneasy, troubled kind of sleep, such as I should have expected to haveif some one was to come and call me about two bells. 

It must have been about that time that I was lying more asleep thanawake, but sufficiently conscious to spring up in my berth and say quitealoud--

"Yes; what is it?"

There was no reply, though I could have declared that some one calledme. But though there was no reply, I could hear voices. Some one wasgiving orders in a sharp, angry voice; and directly after, I could heara scuffling sound, followed by a savage curse uttered in a low voice, and then there was the sound of a fall. 

Something was evidently wrong, and for a few moments I was sure that thecaptain had found out about the conversation which had taken place, andhad now taken matters into his hands in no mild fashion. Mr Brymer wasthe last man I saw on deck, and without doubt that must be he. 

I lay there, with the perspiration oozing out of every pore, andlistened for the next sounds; but all was still for a few moments. Thenthere were evidently people running about on deck, and a chill of horrorran through me as I now noticed that something was wrong with the ship. For instead of rising and falling steadily as she glided onward, she wasright down in the trough of the sea, and swaying and rolling in a waythat was startling. Fully convinced now that we had gone on a rock or asandbank--being ready to imagine anything in my excitement--I rolled outof my berth and began to hurry on some clothes. 

I never dressed more quickly in my life, for as I hastily slipped on mythings, there was the sharp report of a gun or pistol, and a loud crashas of a door being burst in. Then the hush and quiet was at an end;there was a piercing shriek, another shot, followed by the sounds ofstruggling, loud and angry voices, then cries for help; and I made forthe deck as quickly as I could, to find all in darkness. But men wererunning here and there, a sharp voice was giving orders, and then I sawthe flash of a pistol or gun. The report came, there was a low groan, and then all at once some one rose as it were out of the darkness andmade a blow at me, for I heard the whish of a weapon. 

But the blow was made in the dark, and had no effect; but whoever strucknow made a dash at me, and I ducked down, leaped sidewise, and with myheart in my mouth ran right forward, with whoever it was in pursuit. 

I felt that I knew who it was now as I ran. The captain really had gonemad, and as I ran and heard the steps behind me, fear lent me greatspeed. Other people had been shot or cut down, and something terriblewas going on. So I ran for my life to take refuge with the crew in theforecastle; but as I reached it, there was struggling and fighting goingon there, and I crossed the deck to run back aft on the other side, meaning to reach Mr Brymer's cabin or Mr Frewen's if I could. 

For a moment I fancied that I had evaded my pursuer, but there wasanother dash made for me again out of the darkness, and I ran on. 

"Look out there, you, sir, " cried a voice from behind me; "here comesone. "

This told me that there were enemies in front, and I was ready to dartanywhere to avoid whoever tried to stop me. 

That there was danger I soon found, for struggling, and oaths, andcurses saluted my ears again as I reached the ladder and ran up on tothe poop-deck, just as a shout from near the wheel drove me back. 

"Got him?" shouted some one. 

"No; where is he?"

I was crouching now under the starboard bulwark, and feeling certainthat in another minute I should be found, I passed my hand upward, searched about, and found that which I sought, the mizzen-shrouds. Thenext minute I had caught well hold with both hands, swung up my feet, and went on inboard hand over hand till I was twenty feet above thedeck, clinging there in the darkness, and listening to the effortsmade--evidently by three or four men--beneath to find out where I couldbe gone. 

CHAPTER TEN. 

As I clung there in the mizzen-shroud, afraid to stir, hardly daring tobreathe lest I should be heard, and puzzled beyond measure as to what itcould all mean, but feeling all the same certain that something terriblehad happened, and that it was no shipwreck, there was a tremendouskicking and banging at one of the cabin-doors, and up through thesky-light came in smothered tones--

"Here, open this, or I'll kick it off the hinges. "

"Lie down!" yelled a sharp angry voice from somewhere beneath me, andthere was a flash of a pistol, the loud report, and a few moments afterthe smell of the powder rose to my nostrils. 

"Jarette, " I said to myself, as I recognised the half-French sailor'svoice, and then I felt sure that it was Mr Frewen who had shouted fromone of the cabins where he must be locked in. 

"Then it must be a mutiny, " I thought, and such a cold paralysing chillran through me that I felt as if I should drop down on deck. For therecollection of all I had read of such affairs taking place in bygonetimes flashed through my brain--of officers murdered in cold blood, ships carried off by the crew to unknown islands, and--yes--I was anofficer, young as I might be, and if the mutineers caught me they wouldmurder me, as perhaps they had already murdered Captain Berriman and MrBrymer. 

I felt giddy then, and the wonder has always been to me that I did notlet go and fall. But my fingers were well hooked on to the ropes, andthere I hung listening, as after pretty well scouring the deck the menbelow me stopped, and the voice that I had set down as Jarette's said--

"Well, have you got him?"

"No. "

"Did you feel under the seats?"

"Yes; there's no one on this deck. "

"Did he go overboard?"

"No; he must have dodged us and dropped back from the rail. "

"Who was it? The doctor?"

"No; that whipper-snapper of a boy. "

"Oh, him. Well, then he'd better come out of his hole, wherever he is, "said Jarette loudly, speaking in very good English, though with apeculiar accent which sounded to me almost ferocious, as I hung therefeeling as if I could not hold on much longer. 

"Do you hear, boy? Come here, or I'll send a bullet to fetch you. "

That man was not twenty feet below me, and as I strained my eyes to tryand see whether he was watching me and taking aim, a curious creepingsensation ran over my body as if tiny fingers were touching me. 

"Do you hear?" came in a fierce snarl, --"am I to fire?"

The voice sounded so close now that the words seemed to be shouted in myear, and for the minute, feeling certain that he knew where I was, Idrew myself up ready to drop down. But still I hesitated, though I feltperfectly certain he was looking up and pointing his pistol at me. 

There was an interval of perfect silence then, save that a murmur camefrom below, and this encouraged me, for I felt that I must be invisiblein the darkness, or else Jarette would have had me down. 

Then my heart sank, for the man shouted suddenly--

"There, boy, I can see you; come out or I'll fire. "

"Come out! Then he cannot see me, " I thought, and I clung therespasmodically, hoping still that I was unobserved. 

"He's not here, " said Jarette, sharply; "now then, one of you, I want aman at the wheel, the ship's yawing about anyhow. Who have you there--Morris?"

"Down on guard at the cabin-door, " said a voice. 

"Brook?"

"'Long with him. "

"Jackson?"

"Sitting on the forksle-hatch. "

"Sacre! Where's Bob Hampton?"

"Hee-ar!" came from the direction of the way down to the lower deck. 

"Come up here and take the wheel. "

"Ay, ay, " growled the familiar voice, and I felt heart-sick to hear it, for Bob Hampton would have been the first man I should have picked outas one to be trusted, while the sound of his voice made it appear thatevery one would be against us. 

But though these thoughts flashed through my mind, I was listening allthe time intently to what went on below, striving as I was to grasp thereal state of affairs. 

"Here you are then, Bob Hampton. Behold you, my friend, though it's sodark I can't see you, " said Jarette, and I heard a low chuckling noisewhich I recognised as Bob Hampton's laugh. 

"And that's a bull as arn't an Irish one, " he said. 

"Ah, yes, faith of a man, but don't you try to be funny, my man, " saidJarette, "for this is not a funny time, when men are working with theirnecks in the hang-dog noose. Now, look here, my friend, I did not askyou to join us, because I did not trust you; but you have joined us tosave your skin; so you had better work for us well, or--there, I willnot say ugly things. You are a good sailor, Bob Hampton, and know yourwork, and it would be a pity if you were to be knocked overboard anddrowned. "

"Horrid pity, messmet. "

"Captain, if you please, Bob Hampton, and your friend if you arefaithful. That will do. Now go to the wheel, and send the ship on hervoyage south. She is rolling in the trough of the sea. "

"Right!" said Bob. "'Spose, captain, you won't be so particklar; manmay light his pipe while he is at the wheel. "

"Oh yes. Smoke and be comfortable; but you will mind how you steer, forI shall be a hard severe man. You understand, extremement severe. "

"Course you will, " said Bob, coolly; "skippers must be. Don't matter tome, messmate--cap'n, I mean--one skipper's good as another. But I say, cap'n, there's Barney Blane and Neb Dumlow knocked on the head in theforksle. They on'y showed fight a-cause they see as I did at first. They're good mates and true, and 'll jyne me as they allus have. `Wheeryou sails, ' say they, `we sails. ' So I thought I'd put in a word, asyou wants trusty men. "

"I can choose my crew, Bob Hampton, " said the Frenchman, in a peculiartone of voice. "Too much talk is only good for parrot birds. Go youand steer. "

"Right you are, cap'n, " said Bob, and I heard him go aft, but could notsee him till I wrenched my head round, and could then dimly seesomething in the halo of soft light shed by the lamp on the compass. 

And all this time the ship was rolling slowly, with the yards making astrange creaking sound and the sails filling and flapping about withstrange flutterings and whimperings; but in a few minutes there was aperceptible change, the ship's head swinging round, and I knew that wewere once more gliding swiftly through the water. 

That there was a group of men below me I felt absolutely certain, thoughI could see nobody; and at last, when I had come to the conclusion thatI had reached the extreme limit of my strength, and that I must drop, Jarette spoke suddenly, but in quite a low voice--

"You two stay here by the sky-light, and if any attempt is made to geton deck, shoot at once. If they are killed, their blood be on their ownheads. Where's young Mr Walters?"

"Why, you left him on guard with the others at the cabin-door, " said aman surlily. 

"Fetch him here: I did, " said Jarette, and I felt then that I was goingdown on the heads of the men below. But I made one more desperateeffort, as I heard the soft footsteps moving off in differentdirections; and then almost without a sound I got my arm round theoutside shroud, then one leg round, --how I can hardly tell you now, Iwas so exhausted, --and the next minute I had relieved my muscles of thestrain, and was standing there with my feet on the ratlines, my armsthrust right through and folded round one of the inner ropes, and myhead thrust through as well; safe, I felt, even if I lost my senses andfainted away. 

Fortunately for me, the ship was heeling over now in the oppositedirection, so that my position was easier, and as I half lay, half clungthere, the painful stress on mind and body grew lighter--at least thebodily stress did, and I began to think more clearly. 

It was horrible. The ship then had been seized by the crew, headed byJarette. Some of the men had resisted, and were prisoners in theforecastle; but Bob Hampton had gone over to the side of the mutineers, and the others were sure to follow. But the worst thing of all was theknowledge that my brother midshipman was in the mutiny, and keepingguard over the officers and passengers. And he was a gentleman's son. Here then was the explanation of his being so friendly with Jarette, andthat was why he and Jarette had been up aloft in the dark. 

I shivered at the thought. But the next moment I was seeing somethingelse clearly, and I guessed at two things which afterwards I found to becorrect. Jarette had traded upon Walters' discontent, and won him overwith, no doubt, great promises, because he would be useful; and ofcourse I saw it plainly now it had been necessary to fasten thecabin-doors, and shut the officers in. Mr Frewen was, as I had heard, locked in his cabin. Who was there to go quietly at night and fastentheir doors? No one more likely than the lad who had the run of thecabins and saloon. 

"No, I won't believe it, " I thought the next moment. "Nic Walterscouldn't be such a miserable scoundrel as that. "

CHAPTER ELEVEN. 

What was I to do?

The answer came readily enough. Join your friends. 

But how? They were prisoners below in the cabins, and with guards setat the companion and over the sky-lights. 

There appeared to be no way but to go up aloft higher, crawl along somestay, and then lower myself down, and to creep through the sky-light. 

"And be dragged back long before I could get down, even if I could getdown at all, " I said to myself bitterly. 

That would not do; there must be some other way. 

"Join the mutineers, " something seemed to suggest, and wait till therewas a chance of leaving them and giving information to the authorities, or another ship. 

I couldn't do that, and even if I had felt disposed, Walters would havetaken care that I was not trusted. He would have been too jealous. Feeling rested, I now began to creep up step by step so as to reach themizzen-top, where I hoped I could remain unseen. It was ticklish work, for the men on guard by the sky-light were a very little distance away;but moving by slow degrees I climbed up at last, and lay down incomparative safety, not having been heard. 

I had hardly reached my hiding-place, when I heard one of the men belowme say--

"Here they come, " and directly after I could see ascend to thepoop-deck, by the light of three lanterns the men carried, a party ofabout fourteen, one of whom was Jarette, another Nic Walters, and therest were sailors, with the two rough fellows, Dumlow and Blane, firmlybound with stout line, in their midst. 

They were pushed and dragged up to the foot of the mizzen-mast, whereJarette seated himself in one of the deck chairs, and Walters, with apistol in his hand and another in his belt, stood by the Frenchman'sside, resting one foot upon the seat of the chair, as if on terms of thegreatest intimacy with its occupant. 

"Bring 'em forward, " said Jarette, and the two men were thrust to thefront, Dumlow growling like some strange animal, and Blane trying tostrike at his guards with his elbows. 

"Steady there, " shouted Jarette. 

"Steady it is, " growled Dumlow. "Look here, you Jarette, if you'll justhave these ropes undone on the starboard side to let one o' my fins atliberty I'll fight yer one hand. "

"Hold you your tongue, fool. "

"Shan't, so now then. Jest you have this rope undone and I'll take apair on you. "

"Will you hold that tongue, or shall I cut it out?"

"I should just like to ketch you at it, yer sham make-believe Englishsailor. "

My head, at the risk of my white face being seen, was thrust over theside of the top. 

"Look here, you two, you are brought before me, the captain of thisship, for me to see whether I am willing to let you off easy. "

"Oh, you're the skipper, are yer?" said Barney, spitting on the deck. "Well, yer don't look like it, messmet. "

"Silence, " shouted Jarette. "Now, look here, my lads, if I have you cutloose and forgive you for giving us so much trouble and knocking yourmates about, will you join us and help us work the ship?"

"No!" roared Dumlow, "I'm blessed if I do. "

"And you, Barney?"

"Same I says as my mate. "

"Vairy good, then, my friends, we were going to offer you a happy lifeand a share in our prize, but you will not take them, so we shall haveto pitch you both overboard. "

"As Neb says, I should just like to ketch yer at it, " roared Blane. 

"Lookye here, Frenchy, " cried Dumlow in his strange growl, "you makethese beggars loosen this here line, and I'll fight yer one hand. "

"Will you join us, big idiot?" said Jarette, and I drew in my breath asI wondered whether the two brave fellows would prove staunch, and ifthey did, whether Jarette would dare to carry out his threat. 

"No; course I won't, you ugly piratical frog-soup-eating Frenchy. "

"Hit him in the mouth, " said Jarette. 

"You'd better!" roared Dumlow, raising a leg to kick the first man whoapproached him, and now I started, for Walters spoke. 

"Don't be fools, you two, " he said; "Bob Hampton has joined us. "

"Yer lie, yer young warmint, " cried Dumlow; "Bob Hampton wouldn't besuch a sneak. "

Walters winced at the man's words, but he pointed aft. 

"Look, " he said; "there he is at the wheel steering. "

"Ahoy yonder!" roared Dumlow. "That theer arn't you, is it, Bob?"

"Me it is, messmet, " said Hampton, coolly. 

"Sure, messmet?"

"Ay. All right. "

"Why, you arn't jyned 'em, have you, lad?" said Blane. 

"Ay, I've jyned, lad, " replied Hampton, and then--"Say, skipper, hadn'tI better keep her off a pynte or two?"

"Yes, " shouted Jarette. 

"Well, I'm blessed, " growled Dumlow. Then aloud--"Hi! Bob, lad, what'sto be done?"

"'Bout what?" came back from the wheel. 

"Air we to let 'em pitch us overboard, or air we to jyne?"

"Jyne, " growled Bob Hampton. 

"Jyne it is, messmet, " said Dumlow, in his low growling tone. "Here, unlash these blessed ropes, they're a-cuttin' into my arms likehooroar. "

"And you'll join us too, Barney?" said Jarette. 

"I does same as my two mates, " said Blane. "I arn't going to be pitchedoverboard if they arn't. Share and share alike, says I. Fair play's mymotto, and no favour. Here, cast off all these here lashins. Whatd'yer want to tie a fellow up so tight for?"

"Take off the ropes, " said Jarette, in a voice full of triumph, and Icould hear the rustling and rattling noise made as the lines wereuntied, and directly after Dumlow's voice, saying--

"Here, give 's a drop o' summat; I'm as dry inside as a biscuit-bag. "

And my lips and throat felt dry too with excitement, while a strangefeeling of despair came over me. Walters, Bob Hampton, Dumlow, andBlane all turned traitors. What was to become of the poor passengers, the officers, and myself?

There was only one way out of the difficulty, and that was to join theprisoners in the cabin. 

But how?

I lay listening. The men were talking loudly, and I soon made out thatdrink was going round; but all was still as death now in the saloon andcabins. Their occupants were evidently waiting to see what would bedone, and listening to the proceedings on deck. 

"How can I get to them?--How can I get to them?" I kept on saying tomyself. 

The darkness would favour me if I crept down, but the places were soguarded that there was not the most remote chance of my getting past thesentries. 

I felt more despondent than ever, as I lay listening to the faintcreaking of the yards when they yielded gently to the wind. There wasno chance whatever of my joining my friends, and I was about to resignmyself to my fate, when I had a bright flash of hope. I could see myway through the darkness. There was light ahead--mental light--and Idetermined to dare the peril and act at once, if I could; if not, assoon as the men below had dispersed. 

Unfortunately I had to wait some time and listen, hardly daring to stirfor fear of being heard or seen, for there were three lanterns stoodabout the deck, shedding their feeble light around, and now and thenlooking brighter, and showing me the faces of the mutineers as theyopened the lantern-doors to light their pipes. 

Jarette was talking quickly to a group of the men about him, but Ihardly heard what he said, my attention being fixed upon my plan ofescape, till I heard Jarette say--

"Wait till daylight then, my lads, and we'll soon have them all out ofthere. "

"All out of there, " could only mean the people out of the cabin. Nevermind, they should have me out to, for my mind was made up, and I wasonly waiting my chance. 

Then it came, for the lanterns were picked up, and two of them werecarried down to the main-deck, while I could see that Walters picked upthe other and walked aft with Jarette, the light showing me two men, oneon each side of the saloon sky-lights, as Jarette stopped to give themsome orders in a low tone, standing back from the light as if expectinga shot from below. 

Then, as I watched them, feeling all the while as if I should like to beexactly over Walters' head and let myself fall right upon him, they wenton to where Bob Hampton stood at the wheel, while I scanned eagerly thelong boom of the mizzen-spanker, the great fore and aft canvas runningoff astern and towering up till it was all in darkness, for thelantern-light was only a poor gleam. Then Jarette began talking to BobHampton, but I could not and did not want to hear what the traitorouswretch said, feeling mad against him, and vexed with myself for everhaving been at all friendly with the scoundrel. My attention wasdirected to the great boom of the mizzen-spanker and the stern-rail, which I could just faintly see as Walters turned the lantern here andthere. 

"Oh, if I only ever have the chance!" I muttered, as for a moment Ithought of my companion, and though he was triumphant and I in soperilous a position, I would not have changed places, I told myself, forworlds. 

I saw all I could, and then waited impatiently for what was to comenext. 

I soon knew, for Jarette and Walters came back, and passing the men onguard, descended to the main-deck and went forward, leaving all indarkness. 

"Now for it, " I muttered, and with my heart beating heavily, I thrust myhand into my pocket. 

All right, my clasp-knife was there, and rising cautiously I stopped tothink. Then satisfying myself that my recollections were correct, Ibegan to feel about cautiously, as I now stood up, close to where thetop-mast joined the mizzen, and was at first disappointed, but directlyafter my heart gave a throb of satisfaction, for my hand came in contactwith that which I sought, the thin strong line that ran up from the deckright to the mizzen-truck, passed through it over a wheel, and came downagain to the deck. 

Opening my knife, I began to cut through the ascending line, and foundit so hard and tough that the knife had hard work to get through. Thiswas satisfactory, for it was evidently new and strong. 

Then leaving one end hanging, I fastened the lower one to the first ropeI could feel, so that it should not fall to the deck. Then I began tohaul in the uncut portion, and found it came easily enough, but makingevery now and then a faint creaking noise as the wheel in the truck spunround. 

I turned cold at this, for though it was very high up, I was afraid thesound would take the attention of the men on deck. 

But they paid no heed, and I hauled away till I felt sure that I musthave at least forty or fifty yards of the line--quite as much as Iwanted; and then I used the knife again, and after replacing it, woundthe line into a skein from elbow to hand, ending by hanging it round myneck with the ends twisted in so that they could not get loose. 

So far, so good, but I had not fastened the other end of the line tosave it from falling, and this I now did. 

The next proceeding was, I knew, perilous, but I was desperate, and Idid not hesitate. It was my only chance, I knew, and I must do it. There was the danger of being heard, and that of making a slip and goingoverboard. But I was young, strong, and active, and giving myself notime to think, I felt in the darkness for the crutch at the thick end ofthe gaff or yard which embraced the mizzen-mast below the top--the yard, that is, which spread the top of the mizzen-spanker--lowered myself downtill I stood upon it, and then taking well hold with hands and knees, Ibegan to creep softly up and along that diagonally stretched yard higherand higher till I felt that I must be over the sea. 

But in my desperation I did not hesitate. I climbed on, and I know itwas not easy; still I climbed on up that round perilous slope, feelingthat if the sea had been rough I should have certainly been jerked off. And try hard as I would, I could not help making a little noise, which Ifelt sure Bob Hampton must hear, for there he was below me leaning overthe wheel, and his head visible in the binnacle-light. 

But he did not hear, and I crept on and upward on my chest, nipping theyard well with my knees, and clinging with my hands. It was hard andawkward work, for I had to pass the blocks and ropes which hoisted itup, and it swung inboard and out as the wind pressed upon the greatbellying canvas, curving down below me to the great boom which ran outand over the steersman's head some feet above the stern-rail. 

Still I climbed on and over the cords which laced the rail to the yard, and at last clung there, holding on for dear life, having reached theend with my hands, and grasping the top corner of the great sail edgedwith stout rope. 

"Now Bob Hampton will hear me, " I thought, and I stopped to think what Ishould do next. But not for long. Nipping the yard well with my knees, I passed the hank of line over my head, unfastened one end, and tied itsecurely round the top of the yard before letting the coils slide downinside the hollow curve of the sail, knowing that they would come apartas they glided down the stiff strong canvas. This done, I hesitated fora few moments before trusting myself to descend; but drawing a longbreath at last, I took a good grip of the line with my left hand, of therope-edge of the sail with the other, and began to slide down, keepingmy chest as near as I could to the canvas. 

This was terrible at first, for the upper part of the sail was a longway on toward being perpendicular, and I had to cling tightly to savemyself from coming down with a run; but every foot after the first tengrew easier, so that I lay at last well on the great curve, and glideddown almost in silence, only having to grip rope and line hard enough tokeep a little check upon my descent. I followed the edge of the sailright away out over the sea, to where it was secured to the largehorizontal projecting boom, and here my feet rested as I held on andlooked inboard from where I insecurely stood, faintly making out thefigure of Bob Hampton, who was in perfect ignorance of my descent, though how it was he did not hear the rustling I cannot make out, unlesshe was asleep--though he never would own to it in after days. 

A doubly dangerous position I seemed to be in, though nothing to asailor; still, in spite of my desperation, I felt nervous and strange asI now seated myself astride of the great boom riding up and down, andhauling up the line to find how much there was free. 

Plenty to use double; and reaching up as high as I could, I once morecut it off, doubled it, and then hitched in along the boom till I waspretty close to the stern-rail, and now once more I made my end fast. 

My plan must now be pretty clear to whoever reads, for I had determinedto get down to this boom and then slide down the line to the sterncabin-windows, through one of which I hoped to be able to creep and joinmy friends. 

Still the task was not easy, and I hesitated as I held on and lookeddown, for all was perfectly dark--so dark that I could not see whetherthe lights were open or closed; and if I slid down and found themclosed, and could not make any one understand my position, I wasdoubtful as to whether I should be able to climb back. In that case, Ishould be swinging and swaying about there, growing weaker and weaker, till I had to let go and the great waters swallowed me, or I was finallysaved by shouting for help till I was drawn up a prisoner, having runall these risks for nothing. 

For a full ten minutes I was in despair. Then my courage returned, andI prepared to descend. 

But there was another unfortunate matter. The pressure on the sailcurved the boom well to starboard, so that at times it ran out in a waythat would bring me, as I hung there, out of reach of the cabin-windows, so that I had to judge my time till there was not so much pressure, theboom had swung back a little, and then I at last prepared to descend. 

But I did not begin even then, for I shuddered at the idea of not beingable to climb back to the boom if I failed to get in, and to make a wayback to safety I now hauled up my double line, and proceeded to tieknots all down it at intervals of about a foot, so as to have somethingbetter to grip than the bare rope. 

Down I dropped it once more, waited for the boom to swing nearly level, and then gripping the line well with one hand, keeping my right arm overthe boom, I leaned forward, drew my leg off from where I had beensitting, and the next minute I was hanging from the great rounded yard, and turning slowly round and round over the swirling water which rushedunder on either side of the deeply-hidden rudder. 

The distance I had to lower myself was not great, and finding now thevalue of the knots, and trying to give myself courage by saying that itwas an easy job after all, I checked myself abreast of a window, butsoon made out that it was closed, for I was not two feet away, andbrought myself closer, and touched it by giving a kick against thestern. I got my feet close together, and rested on the knot, which, small though it was, gave me a great deal of support. I contrived, too, that my hands should also rest above a knot, and in this position I hadto wait again and again, for the turning round motion kept on slowly, sothat for the greater part of the time I was looking right away from thewindows. In addition, there was the swaying movement of the great boomfrom which I was suspended, carrying me to and fro across the stern. 

I dare not call out, and unless I swayed myself towards the stern Icould not reach the windows, so I was rapidly beginning to find thatwhat had promised to be the easiest part of my task was proving itselfto be the hardest, when, probably from a turn of the wheel, the shipmade quite a plunge. The big sail with its boom swung heavily, and ofcourse communicated its motion to me, so that as the cord turned in itshorribly giddy way, I first rode from side to side, and then by degreesto and fro, with the result that when nearest, I made a dash with onehand to tap on the window opposite to me; but being unable to govern theforce exercised, my hand went right through the pane, and the glass felltinkling to the floor within. 

The perspiration stood out upon my face as I heard above me BobHampton's voice cry--

"Hullo! What's that?"

Almost at the same moment the cabin-window was opened, I had a faintglimpse of a face looking as if out of black mist, and Mr Frewen'svoice said softly--

"Quick, some one; a knife. "

"He's going to cut the rope, " I thought, and I tried to shout, but itwas like being in a nightmare: my tongue felt paralysed, and as I hungthere clinging wildly to the rope I heard voices on deck. 

"What is it? Trying to get out?" some one cried, and Bob Hampton saidin answer--

"Dunno! Breaking glass. "

"Where? The cabin-windows?"

"Yes. "

But while this was going on, some one leaned out of the window, and therope was seized. Then I felt it jar as if a knife-blade was being usedupon it, and this as I had turned round, and my back was toward thewindow. 

Then my voice came back with the power to speak, and in a quick whisperI said, as I felt that in another instant I should fall into the sea--

"Mr Frewen!--help!"

There was a quick ejaculation, and the sound of something dropped intothe water; but at the same moment I felt my jacket seized by two stronghands, and I was drawn close in to the stern of the ship, and held therefast. 

Then from overhead came in Jarette's voice--

"A lantern here, quick!"

Directly after, as I still held on to the line, and felt some one's hotbreath against my cheek, there was a glow of light overhead, and Jarettecried--

"Here, cut this line. "

Then the rope jarred heavily and was jerked. The next instant it gaveway, and the strain I had maintained upon it was gone. I felt myselfdrop, but it was only an inch or two, for I was held tightly and drawnright into the cabin, where I crouched, listening to the altercationabove my head, every word coming plainly to my ears and those of MrFrewen, for of course it was he who had seized me. 

Jarette was raging furiously at some one, whom he was accusing ofhelping the prisoners to escape. 

Bob Hampton was the some one, for we heard him defending himself loudly. 

"How could I help 'em to get out when I haven't left the wheel?"

"But there was a rope hanging down from the spanker-boom. "

"I don't care if all the ropes in the ship hung down. I arn't moved. Ask them. "

"No, he hasn't left the wheel, " said a voice. 

"How do you know? How could you see?" cried Jarette. 

"Hadn't he got the binnacle-light on his phiz all the time, captain?"

"Then who did help them? Some one fastened that line. Look, there itis. "

A lantern was held out over the stern, and there was a murmur of voices. 

"That line doesn't belong there, and wasn't there yesterday, " criedJarette. "There's a traitor somewhere. "

"All right, cap'n, find him then, " said Bob Hampton, surlily. 

"If it was you!" snarled Jarette. 

"Look here, don't you shove that pistol in my face, " cried Bob Hampton, angrily, "or I shall out with my knife and have a fight for it. Whatyer talking about? If I'd left the wheel, wouldn't the ship have yawed, and you come to see what was the matter?"

That sounded so convincing that Jarette was silent, while Bob Hamptoncontinued--

"And if I'd wanted to help 'em to get on deck, do you think I should ha'been such a fool as to tie a bit o' signal halyard to the spanker-boom, when I could ha' made a bit o' strong rope fast to the belaying-pins, and hung it over the stern?"

Jarette growled out something we could not hear. 

"Then it must have been one of them two, " said Bob Hampton; "or theychucked it up from the cabin-window. "

"It was not one of them, " said Jarette, with a peculiar intonation inhis voice. "I'm not afraid of that. "

"Strikes me, " growled Bob, "if yer wants to know my 'pinion, as it musthave been some one who was up aloft. "

I gave a jump. 

"Hah!" cried Jarette, "whoever it was you lads chased. I know: it wasthat monkey of a boy. "

Bob Hampton uttered a low chuckle. 

"Like enough, " he said. 

"And you helped him. "

"Oh, very well, then, have it your own way if you like; I helped him, --but how I could ha' done it, I don't know, cap'n, nor them two neither. I don't care. But look here, I'm down tired, and it's time some oneelse took his trick at the wheel. I want a sleep. "

"If you play false to me, Bob Hampton, " came in tones which made meshiver, "you'll have a sleep that will last you for always. Do youhear?--toujours!"

"Two jours, that's two days, arn't it, skipper?"

"No, " hissed the man fiercely; "for ever. Here, Brown, bring an axe anda lantern. Stand it there. "

We heard steps overhead, and a light gleamed down from the lanternplaced upon the stern-rails. 

"Now, " said Jarette, "be always ready to bring that axe down upon thehead of any man who tries to climb up from the cabin. "

"Ay, ay, " came in a low growl; and just then I became conscious of theface just over me, and it was lit from the outside; while farther back Icould dimly make out other faces which were shadowy, and did not appearto be connected with bodies. 

I knew directly after that it was not from the lantern placed on thestern-rail, but from the pale grey glare in the east, for I had reachedmy shelter none too soon. It was the beginning of another day. 

CHAPTER TWELVE. 

The light was coming fast now, as the sound of talking died out on thedeck, and as I rose, Mr Frewen caught my hand. 

"My dear lad, " he whispered, "I thought you were gone. Thank God! thankGod!"

"Isn't it horrible?" I whispered, though there was no necessity forrestraining my voice. 

"Horrible?" he said; "it seems to be impossible. "

"Where's Captain Berriman?"

"In his cabin wounded. "

"And Mr Brymer?"

"Yonder. Don't ask. "

"Is any one else hurt?" I said, lowering my voice still more. 

"I hardly know how many, " he said. "It was a surprise. We were allmastered by treachery. Some traitor came amongst us, and when theattack began and the ship was seized, we were all fastened in ourcabins. "

"Some traitor!" I said, turning cold. "Yes, and they thought it musthave been you. I heard some one accuse you in the dark, just after Ihad broken out of my cabin. "

I was silent for a few moments, as I thought of whom the traitor musthave been, though even to defend myself I could not speak out and accuseWalters. 

"Who was it said I did it?" I whispered at last. 

"I am not sure. Everything has been so dark and confused; I fancied forthe moment that it was Mr Denning. "

"I don't believe it was, " I said stoutly. "He would not think I couldbe such a miserable, contemptible wretch. "

"But you were not with us, Dale, and people are ready enough to accuseat a time like that. "

"Mr Denning did not accuse him, " said a weak voice, and there close byus stood Mr Denning himself, looking almost ghastly in the pale morninglight which stole into the cabin. "Alison Dale could not be such ascoundrel. "

"Thank you, Mr Denning, " I said, grasping the hand he held out to me, as with the other he supported himself by resting, as I saw, upon adouble-barrelled gun. "I shan't defend myself. If I had been thetraitor, I should not be here now. I didn't think I could manage it. "

I was eagerly questioned, and had to explain how I escaped, and to tellall that I knew of the attack, and as I spoke I could not help noticinghow distant Mr Frewen and Mr Denning seemed, and I thought that now wewere in such trouble they would perhaps become friends. 

I had another surprise before I had told all about my escape, for fromout of one of the cabins, looking horrible with his head tied up by astained handkerchief, Mr Brymer appeared, and I saw that he wasevidently weak and faint from his wound. 

"Can you tell us anything about who is at the head of the mutiny?" heasked. "I was cut down, and could hardly understand anything in thedarkness, till I seemed to wake and find myself on the saloon-floor, below the table where I must have crawled. "

I told him that Jarette was at the head of it all. 

"Ah, I always mistrusted that man, and the gang he gathered about him. Where is the rest of the crew then; I mean those they did not kill--downin the forecastle?"

I was silent for a few moments, and he repeated his question. 

"I'm afraid they have all joined him. "

"No, no; not men like Hampton and Dumlow. They were of a differentstamp. "

I told him what I knew, and I heard him grind his teeth. 

"The scoundrels!" he muttered. 

"There is no telling what a man may do for dear life, " said Mr Frewen, sadly. 

"But Walters. Did you see anything of him?" said Mr Brymer. 

I was silent. Something seemed to choke me, and I could not speak forthe hot indignation I felt. 

"Poor boy!" groaned Mr Brymer. "I never liked him, but it is horriblefor him to have come to such an end as this. "

"Yes!" I said bitterly, as I found my tongue; "horrible for him to havecome to such an end as this. "

They did not grasp the truth, and I would not tell them. 

"They'll know soon enough, " I thought. 

"Well, gentlemen, " said Mr Denning, speaking now, "there is no doubtabout the catastrophe. What is to be done?"

"Barricade the companion-way, " said Mr Frewen, "and shoot down everyruffian who tries to enter. There is a lady on board, and we mustdefend her with our lives. "

I saw Mr Denning dart an angry look at the young doctor, whose paleface had lighted up so that he looked eager and animated. 

"What do you say, Mr Brymer?" said Mr Denning, turning from thedoctor. 

"The same as Mr Frewen, " was the reply. "Doctor, you'll have to patchme up so that I can fight a bit. "

"Your spirit will do more for you than I can, sir, " was the reply. "Iam sorry to say, though, that Captain Berriman is completely prostrated. He must have received a crushing blow from behind. "

"Then you will fight?" said Mr Denning, eagerly. 

"Of course, " said the mate quickly. "Now, gentlemen, please, the firstthing is to pile up all the chests and boxes we have at command in thecompanion-way, so as to keep out the ruffians. They will get at thedrink, and then stop at nothing. I'm afraid I cannot lift, but I canfire a pistol or a gun. "

"And I cannot lift, " said Mr Denning, with his eyes flashing, "but Ican fire with this and take good aim. I brought it to shoot birds onthe voyage. It will be gaol-birds now!"

Just then there was a stir and movement on deck, and the men gathered inthat saloon made a rush for the door with such fierce determination thatmy heart gave a leap, and I felt that I was about to see blood shed, asI had often read of it in books. But this was no romance. 

There were quick whispers, and as it rapidly grew lighter I saw MrDenning stand right in the centre with the mate and Mr Frewen, allarmed with guns ready to fire upon any one who appeared; but the alarmpassed off, and Mr Denning being left on guard, the others all set towork carrying chests and portmanteaus from the different cabins, so manybeing available that they were used as so many bricks, and carefullybuilt up from floor to ceiling, but with openings left in through whichthe defenders of the saloon could fire when the attack was made. 

I worked eagerly with all the rest till the big entry was completelyfilled up, Mr Frewen taking the lead, and lifting and packing in thechests, till the solid wall was formed--one so well bonded together, asa bricklayer would call it, that it seemed to me that it would require abattering-ram to force a way through. 

As I walked away, hurrying eagerly first into one cabin and thenanother, in search of trunks and portmanteaus that would fit into thevarious openings, I suddenly found myself face to face with MissDenning, whose pallid countenance lit-up on seeing me, and she held outher hand to cling to mine. 

"Oh, Mr Dale, " she whispered half hysterically, "is there much danger?"

"Oh no, I hope not, " I said, speaking in an encouraging way; but sheshook her head. 

"Don't--don't speak to me like that, " she cried. "I'm not a child. Befrank with me, and tell me as if I were your sister. There is danger, is there not?"

"Well, I'm afraid there'll be a fight, " I said; "but we have plenty offirearms, and we've got right on our side, and I hope we shall give thescoundrels such a lesson that they will come down on their knees. "

"I'm afraid not, " she said. "But tell me, why is it? Is it what theycall a mutiny? I thought all such things were over now. "

"So did I, Miss Denning, " I said; "but that's what it is. I neverthought of it before, but I suppose we must have a very valuable cargoon board. "

"Yes, my brother said there was a large sum in specie. "

"Money, that is, isn't it?" I said. "Well then, that's what hastempted the scoundrels. But don't you be frightened. Mr Frewen andthe rest will take care that the blackguards don't get into the cabin, and I'm going to try if I cannot fight too. "

She pressed my hand and smiled sadly. 

"Yes, I know you and your brother midshipman will be very brave andfight for us, " she said, with a quiet satisfied nod of the head, and Iwinced as I thought about Walters; but she did not notice it, and wenton, "You had a very narrow escape, did you not?"

"Oh, I had to run and dodge about in the dark, and then came down arope, " I replied; "but that was nothing much. " And as I spoke I couldsee that she was hardly paying any attention to my words, but watchingthe cabin-door and listening. 

"Tell me how my brother is, " she whispered. "Is he quite safe?"

"Oh yes, and on guard. "

"He is so ill and weak, it frightens me, " she said; "but he will notlisten to me and stay here. "

"No, " I replied, "how could he as an English gentleman at a time likethis!"

She gave me a quick, half-resentful look; but her face lit-up directlyand she smiled. 

"I suppose you are right, " she said with a sigh. "It is so hard to be awoman, and not be able to help. I should not mind so much if I could bebusy. "

"But there is nothing to do now, Miss Denning, " I said, --"that is, foryou. There, I must go now. "

"Tell me though--my brother ordered me to stay here in the cabin--tellme--couldn't I be of some help? The captain and mate are both wounded, are they not?"

"Yes, a little, " I said encouragingly; "but Mr Frewen has seen to them. Shall I ask him if you can come and attend on the captain?"

"Yes; do!" she cried. Then quickly--"No, no! I must go by what mybrother says. "

"And I must go out in the saloon and help. When all is safe I shall seeyou again. "

"When all is safe, " she whispered despondently. 

"Yes, and it is going to be. Oh, it will be all right. May I takethis?"

I pointed to a chest, and she tried to say yes, but only gave a nod; andshouldering the little box, I hurried with it to find that it was notwanted, for Mr Frewen was just forcing one in between the top of thepile and the ceiling, by standing upon a box which Mr Preddle washolding steady. 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 

"Oh dear me--dear me, Alison Dale, " said Mr Preddle, rising up from hisstooping position very slowly and wiping his broad fat face, which wascovered with drops of perspiration, "this is a very sad business, isn'tit?"

"Horrible!" I said, "but it will all come right. " He laid his handupon my shoulder. 

"Come into my cabin, " he whispered; and I followed him. 

"You think it will come right?" he said, looking at me in a terriblyperplexed way. 

"Oh yes, I think so, " I said; "Mr Denning and Mr Frewen will give therascals a good peppering and bring them to their senses. "

"And so will I!" he cried excitedly. "I never tried to fight seriouslysince I left school, but I don't see why I shouldn't be able to if Itried, --do you?"

"Of course not sir, " I replied, smiling. I wanted to laugh outright, for he did not at all come up to my ideas of a fighting man. 

"I can see, " he went on mildly, "you don't think I could, but I shalltry. "

"I won't laugh at you, Mr Preddle, " I said; "indeed you have more causeto laugh at me when I say that, boy as I am, I mean to fight and try todefend Miss Denning. "

He caught hold of my hand, held it in his left, and brought his big softright down into it with a sounding slap, and then squeezed my fingers ashard as he could. 

"That you will, Alison. You're a brave lad, I know. We'll all try andfight like men against the ruffians. Like lions, eh, Dale? Likelions. "

"To be sure, sir, " I said; "but hadn't we better go back into thesaloon?"

"Yes, yes, directly, " he said hastily, and I saw him turn very red inthe face. "I suppose the mutineers know that we have a very valuablecargo?"

"Yes, sir; I expect that's it, " I replied. "But they're not going tohave it. We'll sink the ship first, and escape in one of the boats. "

"To be sure we will, but it's a sad business, Dale. There is myconsignment of salmon and trout. Do you think the scoundrels would letme go and see to them?"

"No, sir, " I said, "I don't believe they would. Come along. "

"I'm afraid you are right. Yes; I'll come directly; but there wassomething else that I wanted to say to you. Dear me, what a memory Ihave! Oh, I know!"

He stopped short and turned redder than ever, while I stared and waited. 

"Yes; it was about--oh yes--that was it. It's a terrible business, and--how does Miss Denning seem? Does she bear up about it all?"

"Well, pretty fairly, sir. Of course she is very much alarmed, and sheis anxious about her brother. "

"Is she, though?" he said. "Poor girl. Of course, yes, she would be. Did she seem very anxious about any one else--Mr Frewen, for instance?"

"No, sir; I don't remember that she mentioned him. "

"Poor girl. No, of course not, nor me neither, I suppose?"

"Oh no, I'm sure of that, sir, " I said decisively. "She certainly didnot mention your name. But we must go back now, sir, and see if we arewanted. "

"Of course. Come along, " said Mr Preddle, hurriedly; and we went intothe saloon, where I found the captain standing by the table in themiddle, looking very white, and I saw now that his arm was in a sling, and the lower part of his head bandaged. 

He was arranging some pistols and rifles on the table as we entered, andhe looked up, nodded at us, and said--

"Two more. There, boy, you'll have to try and fight with the rest ofus. "

"I'll try, sir, " I said, and I looked at him wonderingly, for I had beenunder the impression that he was unwell in the cabin; I had forgottenthe fact that he too had been on deck and received several severeinjuries when the mutineers made their attack. 

"Oh, look here, Dale, " he said suddenly, "while I think of it, my lad. I went on deck last night to have a look round at the weather, and whenI came back I found that my cabin-door was fastened up. Was that yourdoing?"

"No, sir, " I replied. "Certainly not. "

"That's right, " he said, looking at me searchingly. "I went back ondeck to make some inquiries, and when I reached the men's quarters, Iwas attacked. But I should like to clear that matter up. The stewardswears it was not his doing; it would not have been one of the crew. Where is your messmate, Walters?"

I shook my head. 

"Not hurt?" he cried, anxiously. 

"No, sir. Not that I know of. Last time I saw him he was quite well. "

"Where is he?"

There was a dead silence for a few moments, and then Mr Brymer spoke--

"Poor Walters is not with us, sir. "

"What?" cried Captain Berriman. "Poor lad! Poor lad!" Then after apause, "He is a prisoner then?"

"Yes, sir, we suppose so, " replied Mr Brymer, and I heard the captaingroan, while a hot feeling of indignation rose in my breast. 

"Poor Walters!" and all that pity and sympathy for the ill-conditionedcowardly young wretch. I felt that I must speak out and tell all that Iknew, but somehow I could not; and to this day I have never been able tosettle in my own mind whether I was right or wrong. 

"Well, " said the captain at last, "we have no time to waste uponsympathy. I am sorry to say, gentlemen, that I fear I can do little inthis terrible emergency. You have decided to defend yourselves, and, God helping us we may get back our positions in the ship, but it canonly be by making a stout defence, and waiting for an opportunity tosurprise the scoundrels at some weak moment, say when they have been fora long time at the spirits on board. "

"To be sure, " said Mr Frewen. "There is no cause for despair with sucha formidable arrangement. The scoundrels dare not attack us. "

"Well, " said Captain Berriman, slowly, "I have brought out all the arms, but I have a painful announcement to make. The traitor who came roundto secure us in our cabins had carried off all the cartridges he could, and those left in the cases had been deluged with water. "

"Great heaven!" cried Mr Frewen, excitedly; "then the weapons areuseless. " Captain Berriman was silent. 

"Stop a moment!" cried Mr Frewen; and he ran into his cabin, to returnwith a revolver which he threw on the table. "Useless, " he said. "Thecase of cartridges gone. Here, Mr Denning, see to your gun, --see whatcartridges you have. "

Mr Denning threw open the breech of his double-barrelled gun, examinedthe two cartridges, and closed the breech again. 

"All right!" he said, and then he reeled and would have fallen if MrPreddle had not caught him. 

"Don't!" he cried, pettishly. "I mean, thank you. It was a horriblethought. I saw some one come out of my cabin last evening, I'm surenow. I thought then it was fancy. Some one has been--to steal--thecase of cartridges I brought. "

He walked feebly but quickly to his cabin, shut the door after him, andthen Mr Preddle went to his cabin, to come back directly, shaking hishead. 

"Some one has taken all mine but one, " he said. "The lid is off thebox, and this is the only one left. "

"But your gun is loaded?"

"Yes, there are two in that, " replied Mr Preddle, "and I hope MrDenning will be more fortunate in his search. "

At that moment Mr Denning made his appearance, and from his aspect weall thought that his supply had been taken too, but his face lit-up ashe exclaimed--

"They could not find them. The cartridge-box was at the bottom of thelocker. "

"Ha!" cried Mr Frewen, triumphantly. "How many have you?"

"A hundred, for I have not fired off one. "

"And what bore is your gun?"

"Twelve-bore. "

"And yours?"

"Sixteen. "

"That's the same size as mine, " said Mr Preddle, quietly. "I'm afraidthose of yours would not fit. "

"Fit? No!" cried Mr Frewen, impatiently. "They would be absolutelyuseless. "

"And of course we could not load in the old-fashioned way if we took outthe powder, " said Mr Preddle. 

The doctor turned away, and I saw him look anxiously toward thebarricade he had so carefully built up. Then gravely--

"We have the charges in our guns, gentlemen; when they are expended wemust trust to Mr Denning. "

The captain spoke again--

"Have you examined as to what provisions and water we have, Brymer?"

"Yes, sir, enough for about three days, without counting anything ourpassenger friends have in the way of private stores--preserved meat, delicacies, or the like. "

"Yes, but the water?" said the captain, naming the grave necessity oflife in that hot climate. 

"I must frankly say a very short supply, sir. "

There was another ominous silence, as all thought of our numbers. 

Then Mr Frewen spoke--

"This all sounds very bad, Captain Berriman, but we are not going togive in. The ammunition and provisions are on board the ship, and whena besieged garrison runs short, it makes sallies to obtain freshsupplies. But we have not arrived at that starvation point yet. Beforethen the ship may be under the rule of Captain Berriman once again. "

"Hist!" I cried, in an excited whisper, and I pointed up at thesky-light, across which a shadow lay, cast by the newly-risen sun whichhad flooded the cabin with gold. 

"Listening, eh?" said Mr Brymer, and stepping softly on one side, hetook one of the guns, and, with a sudden motion, thrust it through. 

There was a bound and the rush of feet as the shadow disappeared. 

"A guilty conscience needs no accuser, " said the mate, laughing, "acriminal running away from an empty gun!"

"A lesson for us in being cautious in making our plans, " observed MrFrewen. "Now, Captain Berriman, will you give us our orders?"

"My first idea is, gentlemen, that one of you stand on guard there bythe door, and, if the opportunity offers, he is to shoot down thatscoundrel Jarette. They're coming. Now, on guard. "

For as he spoke there were voices heard approaching and the trampling offeet. Directly after guns were seized, and the occupants of the cabinstood ready, for the door was unfastened, and an effort made to thrustit open. 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN. 

The result of that thrust was that the door was opened some littledistance, and then stopped by part of the pile of chests and otherluggage formed into a barricade. 

There was a dead silence in the saloon as the deep voice of a man washeard speaking in a subdued tone to those with him; and pointing to thesky-light, Mr Frewen stepped back from the defenders of the barricadeso as to be ready in case an effort should be made to assail them there. 

Then the door was rattled loudly, and Jarette's voice was heard speakingangrily to some one without. 

Again there was silence for a few moments, and then Jarette cried, "Nowthen; do you hear?"

This was followed by a sharp rap on the door, and a voice cried--

"You in the cabin--Captain Jarette says you are to understand that he isnow master of this ship, and that no harm will be done to any one if youall give up quietly. "

"And if we do not, " said Captain Berriman, sharply, "what then?"

"That is for Captain Jarette to decide, " replied the voice, one whichmade me writhe as I looked from one to the other, wondering whether theyrecognised who was speaking. 

"Captain Jarette!" cried our sturdy old officer, furiously. "Look here, sir, don't you insult me by calling that French scoundrel by such atitle. And look here, are you making this announcement of your own freewill, or are you forced by that contemptible mongrel knave to deliverhis insolent message?"

"There is no compulsion, captain, and no need for you to call names, without you wish to be punished for your insolence. I am CaptainJarette, sir, and this is my good ship, these are my good brave men. Brave enfans--do you hear, bons enfans. This lad is my younglieutenant, who, like the rest, was sick of the vagaries of such atyrannical old wretch as you. "

"You dog!" growled the captain, furiously. 

"Yes, dog, sir, so don't tease me into biting, or I may use my teethsharply. "

"You, Walters, " cried the captain, "listen, boy--why are you with thesemen? Are you a prisoner?"

There was silence for a space before Walters said sharply, as if someone had made a threatening gesture close to his head--

"No, I am not a prisoner. "

"But you have not joined these mutinous scoundrels, sir?" cried thecaptain, and his voice sounded quite plaintive. 

Walters made no reply. 

"Do you hear me, boy? Answer me, you--Oh no, it is impossible. "

There was a low derisive laugh plainly heard, and then in a mocking toneJarette said--

"Why don't you answer the good kind captain, Lieutenant Walters?"

I started at this, and my lips parted to give utterance to theejaculation, "Oh!" as I felt I was grasping the reason of my messmate'sconduct. Could it be ambition?

"What! you're too modest? All right, dear boy, I'll answer for you. Yes, he has joined me, skipper, as my right hand, to help navigate ourship. Do you hear--our ship? He was sick of your bullying anddomineering, just as we all were. I had only to ask the lads if theywere not tired of being slaves, to have them join me at once. And nowyou've often talked to me; let me talk to you for your good. No morebad language, please, unless you want to go overboard to join thosefools who showed fight last night. Be civil, and you shall be decentlytreated, till I set you afloat or ashore, as seems best to me. There, we only want to say--don't play the fool, and let the doctor and thosepassengers think they can do any good by resisting. We don't want tomake any of you bleed. What have you been doing to the door to keep itfrom opening? Have it pulled down, and come out like sensible people. "

"Don't answer him, sir, " said the mate, in a whisper. 

"Do you hear?" cried Jarette, savagely. "Open the door, or I'll put afew pounds of powder up against it and blow it in. "

"Come and touch the door, " cried the captain, sternly, "and we'll blowyour brains out. "

"What?" cried Jarette, mockingly. "You blow my brains out, fool!--whatwith?"

"This!" said Mr Denning, sharply, and he thrust the barrel of thedouble gun so quickly through one of the openings left, and also throughthe narrow slit formed by the partly opened door, that there was thesound of men scuffling back, and a heavy fall, followed by a roar oflaughter. 

We knew the next moment who had fallen, for Jarette's voice came to usin an angry snarl. 

"You grinning idiots, " he cried, "take that!"

As he spoke there was the sharp report of a pistol, and a fearfulshriek, followed by a fall, and a low moaning as of some one in agony. 

"Serve him right!" cried Jarette. "Take him below. I'll have thedoctor out and send him down. "

A minute later, after we had listened to the meaning noise growingfainter, Jarette spoke again. 

"There, Berriman, " he said, "that's the stuff I'm made of, so no morenonsense; open the door and come out. "

"Come and open it yourself, you half-French poodle hound, " cried thecaptain, "and I'll show you what stuff I'm made of, and save you thetrouble of going through a trial before reaching the hangman. "

"You bragging idiot, " cried Jarette, fiercely, "open the door, or I'llserve you as we served your miserable Brymer. Do you want to gooverboard to join him?"

"No; Captain Berriman prefers to stay on board to see me pay you back inyour own coin, " said the mate. "Now, sir, who's the braggart now?"

Jarette was silenced for the moment, but he recovered himself directly. 

"Oh, you're there then?" he cried. "I must punish some of my lads foronly half doing their work. There, you are not so mad as Berriman is. Never mind the fool; open the door, and don't make me savage, so that Iam tempted to go to extremities. Do you hear?" he cried, after a pause. 

"I'll answer for Mr Brymer, " cried the captain, "as you answered forthat miserable, treacherous boy. No, he will not open the door for youand your pack to come in and wreck and rob. This is our stronghold tillsome ship heaves in sight, and you and your gang are put in irons toawait your fate. I give you all fair warning, " he cried, raising hisvoice so that every one present might hear. "If you wish to escapebeing shot down, keep away from that door-way; for by all that is holywe will shoot the first ruffian who tries to open it. "

"Powder!" said Jarette, laconically, "half a keg. It's their own fault, my lads. They shall soon see who is master here. "

There was a quick movement in the cabin then, and Captain Berrimanturned to Mr Frewen. 

"Try and make more of an opening, " he said. "We must have full play forthe guns. "

The doctor nodded and drew back three of the chests a little. 

"That ought to do, " he said. "If one of us stands aside and watches, hecan tell the others when to fire. "

"Ah! but that will require care, " said the captain, quickly; "the shotmust not be at the powder, or we shall be blown up. Look here, MrDenning, if you will lend me your gun I think I can pick off the firstscoundrel who comes to lay the powder. Perhaps another will come, butif he is dropped they will not try again. "

"I can shoot them, " said Mr Denning, quietly. "I do not like to takelife, but I feel that I must fire now. "

"Then keep your gun, sir, " said Captain Berriman; "you need nothesitate, for it is a good deed to rid the earth of such wretches asthese, and remember you are fighting for your sister's sake. "

"Yes, " said Mr Denning, in a low voice, almost a whisper to himself, "for my sister's sake, "--and he moved a little to one side, where hecould get a better aim and command the outer portion of the door, thoughit was only through quite a slit. 

"Hah!" cried Jarette, then in a triumphant tone--"but too much, my lads. We don't want to blow out the side of the ship. She's too much valueto us now. Never mind, we'll use half of it to make a good long train. Come, lieutenant, here's a chance for you to distinguish yourself beforethe men. You shall lay the train. "

"I? Lay the powder?" cried Walters, so excitedly that the men burstinto a roar of laughter. 

"Bah! Don't show the white feather, boy. It must be done. What? Youwon't?"

"No, " said Walters, quickly. "They've got a spite against me, and willshoot me. Let some one else. "

Jarette uttered a fierce ejaculation. 

"Stand aside then, " he growled, "and let some one who is a man do it. Here, any one of you come and plant this powder, and show young Waltershere how brave lads fight. "

We listened full of excitement for the next moment, as every one watchedMr Denning standing there close to the opening in the barricade, hisarms and the gun invisible as he reached through toward the saloon-door. But there was perfect silence, not a movement to be heard, as Jaretteburst into a nasty harsh laugh. 

"Don't all want to do the job?" he cried. "Not one to volunteer? Why, you laugh at me, and call me Frenchy, and brag about your English pluck, and not one man will come forward. Here you, Bob Hampton, your trick'sover at the wheel; come and lay this powder. "

"What, to blow in the cabin-door?" came in familiar tones. "All right, skipper; only I don't know much about powder to make trains. You wetin, don't wild-fire on it?"

"Bah! stand aside. Here you, Blane, lay that powder close up door. "

"What me, skipper? Anything in going aloft and settin' sail; but I knowno more about gunpowder than a babby. "

"Get out of the way, idiot. Where's Dumlow?"

"Which here I be, " growled that individual. 

"Here, lay hold of this powder, and plant it, my lad, and then lay atrain. "

"Take that there powder and lay a train?" said the big sailor. 

"Yes. "

"Not me. "

"What! You dare--" cried Jarette. 

"Lookye here, skipper, " growled Dumlow, "don't you get poking that therepestle in my face, 'cause it might go off. "

"Yes, and it will go off, " cried Jarette. "I mean to be obeyed by thiscrew, as I've just shown you. "

"Nay, but don't poke pestles in my face; 'cause it make me hit out, andwhen I hits out I hurts. You ask some one else. "

"Bah!" ejaculated Jarette; and the word sounded like the short, sharpbark of some cur, as it reached us through the barricade. 

"Goin' to plant it yourself?" said Bob Hampton. 

"Yes, you brave Englishman, " sneered Jarette. "I'm going to show youwhat your captain can do. "

"Shoot the scoundrel!" said Captain Berriman, excitedly. 

"Impossible, without he comes into sight, " whispered Mr Denning. 

"Can't you see him?"

"No; he is pushing a bag of powder right in up against the door, and nowsprinkling handfuls of powder up to it. "

"You come away, " said the captain. "Quick, man! Here, every one liedown at the far end of the saloon. "

I was one of the first to run; but I came back with a can of water, andheld it to Mr Frewen. 

"Can you do anything with that, sir?" I said. 

"No, my lad. Quite impossible to reach it effectually. "

I stood staring at the barricade and its openings for a few moments, andthen an idea struck me. I had often seen my father's gun cleaned, andwhen the barrels were detached from the stack, taken them up to lookthrough them, binocular fashion, to see whether they were clean inside. 

"Take off the barrels from that gun!" I said excitedly. 

"What for?" cried Mr Frewen; but he did that which was asked all thesame, and handed the barrels to me. 

"What are you going to do?" whispered the captain. 

"One minute, sir, and I'll show you, " I said. "Let me come there, MrDenning. "

That gentleman altered his position a little, so that I could reachthrough the opening and let the ends of the barrels rest upon the deck, close to the powder, which I could just see scattered about theflooring. 

Directly after, I had raised my can and was carefully trickling thewater down through one of the barrels with such good effect that theexplosive grains were either saturated or borne away. 

I had been sending the little stream through for some moments before itwas seen, and the first intimation we had of the mutineers noticing ourdefence was the explosion of a pistol, and simultaneously a dull, cracking sound as a bullet passed through the door and was buried in thetrunk behind it. 

"That don't matter, Berriman, " cried Jarette; "we have plenty of powder, and you can't say the same about water. "

I started at this, for it struck me that I had been pouring preciousdrops away which might mean life. But I laughed directly after, as Irecalled the fact that we had only to drop a bucket out of thestern-windows and haul up as much salt water as we liked. 

Mr Frewen must have been thinking the same thing, for directly after heand Mr Brymer attached pieces of new halyard to a couple of tin pails, and threw them out of the window, and drew them up full, ready for thenext attempt to lay powder. 

"No need to pour away the precious drops now, " said Mr Frewen. "But wemust have down some of those chests so as to get at the powder easily. "

The words had hardly left his lips when there was the sharp report ofMr Denning's piece, followed directly after by a second shot, and therush of feet upon the deck. 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN. 

"Well!" said the captain grimly. "Did you bring down your gaol-bird, sir?"

"No, " replied Mr Denning, as he drew back and began to reload. "Icould not see any one, only that a bag of powder was being thrust alongthe deck with a hand-spike, and I fired at where I thought a man mightbe. "

"And hit him, seemingly, " said Mr Frewen. "Now then, we must down withsome of these trunks. "

They were seized directly, and pulled away, so that had we liked wecould have opened the door widely; and Mr Denning now took up hisposition here, while Mr Frewen and Mr Preddle stood ready each withtheir guns, which had not yet been discharged, while I and Mr Brymerwere in charge of the two buckets of water. 

There was now plenty of room for any one to look round the edge of thedoor and make an observation; and though our position was a good dealweakened, this was to some extent counterbalanced by the chests andtrunks being built across as a breastwork, behind which the guns werestationed, Mr Brymer and I being between the breastwork and the door. 

"Now, Dale, look out and see how matters stand, " said the captain. 

I peered cautiously round, and saw that the deck was blackened withmoist powder, and that two powder-bags lay in patches of wet, while allround was rapidly drying up. There were the mutineers, standing in agroup, every man armed, though some only bad knives and hatchets. Bytheir side, as if in command, stood Walters, with two pistols in hisbelt, looking like a pirate in a penny picture; and they were allstaring at the cabin-door; but I looked in vain for the leader of themutiny. 

I drew back and reported what I could see, and Mr Frewen whispered--

"Could you reach the powder-bags with a walking-stick? I mean one witha hook. "

"No; but I could easily run out and pick them up. "

"No; never mind, " said the captain; "the water would run up through themlike in salt or sugar. There's no danger from them. Look out again. "

I peered out, and felt quite ready to laugh in spite of our perilouscondition, for I could not help thinking what a conceited fool Walterslooked. He seemed to me like a big school-boy playing at being abuccaneer; and the feeling was strong upon me that I should like to goout and punch his head till it was soft enough for some common-sense toget in. 

Then the reality, the stern, horrible reality, of all that was before mecame with terrible force; for as I scanned the rapidly drying deck, allstrewed and splotched with trampled wet powder, I saw one great patchthat did not seem to dry up at all, and the next moment I grasped whatit was, and shuddered, for it was blood. 

And then I felt that in spite of the absurdity of the appearance ofWalters and some of the men, we poor creatures, shut up there in thatsaloon-cabin, with ladies depending upon us for protection, were face toface with death; for when weak, thoughtless men were once committed toan enterprise and led away, there would be no bounds to the excessesthey might commit. 

Strong thoughts, terrible thoughts these, but the weapons, the powder, and the blood showed me that there was no exaggeration. 

A cold shudder passed through me as I stood there watching, and ready toreport the next movement on the part of our enemies. My eyes felt alittle dim, too, as I looked round vainly in search of Jarette, who mustbe, I was sure, planning some means of getting us all into his power. 

The door was only opened widely enough for me to look along the deckwhere the men were watching the door; and I was just thinking that if weall made a bold dash at them, armed as we were with right upon our side, there was no reason why we should not scatter them; and once scatteredand Jarette mastered, the rest would, I knew, be easy enough. 

"And we shall have to do it, " I thought. "I can't do much, but I couldand I would lick Walters. "

My fingers itched to get at him as I thought all this, and the bloodflushed up into my temples. 

"A mean, contemptible coward!" I muttered, as I gazed at him. "Yes, you may stand there as cocky as you like with your pistols, but theydon't frighten me. You daren't fire them, and you showed what a cowardyou were when you were told to lay the powder here and--Hallo!"

The current of my thoughts was changed on the instant as something camedown very softly from above--something soft and grey-looking hangingfrom a string. There was not a sound, but I grasped directly what itmeant. 

Some one had gone softly up on to the poop-deck, and was standing justover my head, letting down this something by a string, so that it shouldlie gently close up to the door. 

I could not look right up and see, but I knew as well as could be thatit was Jarette there leaning over the rail; and as I watched, the bag--for bag it certainly was--came lower and lower till it nearly touchedthe deck-planks, when it was swung gently to and fro till it would justtouch the door. Then the string was dropped; and it had all been sowell managed that the bag, with perhaps ten pounds of powder within, leaned close up. 

"The cunning wretch, " I thought to myself, and I was so interested inthe plan that I could not withdraw my eyes from the slit, but stoodwatching to see what would come next. 

I was not kept waiting many moments before there was a thick blackshower of dust scattered down from above, and I knew that Jarette mustbe throwing down powder, so as to form a train. And this he didcleverly enough, so that the deck was thick with powder, close up to thebag, and then the train grew thinner, and I felt that he would have tocome down on the lower deck to finish his task. 

Almost as I thought this, I saw a shadow, just the head and shoulders ofa man, cast by the sun upon the deck, and I knew that our enemy wasgoing to descend by the starboard ladder, and pass round to where hecould scatter his powder. 

And now for a moment I drew back, and whispered to Mr Frewen. 

"Let me have the walking-stick now. "

"Right, my lad. Get yours, Mr Preddle, with the big hook. "

I heard a rustling behind me, and hurried back to watch, getting my eyeon the deck in time to see a cloud of dust thrown toward the cabin-door, just as a farmer's man might be sowing some kind of seed broadcast. Andall the while, though the firing of that bag of powder would meandestruction, possibly death to some of us, I did not--mind, I who writeyou this am not boasting, but setting down the simple facts--I did not, I repeat, feel in the slightest decree alarmed, but so full ofconfidence, that it was like participating in some capital trick whichwas to result in confusion to a scoundrel. 

The dust was thrown still, and I could see something very curious now, for as Jarette suddenly came into sight, I saw the mutineers, led byWalters, all draw back to some distance farther, while Jarette saidsomething to him, I don't know what, but I think it was insulting, andlaughed. 

Just as he had turned his head, Mr Preddle's soft, smooth voice said--

"Here is the stick, " and without turning my head, I reached back myhand, took it, and passed out the great hook. It was ash, I remember, and of a light brown. 

It was none too soon, for all at once right along the deck I saw aflash, then a white puff of smoke as Jarette knelt down, lit a match, and held it to the dust upon the deck. 

Above the smoke in one glance I saw Walters slinking back behind themain-mast, and then the white vapour shut off everything, so that Ireached out unseen, hooked the powder-bag, and after two or three triesdrew it in, and shut the door close. 

"What is it?" cried Mr Frewen, excitedly; "are they coming?" There wasno time to answer. I leaped over the breastwork with the powder-bag inmy hand, meaning to run to the stern-window and throw it out, but Ithought it might be useful, and I rushed into Mr Preddle's room tostand holding it behind me as there came a loud hiss and rush, and thesaloon began to fill with smoke. 

As soon as the danger was over I went out, leaving the powder upon MrPreddle's cot, and told them why I had rushed by. 

"Oh, come, that's better, " said the captain; "we thought you wereshowing the white feather, boy. So you hooked the powder-bag?"

"Yes, there it is, " I said. "Ah, well, this is no time for praise, "said the captain. "You did your duty well, my lad. Yes, it would havebeen a pity to have thrown the stuff overboard, we might have wanted itto send back with our compliments, eh? Leaden ones. What is it, Brymer?"

"Hist! Jarette is outside, looking astonished that the powder has notdone any damage. "

"And he'll be trying it again, " said Mr Frewen, who, after a few wordswith the captain, took his gun, placed a chair on the saloon-table, andthen mounted upon it, thus bringing his head well up in the sky-lightand above the level of the deck, so that he could watch Jarette'smotions if he attempted the same plan. 

In addition, after glancing astern to see whether he was out of thesteersman's sight, he wrenched open the window a little more, pushed outthe barrel of his gun, and stood there waiting. 

He was not kept long before he saw the man come on deck bearing aheavier bag of powder, and he was in the act of sitting down in one ofthe cane seats near the rail to tie on a piece of string, when, with allthe caution of some wild bird, he looked sharply round for danger. 

In an instant he had caught sight of the barrel of the gun thrustthrough the window, and making a bound he reached the ladder, and swunghimself down upon the main-deck, where he stood with the powder-bag inhis hand, as if hesitating as to what he should do. 

The men were watching him, and he knew it. They must have noticed hisignoble retreat, and here was the way to redeem his character. 

This he did by coming straight to the cabin-door, and depositing the bagthere, opening it, and throwing out several handfuls of powder to helpform the train; but just at that moment the door was snatched open, anda gun thrust out so suddenly that it struck the mutinous leader on theside, and he leaped back, lost his balance, and fell heavily upon hisback, while a roar of laughter arose from his followers. 

Jarette leaped up with a cry of rage, snatched a pistol from his belt, and bravely enough dashed at the door; but as he nearly reached it, there was the sharp report of a gun, and almost simultaneously there wasa burst of flame from the deck, a heavy rushing sound, --and the mutineerdisappeared in a dense white cloud of smoke, out of which he staggeredback to his followers, panting, startled, but, with the exception of alittle singeing, unhurt. 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN. 

"Why didn't you aim straight, man?--why didn't you aim straight?" criedCaptain Berriman. "You did not touch him. "

"I did not try to hit him, " replied Mr Frewen, quietly. 

"Then why did you fire, sir? A loud noise is not likely to frightensuch a man as that. "

"No; but the idea of being shot at, and the explosion of that loosepowder about his ears has startled him, and he'll be careful aboutcoming up to the door to lay powder-bags again. "

"Then you fired to light the loose powder?"

"Yes, and it has had its effect, though I hesitated for a moment forfear the bag should not be far enough off. Where did you put it, Dale?"

"Along with the other in Mr Preddle's cabin, " I said triumphantly, forwhen the door was open I was down on my knees ready by Mr Frewen'slegs, and as he thrust the barrels of his gun against Jarette's side, Isnatched at the bag and drew it in. 

"Take my place, Mr Preddle, " said Mr Denning to him, "I must go backto our cabin and speak to my sister. She will be terribly alarmed bythe firing. "

"Shall I go and speak to her?" said Mr Preddle, eagerly. 

"If you are afraid to take my place, " said Mr Denning, sternly. 

"I--I thought--I wanted--I wished to save you trouble, " stammered thestout passenger. "Thank you; my piece is loaded. "

He was very red in the face as he stepped into Mr Denning's place bythe door, which was now carefully watched in expectation of anotherattempt to blow it open. 

But the minutes glided on, and all grew quiet forward to our greatsurprise; but we soon knew why, for a man came along bearing somebiscuit and cold pork in one hand, a bowl of steaming coffee in theother, and it was evident that he was taking the man at the wheel somebreakfast from the meal of which the crew were partaking. 

"A good example, captain, " said Mr Frewen. "I can keep on guard herewhile you people all have some refreshment. They must need it, for I'msure I do. "

I offered to take Mr Frewen's place, but he would not hear of it, andmatters were compromised by my taking him his breakfast, when someprovisions had hastily been placed on the saloon-table; and carryingmine with me, together with a box for our table, dragged down close tothe barricade, and between it and the door, we made a hearty meal. 

The ladies had come out of their cabins, and I saw how eager MissDenning was to attend upon her brother and Mr Brymer, for whom, in hiswounded state, she seemed to be full of sympathy. Then after attendingupon him, she flitted to the captain's side, while from time to time MrFrewen looked on, and appeared to be wishing that he too was wounded soas to be waited upon like that. At last the captain spoke. 

"There, my dear, " he cried, "not another mouthful for me if you don't goto your place by your brother, and have something to eat yourself. "

"Oh, but I can have something at any time, Captain Berriman, when youare all busy protecting us. "

"No, " cried Captain Berriman, "not another mouthful. " And he spoke soemphatically, that Miss Denning glanced at her brother, and then at anod went and sat down. 

I noticed that in spite of our position, everybody was making an effortto treat the trouble coolly; even Mr Frewen smiled at me, afterglancing through the narrow opening. 

"Come, Dale, lad, eat away. Don't say you've got no appetite. "

"Oh, I'm pretty hungry, sir, " I replied; "but all this in the nightisn't the sort of thing to make one want his breakfast. "

"Don't despair, my lad, it will come all right. Why, they must havegiven us nearly all the powder in those two bags you brought in, and ifthey don't mind, you and I will make a contrivance to hoist them withtheir own petard. But I don't want to shed blood if I can help it. "

"No, " I said, with a shudder, "it is too horrid. "

Mr Frewen looked at me searchingly. 

"Only, " he continued slowly, "if blood is to be shed, and by none of ourseeking, it is our duty to see that it is the blood of the villains whohave turned upon us and set the law at defiance. Do you see that, Dale?"

"Yes, " I said, "I see that, and of course we cannot be expected to bemerciful to them who would blow us up with gunpowder. Why, theywouldn't have cared if the ladies had been injured as well as the men. "

"You are quite right. "

"But you did not shoot Jarette this morning, sir, " I said, and I believethat my eyes twinkled mischievously at being able to confute him. 

"No, Dale, " he said, "I couldn't. Doctors have spent all their timelearning how to save life, and it would have been such a cold-bloodedact. "

"But if you had shot him, sir, the mutiny would have been at an end. "

"Unless your messmate, Walters, had constituted himself captain, andcarried on the war. "

"He!" I cried contemptuously. "Why, I'd go and fetch him out by oneear the same as a dog or a pig out of a drove. I believe, sir, that heis a regular coward and sneak. "

"Ah, well, we shall see, " replied Mr Frewen, "but I suppose that Ireally ought to have shot down that ruffian, broken one of his legs say, and then spent six months in curing him ready for a judge and jury topunish. "

"But look here, Mr Frewen, " I said, "isn't it all a mad and stupidthing for that man to do?"

"Worse than mad, my boy, for what can they do if they keep us down, andcarry this vessel into port, which I doubt their ability to do?"

"Oh, they can do that, " I said quickly. "Bob Hampton is such a capitalsailor. "

"A capital scoundrel, " he cried hotly, "and if I have a chance I'llpitch him overboard. "

"No, you won't, Mr Frewen, " I said, laughing; "I don't believe that. "

"Well, Dale, I'm afraid that if I did, I should want a boat lowered downto pick him up, and go in it myself. There, as you say, it is a madthing for the men to have done. It shows how a whole party can becarried away by the specious arguments of one scoundrel. However, weknow our duty, my lad; and that is to re-take the ship, place the worstof the men in irons, and make the others navigate the vessel, unless youadvocate our hanging the worst of them instead of putting them inirons. "

"There are no irons on board a ship like this, " I said quietly. 

"Ah, and there is plenty of rope, my lad; so you advocate hanging?"

"Don't make a joke of it all, Mr Frewen, " I said, for I felt annoyed athis talking to me in that way, as if I were a mere boy of eight or nine. 

"Right, " he said sharply. "We will be wise over it all. Hallo, MrBrymer is making signs for us to be quiet. The captain is going tospeak. "

I looked quickly at the table, and saw that Captain Berriman wasstanding just below the sky-light, when all at once there was a violentcrashing of glass, and I saw pistols held down through the light, whilealmost at the same moment I heard a rustling noise outside, and leapedup. 

"Look out, Mr Frewen, " I whispered; "powder again!"

For the rustling noise had been made by Jarette, who had crept alongunnoticed till he could plant a powder-bag, and as I glanced out I sawthat he was rapidly laying a train by drawing a second bag of powderafter him as he stepped rapidly back towards another man who wascarrying a lighted lanthorn--lighted, I felt sure, though in thebrilliant sunshine the flicker of the candle inside was hardly visible. 

"Quick, " I said; "draw open the door a little more. "

As I spoke I tried to pull the chest away upon which we had been havingour meal, but I could not move it, as it was against Mr Frewen's legs, and kept the door from being opened sufficiently wide in that narrowspace for me to pass out. 

"Oh, quick--quick!" I whispered. 

"Anything the matter there?" cried Mr Brymer. 

"No, sir, no, sir, " said Mr Frewen. "Keep back there, everybody. Now, Dale, up on end with it. "

I stooped down, and we quickly lifted the chest on its end, dragged thedoor a little way, but not far, for the chest still impeded it. 

But there was room for me to force my way through the door, and I was inthe act of passing through a little way, so as to lean out and once moresnatch the powder-bag in out of danger when I saw that Jarette hadsnatched the candle out of the lantern held ready for him, and appliedthe light to the train. 

Mr Frewen saw it too, and dragged me back, and in one and the sameeffort threw me and himself over the barricade. I should more correctlyhave said, let himself, as he held me, fall backward over the wall ofchests into the cabin. 

It all took place almost as quick as thought, for as we fell heavilyupon the saloon-floor, there was a terrific flash, a roar, and I wasconscious of being driven right into the great cabin, buried beneath aweight which caused me intense pain, and then all was blank. 

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. 

I could not have been insensible many moments, for I was conscious ofshouting and trampling, of a thick black smoke which made it seem likenight, of voices giving orders, and Jarette yelling to his men now inFrench, now in English, and all the time there was a crushing weightacross my legs and chest. 

Then there were a couple of shots fired, and the shutting and banging ofdoors; some one shrieked, and a man was thrown back over the mass whichheld me down. 

After that I must have been insensible again, for the next thing Iremember is hearing a groan, and directly after the voices of mentalking in a familiar way. 

"That's it, lads; altogether, and out she comes. "

I could see light now, for something was lifted off me, and I looked outthrough a framework of shattered woodwork at the bright sunshine. 

"Now then, " said the same voice; "lift him out on to the deck. "

It was Bob Hampton speaking, and it was Dumlow who spoke next in a lowgrowl. 

"Poor lad; he's got it bad, arn't he?"

I thought in my half-stunned fashion that they were talking about me;but they were lifting some one else, and just then Jarette came up. Icouldn't see him, but I could hear him blundering over the wreck around, and his words plain enough as he said sharply--

"Dead? Overboard with him if he is. "

"No, he arn't dead, " said Bob Hampton. "Doctors don't die in a hurry. He'll come to and cure hisself, I dessay. Come on, mate. "

In a muddled, dreamy way I knew now that it was a doctor they werecarrying, and if it was a doctor I felt that it must be Mr Frewen; butwhat it all meant, or why I was lying there, I could not tell in theleast. 

There was half-darkness then for a little while, then light--thendarkness again, and some one was leaning over me. 

"Steady, lad, " was growled, and I knew it was Bob Hampton again, and Itried to think and ask him what was the matter, but no words would come, though everything was growing very clear now, and the men's wordsbounded painfully sharp upon my ears. 

"Got him?"

"Ay, ay. "

"Heave then, together. No, hold hard; the corner of that portmanter'sover his hind leg. That's it; hyste it away. "

I felt myself laid down while something was done close to me, and then Iwas lifted once more and carried out into the warm sunshine, and laidupon the hot boards of the deck. 

"Poor laddie, " growled Bob Hampton, "he's got it badly. Rum world thishere, Neb!"

"Orful, " said Dumlow. 

"Reg'lar wusser, " said another voice, which I knew to be Blane's. 

"Look sharp there, my lads, " cried Jarette, from somewhere overhead, which must have been the poop-deck. "That one dead?"

"Ay, ay, sir. "

"You're a liar, Barney Blane. "

"If he's dead, pitch him overboard. "

"But he arn't dead, captain, " growled Bob Hampton. "There's stuffenough in him to make a full-sized sailor yet, and he's far too good tobe chucked over to the sharkses. "

"But Barney Blane said he was dead. "

"Don't you take no notice o' what Barney Blane says, skipper, " criedDumlow. "He dunno chalk from cheese best o' times, and I know he can'ttell a dead man from mutton. "

"Hear, hear, mate!" cried Bob Hampton. "Haw, haw, haw; we'll chuck theboy overboard if you like, capt'n; but there's a kick in one of his hindlegs, an' I see him wink and waggle one ear. "

"Let him lie there a bit till I come round, " cried Jarette. "You go onand clear that cabin. "

"Ay, ay, " cried the three men who were near. "Come on, lads. Here, Barney, go and get that there pannikin o' water from the breaker, andpour some in the boy's mouth. What yer go and say he were dead for?"

"Well, mate, I thought as he were. He had enough to ha' killed a man, let alone a boy. "

"You look sharp, and we'll pull him and the doctor through, see if wedon't. I don't think no bones is broke. Them chesties sheltered 'em. "

Then I felt water being trickled into my mouth and some poured over myforehead, while, though I could neither move nor speak, I heardJarette's voice giving orders apparently ever so far away. 

"Look sharp, lads, " said Bob Hampton, "or Frog-soup 'll be back andbully us. "

"Must give the jollop purser a drop more, " said Dumlow. "Here, he arn'tdead neither; takes the water down as free as if it were grog. They'llcome right agen, won't they?"

"Ay, to be sure, " said Bob Hampton. "Now then, heave ahead afore hecomes. Rum games these here, messmets. "

"Rum arn't the right word, " said Dumlow, and then all was perfectlystill again, and I lay there wondering what was the matter, and why Icouldn't think as I should, and make out why I was lying there on myback in the hot sun listening to a low moaning sound, and some one closeto my ear talking in a muttering tone. 

Then there was silence again for I don't know how long: before there wasanother low moan, and the voice close by me muttered--

"Oh, for more strength--could have saved--"

The words died out, and I lay there wondering still. Then I felt thatpeople were coming near me, and stopped talking together. 

I must have grown a little more sensible then, for I recognised thevoices as some one gave me a rude thrust with the foot. 

"This boy's dead enough, " and the words sounded so sharp and cruel thatthey quite stung me. 

"I think he is, " said another voice, which I knew to be that of Walters. 

"Oh yes; try him, " said the first speaker, Jarette, I was certain. 

And now as I felt some one take hold of my hand and raise my arm, myfull senses seemed to come, and with them an intense feeling of pain. It was just as if the lifting of that arm was connected with somethingwithin me which had been stopped up, for as the arm was allowed to dropheavily back, and Walters said callously--"Yes; he's dead enough, " Ishouted as loudly as I could--"No, I'm not!" and opened my eyes to stareup at the group on deck. 

There was a hearty burst of laughter at this, and I suppose it waspartly directed at Walters, who sprang up as sharply as if I had bittenhim, and then joined weakly in the laugh. 

"Just like him, " he said, with a contemptuous shrug of his shoulders. "Shamming again. "

"Come, I like that, " I said faintly. "Why, your life's all sham. "

He took a step toward me as I lay there, and I thought he was about tokick me, but Jarette laid a hand upon his shoulder. 

"Let him be, " he said shortly. "Look here, young Dale, where are youhurt?"

"I suppose I'm not hurt at all, " I said, speaking with a good deal ofpain; "if I say I am, he'll tell you I'm shamming. "

"Never mind him, boy, " said Jarette, "listen to me. Look here, thegame's up with the officers, and they're either my prisoners or as goodas dead, so there's nothing more for you to do. Now, I suppose youdon't want me to have you thrown overboard, do you?"

"Of course not. "

"Very well, then; it's only a change in your captain, and I dare say youcan be useful. What do you say to joining me?"

"What, turning mutineer and pirate?" I said boldly. 

"Don't you use ugly words, boy, " he said, with a scowl. "Come, I offeryou good terms; will you join us?"

"You don't want midshipmen, " I said, as I tried to think hard as to whatI ought to do under the circumstances. 

"How do you know, boy? Join us, and serve under me. It will only belike going on again with your old messmate here, and I dare say I canpromote you faster than you would have been under Captain Berriman. "

"But where are we going? What do you mean to do with the ship?"

"What's that to you? There, I offer you your chance; will you join us?"

"I would if I was you, Mr Dale, sir, " said a familiar voice, andturning my head with difficulty, there was Bob Hampton looking quitefrank and honest, and as if there was not such a thing as a mutineer onthe face of the earth. 

"Why? What for?" I cried, with a catching of the breath which made meraise my hand to my breast. 

"'Cause we're all so jolly together now, sir. You'll like it same as meand my mates do. Jyne us, sir. "

"All right, " I said, "if--"

"If what?" said Jarette, sharply. 

"If you rouse up the doctor and make him tend to me, for I'm afraid I'vegot some broken ribs. "

"Good! We will, " cried Jarette, but to my astonishment Walters suddenlyroared out--

"No; don't trust him. He is a traitor, and he would only play the spy. "

With a good deal of effort I raised myself upon one arm and looked himfull in the face, for the pain I suffered and his words roused up in mea furious burst of temper. 

"Traitor! sham!" I cried. "You ought to be hung for turning againstyour captain as you did. "

"Don't trust him, Jarette; he'd only betray us. "

"If ever I get a chance, I will, if it's only for the sake of seeing youget your deserts, you miserable hound!" I cried. "No, I'm not fit tobe trusted, Jarette, " I cried, now quite beside myself with rage andpain; "and don't let that miserable cur come near me, or I shall try todo him some mischief. "

"Do you hear, lieutenant?" said Jarette, with a sneering laugh. "Whydon't you go and serve him out for threatening you? He's about helplessif his ribs are broken, and couldn't hurt you back. "

"I'm not going to meddle with the miserable, sneaking cur, " he saidcontemptuously. "And you needn't banter me; I've saved you from beingcheated by him. "

"Oh, I don't know, " said Jarette, gazing at Walters through hishalf-closed lids; "I dare say it was all talk, for he wouldn't havedared to play tricks. But I say, lieutenant, he has got a stouter heartthan you have. He'd be too much for you. "

Walters gave him a malicious look, full of angry spite, and as Jarettesaw it, there was a complete change in the man. His eyes flashed, hisform seemed to dilate, and he looked taller, while I now realised how itwas that he had gained so much ascendancy over the men, making themfollow and trust him with powers which would possibly land them all ingaol, if no worse fate were in store. 

He and Walters were close to me, and I heard what could not have reachedthe ears of the men. 

"Take care, youngster, " he half whispered. "You've got a hasty tongue, and it stings sometimes. Mind I don't turn and sting again. Recollectyou've committed yourself so deeply that you are mine now; andrecollect, too, that I'm captain. "

"Yes, I know, " said Walters, sharply, "but he isn't to be trusted, and--"

"You hate him, " said Jarette. "Well, I know you do. There, that'senough. Here, some of you, which cabin is empty?"

"Second one on the left, " cried several. 

"Is the door broken by the powder?"

"No; it's all right, " said Bob Hampton. 

"Carry 'em both in, " said Jarette. "Fasten 'em up, and bring me thekey. There, youngster, " he continued to me, "I'm sending the doctorwith you to set you right. "

I nodded, and then had hard work to keep from shrieking out as two menlifted me and carried me through the companion into the shatteredsaloon, and then into the cabin on the left, laying me down prettygently in the cot. 

It seemed quite natural to me that I should be brought there, though itwas unintentional on Jarette's part, for the cabin I was in was thatapportioned to Mr Frewen, who was now carried in and laid upon a rugwhich covered a portion of the floor. 

"Cheer up, Mr Dale, sir, " said Dumlow, bluffly, for he was one of themen who had helped to carry in Mr Frewen. "They won't starve yer. Ifthey do I'll bring you some o' my wittles and drink. "

"Look here, Dumlow, " I said, "where are the officers and thepassengers?"

"Shut up, sir, in their cabins, like precious crocks in a cupboard, that's where they are; and now you're just the same, only you've got acrack in you somewheres. "

The men all laughed and went out, and shut from my sight the shatteredside, and confusion of chests and boxes lying in the saloon. Then Iheard the door fastened, and I made an effort and looked over the sideof the cot, groaning the while with the pain it gave me, down at poorMr Frewen, who lay there quite insensible, and I said to myselfbitterly--

"Very kind of them to send me a doctor; why, I shall have to doctorhim. "

Then for the first time I saw that he was bleeding a little from oneside of his head, and this roused me so that I forgot a good deal of mypain; and after feeling my chest and side a little to try and make outwhere my ribs were broken, and without success, I managed to crawl outof the cot, and got down on my knees by my companion. 

"Mr Frewen, " I said; "Mr Frewen, " and I laid my hand on his forehead. "Oh, I say, do, do pray try and speak. Tell me what to do for you. "

There was no reply, and I grew more excited, and as I did, so did mysuffering seem to be less, and all my anxiety began to be about him. 

"Mr Frewen, " I said. "Can't you say a word?"

But he made no sign, and, forced by the circumstances to act, I leanedover, turned his head a little more on one side, and found that the hairwas all matted together with the blood, which was already drying up. 

Then I began to think that the hair ought all to be cut away, the woundbathed and strapped up, and I was about to proceed to do it, whenanother thought occurred to me. 

It was this:--

The bleeding had pretty well stopped, and would, I felt sure, quite stopin a few minutes, so perhaps I should not be acting wisely if Idisturbed the injury then, for it might be better if I tried to bringhim to his senses, and then he would advise me what to do, and how to doit. 

I believe I was in great pain then, but I forgot it for the moment as Ilooked round and I saw that there was water there, and sponges andtowels were close at hand, so without farther hesitation I poured outsome of the water into a little basin, and taking a sponge, well bathedhis face, after opening the window, for the cabin was suffocating. 

I bathed and bathed, and changed the water so as to get it a littlecooler, though the rapid evaporation helped me most, and at last, to mygreat delight, his eyelids began to quiver, and finally he lay therestaring at me wildly, and with his face terribly white. 

"Mr Frewen, do you know me?" I said. 

"Know you?--know you? Yes, of course, " he said hoarsely. "What is thematter?--what has happened?" and his hand went to the back of his head. 

"You were hurt when the powder went off, " I said, watching his faceeagerly. "Don't you remember?"

"Yes, " he cried eagerly. "I threw myself back over the barricade withyou. "

"And the door and all the boxes and chests were blown in and buried us, I think. "

"Was--was any one killed?" he said huskily. 

"I don't know; I think not, " I replied. 

"But don't you know, boy?" he cried angrily. 

"No; I was hurt by the chests the same as you were, and don't know whathappened. It was all like being in a dream till a little while ago. "

"Then you know nothing?" he said excitedly. 

"I only have a sort of misty recollection of lying there after theexplosion, till I was carried out on deck and laid in the sun. "

Then I told him all about being like in a nightmare, and hearing themtalk of throwing us both overboard, only Bob Hampton said we were alive. 

"The scoundrel!" he said bitterly. 

"Well, I thought it very jolly of him then, " I said, "for if it had notbeen for him we should have--"

I pointed downward. 

"Right to the bottom of the sea, " I added. 

"Yes; and you seem to have been hurt. "

"Hurt? I should think I was, horribly, " I cried; "but it don't seem sobad now, since I've been helping you. "

"But the passengers, Dale?" he said excitedly, as he tried to sit up, but sank back with a groan; "have you not heard anything whatever aboutthem?"

I shook my head. 

"Didn't you see anything to suggest that any one was killed and--andthrown overboard?"

"No, Mr Frewen. "

"Go out then and make inquiries, my good lad, " he said piteously; "thissuspense is worse than the injury. "

"You forget, " I said quietly. 

"Forget? What?"

"That we are prisoners. I couldn't get out. "

"Yes, yes, " he moaned. "I forgot. My head is all confused and strange. What's that?"

"Some one knocking gently at the bulk-head, " I whispered, for there werethree gentle taps on the wooden partition just opposite to where I waskneeling. 

"Then there is some one else a prisoner, " he cried. "Quick, speak tohim. "

"Better not speak, " I said; "we may bring in some of Jarette's gang;"and rising softly, I took out my pocket-knife, and gave three gentletaps with the haft just about the spot where we had heard the sounds. 

The moment I had done, two knocks came in answer, and when I hadresponded in the same way, there was one single one given which I alsoanswered. 

"That only stands for some one being there, " said Mr Frewen, with asigh; "we have no code arranged by which we could communicate. "

"Oh yes, we have, " I said, with a laugh, and, after breaking mythumb-nail, I managed to open out a gimlet fitted in the back of myknife, in company with a button-hook, a lancet, another to bleed horses, a tooth-pick, pair of tweezers, and a corkscrew, all of which had beenvery satisfactory to look at when I received the knife as a present; butI often had come to the conclusion that the knife would have been betterwith two more blades instead. But now its time had come, and with afeeling of being able to triumph over a difficulty, I stepped to thebulk-head, feeling rather giddy and strange in the head, but this passedoff in the excitement, as I rapidly stuck in the point of the gimlet andbegan to bore. 

The bulk-head was composed of three-quarter inch board, but I kept onboring and boring without apparently getting through, and I drew out thegimlet at last, after boring in as far as I could, and stood looking atthe position in dismay. 

Just then came a fresh tapping, to which I responded, and then as Ilistened to the hollow sound I knew what had been wrong. I had beenboring through the board just where it was backed by one of the uprightswhich gave strength to the bulk-head. 

The next minute I had bored a hole right through, and on withdrawing thegimlet I could see daylight. 

"Who's that?" I whispered, with my lips to the tiny hole, and placingmy ear to the orifice I heard for answer--

"Me, Mr Preddle. Who are you?"

"Dale and Mr Frewen, " I answered. 

"What does he say?" asked Mr Frewen. 

"Says he is so glad, sir. "

"Thank him, and ask him about the passengers, whether any one is hurt. "

I whispered the question through the hole, and listened for the answer. 

"Captain Berriman and Mr Brymer both wounded again in the struggle, when the men rushed into the saloon after the explosion. Now shut up intheir cabins. "

"But the passengers; ask him about the passengers, " whispered MrFrewen. 

I asked, and the answer came back--

"No one hurt. "

I saw Mr Frewen close his eyes at this, and his lips moved as I feltsure in prayer. 

"Yes?" I whispered back, as Mr Preddle said something which soundedall buzz, buzz, buzz. 

"I say, what will those wretches do with us?"

"I don't know. "

"Will they kill us and throw us overboard?"

"No, " I whispered through. "If they had meant that, they would havedone it at once. But don't talk any more now. "

"Buzz, buzz, buzz. "

"What say?"

"Buzz, talk, buzz, buzz. "

I opened my penknife, for I knew that the reason why Mr Preddle's wordssounded so buzzy, was that a lot of little bits of wood were sticking upthrough the hole left by the gimlet. And so it proved, for after alittle cutting all the words sounded clearly enough, and he promised towait till I had attended to Mr Frewen's injuries before asking any morequestions. 

"Yes, " he said, "I'll wait; but when one is in prison, and can talk tothe prisoners next door, it does seem to do one good. "

I had just knelt down to see to Mr Frewen's head, when I heard my namepronounced again. 

"Yes, " I cried impatiently, "what is it?"

"Only a word, " said Mr Preddle. 

"Quick, then. "

"You were out on the deck some time, weren't you?"

"Yes; a long time, " I replied impatiently. "Why?"

"Could you see how my poor fishes were getting on?"

"No, I couldn't, " I said gruffly, for my temper was as sore as my bodyjust then, and Mr Preddle irritated me; he did seem so girlish andweak. 

"Now, Mr Frewen, " I said, "tell me what to do to your head. "

"Leave it alone, " he said, smiling, "or no, perhaps you had better dosomething to it; I shall be better and stronger, and I want all mystrength now. "

"To help get back the ship?" I said. 

"Yes, of course. Now then, my lad, " he continued, "you must think thatyou are a surgeon's mate or dresser. " I nodded. 

"You will not mind?"

"Of course not, sir. "

"Then go to that drawer, and you will find scissors, lint, bandages, andstrapping. "

I went to the drawer, and there, neatly arranged, were the articles hehad described, in company with many more. 

"Now get water, sponge, and towel, " he said, and this I did. 

"Now go to work and cut away the hair, so that you can see what damageis done. "

"But I'm afraid--"

"What?"

"Of hurting you. "

"Then set that aside, boy, " he said, smiling. "A surgeon must take allthe care he can, but he must not be afraid of hurting his patient. Goon. "

It was not quite my first surgical experiment, for I had bound up cutfingers before then, and once roughly tended to the broken arm of aschool-fellow, who had fallen in climbing a tree, though my attentionmerely consisted in laying the arm straight and bandaging it with awoollen comforter, while the doctor was fetched; but all the same I feltvery hot, nervous, and uncomfortable, as, in following out Mr Frewen'sinstructions, I cut away the hair, bathed the place, and told himexactly what I saw, horrible as it was. 

"Pooh!" he said, with a little laugh. "A mere scratch. Why, if it werea patient I was attending--you, for instance--I should say you weremaking a miserable fuss about nothing. "

"But it is very bad, sir, " I said. "Why, you were quite insensible. "

"Yes, Dale, that was the contusion. One of the chests must have beendriven against my head like a square shot. Well, there's one comfort, the skull isn't cracked. Now cut some strips of that plaister, andplace them across and across. "

I followed out his instructions, and ended by laying some lint over thewound and securing all with a neatly sewn on bandage. 

He turned very pale twice over as I was busy, and, in obedience to awhisper, I took down a bottle and measured out some of its contents, afterwards administering the dose in water. 

"Not pleasant stuff, Dale, " he said, smiling feebly, "and it's ratherhard lines, as you lads would call it, for a doctor to have to take hisown stuff; but you see I have a nasty crack, and if I had not been aparticularly thick-headed sort of fellow, I'm afraid I should not havewanted another. "

"What is that you have taken?" I asked. "Only ammonia--sal volatile--acapital stimulus when faintness comes on. There, I'm better now, and Idare say I shall do. I can examine you now. Ribs broken, eh?"

"I thought so, sir. "

"And I'm sure you are wrong, my lad. If your ribs, or even one rib, hadbeen fractured, you could not have gone on working for me like that. You would have been in agony. "

"Well, it does hurt pretty tidily, sir. "

"Perhaps so, Dale, but not to the extent it would under thosecircumstances. There, I'm better now. Help me to sit up. " I helpedhim, and he turned ghastly. 

"Feel faint, sir?" I said. 

"Horrible, Dale, but I will master it. This is no time for giving waylike a young lady in a hot room. There, that's better. Nothing likemaking a fight for it. Come. "

"Oh no; I'm not very much hurt, sir, " I cried. "Wait till you areeasier. "

"Come closer, " he said firmly. "Off with your jacket, and open the neckof your shirt. "

I obeyed him unwillingly, and making another determined effort to masterthe faintness from which he suffered, he carefully examined my chest andside, giving me such intense pain the while that I too felt sick, andwould gladly have prescribed for myself a draught of the medicine he hadtaken. 

"There, " he cried at last, "that's perfectly satisfactory. No ribsbroken, Dale, but you had a tremendous blow there from the nearest box. It's a wonder that we were not killed. "

"Then I shan't want strapping or bandaging, sir?"

"No; I'll give you some arnica to bathe the place with. You'll havesome terrible bruises all up your side, but that will be all. Now then, my lad, that we have repaired damages, the next thing is to see what wecan do for other people. "

"Yes, and about re-taking the ship, " I said excitedly, though I couldnot then see the slightest chance of success. 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. 

Mr Frewen and I were both too weak and faint from the terrible shock wehad had, to do anything that day but lie back and rest, my place beingchosen close to the hole I had bored, so that I could be ready to answerMr Preddle's questions, which were constantly coming, and to listen tohis lamentations about his fish--about the trouble he had taken, thewater which must be drying--till, as I lay back there with my ear closeto a second hole which I had bored lower down, every now and then frompain, heat, and the consequent faintness, I kept on dropping into acurious half-dreamy state, in which I seemed to be watching MrPreddle's fish swimming about with their fat little mouths gasping atthe surface of the water, and all looking as if they were so manyhundreds of tiny Preddles asking me to get them out of prison. 

Oh, what a wretched time that was, and how I wished that I could goright off to sleep--a sleep without any dreams--and keep asleep till myside had left off aching. But it was no use to wish, for though MrFrewen was sleeping, so sure as I nearly dropped off, Mr Preddle wouldput his lips to the hole I had made for my own torture, and whispersomething. 

"Dale, I've been thinking that if Mr Frewen could seize the man whoopens your door and attends upon you, and hold him while you ran out andopened mine, you and I could then go and open two more cabins, and soon, and then we could seize the ship. "

"Yes, " I said heavily, and there was a pause. Then just as I wasdropping off to sleep again--"Dale!"

"Yes, sir. "

"We ought to do it when it is dark. I'm quite strong, and not hurt abit. Do you think Mr Frewen is well enough?"

"Oh yes!" I said drowsily, though all the time I knew he was not, but Icouldn't help it. 

"Then I think we ought to try to-night. But what is your opinion of MrJohn Denning?"

"Haven't any opinion of him, " I said, almost talking in my sleep. 

"Oh, but that's not fair. He certainly is very irritable, but he mightbe useful, and I think he is brave. A man who is in bad health isfrequently irritable, and if we have to fight, as I suppose we verylikely shall have to, his irritability would be of great advantage tous, because it would be vented upon our enemies. "

That's as far as I can remember what he said, for nature would bear nomore, and I was fast asleep with a murmuring sound close to my earshaping my dreams, which lasted till there was a rattling sound at thedoor, which as I started up was flung open, and two men brought in whatwas intended for our supper and dinner together. 

The supply was very coarse, and only consisted of cold salt beef, bread, and water, but if it had been a repast of the most delicious nature, itwould not have tempted Mr Frewen or me. The fresh water was all wecared for, and a sip of this from time to time was most refreshing. 

But as soon as the men had left our cabin and closed the door, we heardthem go into the next, and as we sat listening, we could hear almostevery word that was said, for Mr Preddle questioned the men sharply, but obtained no answer, the door being roughly closed just in the middleof one of his speeches. Then as we sat listening we could hear the mengo from cabin to cabin down one side of the saloon and back along theother. 

After this we began to talk in a whisper about our future prospects, andour plans were soon made--to wit, that as soon as Mr Frewen felthimself strong enough to act, an attempt should be made to evade thevigilance of the men on guard, and communicate with the captain or MrBrymer, and then try to make some plan. 

"There don't seem to be much chance, " I said, rather dolefully, for Iwas in a good deal of pain. 

"You never know what is going to happen, my lad, " said Mr Frewen. "Asfor me, I feel quite cheerful about our prospects. These men never canget on without quarrelling, and if they are divided, then is ourchance. "

"But suppose they do not quarrel, and are not divided?" I said. 

"Don't suppose impossibilities, Dale. I've been at sea long enough tounderstand a little about sailors. This man Jarette has won their earfor the time, but he will soon begin to behave tyrannically to them, andthen they will be as ready to rebel against him as they were againstCaptain Berriman. We have to wait for that moment, and take advantageof it if we can. "

But three days glided on without our having a chance of knowing what wasgoing on in the other cabins. We knew that we were sailing away south, and that the men seemed to be enjoying themselves, for there was a gooddeal of singing and shouting--strong indications of drinking going on. Mr Frewen was far better, and my pains had passed into an unpleasantstiffness; otherwise, I was all right. 

As for Mr Preddle, he would sit against the bulk-head and bemoan hisfate as long as he could get a listener, and half his discourse would beabout his fish, the other about the unfortunate passengers. 

I had cut a way through into his cabin by boring a great many holes, andthen joining them with my knife, so that I could pass it through for himto try if he could communicate with the cabin further on. But thatproved to be empty, and we could do nothing that way. 

So we sat through the hot day talking about the mad act on the part ofthe men, and watched the horizon in the hope of seeing a ship to whichwe could signal, but nothing came in sight. 

The fourth night had arrived, and now Mr Frewen had made up his mindthat our plan ought to be to work at a board in the bulk-head till wecould get enough loose to draw a piece out; and then, after getting intoMr Preddle's cabin, work a way through into the next, the empty one, which was pretty sure to be open. 

Mr Preddle was almost speechless with excitement when the plan wasbroached to him, and he declared it to be too good for there to be anyfailure. 

"Why, we have only to loosen a board or two on my side, go through, watch our opportunity, and then go from cabin to cabin and let out ourfriends; then wait till the mutineers are all quiet below, and fastenthe hatches tight down upon them. Alison Dale, my dear boy, we shallre-take the ship, save the ladies, and I shall, after all, get acrosswith the greater part of my consignment of salmon and trout. "

He had his plump round face to the opening looking in at us as he saidall this, and I could see that his eyes were sparkling with pleasure atthe thought of the great success that was coming. 

"It is very easy in theory, Preddle, " said Mr Frewen, "but I don't knowthat it is going to turn out so satisfactory in practice. "

"Oh, my dear Frewen, don't throw cold water on the plan, pray, " hecried. 

"Not a drop, " said Mr Frewen. 

"And you will try?"

"Oh yes; anything that promises success in any shape. We cannot sitstill. We must master them. "

"But are you strong enough to try?"

"I'll make myself strong enough, " said Mr Frewen, quietly. 

"Then which board shall we try to loosen first?"

"Hist! some one coming, " I said quickly, and I moved a couple of bottlesbelonging to Mr Frewen's store across the little opening, and took downanother bottle to remove the stopper and begin sniffing at it as therewas a sudden rattling at the door, which was thrown open, and Jaretteentered. He left a bodyguard of five or six well-armed men outside, among whom I saw Bob Hampton, and I felt so enraged against him that Ifixed him with my eye, but he seemed in no wise abashed, looking boldlyback at me, and giving me quite a friendly nod. 

"Treacherous brute!" I muttered, and turned away to find Jarettelooking at me searchingly. 

"Not dead yet then?" he said, with a half-laugh. Then to Mr Frewen--

"Well, doctor, you've patched yourself up, I see. What do you say tocome under my flag?"

"Prison flag!" said Mr Frewen, contemptuously. 

"Oh no, my good friend; in my little kingdom I am going to found. Whatdo you say to a lovely spice island, all sunshine and flowers, where Ican start a new civilisation? I offer you a fine position there as theonly doctor. What do you say?"

"No, of course, " replied Mr Frewen, contemptuously. 

"Ah, you'll think better of it. I've started the idea too suddenly foryou now you're sore; but you'll come round, and the sooner you do themore comfortable you'll be. It must come to that. You'll have no otherchance. "

"We shall see, " said Mr Frewen, coldly. 

Jarette looked at him sharply, and then all about the narrow cabinbefore fixing his eyes again upon my fellow-prisoner. 

"Look here, " he said, in a sharp, fierce way. "You're thinking ofescaping--listen to this, boy, " he added, turning sharply to me, "itwill do for you too. Now don't think any more about such a _betise_, doctor, " he continued, "for it is of no use. There is no escape foryou. If you tried to break out I have men on the watch whose orders areto shoot down any one who tries to get away, and that shooting downmeans pitching overboard afterwards. It would save me a great deal oftrouble, but I don't want any more fighting and killing: I want peace. There, you can think it over. You had better be friends, for it wouldhurt my feelings to have to set you afloat in an open boat with thosebrute bullies, Berriman and Brymer. Think it over, man. Your friend, Mr Preddle, is sure to join me, for I can find him a pond or a river inwhich to keep his fish. "

He backed out of the cabin, and the door was closed, while as welistened we heard the party move on to Mr Preddle's cabin. 

I could not resist the temptation of listening, and as I was standingclose by the partition, I took a step nearer to the opening I had made, and softly drew aside the bottle I had placed before it. 

Mr Frewen's lips moved, and I took it that he said "Be careful, " so Inodded to him as much as to say "I will, " and listened. 

I could not see through, for Mr Preddle had done as I had--drawnsomething before his side of the opening, which was so small and in sucha dark part of the cabin, that unless searched for it was not likely tobe seen. 

"Well, sir, " cried Jarette, "when are you coming on deck again?"

"Coming on deck?" said Mr Preddle, wonderingly. 

"Yes; those fish of yours want seeing to; I had to lift out half-a-dozenthis morning with that string ladle of yours. "

"The little net?" cried Mr Preddle, eagerly. "That was very good ofyou. How do they all seem?"

"As if they wanted their master to come and feed them. They all swam upto the top and put their mouths out of the water; didn't they, Hampton?"

"Ay, ay, that's so, " growled Bob, "and they all called out, `Wittles, wittles, ' in fish, on'y they've got such little voices through being somuch in the damp that you couldn't hear 'em. "

The men laughed, and Mr Preddle joined in, but in a feeble forced wayas he said weakly--

"No, no, that was for fresh air. They'll all be dead soon, I'm afraid. "

"Then why don't you come and attend to 'em?" said Jarette. 

"May I, Mr Jarette?" cried Mr Preddle, excitedly. 

"To be sure you may, sir. You've only got to satisfy me that you'vethrown over these people here, whom I have been obliged to shut up forviolence. Cast in your lot with us, and there you are, quite free; andI'll--come, I'll make you naturalist to my expedition, and one of thechief men of my island. "

"Naturalist to your expedition?" faltered Mr Preddle, wondering at thelanguage used by a man whom he had heretofore looked upon as a commonsailor, perfectly uneducated, and ready for any amount of violence andrapine, --"chief man in your island!"

"To be sure. "

"But have you got an island?"

"Waiting for me to go and take it, sir; and there you can study natureat home, --just the place for gentlemen like you. "

"Ah, yes, that it is, " said Mr Preddle. 

"You'll join us then?"

"The weak limp wretch, " I heard Mr Frewen whisper. 

"No, sir, you said that I was a gentleman. I am, and gentlemen cannotdo such things as that. "

"Not take up a delightful life yonder?"

"No; the cost is too great. I should have to be false to my class, andto my companions in misfortune here. "

"Bah!--they are not so squeamish. They come, all of them, and are glad. You will join us?"

"No, sir, no. "

"But your fish--dying!"

"Poor things! It is a disappointment, sir; but I cannot do as you wishme to, even to save them. "

"You will not?"

"No, sir, no. "

"Idiot!" cried Jarette, sharply, and directly after the door was bangedand fastened. 

"My fish--my fish--my poor little fish!" muttered Mr Preddle; "but Icouldn't, even to save them. "

Then there was silence, and I softly recovered the little hole andlooked round at Mr Frewen, who nodded and smiled. 

"Yes, " he whispered, "it is quite true: he is a gentleman, poor fellow, in spite of all. "

Then we listened again, and heard door after door opened, as Jarettewent round to see his prisoners; and principally, I fancy, to make sure, as he used his eyes sharply, that no one was likely to escape. 

Door after door was opened, and then we heard fierce angry voices, oneof which I was sure was Captain Berriman's. We could not hear what wassaid, but his voice sounded threatening, and Mr Frewen whispered--

"Thank heaven! I was afraid the poor captain had been murdered. "

Hardly had the words passed his lips before we heard a sharp report, apiercing shriek, and a heavy fall. 

Then for a few moments there was silence, but a quick muttering ofvoices followed, and then a door was banged. 

A few moments later as I stood there panting, and with the perspirationstanding out upon my forehead, another door seemed to have been opened, and I heard a quick angry voice speaking loudly and upbraidingly. 

"Mr Denning!" I said excitedly, as I turned to my companion, whoseface looked terrible in its rage and despair. 

"Whose voice was that, Dale?" he cried wildly. 

"Mr Denning's, I'm sure. "

"No, no, the lady's cry. "

"I--I--don't know, " I stammered. 

"You do--you do!" he cried wildly, as he caught me by the breast; "speakout. "

"I--I half fancied it was Miss Denning shrieked out, " I faltered. 

"Yes, " he groaned. "Yes, and I am shut up like this. Is there no wayof escape?"

And all this while the angry muttering and talking went on, Mr Denningevidently bitterly upbraiding Jarette, and the latter mockingly defiant, and uttering what sounded like contemptuous retorts. Then a door wasbanged again loudly, and we stood listening, Mr Frewen with hisforehead resting against the panel and his hands clenched, while hisface was all drawn into puckers and wrinkles as if he was suffering themost intense agony. 

And as we listened, I, horror-stricken, and in the full belief that poorMiss Denning had been shot, perhaps in trying to save her brother, acouple more of the cabin-doors were opened and closed; then there was agood deal of talking and the giving of orders. At last, when we feltthat Jarette and his men were going forward once again to their quartersin the forecastle, leaving us in horrible suspense, a heavy stepapproached our door, which was opened, and Hampton appeared. 

"Who was that shot?" cried Mr Frewen, rushing at the man and seizinghim by the breast. 

"Easy, sir; easy it is. You'd best ask the skipper. "

"I say, who was that shot just now?"

"And I says, ask the skipper, sir. It ain't my business. My businessis to bring you out. You're wanted, and you're to bring your tools. "

"Wanted? To attend the injured person?"

"I suppose so, " replied Hampton, with brutal callousness; and just asJarette approached, "Here's the captain, ask him. "

Mr Frewen did not ask, but darted to one of the little drawers withwhich his cabin was fitted, took out a case and a packet of surgicalnecessaries packed all ready for emergencies, and turned back to thedoor. 

"Here, where are you going, youngster?" cried Hampton, who was lookingin with a peculiar expression upon his countenance. 

"With Mr Frewen, " I said stoutly. 

"No, you're not. Go back. "

"But he'll want me to help him!" I cried excitedly. "I must go. "

"Yes; come with me, my lad!" cried Mr Frewen, and as I pressed forward, Hampton made no further objections to my presence, though before at alook from his leader he had barred the way with his sturdy arms. 

The next moment we were standing in the torn and blackened saloon, withMr Frewen looking round wildly from door to door, seeking the onethrough which he was to go. 

CHAPTER NINETEEN. 

"Here, this way, " said Jarette, fiercely, "and now you'll see that I'mnot a man to be played with. I'm captain here now, and it's obey meor--"

He snatched a pistol from his breast and held it menacingly towardFrewen, who flashed out at him--

"Put that thing away, madman, and show me my patient. Which cabin isit?"

"That one, " said Jarette, surlily. Then showing his teeth, he said in apeculiar tone of voice--"They say it's kill or cure with your set; letit be cure this time, or perhaps it may be kill afterwards. Come on. Go in there. "

He signed to a man acting as sentry by one of the doors well aft, andthe man drew back while Frewen brushed by the scoundrel who held itopen, and entered quickly, I following ready to do everything I could tohelp. 

I entered that cabin fully expecting to see Miss Denning lying bleedingon the floor, and I am sure that this was Mr Frewen's impression; butto the surprise of both it was a totally different person, for there laythe captain in one corner, his head slightly raised, staring at uswildly as he held one hand pressed to his shoulder, and his eyes were sofixed that for the moment I was ready to think that he was passing away. But a faint smile came upon his face as he looked up at the doctor, andthen he smiled at me. 

I darted a look full of horror and sympathy at him, and then closed thedoor, while as I turned I saw that the woodwork side of the cabin wasmarked by a bullet, for so I took it to be, which had splintered theboard all round a good-sized hole. 

Mr Frewen went down on one knee by the captain, and took the hand whichrested on his shoulder, pressed it, and then began to examine theinjury. 

"Come and help me, Dale, " he said; "we must get him in a differentposition. "

"Perhaps--I can help, " said the captain faintly. "The scoundrel shotme. "

"Don't try to talk, " said Mr Frewen, quickly. "Wait till I havebandaged the wound. "

But as he spoke I noticed how he watched Captain Berriman, and seemed totake special heed of him as he whispered the above words evidently withpain. 

"Is it very bad, doctor?" he whispered now after Mr Frewen had beenbusy about his breast, and shoulder for a few minutes. "You can tellme, I can bear it. "

"Bad enough, but not so bad as it might have been if it had gone an inchlower. But keep quiet, talking will only distress you, and tend to makeyou feverish. There, " he said at last, "there will be no more bleeding, and that was the only danger to apprehend. "

By this time the captain was lying in an easy position, carefullybandaged and apparently suffering less. 

"He came in--"

"Hush! don't tell me; I know--as he did to us with invitingpropositions. We heard your angry words, and the coward shot at you. But that shriek, surely it was Miss Denning's?"

"Yes, " whispered the captain. "The bullet crashed through thereafterwards and struck Mr Denning. Not hurt, but his sister shrieked onhearing the shot and seeing him fall. "

"Then they are in there?"

The captain nodded. 

"And can hear our words?"

There was another movement of the head. 

"Then let them hear that we are trying hard to put an end to thismiserable state of affairs. Mr Denning should be ready to help us ifcalled upon. "

There was a gentle tapping on the partition at this, and I was on my wayto the bulk-head to reply, when the cabin-door was opened and Jarettecame inside. 

"Come, doctor, you must be done if you can find all that time fortalking. Can you save him?"

"I am trying, sir, if only to be prepared to have a witness against youwhen the time comes for your punishment. "

"Oh yes, of course, doctor, we know all about that. This way, sir. Now, boy. Come!"

"Good-bye, Captain Berriman, " I said, as I leaned over my poor officerand pressed his hand. Then in a whisper--"Cheer up! Perhaps we shallre-take the ship after all. "

Then I followed the doctor, and a minute later we were once more underlock and key, while as I crossed the saloon I saw that a couple of menwere pacing up and down, pistol in hand. 

I made a remark about this, and then I spoke about the way in which thepowder had driven in all the end of the saloon. 

"I suppose Jarette must have used about all there is now. "

Mr Frewen shook his head. 

"Didn't you know?" he said. "There is a large quantity on board. It isbeing taken--across for blasting purposes in New Zealand. Jarette, Isuppose, helped with the lading, and knew where it was stowed. Thataccounts for its being brought out so soon. "

"Pity we can't give them a dose of it, " I said, "so as to frighten theminto better order. Just fancy, Mr Frewen, dropping a bagful into theforecastle with a fuse attached and lit; how they would run for thehatch, and before they could reach it--bang!"

"Yes, with that part of the deck blown up and a dozen or so of wretchedmutilated creatures lying about shrieking for help. Well, Dale, I daresay there is one of the bags somewhere about the cabins, but I don'tthink you could use it. "

"Well, now you talk like that, I don't think I should like to, " I said. 

"I am sure you would not, boy. You and I could not fight that way. Wemust have a better way than that. "

We lay there trying to think out some plan for the rest of that day, sometimes talking to ourselves, sometimes with Mr Preddle joining in;but for the most part he could talk about nothing else but his owntroubles, and about his fish, which he was sure were dying off rapidly, for no one, he said, could attend to them like he would himself. 

"Unless it was you, Dale, " he whispered apologetically. "You certainlydid seem to understand them almost as well as I did myself. Ah, I'dgive almost anything to be out there attending to the poor littlethings, but I could not go at the cost that was proposed. "

He sighed very deeply, drew back, and the little hole was darkeneddirectly after, for Mr Preddle had lain down to meditate upon thesufferings of his fish, and when I peeped through at him a few minuteslater he was still meditating with his eyes shut and his mouth open, while a peculiar sound came at regular intervals from between his lips. 

Mr Frewen looked at me inquiringly as I turned round. 

"Sound asleep, " I whispered. 

"Poor Mr Preddle, " said Mr Frewen, "he is a very good amiable fellow, but I think that you and I must make our plans, Dale, and call upon himto help when all is ready. "

I nodded, for I thought so too, and after listening for a few moments atthe door, we came to the conclusion that there was nothing to mind aboutthe sentries, so we proceeded to make our examination of our prison in amore determined way. 

Several times my fingers had played about the knife I had in my pocket, and I had longed to bore holes in the cabin-door so as to watch thesentries; but of course I was checked by the knowledge that by making ahole through which I could watch them I was providing one by which theycould watch us. 

The cabins on either side of the saloon were only so many portions ofthe ship boarded off, and provided with doors, so that a couple ofcarpenters would have had little difficulty in clearing away thepartition and making one long opening, but we had no tools, and theslightest noise would have drawn attention to our acts; and these ideaswould, we knew, govern our actions in all we did. 

Our idea was of course to get a board out between the doctor's cabin andMr Preddle's, and if possible one at the darkest portion of the placeclose up to the ship's side; but examine as we would, there did notappear to be one that it would be possible to move, try how we would. 

"It seems to be a very hopeless case, Dale, " said my companion at lastwith a sigh, "unless we patiently cut a way through with your knife; onecutting, while the other keeps on throwing the chips out of the windowso that they cannot be seen. "

"But we shall make a big hole, " I objected, "and the first time thatJarette comes in he will see it, and put us somewhere else. "

"Of course. It looks very hopeless, my lad. "

"You see we want holes, sir, so that we could take out one board fromtop to bottom quite whole, and put it back just as it was. "

"Yes; but how are we to do that without tools?"

"I thought doctors always had a lot of tools, " I said; "knives and sawsand choppers for operations. "

"Ah!" he ejaculated. "My head has not come right yet after that injury. Why, look here, lad!"

He went to a drawer fitted into a chest, and drew it open to take out amahogany case in which, lying on blue velvet, were some of the things Ihad named--knives, and a couple of saws, beside other instruments whosepurpose I did not grasp. 

"We draw the line at choppers, Dale, " he said, smiling; "and I suppose Iought not to devote my choice instruments to such a duty, but I thinkthese will do. "

"Splendidly!" I cried in delight, as I quite gloated over the brightsteel saw. "Why, with one of those I can get a whole board out in anhour or two. "

"Without being heard?"

"I didn't think of that, " I said. "Let's see what noise it would make. "

"No, " said Mr Frewen, quietly. "We must wait till night; and it willbe a very much longer task than you think, because we shall have to workso slowly. "

"Wait till night!" I cried impatiently. 

He nodded, and the dreary, slow way in which the rest of that day passedwas terrible. It was as if the sun would never set; but Mr Frewen wasright. There were two interruptions to expect--the coming of the manwho would bring us our evening meal, a sort of tea-dinner-supper, andpossibly a visit from Jarette to fetch Mr Frewen to see the captain. 

The man came with our comfortless, unsatisfactory meal, at which Igrumbled, but which Mr Frewen said was far better than ordinary prisonfare; and just at dark, as he had suggested, we were startled by thesudden rattling at the fastening of our door. 

Then Jarette appeared, and signed imperiously to Mr Frewen to followhim. 

My companion frowned, but he rose and followed; not to obey Jarette, ashe afterwards said, but to go and attend upon the captain. 

I rose to go too; but as I reached the door, Jarette rudely thrust meback, so that I staggered to the cabin-window. 

"Non!" he ejaculated sharply; and the door was banged to and fastenedbefore I had recovered from my surprise. 

"Never mind, " I said to myself; "wait a bit, " as I bit my lips and stoodwith clenched fists, thinking in my annoyance how much I should like touse them. 

But I consoled myself by going to Mr Frewen's drawer and opening thecase and looking at the bright steel saws, and then talking in a whisperto Mr Preddle, who came to the little opening to know whether anythingwas the matter. 

I did not tell him about the saws after I had said that Mr Frewen hadbeen fetched, but thought I would leave that for my companion to do, andthen waited till he came; but he was so long that I began to be afraidhe had been placed in another cabin, the mutineer chief having suddenlybecome suspicious of our hatching a conspiracy to escape. 

He came at last, though, to my very great relief, and told me that hethought Jarette, in spite of his display of bravado and carelessness, was alarmed about Captain Berriman's state, and afraid that he woulddie. 

"And is he in a dangerous state?" I asked anxiously. 

"No; only a little feverish, as the natural result of his wound. "

"That was what made you stay so long then?" I said. 

"Well, no, " he replied, with a smile. "I'm afraid I tried to imposeupon our new captain by assuming to be very much concerned about poorBerriman's state; but I had another reason as well. I wanted to try andhave a few words with the Dennings, whom I could hear in the nextcabin. "

"Yes; and did you?" I asked eagerly. 

"No, I was too closely watched. I could have whispered to them throughthe hole made by the bullet; but Jarette was at the door all the timethat he was not in the cabin watching me, and I could not say anythingaloud for them to hear without his knowing what I said. "

"I know what I should have done, " I cried. 

"What?"

"Told them what our plans were in French. "

"That would have been clever, " he said dryly, "for a Frenchman to hear. "

"How absurd!" I said. "Well then, in German. "

"Equally absurd, Dale. I hardly know a word. "

"Well then, in Latin. "

"My studies in Caesar and Horace never gave me the power to beconversational, Dale, " he replied; and soon after, as it was now gettinglate, and from the sounds we heard forward it was evident that the crewwere enjoying themselves, Mr Frewen proposed that we should make ourfirst start at cutting the board. 

Word was passed through the opening to Mr Preddle, who was alleagerness to begin, and asked for one of the little saws, so that hemight work at the top of the board while we cut at the bottom; but MrFrewen promptly decided that one of the instruments would make quiteenough noise, and told him that he must understand that our task was oneprobably of days, for everything must be done slowly and carefully, andin a way that would leave no traces behind. 

"Very well, " said Mr Preddle, almost petulantly, "you know best; but Iam very, very anxious to get out of this wretched cabin. "

"So are we, " said Mr Frewen. "Help us, then, by keeping guard by yourdoor, and at the slightest sound outside giving us the alarm. "

"Yes, yes; of course, " he said eagerly; and directly after, in thedarkness, I heard Mr Frewen open the drawer and the instrument-case, totake out the little saw which might open our prison, and cut a way intoanother for the scoundrelly mutineers. 

"How are you going to begin?" I whispered, after listening at the door. "Shall I bore some holes first to make a way in for the saw?"

"They will not be necessary, " he replied. "I can manage to cut a wayacross the last board but one. "

"Why not the last?" I asked. 

"Not enough room to work. I shall try to cut in a sloping way to splaythe board if I can, so that it will fit better when we put it back--ifwe get one out. Hush!--don't talk. "

I stood close by him, ready to help in any way he required, and expectedthat when he grew tired he would ask me to take his place, so that notime might be lost. 

We had one advantage that I have not mentioned, and it was this. Wewere of course locked in, but there was a bolt on the door, so that wecould secure ourselves on the inside from any sudden interruption; andby keeping the door fastened, there would be time to hide the saw andbrush away the dust before any one who came was admitted. 

My position was facing the little round window of the cabin as MrFrewen made the first start toward obtaining our freedom; and as the sawbegan to bite at the wood with a sound like that which would be made bya gnawing mouse, I stood gazing out at the beauty of the grand tropicnight. It was very dark, but it was a transparent darkness, with thesky within reach of my vision thickly spangled with stars, which were sobrightly reflected in the calm sea through which we were gliding gently, that there were moments when I could hardly tell where the sky ended andthe sea began. 

Then faintly and steadily rasp, rasp, rasp went the saw, with so littlenoise that it did not seem likely that any one out in the saloon wouldhear it; and though at the first cut or two my heart began to beat withdread, a few minutes later it was throbbing with exultation. 

For every gnaw of that little keen-toothed instrument sent a thrill ofhope through me; and I did not stop to consider what we were to do, orwhat were our probabilities of success when we reached the saloon, forit seemed to me then that the rest would come. And on it went, gnaw, gnaw, gnaw at the soft grain of the pine-wood board, very slowly, butvery surely, I knew; and I was just going to whisper to Mr Frewen, andask him whether he would like me to take a turn, when the sawingstopped. 

"Only for a few minutes' breath, " he whispered. 

"Shall I take a turn?"

"When we cut the bottom one. I am taller and stronger, and can get atthis better than you. "

Then he began again, and I gazed through the cabin-window, and listenedboth to his working on the thick board, and for any sound which mightindicate that a sentry had taken alarm. 

But all was silent; and comforting myself with the belief that if thenoise was heard it might be taken for the gnawing of a rat, I listenedand watched the stars. 

At last I was in such a state of nervous excitement that I was on thepoint of begging my companion, to let me take a turn, when from being sointensely hot I suddenly turned speechless and cold. For it suddenlyoccurred to me that the stars were blotted out, and that the night wasblacker. 

"A cloud, " I said to myself at first, but even as I thought that, I feltthat it could not be; and at last I was lifting my hand to touch MrFrewen, and draw his attention to the strange phenomenon, when thesawing suddenly ceased. My companion drew a long breath; and at thesame moment, as I felt drawn toward the window by some strangeattraction, to try and make out why it was so dark, there was the soundof another deep breath, and I felt it hot and strange right in my face, as in a hoarse whisper some one said--

"How are you getting on?"

CHAPTER TWENTY. 

For a few moments I could not utter a word in that black darkness. Iheard Mr Frewen give a sudden start and his elbow jar against thepartition, but he too was silent, save that I could hear his hurriedbreathing. 

Then some one spoke again--

"Can't you hear me there? I says, how are you getting on?"

"Bob Hampton!" I cried excitedly. 

"Pst! Steady, my lad. Bob Hampton it is. But don't shout, or some 'un'll hear you, and 'll come along the deck overhead and cut me adrift. "

"But what are you doing there?"

"Hanging on to a bit o' line made fast to a belaying-pin. "

"But why? What do you want, sir?"

"Will yer keep quiet, my lad?" whispered the man, excitedly. "I don'twant to hear old Jarette sawing through this rope. What do I want?Come, I like that, arter risking all this here to get a word with you. "

"Go back to your friends, you scoundrel, " whispered Mr Frewen; "youhave come to spy upon us!"

"Wheer's my lantern, then? Man can't spy a night like this, when it'sas black as inside a water-cask in a ship's hold. "

"Mr Frewen is right, " I said. "Go back to your friends. "

"Arn't got none forrard, leastwise only two; I've come to say `how dedo. '"

"Don't trust him, Mr Frewen, he's a traitor, " I whispered; only Hamptonevidently heard. 

"Come, I like that, Mr Dale, sir. But I say, how could you be soeasily took in? Theer was nothing else for a man to do but to go withthe bad beggars, and when I seemed to jyne 'em, why of course Neb Dumlowand old Barney joined at once. "

"Bob!" I ejaculated, as a feeling of delight sent a flush of blood tomy cheeks, and I felt hot and excited once more, "you don't mean to saythat--"

"But I just do, sir. 'Tarn't likely I should run all this risk if Ididn't mean it. "

"You hear, Mr Frewen, " I whispered. 

"Yes, but--"

"Look here, " said Bob Hampton, angrily, "am I to creep in and stuffsomething into your mouth, Mr Dale, sir? You don't know how sounds runon a still night like this. It's grim death for me if I'm found out. "

"Then you are true to us all the same, Bob?" I cried, reaching out tolay my hand upon the man's shoulder. 

"True as gorspel, sir; and ready along with Neb Dumlow and Barney Blaneto pitch old Frenchy overboard, or drown him in a water-cask, if you saythe word, or Mr Frewen either, though I'd rayther take it from you, mylad, as you're one of the officers of the Burgh Castle and it'd comebetter like than from our doctor, and no disrespectment either. "

"How are we to know that we are to trust you, Hampton?" said Mr Frewen. 

"Tell you dreckly, sir, soon as I can get foot-hold. I'm pretty strongin the arms, but you can't hang by them as long as you can stand on yourlegs, 'less you're born a monkey, which I warn't. You see there's noboard nor nothing to get a foot on, and I knows without trying that Icouldn't get through that window. "

"How can we help him, Dale?" whispered Mr Frewen. "I suppose we musttrust him?"

"Trust him? Yes, of course. Stop a moment. Yes, I know. " Thenthrusting my arms out--"Hold hard a minute, Bob, " I whispered. "Let meget hold of the rope and haul up the end. "

"What for, lad?"

"For us to draw in here and make fast, then you can stand in the bightlike a stirrup. "

"Well, you are a wunner, Mr Dale, sir, " he replied. "Haul away, there's plenty down below; I should never have thought of that. "

In a very few seconds I had pulled in the lower part of the rope bywhich he was swinging, got hold of the dripping end and passed it to MrFrewen, letting the rest fall back like a big loop, but not so quietlyas I could have wished. Then we hauled in slowly, till after a littlemanagement we had the bight so exactly adjusted that Bob Hampton's feetrested upon it while we held the rope tight. 

"Hah!" he whispered, with his face close to the cabin-window, "thatrests my flippers. Mind, I'm going to ease off a bit now, but if youtwo slacken down I shall go, and there won't be time to say good-bye. "

"You may trust us, Bob, " I said. 

"Ay, ay, my lad, I will, and the least thing as you can do is to trustme and my mates. "

"I will, Bob, and I'm sure Mr Frewen will, but we couldn't helpthinking you were a traitor. "

"Course you couldn't, lad. On'y nat'ral. But you see now as it wason'y make-believe. "

"There's my hand, Hampton, " said Mr Frewen. 

"Thankye kindly, sir. That sounds English, on'y I can't give it a grip, 'cause I'm holding on. But if you'd just stuff one finger in my mouthI'll bite it if you like, to show I mean square and honest by you all. "

"Never mind that, Hampton, " said Mr Frewen; "we'll take it as being allright. "

"Right it is then, " said Bob Hampton, with a satisfied grunt, "on'ylet's speak gently. "

"Can you help us to escape, Bob?" I whispered. "Can't we re-take theship?"

"Steady, my lad, don't get out o' breath. That's what we come about, and Neb Dumlow's bylin' over to do it. "

"Tell us first what is the state of affairs, " said Mr Frewen. 

"State of affairs is, that all the orficers and you the doctor, alongwith the passengers, is prisoners, and Frenchy Jarette's skipper of theBurgh Castle, with that there rat of a 'prentice or middy, or whateverhe calls hisself, first mate. "

"But where are we going?" said Mr Frewen. 

"Nobody knows but Frenchy, and there is times when I think he don'tknow. For he's as mad as a whole cargo o' hatters or he'd never ha'done what he has. But look sharp, sir, I can't stop long. If he foundout, he'd cut the rope and send me adrift as soon as look at me, andthat would be a pity, 'cause if there's one man as I do respeck and likeit's Bob Hampton, mariner, spite of his looks. "

"Yes, we'll be quick, " said Mr Frewen. 

"Is anything the matter?" came in a loud whisper. 

"Oh lor'! Here I goes, " groaned Bob Hampton. 

"No, no; it's all right, " I whispered. "That was only Mr Preddle. "

"I thought it was Frenchy, sir. "

"Hush! No, nothing wrong. Help come, " whispered Mr Frewen. "Wait!"

Then coming back to the window--

"Now, Hampton, what can you suggest?"

"Well, sir, I've been thinking that if you gents--Pst!"

He ceased whispering in at the cabin-window, for just then we heardsteps overhead as if two people were walking along the deck, anddirectly after I could make out voices in eager conversation fairly loudfor a few moments, and then they died away, and I knew by the soundsthat the speakers had gone right aft. Then Jarette's voice was heardmaking inquiries of the man at the wheel, to whom he stopped talking fora few minutes, which seemed to extend into an age of anxiety to me wholistened so anxiously and in such dread lest the scoundrel should returnand lean over the bulwark, or run his hand along, feel the rope, and sodiscover poor Hampton. Then I felt sure that he would have nohesitation in cutting him adrift, and that meant death to a brave andtrue man. 

I felt a horrible pang of dread at these thoughts, and softly thrustingout my hand, I felt for and gripped Bob Hampton's great paw as it heldon to the rope, and then whispering to Mr Frewen to do the same, I tooktightly hold of the man's wrist with some idea of saving him if thescoundrel on deck should hear, and cut the rope. 

The next minute, to my horror, as with one hand grasping the rope andthe other Bob Hampton's arm, Mr Frewen and I stood face to face closeto the cabin-window, we heard the voices on deck come nearer, then stopjust overhead, and as far as I could judge, the speaker stood leaningagainst the bulwarks, so that we could distinctly hear Walters say--

"Why don't you send them all adrift in one of the boats?"

"Because we are not near enough to land, my son, " replied Jarette; "andI am so anxious about my young lieutenant. It would grieve me to deathto see him hung for a pirate. "

"I wish you would talk common-sense, Jarette, and not be so fond ofchaffing me. You'll make me wish some day that I had not joined you. "

The Frenchman laughed derisively. "Why, my little brave, " he cried, "what a dust-filled-eyed one you think me. Do I not know that you havebeen in a tremble ever since?"

"No, you don't, " said Walters, sharply. "I'm sure I've done everythingI can. "

"My faith, yes; we will say it is so, " said Jarette, with anothersneering laugh. "It is wonderful how nervous men are who have theirnecks in the noose--boys too. "

At that moment we felt Hampton softly loosen his hold of the rope withone hand, and pass it and his arm in at the window so as to get a gripinside, for evidently he expected that the rope would be discovered andcut. Though even then, unless Jarette were willing to save him, itwould only be prolonging his existence for a few minutes, since it wouldhave been impossible for us to draw so bulky a man through the circularhole which lit and ventilated Mr Frewen's cabin. 

But he was safe for the time, come what might, and we remained therelistening to the conversation overhead, gathering that there was verylittle friendship existing between Walters and his new captain, who letus know that he was in great perplexity about his prisoners, andcertainly not in the mind then to end their lives. What might happenafterwards we could not say. 

At last, after some minutes that felt like hours, they went on and downthe ladder to the lower deck. 

"Phew!" panted Bob Hampton. "Oh, my lad, my lad, why didn't you whistlea jig out of the window?"

"Why didn't I what?" I cried. 

"Whistle a toon, my lad. That would ha' let 'em know you could hear 'emtalking, and they'd ha' gone. Hold me tight, please, for I'm 'boutspent. "

The man spoke so faintly that we took alarm. 

"No, no, Bob, " I whispered. "Don't say that. Rest for a few moments, and then climb back on deck. "

"Rest?" he said, in so pitiful a tone that I tightened my grasp all Ipossibly could, and felt how absurd my advice was to a man in such aposition. 

"You couldn't haul me in?" he whispered faintly. 

"No, " I said despairingly. "It is impossible. "

"Impossible it is, " he groaned. "Well, I shall have to face it. "

"What do you mean, man?" whispered Mr Frewen. 

"What we've all got to face, doctor. I couldn't swarm up that ropeagain. "

"Dale, could we get the rope round his waist, and hold him?" whisperedMr Frewen. 

"Here! hist! quick!" came through the opening where Mr Preddle waslistening all the time. 

"Silence!" cried Mr Frewen, sternly. "What do you say, Hampton?"

"I says as if you takes the line from under my feet for half a momentdown I goes, for all the feeling's gone out of my arms. I'm done. "

"No, no, " I whispered in desperation. "Hold on, Bob; we must--we willsave you. "

"Ay, lad, " he said dolefully, "I'll hold on as long as I can; but if youtwo are going to save me, you'll have to be very smart about it, I'mafraid. "

"Mr Frewen! Dale!" came from the opening. 

"Silence, I say!" cried the doctor, fiercely. 

"I won't be silent, " cried Mr Preddle. "Here, Dale, take this; I'vepushed it through as far as I can reach. Give it him. Brandy. "

"Ah!" ejaculated Mr Frewen. "Quick. "

I had already reached out with the hand which I had taken from Hampton'swrist, and was fishing about with it in the dark, but without a bite. 

"Where is it?" I cried; but as I spoke my knuckles came in contact withthe leather-covered flask so sharply, that I knocked it out of MrPreddle's hand, and it fell with a bang on the floor, upon which thespirit began to gurgle out. 

Bob Hampton groaned, and I felt that all was over; but hanging on to therope I bent down, and guided by the sound seized the flask, gave it ashake, which told me that there was yet a good deal inside, and the nextmoment I was holding it to the poor fellow's lips, and listening to thegurgling the spirit made as he gulped quite a couple of mouthfuls down. 

I knew he had taken it all, for I had at last raised the flask quiteupright, and he drew his lips away. 

"Now, Hampton, " whispered Mr Frewen, "hold on for a little till thespirit begins to stimulate you. "

"It's begun a'ready, doctor, " was the answer. "It's put new life intome, sir, and I'm going to make a try for it directly. "

"Not for a minute, man, not for a minute. "

"In half a minute, sir, or it's of no good, for I'm a heavy man. "

I tried to speak, but no words would come, for I felt as if my mouth andthroat were quite dry, and there I stood hanging on to the rope, till ina curious hoarse whisper the man said--

"I'd say make fast the end o' the rope about me; but--"

"Can you hold on the while?" I said; for my voice came back at this. 

"Try, lad. "

I don't know how I did it in so short a time; but it was Bob Hampton'steaching that made me so quick, as, leaving Mr Frewen to hold up thebight, I seized the end, passed it round the man's chest, and made itfast, and as I finished he said softly--

"Here goes!"

Then he began to climb, and as he went up I soon found that the rope wasbeing drawn through our hands. But we kept our touch of it, so that ifhe fell we could still let it glide till he reached the water, and thenhold on till a boat was lowered to save him. Up he went, breathing veryhard, higher and higher, with a loud, rustling noise. Then he stopped alittle, and we tightened our hold, for we thought he was gone; but hestruggled on again, up and up, and at last hung quite still, and now wefelt that it was all over, for he was exhausted. I listened for thehorrible splash, but it did not come, for he began again, and we heardone of his hands give a sharp smack. 

"What's that?" whispered Mr Preddle through the opening, but neither ofus replied. 

We could not, though we knew that Bob Hampton must have loosened hisgrip of the rope with one hand to make a dash at the top of thebulwarks. Then there came a faint scraping sound, and I turned giddyfrom the cessation of the intense drag upon my brain. For I knew thatthe poor fellow had reached the deck. In proof thereof the rope wasshaken sharply, and then jerked out of our hands. A faint scrapingsound followed, and I knew it was being drawn up. 

I heard no more till Mr Frewen spoke to me; his voice sounding strangethrough a peculiar, loud, humming noise in my ears. 

"Feel better, my lad?"

"Better!" I said wonderingly. "I'm not ill. "

"Oh no, " he said, "not ill; only a little faint. "

"Here, " I said sharply, "why did you lay me on the floor?"

"You fell, " he said; "or rather you slipped down. There, drink a littleof this water. "

"Is he all right again?" came out of the darkness in a sharp whisper. 

"Yes, coming round now, " I heard Mr Frewen say. 

"Yes, I remember now, " I cried quickly. "But Bob Hampton, did he get upsafely?"

"Yes, quite safely. "

Just then there was a sharp rattling of the door, and it was thrownopen, while I closed my lids, so dazzling did the light of the lanternswhich were held up above the heads of Jarette and Walters seem to myaching eyes. 

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. 

"Here, what's all this noise about?" cried Jarette, roughly; and hiswords gave me intense relief, for I knew that he must be in ignorance ofall that had taken place. 

"I was not aware, sir, that we were making any noise, " said Mr Frewen, coldly. 

"Then what's the matter, doctor?"

"You can see, sir. The lad has been taken ill. No wonder, shut up inthis stifling cabin. "

"Humph! My faith, yes. One is enough. Make him well, and he shallhave another to himself to-morrow. "

"Not if I know it, " I said to myself, as I lay with my eyes closed, thinking how I would sham being too ill to leave the doctor's cabin; butdirectly after feeling quite in dismay, for it struck me that if I werenot taken away, Mr Frewen might be, and then all our proposed planswould be upset. 

I opened my eyes with quite a start just then, for to my great delight agruff voice exclaimed--

"He arn't ill. Wants a bucket of cold water drawn and soused over him. That'd put him right. "

"You speak when you're spoken to, Bob Hampton, " said Jarette, with asnarl. 

"All right, skipper--cap'n, I mean; all right. "

"Yes, it's all right, " I said to myself, with a sigh of relief, as Iclosed my eyes again and lay quite still, listening to what passed. 

"Well, " said Jarette, "what are you going to do? Oh, that is some stuffyou are going to give him. "

"Yes, you need not wait, " said Mr Frewen, quietly. "But you had betterleave me a light. "

"What for? Set the ship on fire?"

"If I wanted to set the ship on fire, I have plenty of matches, " saidMr Frewen. 

His imitation of the renegade Frenchman's pronunciation of the word"ship" was almost involuntary, and he told me afterwards how heregretted making such a slip, for Jarette winced and darted a malignantlook at him which was not pleasant to see. 

He did not speak again, but stood looking on while Mr Frewen held somewater to my lips, and bathed my temples, both of which proceedings werequite needless, for I was quite recovered now from my faintness, and heended by helping me to lie down in the cot. 

Upon seeing this, Jarette said something shortly to his followers andthey drew back, the door was closed, and we were in total darkness onceagain. 

"And all that trouble, care, and suffering for nothing, Dale, " said MrFrewen, dolefully. 

"For nothing?" I said, sitting up. "Do you call it nothing to havefound out that we have three strong men on the other side ready to fightfor us? I don't. "

"I had forgotten that for the moment, " said my companion. "Yes, that isworth all our trouble; but I'm afraid poor Hampton will not venture tocommunicate with us again, so what do you say to beginning our sawingbusiness once more?"

"Oh no: not to-night!" I said. "Perhaps Bob Hampton will be able topropose a better way next time he comes. "

"If he does come, my lad. "

"Ah, you don't know him so well as I do, Mr Frewen. He is sure to comeagain. "

"I hope he will, my lad. "

"Oh, he will; and you see if he does not tell us to wait until he andNeb Dumlow are on guard. They'll get us out and then help us to openthe cabins one by one. "

"Nothing like being sanguine, my lad, " he said; "but there, it's gettingvery late. Let's sleep now. "

I did not feel at all disposed to obey, and lay still, watching thestars through the open cabin-window, thinking over the events of theearlier part of the night, till the stars were blotted out, and I was asfast asleep as Mr Frewen, or our fellow-prisoner in the next cabin, whobreathed so heavily that when I was awake it sounded like a snore. 

I seemed to be watching the stars one minute, and the dazzling water thenext, for the sun was high when I opened my eyes again, and the sealooked of such a delicious blue, that it was hard to feel low-spirited, and trouble oneself about our failure. 

Mr Frewen lay on the floor fast asleep, and I was thinking whether Ihad not better follow his example, when I started up and gave my head athump against the top of the cot, for something suddenly appeared at theround opening of the cabin-window, and for a moment I thought it was abird. The next I was out of my cot and close to the window, waiting foran opportunity to make a snatch at the object swinging to and fro. 

I could have made a dart at it instantly, but I wanted to make sure, knowing as I did that Bob Hampton or one of his men must be leaning overthe bulwarks listening, and that the bait at the end of the thin linehanging down over our window was intended for me. 

At last I made a snatch at the object, but it only swung out of reach;then another snatch, but all in vain. But the last time I wassuccessful, for one of my hands flew out, and I caught hold of anddragged the bait in, cut the line with my pocket-knife, and saw itsnatched up out of sight directly. 

I made some slight noise in starting back, and Mr Frewen rose quicklyto his elbow to stare in my excited face. 

"What is it?" he said in a hurried whisper. 

For answer I held before him a packet of something made up in a piece ofcanvas, and tied round with spun-yarn. 

"Let down to the cabin-window, " I whispered, full of excitement, for thepacket was heavy, and I had my suspicions as to what it contained. 

I had my knife still in my hand, and my fingers itched to cut the yarnand open the parcel; but I thrust it beneath the blanket on the cot, andwent to the cabin-door to listen. 

All was silent there, and though I listened for a few minutes, there didnot seem to be any one stirring on deck, so I turned back to Mr Frewen, who was now standing by the cot, with his hands under the blanket, andoffered him the knife. 

"I believe there are pistols inside, Dale, " he whispered. 

"I'm sure of it, " I said. "Open it quick. I'll stand on this side. "

He now stood between the parcel and the cabin-door so as to shelter ourtreasure, which was turned out of the canvas the next minute, and provedto be the weapons named, a pair that I remembered to have seen inCaptain Berriman's cabin, and with them plenty of ammunition. 

"Loaded!" whispered Mr Frewen. "Be careful with yours. "

"Mine?" I said. 

"Yes; one is for you, and I hope you will not have to use it; but theseare stern times, Dale, and we must not be squeamish now. "

After a few moments' consideration, it was decided to hide one pistol atthe foot of the cot, and the other beneath a quantity of drugs in thebig medicine-chest which stood in one corner of the cabin. 

"Hah!" said my companion, smiling for the first time for days. "I beginto feel a little more hopeful now, Dale. You and I are going to takethe ship yet. That was Hampton's work, of course?"

"Sure to be, " I said, and we now began to turn over every plan we couldthink of for getting our freedom. 

"I want to do it if I can, my lad, without shedding blood, unless onecould not do that without risking life. "

I could not help shuddering slightly at this. 

That day passed by slowly and monotonously. We were visited from timeto time by Jarette or one of his men, but always with a strong guardoutside, in which I noted Blane and Dumlow, but they were not allowed toenter the cabin or hold any communication with us, for they had notoriginally been of the mutineer party, and Jarette evidently mistrustedthem still. 

I was anxious and excited for fear that orders should come for me tooccupy another cabin, but none came, and no more orders for Mr Frewento see the captain. Toward evening a strong wind arose, which keptJarette's men pretty well occupied in reducing sail. 

"The scoundrel must be a good seaman, " Mr Frewen said to me that night. "The ship is well handled, you see, and it strikes me that we are goingto have a rough night. "

His words proved true, for now as the ship rose and fell creaking andgroaning, and the wind swished through the rigging, I could begin torealise how horrible it was to be shut below there in the darkness, forif those now in command of the vessel proved wanting at some particularcrisis of the storm, our fate was sealed. They might try to savethemselves in the boats, but they would not stop for us. 

"What are you thinking about?" said Mr Frewen, suddenly, some timeafter dark. 

I started, for we had been silent for some time, listening to the hissand roar of the waves, and the rough blows given from time to time assome heavy sea struck us and then rushed by. And now that Mr Frewendid speak it was quite aloud, for there was no need for whispering. 

"I was thinking about what Captain Berriman and Mr Brymer must feel, " Isaid. 

"About the management of the ship? Yes, poor fellows, and bothsuffering too. You see that scoundrel has let the whole day pass bywithout letting me go and attend the captain. You are right, Dale, theymust both be feeling horribly about the ship. Think you can sleep?"

"Sleep? No; nor you. It is far too rough for that. Think this is agood seaworthy ship, Mr Frewen?"

"I think so. I hope so, " he replied. "The owners stand high for theircharacter. I wish the crew were as good as the ship. Dale, do youthink we might break out to-night? We could do it without being heard;I am sure that I could saw round the lock of the door. "

"But Bob Hampton and the others would not be ready for us, and we shouldnot have their help, " I protested. 

"But this seems such a chance, my lad, with all that noise, and I wantto be clear in case of accidents. "

"Hist!"

"What is it?"

"Something tapped at the cabin-window. "

I ran to it, and began to unscrew the fastening, for it was closedtightly to keep out the spray, since more than once a great wave hadstruck against it with a heavy thud that evening, and we did not want awet cabin to add to our other miseries. 

I swung open the round iron frame, and gazed at the furious sea, allcovered with its white foam, but there was nothing visible for a time. Then all at once something swung by as the ship rose after careeningover and literally rolling in the hollow between two great waves. 

It was momentary, and like a faint shadow, but directly after, with theswing as of some great pendulum, it passed by again. 

The next time I was ready for it, feeling as I did that it was some ofBob Hampton's work, and reaching out as far as I could get my arm, Igazed straight before me, trying vainly to make out what it was in thedarkness. 

"See anything?"

"No, " I said; but the next instant something struck my hand, swept by, came back, and I had hold of it to draw into the cabin, cut the stringagain, and then hastily closed the window--just in time too, for a wavebroke against it directly after with a heavy thud. 

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. 

As soon as the roar and rush of water had passed, Mr Frewen whispered--

"Another pistol?"

"Yes, " I said, for I had been hurriedly tearing off the drenched canvasin which it had been wrapped so securely that though the woollen bag inwhich pistol and cartridges lay was quite damp, as far as I could tellthey were none the worse for being dipped again and again into the sea. 

For there is a capital quality in canvas as a protector; as the materialgets thoroughly soaked it swells and tightens, till it is a long way ontoward being waterproof; and after carefully feeling the weapon, andexamining it in every way we could in the darkness, Mr Frewen expressedhis opinion that it was uninjured, and placed it in his breast to dry. 

"This will do for Mr Preddle, " he said, and after listening at thedoor, where nothing was to be heard but the creaking of the ship'stimbers as she laboured on, sounding to me as if at any moment she mightcome to pieces, my fellow-prisoner tapped softly at the partition, andplacing his lips to the opening, called softly upon Mr Preddle. 

This had to be repeated several times without effect, and it was notuntil I had taken Mr Frewen's place and jerked a little empty phialbottle through, so that it fell upon him where he was sleeping, that MrPreddle started up and cried loudly--

"Who's there?"

"Hist!" I whispered, and he came quickly to the opening. 

"Oh, it's you, " he said. "I had just lain down, and the noise of thewaves prevented my hearing you. "

"I thought you were asleep, " I said dryly. 

"Asleep? Well, perhaps I was nearly. You've come to tell me that allthe water will be tossed out of those trays. Oh, my poor fish!"

"I hadn't, " I said, "Mr Frewen wants to speak to you. He has a pistolfor you ready for when we try to escape. "

"Oh dear! oh dear!" he sighed. "We shall never try to escape. We'reshut in here, and shall be drowned. Is the ship going down?"

"No, no; she'll ride it out. "

"But those men don't know how to manage her, do they?"

"I think so, " I replied. "I don't half understand big ships, but theyseem to be doing what my father would do with a yacht. "

"Let me come, Dale, " whispered Mr Frewen. 

I drew back, but I was still near enough to hear every word that wassaid as the pistol was passed through by Mr Frewen. 

"Take it, and be careful. When it is light, you had better make surethat there is no moisture in the chambers. "

"But when are we going to try and do something?" said Mr Preddle, inquite an ill-used tone. "I thought you were going to saw out one ofthese boards. "

"We are going to act as soon as the word comes from our friends outside. We can do nothing better than be ready. "

I clapped my hand over Mr Frewen's lips, and forcing myself by him, whispered sharply to Mr Preddle--

"Quick, --lie down!"

I had no occasion to warn my companion, for he had seen my reason forchecking him, and lay down at the side of the cabin, while I glided intothe cot. For I had caught sight of a gleam of light beneath the door, and I had hardly settled myself in my sleeping-place, the noise of thewaves and wind covering any sounds we made, when the door was thrownopen, and Jarette and two men stood in the entrance, holding up lanternswhich made their dripping oilskins glisten. 

I jumped up directly. 

"Is she going down?" I asked. 

Jarette made no reply, but glanced quickly round to satisfy himself thatwe were not taking advantage of the storm to try and escape, while MrFrewen rose as if he had expected to be called. 

"You want me to come and see the captain?" he said quietly. 

"No, " was the abrupt reply, and the men drew back, the door was shut andfastened, and we were once more in darkness, listening to the labouringof the ship as she rose and fell, plunging every now and then head-firstinto some great wave which broke over her and deluged the decks. 

The faint streak of light disappeared from under the door-way, and webreathed freely again as there were heavy steps overhead, and I couldtell that in all probability Jarette and the others had gone to join theman--or men--at the wheel. 

"I don't envy that madman his position, Dale, " said Mr Frewen. "Hismind must be in a pleasant state of anxiety, what with the management ofthe ship in a storm, his doubts about his prisoners, and the pleasantlittle fancies he must have about the laws of our country. "

"I think we're best off after all, aren't we?" I said. "Hush!--he'sback again. No--it's Mr Preddle. "

"Are you people asleep?" came from the partition. 

"Hush! Go away, " I heard Mr Frewen whisper loudly, as after all Ifound that I had been deceived, for Jarette had evidently come back tospy upon and trap us; for, with my breath held in my excitement, I couldhear the rustle of a hand upon the outside of the door, and then a faintclicking and rustling sound, as if the fastenings were being softlywithdrawn. 

"Oh, how I should like to give him a topper!" I thought, as I rose uponmy elbow and listened, making out, in spite of the roar of the storm, every movement of our enemy. 

"Why, if Mr Frewen liked, he could strike him down senseless, and thenwe should be masters of the ship, for the men would give in if they hadno leader. "

People's minds have a way of running in the same groove when there isanything very particular to be done, and it was so here, for Mr Frewenwas thinking, as he told me afterwards, exactly as I did. 

But now I could hear nothing but the creaking of the ship and the roarof the storm, and I was not sure whether the door had been opened ornot. Suppose it had been, I thought, and Jarette was going to do somemischief in the darkness!

It was a horrible thought, one which made the perspiration stand upon myforehead, and begin to tickle the sides of my nose, as I listenedintently for the next movement, or for the sound of his breathing. 

But still I could hear nothing, and I longed for a few moments'cessation of the thud of the waves and hiss and splash which followed, just as a billow came over the bows and swept the deck with a tremendousrush and noise. 

That was what our visitors had been waiting for. The door had only beenunfastened. It was now opened with a quick dash, so that the noise itwould make might be covered by the storm. 

Yes; I could mentally see it all now, though everything was black asink. Jarette was standing in the door-way in his oilskins, for I couldhear the crackling sound they made as the noise from the deck and thehiss of the wind came plainer, and then too, drip, drip, --in thosemoments I could hear the water falling from the coat on to thecabin-floor. 

It was all in so many moments. He seemed to be listening either for anysound we might make, or for what was passing on deck; and then as hetook a step forward into the cabin, there was a sudden rush, a struggle, and for the moment, as my blood ran cold, I thought that Jarette hadseized and was about to murder poor Mr Frewen. 

My hand went to the foot of the cot, and I was dragging out the revolverhidden there, when a hoarse voice exclaimed in a husky whisper--

"Avast! what are yer doing on, Mr Frewen?--you'll choke me. "

"You, Hampton?"

"Ay, at present. "

"I thought it was Jarette, " said Mr Frewen, panting. 

"Wish it had been, my lad, " said the sailor, in the same husky whisper. "My word, you have got a grip! But there, I must get back; on'y lookhere. There'll never be a better chance. Here's an old bosun'swhistle; stuff it in yer pocket, and don't blow it till the rightmoment. When you do, blow hard, and me, Barney, and Neb Dumlow's withyou. "

"But--"

"Butter be hanged, doctor. You've got three pistols, and the door'sopen. You let out the mate, Mr Denning, and Mr Fishmonger; wait tillyou think the moment's right, and then down on old Frenchy; whistlehard, and then we'll all make a rush for the others, and drive 'em chockinto the forksle, or overboard if they don't mind. Off!"

"One moment, Hampton;" but there was a sharp rustling of oilskins, andthe man had hurried through the saloon and out on deck, where Jarette'svoice could be heard shouting above the din of the wind and sea. 

In the cabin then for a few moments there was silence, and I stood inthat black darkness with my heart beating painfully, waiting for MrFrewen to speak, and face to face with the thought that in a few minutesI might be engaged in a desperate struggle with a man and his followers, and that they would stop at nothing when attacked. 

"Why don't you speak--why don't you speak?" I kept saying to myself, with a feeling of anger against the man who was absolutely torturing meby his silence. 

But it could not have been a minute, though in my excitement it seemedto be so long, and he had to make his plans. Then he spoke in a quiet, firm way. 

"Now, Dale, " he said, "it is our duty, and we must fight. Forget thatyou are a boy, and act like a man. Got your revolver?"

"Yes. "

"Charged?"

"Yes. "

I'm afraid my voice sounded very husky in my excitement, and my heartwent in leaps and bounds. Frightened? Yes, I was: horribly; and ifunder similar circumstances any boy or man tells you he was not, don'tbelieve him. I wouldn't. I know I was all of a tremble, but I neverfelt for a moment that I was going to shrink as I listened to Mr Frewengiving Mr Preddle instructions about the revolver. 

"No, no, " I heard him say, "don't stop to re-charge. If it will not gooff, use it as a club. " Then he gripped me by the hand. 

"Ready?" he whispered. 

"Yes. "

"Then keep close to me, and come on. "

We stepped out into the saloon, shut our door after us, and stoodlistening, wondering whether there was a sentry, but all was still, andconcluding that all hands were on deck, Mr Frewen unfastened MrPreddle's door in the black darkness. He came out, and his door wasalso closed again. 

"Follow!"

We went after Mr Frewen, and he stopped at a cabin-door on the oppositeside, opened it, and I heard him say--

"Brymer. "

"Yes, who is it? Doctor?"

"Yes, dress sharply. Trousers only. "

"I am dressed. What's up? Striking?"

"A blow for liberty. "

"Hah! A good time while they're fumbling with the old Castle. How manyare you?"

"Three, and three stout men on deck. "

"Who are they?"

"Hampton, Blane, Dumlow. "

"All traitors and scoundrels. "

"All true men waiting for my signal. "

"Good. And the captain?"

"Too badly wounded to stir. "

"Mr Denning?"

"Too weak. "

"Yes. Lead then; I'll do all you say. "

"Are you stronger?"

"Strong enough for that; but give me something to hit with. All right, I have my pocket-knife. "

"Ready then? Come on, and let's see what had better be done. "

"Get Jarette down at any cost, " said the mate. "The rest will comeeasy. "

All this was in a whisper, and then we followed Mr Frewen to theshattered entrance of the saloon, and stood there looking forward, butseeing very little, though a white peculiar gleam came off the sea, anda couple of lanterns swung forward, by the side of one of which we madeout the gleam of an oilskin upon whose wet surface the dim light played. 

"He'll be up by the wheel, " Mr Brymer whispered. "We must tackle himthere; and once get him down, we can beat back the others. I'll makesure for you. "

Just as he spoke all doubt was at an end, for we heard Jarette shout anorder to the men at the wheel; and then, before any plan could be made, he trotted forward, swung himself down the steps on to the deck, as weshrank back into the companion-way, and went forward. 

"Bah! We've let our chance go, " whispered Mr Frewen, and then we stoodfast, for Jarette stopped and turned to come back into the saloon. 

"Delivered into our hands, " I said to myself, as I drew a long breath, for the great struggle was about to begin. 

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. 

The companion-way was so black that we were completely hidden, and Iheard Mr Frewen draw his breath with a soft hissing sound, as if he nowgrasped the fact that a better chance was to be afforded to us ofmastering the leader of the mutineers, who came right to the shatteredentrance, and appeared to be about to enter, but stopped short listeningfor a sound, but for a few seconds there was none. Then all at once ina muffled way we heard Mr John Denning say a few words in an angryimpatient tone, for the wind had lulled for a few moments. Then therecame the low murmur of Miss Denning's voice, and directly after thewhistling of the wind again. 

Jarette was not two yards from us, and if he had taken another step, Ihad made up my mind to fling myself upon him and cling with all my mightto his legs, while the others seized him by the throat and arms. I saythis, for we compared notes afterwards. 

It was not to be, for he came no farther; but apparently satisfied thatall was right, he turned sharply and went forward, and we could fromtime to time make out his voice among the others as he gave orders tothe men. 

"Another opportunity gone, " said Mr Frewen. "We ought to have leapedupon him. "

"Better luck next time, " said the mate. "He cannot stay forward long. He is seaman enough to know that his place is at the wheel. "

"Then at all costs we must have him when he returns. "

"And what then?" said the mate. "You do not mean to kill him, Isuppose?"

"Oh no; of course not. "

"Then I should place the door of one of the cabins wide open, and propit. Then as soon as we have mastered and disarmed him, bundle himinside and keep him a prisoner. "

"Yes; excellent, " said Mr Frewen. "I'll open mine at once. "

He crept cautiously across and opened the door to its full extent, and, as he told me afterwards, he placed a heavy case of instruments againstit, so that it should not swing to again from the motion of the ship. 

The next minute he was back, and we were watching and waiting as theship laboured terribly, the sea being now terrific; but, as Mr Brymerwhispered, everything possible had been done, and she was underclose-reefed storm canvas. 

"I couldn't have done better myself there, but the men at the wheel aresteering very wildly. "

There was silence again, and as I listened for a voice, the lanternsforward swung to and fro, and so much water came aboard that I fullyexpected to see them extinguished, when all forward would have been indarkness. 

"Is he never coming again?" whispered Mr Frewen at last. 

"Oh yes, he'll come, " said Mr Brymer. "They've got the grog forwardthere, and perhaps he has gone below. "

"Then why not crawl forward and clap on the forecastle-hatch?"

"Because it will be far safer for us to secure their leader; and, besides, by closing up the forksle you might shut in our friends aswell. "

"Yes, quite right, " replied Mr Frewen, and we waited still, with thewind shrieking amongst the cordage, and the night appearing blacker thanever. 

Thud! Plash!

A heavy wave had struck the bows, and the spray came hissing and rushingalong the deck after deluging the ship forward. 

"I'm certain that my poor fish will all be killed by the salt water, Dale, " whispered Mr Preddle, but I only made an impatient movement, forI was trying to hear what Mr Brymer whispered to the doctor, who didnot hear the remark, and said--

"What?"

"I say that was bad steering, and if I were in command, there would be arow. "

Thud! Splash!

This time the water must have curled over in a perfect deluge, for wecould hear it hiss and roar amongst the cordage on the leeward side, andstream out of the scuppers. 

"That must fetch him up if he is below, " whispered Mr Brymer, and sureenough the next moment we heard his voice shouting furiously at the menat the wheel, though we could hardly make out a word he said. 

"Look out! Here he comes!"

"To the wheel, not here, " said Mr Frewen. "Shall we--"

There was not time to say more, for we caught an indistinct glimpse ofthe figure in oilskins, as, balancing itself as well as it could, itmade for the ladder on the starboard side; but just then the ship gave atremendous lurch, and our enemy missed the ladder, nearly fell, butsaved himself, and consequent upon the impetus with which he was moving, darted right in through the companion-way. 

The next moment he was down on the deck, making a half-stifled sound, and held fast while a revolver and knife were taken from a belt beneathhis oilskin. Then his hands were bandaged behind his back, his legstreated to bonds, and he was dragged into the cabin, while we stoodpanting over him. 

"Look here, " said Mr Frewen then, in a hoarse voice; "we are going tolock you in this cabin, but mind, we're all armed--feel that!--it is thepoint of a revolver--and I swear to you by all that is holy, if you makea sound I'll shoot you as I would a dog. "

He made a curious, half-choking sound, and we drew back out of the cabinand the door was shut and fastened. 

"Have you got his knife and pistol, Brymer?"

"Yes. All safe. Now then, forward silently till we are close uponthem, and then give your signal--a whistle, isn't it?"

"Yes. "

"Give it sharply; it will do for your friends as well as for us. Thenfire if there is the least resistance, close with them, and let's getthem under hatches. But I beg pardon, sir; you are in command. "

"Nonsense! You could not have given better advice. "

"But they will not show much fight. Without their leader they will belike sheep. "

I could not help hoping that they would turn out to be like sheep, andleave it to us to play the sheep-dog with them. 

"Now then, one more word, " said the mate. "It would have been better todivide, and part go to starboard, the rest to port, but we are so few. "

"Yes, let's keep together, " said Mr Frewen, "and make our rush. Creepforward half-way, then I'll whistle, and we must do our best. Ready, Mr Preddle?"

"Yes, sir, I'm ready; but I'm afraid you must not expect much from me. I'll hit as hard as I can though. "

"That will do. Now, gentlemen, forward!"

The wind shrieked more loudly than ever as Mr Frewen gave the word, andwith our pistols ready we crept forward with no little difficulty towardwhere the lanterns swung, keeping together, and moving slowly so as tokeep our feet. Before we were half-way toward the bows we could see adull light glowing from the forecastle-hatch, and a couple of darkfigures standing in front of it, so that their oilskin-covered bodiesstood out big and grotesque. 

That was our goal, I felt, and I knew that if we made a bold rush thosetwo could easily be driven down, while I hoped that the others would betoo much cowed to fight. 

Mr Frewen and the mate were first, Mr Preddle and I behind, and I wasjust thinking that it was nearly time for the whistle to be blown andthe rush made, while I thought, too, how easy it would be to make amistake and injure a friend with our pistols, when the ship gave such alurch that we all went heavily against the bulwarks, to which we clungto save ourselves from a heavy fall, then bang, _splash_, rose a waveover the bows, and a voice which came from one of the figures by thelight from the hatch yelled forth a torrent of oaths as he asked whatthe men were doing at the wheel. 

I turned cold all down my back without the help of the spray, for it wasJarette's voice we heard, and we had bagged the wrong fox!

For a moment we clung together there in the darkness as the ship hungover to port; then, as she righted herself, Mr Frewen, feelingdesperate, and that we could not now go back to our place, clapped theboatswain's whistle to his lips; it sounded shrilly above that which wecould hear in the rigging, and we made our rush. 

Describe what followed! How? I remember the rush; feeling mad anddesperate, and hearing, as we closed with half-a-dozen men, a couple ofshots fired quickly one after the other. Then I was in the middle of asavage wrestling match, in which men were striking blows with all theirmight, and a voice was yelling order after order in French, while wewere getting, I felt, the worst of it. 

I had seized a man, who whisked me off my legs and whirled me round, butI stuck to him till he flung me heavily on the deck, and then I wound myarms round his legs so firmly that as the ship lurched again he fell androlled over with me into the scuppers, where he roared at me to let gobefore he used his knife. 

I need not add that he did not say use his knife, for his language wasfar stronger, and he made a horrible reference to my throat. But I waswound up then; the fighting instinct had been roused, and holding onmore tightly, I made use of my teeth as well, but not in his flesh. 

Meanwhile I had a misty notion of the fight going against Mr Frewen andmy two friends, and just then Jarette yelled in French, and directlyafter in English--

"Heave them overboard if they don't give in!"--when rush! crack! two menwho had been forward sprung at the Frenchman, who went down heavily, butrose on one arm, and as I clung to the man in the scuppers I could seethe chief mutineer clearly. For he was between me and the light, and Istarted as there were two loud pistol reports, a shriek, and a man fellwith a thud; but the next instant I saw some one spring at Jarette as hewas going to fire, and strike with all his force, with the result thathe fell backward down the hatch. 

Then another man was beaten below, and again another, and then the hatchwas clapped down and held by Mr Preddle, while another man was draggedalong struggling hard till Bob Hampton struck him over the head. 

"Open the hatch!" he yelled. 

Mr Preddle obeyed, and a flash of light came out with a loud report asthe man was thrown down and the hatch clapped on again. 

"Here, quick, help!" I shouted, for I was about exhausted. 

"Where are you, boy?" cried Bob Hampton, and he ran to where the man Iclung to was just jerking himself clear. Then he came down upon me witha groan as Bob Hampton struck at him, and, half-insensible, he too wasdragged to the hatch and thrown down as another shot was fired. 

"I'm all right!" yelled Mr Preddle, securing the hatch again. 

"Where's Mr Brymer?"

"Here, help!" came from somewhere forward, and as I struggled up I had afaint view of Mr Frewen and Hampton rushing forward and bringing back acouple more men with pistols held to their heads. I saw that, for thelight from the swinging lanterns gleamed upon the barrels. 

These two men were thrown down, and one more shot came crashing up, butwithout hurting any one, and then a familiar voice said--

"Here's another!" and Dumlow staggered up, pushing a sailor before him. 

"You'll pay for this night's work when the noo--"

He said no more, for he received a heavy blow in the mouth, and thenkicking and struggling with rage, he too was thrown down. 

"How many more?" panted Mr Frewen. 

"There's three on 'em forward, " growled Bob Hampton. "The look-out manand two more. "

"Pistols!" cried Mr Frewen, loudly, and then as there was a sharpclicking from mine as well as three others, he shouted--"Now, you men, surrender, or we fire!"

"Not us!" came back hoarsely. "Now, lads, rush 'em; they've got nopistols!"

Two shots hardly heard in the roar of the storm were fired over theheads of the men who were about to rush forward; but if the reports werefaint in the din, the flashes were bright and clear, and in place ofcharging at us they hung back, and we were upon them in an instant. Isay we, for somehow or other I did as the others did, and the men gavein directly and were marched to the hatch, below which jarette could beheard raving at his fellow-prisoners. 

"Now, " cried Mr Brymer, "you know me, my lads; I never say things Idon't mean. The moment that hatch is opened, you jump down. If youhesitate I fire. "

"But old Frenchy will fire up as soon as it's opened. "

"He will not fire at you. "

"But he may hit us, sir. "

"Open that hatch, Mr Preddle, " cried Brymer, and he cocked his pistol, Mr Frewen following suit. 

"That's right, sir; fire too, in case I miss. "

"But, " cried the man, imploringly, "let me stay on deck, and I'll returnto my duty. "

"We don't want you, dog!" cried Mr Frewen. 

"Down with you!" roared Mr Brymer, as the hatch flew up, and there wasa flash and report, which the man waited for, and then leaped. 

"Down with you!" cried Mr Brymer again, but the other two menhesitated, and were hanging back. The next moment they went downheadlong, impelled as they were by Bob Hampton and Dumlow. 

"There, " cried Bob Hampton, as we all stood there breathless withexcitement, and quite forgetful of the storm raging round us, "ifanybody had told me, Neb, as Barney would have been such a cur, I'd ha'hit him in the mouth for a liar. "

"Yah!" growled Dumlow, "and I've shook hands with him and called him`mate' scores o' times. Yah!"

"Never mind, gents, we've done it, eh?" cried Bob Hampton. 

"God bless you both for true men!" cried Mr Brymer, holding out hishands to them, and for a few minutes there was a general hand-shakingall round. 

"But we're forgetting the men at the wheel, " said Mr Frewen. "How manyare there? Two?"

"Oh, they're a couple o' soft Tommy sort of chaps, " said Bob Hampton. "I can settle them two with one hand. That arn't the worst on it, sir;we've got to tackle Barney Blane. No, I won't do it for fear I shouldfinish him, and you'd best steer out o' that job, Neb. "

"If I don't, I shall sarve him like a wornut, mate. "

"Dessay you would, my lad. We'll sponge over the two lads at the wheelwhile the gents does Barney. Hit him, gents, or shoot him somewhere lowdown, for he desarves it; all I wonder now is as he did not split allabout it to old Frenchy. "

"We could all deal with him, " said Mr Frewen. "You two men come withus, and you, Dale, keep guard here with Mr Preddle. A shout will bringus back directly. "

"Right, sir, " I said, in a disappointed tone, and then I brightened up, for he told Dumlow to stop instead. 

"Don't be long, " said Mr Preddle. "I want to see to my fish. "

"On'y to think, gents, " growled Bob Hampton, holding a lantern while MrBrymer and the doctor thrust fresh cartridges into their pistols, "theskipper--I mean Frenchy--sends Barney aft to speak to the men at thewheel, for they were steering anyhow, and he knowed as this game wasgoing to be played, and--Eh? Well, what are you laughing at, Mr Dale?What have I said wrong?"

For I had burst into a roar of laughter, in which Mr Frewen joined. 

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. 

"That's one enemy the less to deal with, " cried the mate, as we wentaft, followed by the sailor. "Only a couple of them to tackle. "

"I makes three of 'em, sir, " said Hampton, "so don't you make nomistake. Barney will be as nasty as nasty at seeing hisself the wrongside, and find as he can fight when he likes. "

"Our friend Barney is already accounted for, Hampton, " cried Mr Frewen. 

"What?--you have tackled him?" said Bob Hampton excitedly, slapping hisknee. 

"Yes, that we have, Bob, " I cried, "and he is quite safe. "

"Then I scuses you all for laughing, gentlemen; though it did seemrather a rum thing to me for you to be a-busting out in a loud grin at aserus time like this. I see now. You met him then?"

"Yes, we met him, " replied Mr Frewen, leading the way up the ladder tothe poop-deck, "but he must wait. "

He cocked his pistol as he reached the top, and we did the same. 

"Shall I speak 'em first, gentlemen?" said Bob Hampton, in a low voice. 

"Yes, tell them to surrender, " said the mate. "We don't want any morefighting; and look here, Hampton, we want their help to navigate theship. "

"I know, sir, " growled the old sailor, and stepping to the front hewalked straight to where the two men still kept to their posts at thewheel, knowing as they did that to leave it meant throwing the ship intothe trough of the sea to be deluged by every wave. 

"Game's up, my lads!" shouted Hampton. "Orficers has got the upper handon us with loaded pistols, and you've got to knuckle down same as wehave, and return to your dooty. "

"All right, messmate, " said one of the men, shouting back so as to makehis voice heard, "I don't mind; on'y what about Frenchy?"

"Ay, what about Frenchy?" cried the other. "We don't want him to comecussin' us and saying it's all t'other way on. "

"Frenchy's down in the fork'sle, with the hatch over him, and two menwith loaded pistols keeping guard, lads. "

"But s'pose he gets out again?"

"They arn't going to let him, " said Bob Hampton, "so what's it to be?I've knuckled down, and so's Neb Dumlow and Barney Blane. Are you goingto return to dooty or make a fight on it? Just say sharp, 'cause we'rein a hurry. "

"Oh, we don't want to fight, " said the first speaker, "and we didn'twant to mutiny, on'y Frenchy said we was to, and we did. "

"Pretty pair o' sheep you was, too, my lads, to run through a gap thatway. And now look here, you, jest recklect all this; you've both gotyour necks in nooses, and Mr Brymer here's got hold o' the other endsof the ropes, so as he can pull 'em any time he likes, and he will tooif you don't stick pretty close to your dooty. That's right, arn't it, sir?"

"Yes, that's right, Hampton, " cried Mr Brymer. "You understand, then, if you do your duty now and help to navigate the ship into port, yourconduct may--I say may, mind--be looked over. "

"Oh, my mate and I'll stick to it, sir, " said the spokesman of the twomen. "Frenchy was all talk about our being orficers and gentlemen if werose again Captain Berriman, but as soon as we did rose he pumps hisselfup, and it's all Captain Jarette, and every one else is nobody at all'cept for him to cuss at. "

"That was so, " growled Hampton. 

"Yes, " said the other sailor; "but I wants to know this: if we two's gotour necks in the nooses, why arn't Bob Hampton and Neb Dumlow?"

"'Cause we never shoved 'em in, my lad, " said Bob Hampton, with achuckle. "It was all a paddy till we could get the genle-men out tomake a fight on it. That's so, arn't it, gents?"

"Yes, my lads, Hampton, Dumlow, and Blane have been fighting for us allthrough. "

"Oh, that's it, is it?" said the man. "Very well. Anything for a quietlife, I says; on'y how much longer are we to be at the wheel?"

"I'll have you relieved soon, my men, so do your best, and keep easingher off another point or two now and then. "

"Ay; don't keep running her nose into all the big waves, mateys, " criedHampton; and then to Mr Frewen--"You won't have to shoot 'em this time, sir. They arn't a bad sort. It was all that Frenchy. "

"Come to the saloon now, " said Mr Frewen, and we all hurried down intothe black place, and to the door of the cabin, through which we couldhear a growling sound. 

By this time Bob Hampton had been made fully aware of the strange stateof affairs, and was indulging in several hearty chuckles at hismessmate's expense. And now as I began to unfasten the door, he saidquickly--

"I'd be a bit on my guard, gentlemen, for Barney 'll be a bit nasty atall this here, and p'r'aps show fight, and when he do he hits hard. Didyou tie him werry fast?"

"As fast as we could, " said Mr Brymer, and I threw open the door. 

"Below there, matey!" cried Bob Hampton. "How are you?"

There was a curious growling noise and a loud rap on the cabin-floor. 

"Easy, my lad, and I'll cast you off. Wait till I get hold of theknots. Frenchy's under hatches, and things is all right again. "

"Goroo, goroo!" gurgled poor Blane, and knowing exactly what was thematter, I got hold of the piece of linen that had been used as a gag, and dragging at one end, soon freed the poor fellow's mouth from itsgreat stopper. 

"Ah!" he roared out, after taking a long free breath. "That was yourgame, Bob, but on'y just wait till I gets my lists. "

"No, no, my lad, " cried Mr Brymer; "it was all our doing, and we made amistake in the darkness. We were lying in wait for Jarette, and tookyou for him. "

"No, you didn't, " cried Barney, fiercely, "or you'd have pitched meoverboard--you on'y wait till I get my hands loose. "

"Don't be a fool, messmate!" growled Bob Hampton; "you hears what thegentleman says. "

"Yes, but it was a lark, and you sent me here to be ketched. "

"Now, hark at him, gents; did you ever hear such a wooden image of a manas that? Why, it were Frenchy sent you to bully the lads at the wheel, warn't it?"

"Well, I won't tell a lie, " panted the man, "it were, but I arn't beenable hardly to breathe. "

"It was all a mistake, my lad, " said Mr Frewen; "but we've re-taken theship. "

"All right, sir, " cried Barney; "but it isn't all right. It arn't fair. I was to help re-take the Burgh Castle, and I was going to, on'y youall set upon me as you did, and I'm knocked about orfle. "

"Well, messmate, it is disappynting, I'll allow, " growled Bob Hampton;"but there arn't much the matter with you, Barney, and out forrard therewas games, I can tell you. Old Frenchy was chucking bullets aboutanyhow, and 'stead o' being here in this here cabin with me untyingthese here knots, you might ha' been yonder with a hole or two throughyour carcadge. "

"Ay, that's right enough, matey, " growled Blane; "but I wanted to help, and have it out with Frenchy. He kicked me below when the mootny fustbegan, and I can't forget it. I'm English, I am, and I arn't going tosit down and be kicked by a Frenchman, 'tarn't likely. "

"No, matey, it arn't. But lookye here. He's forrard and down in theforksle, and as soon as you get the feeling back in your legs--"

"Ay, you may say that, mate. They're like a mask o' cold lead. "

"Then I'll rub them for you, and then you can go and strike him back. "

"What! now he's down. Nice sort of cold meat work that'd be; I wantedto go at him when he was up. "

"There, Blane, " said Mr Frewen, "you must forgive us and shake hands. It was all a mistake, and part of the re-taking of the ship. "

"Oh, if you put it that way, sir, I'm ready, " growled the man; "but Idon't seem to have got no hands. It was orfle lying here, and onecorner o' that rug as you stuffed into my mouth got a bit o' the waydown my throat, and kep' on tickling me till I wanted to cough, andcouldn't. Say, Bob Hampton, mate, air you going to untie them knots andcast off these here lashings, or arn't you?"

"Why, they are off your arms, man. "

"When what's gone o' my arms? Have they been took off?"

"Nay, they're all right. "

"Well, my legs arn't. Nice way to sarve a fellow. "

"Shake hands, Barney, " I said. "I'm so sorry. "

"Can't, sir. You must do it yourself. I don't b'lieve yet as I've gotno hands, no arms, nor anything else, but a head. "

"There you are, matey, " cried Bob Hampton. "Did you tie them ropes, MrBrymer, sir? They was tight 'uns. "

"No; it was Mr Dale here. "

"Oh, him!" growled Bob Hampton. "Well, they was done in a second-handsort o' way. "

"Why, they were fastened the way you taught me, Bob!" I cried. 

"Well, sir, that's my modesty, " said Bob, with a chuckle. "I can't saythey were done now. Now, matey, stand up, we've got lots to do. "

"Can't, " said Barney. 

"Then lie down till we've got a lantern, and seen to the captain and MrDenning. "

"Yes, get a lantern, " said Mr Brymer; "stop, I'll come with you andstay with Mr Preddle and Dumlow; we mustn't have the scoundrels breakloose. Ha! What's that?"

The mate asked the question, but we all knew what it was, and startedforward at once, for it was the report of a pistol, plainly heard in alulling of the wind. 

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. 

It was alarming, but on reaching the hatch over the forecastle there wasnot much wrong. A desperate attempt had been made to break out, and inthe midst of the effort Mr Preddle had fired his pistol, sending theball splintering through the woodwork, and this had the effect ofdamping the ardour of the men below for the time. But we did not leavethe hatch till it had been made more secure, and then leaving Mr Brymerto strengthen the guard as arranged, we hurried back to relieve theanxiety of Mr Denning and his sister, and of Captain Berriman, who mustall of them be in agony. 

I felt that we ought to have gone to them sooner, but I did not see howwe could have acted differently; and eager now to bear the news of thechange in the state of affairs, I trotted back with the lantern as fastas I could over the streaming deck, and found Barney sitting down andrubbing his legs. 

"Circ'lation's a-coming back, youngster, " he said. "I say, did you killthat young Walters?"

"Walters!" I cried. "I'd forgotten all about him. I didn't see orhear anything of him. "

"Dessay not, sir. He'd get out of the way while the row was on. Maybehe'd got into a bunk to have a snooze and didn't hear it. But, I say, what a game!"

"What, our re-taking the ship, Barney?"

"No; you thinking I was Frenchy. Well, it's lucky you didn't heave meoverboard. "

"Coming round, mate?" said Bob Hampton. 

"Ay, my lad, I've got one arm and a bit o' one leg back, and toothers iscoming back slowly like, but it's rum work feeling nothing but head andbody, and your arms and legs all gone dead at first, and then you beginsto know as they arn't been cut off and chucked away, and they're stillthere. They was just like sleeves and stockings stuffed with sorduss, and people making cushions of 'em and sticking the pins in as hard asever they can. "

"I'm so sorry, Barney, " I said. 

"Ay, lad, I s'pose you are, and seeing as you thinked it was oldFrenchy, I don't wonder as you tied them there knots as hard as ever youcould. But what I do wonder at is, that the line didn't cut my legsright off. Shows as my muscles must be made of real good stuff, andwhen I've done rubbing 'em back into shape, I s'pose they'll come allright once more; but I should have liked to be in the fun. "

"Get your pincushions all right, messmate, " said Bob Hampton, slappingBarney on the back, "and don't growl; the game's on'y just begun, andyou shall have first innings next time. "

"Think there'll be any more fighting, matey?" said Barney eagerly. 

"Think there'll be any more fighting? Just hark at him, gentlemen. Why, you grumbling old swab, do you think as, once having hold of theBurgh Castle and calling hisself skipper, old Frenchy's the sort o' manto let a few planks and a hatchway keep him from making another try?You wait a bit, old man, if you're so precious anxious to get yourselfmade sore. Frenchy won't forget us for gammoning him, and pretending tobe on his side. "

"I ain't hankshus to be made sore, Bob, old matey, " growled Barney;"it's a kind o' nat'ral feeling in me to make him sore, and I'm going todo it if I gets half a chance. "

"All right then, Mr Brymer 'll see as you has one, I dessay. "

The next minute we were at the cabin in which the captain was lying, buthe rose up on one arm as the door was thrown open and the light of thelantern flashed in. 

Mr Frewen went to him directly. 

"How are you?" he cried. "I could not come to you before. "

"Tell me, " cried Captain Berriman excitedly, "what has been going on?"

"Nothing much, " said Mr Frewen, smiling. 

"But I heard firing and a struggle in the saloon, " cried the captain, clinging to Mr Frewen's arm. 

"Well, yes, we have been re-taking the ship. "

"What?"

"Humph! Poor fellow, he could not bear it, " said Mr Frewen, as CaptainBerriman sank back half-fainting, but he re-opened his eyes and clung tothe doctor again. 

"Too good--to be true, " he muttered. "Thank God--thank God!"

There was perfect silence for a few moments, as our poor wounded captainlay back with his eyes closed. Then with his face losing its feeble, despairing look, he said anxiously--

"I don't see Brymer; is he hurt?"

"No; quite safe. "

"Mr Preddle?"

"We are all pretty sound, and the mutineers are shut down in theforecastle, sir. "

"Oh, if I only had strength!" said the captain. "Doctor, you have halfcured me with this news; can't you give anything to set me up for anhour or two?"

"Nothing, " said Mr Frewen, sadly. "I can only tell you that you mustbe patient. You must lie here and give your orders. We will executethem as far as we can. "

"And we are in a bad storm. There must be danger on that side too, butI can do nothing. "

"Mr Brymer will do his best, and there are three of the best seamen tohelp. "

"What?" he cried excitedly. 

"Hampton, and two more?"

"No, no, traitors, don't trust them--the scoundrels. "

"No, we arn't, cap'n, " growled Bob Hampton. "We was obliged to shamAbram a bit. Now I do call that 'ere hard, arter me and Dumlow andBarney helped get the ship back again. "

"You did?" cried the captain. 

"Course we did. "

"Yes, they have been true as steel, " said Mr Frewen. "You need notfear these men. "

"And that boy, Walters?"

"Oh, him, sir! He's down below somewheres, and he'd better stay too, "growled Bob Hampton, "for if he shows his nose, young Mr Dale here'sgoing to tackle him pretty warmly. "

"But have you got the men prisoners?" said the captain, anxiously. 

"Yes, quite safe. "

"Then the ship must be seen to. She's labouring heavily. TellBrymer--"

"I shall tell Mr Brymer nothing, " said Mr Frewen firmly. "You shallgive him your orders instead. You can be at peace now, sir, so liestill patiently, and believe that everything possible will be done topreserve order and save the ship. "

"Yes; thank you, " said the captain, whose lip was quivering. "I know Imust be patient. There, I'll try and do what I have not done these manyhours, --go to sleep. But bring me some news sometimes, Dale, my lad, Ishall be so anxious to know. "

I promised him, and then we hurried out, for from time to time there wasan anxious whispering going on in the next cabin, which appealedstrongly to Mr Frewen and to me. 

He pointed to the door as soon as we were outside, and his voice soundedvery husky as he said--

"Unfasten it, and go in and tell them that all is safe once more. "

"Won't you go?" I asked, as I offered him the lantern. 

"No, " he replied, after making an effort to master his anxiety to takethe lead. "You and Mr Denning were on friendly terms. He would ratherreceive the good news from you. In with you quick, and tell him that ifhe feels strong enough, I--that is, Mr Brymer would be glad if he wouldcome and help to keep watch over the prisoners. "

"With a rewolver, " growled Bob Hampton. 

"Yes, say with a pistol, " said Mr Frewen. "He would be as effectivethere as a strong man. "

"Better, " growled Bob, "for he understands fire-arm tools, and knows howto shoot. "

I gave a sharp knock at the door, and then unfastened it and entered, lantern in hand, to see Mr Denning looking ghastly as the light fellupon his face, where he stood before his sister with a tiny revolver inhis hand, while the other was behind him holding the poor girl whom hewas ready, poor weak creature that he was, to defend as long as he hadlife. 

They had been so long in darkness that the light of the lantern, feebleas it was, dazzled them, and they could not see who it was. 

Before I had time to speak Mr Denning cried fiercely--

"Keep back, scoundrel, or I'll fire!"

"No, no! Mr Denning, " I cried; "it's all right now, and we've masteredthe mutineers. "

"Ah!"

I started forward at that cry--a long, low, pitiful cry--uttered by MissDenning; and I heard Mr Frewen's step behind me as I dropped thelantern and tried to catch the poor girl. For the good news, after thelong and terrible strain, was more than she could bear. I knewafterwards that she had acted like a heroine all through the fearfulexcitement, and had worked hard to comfort and sustain her brother;while now that the tension was removed, she reeled and would have fallenin spite of my effort. But as the lantern fell, and we were indarkness, I felt some one brush by me, and I knew by the sound that shehad not struck the cabin-floor. 

"Quick, a light, Bob!--matches!" I cried. 

"Right you are, sir, " he said; and as he came into the cabin, I heardhim fumbling about and trying to strike a match, but for several minutesthere was nothing but a phosphorescent streak made on the boards of thepartition. 

"Yah! everything's so plaguy wet, " growled the sailor. 

"Here, let me come, matey, " I heard Dumlow say. "Mine's brass box. "And the next minute there was a sharp crick, crick, crack, a burst offlame, and I saw Mr Frewen holding poor Miss Denning in his arms, readyto lay her carefully and reverently down as the lantern was re-lit. 

"Yes, Mr Denning, " he said quietly, "I think there is no more cause foranxiety now, except from the storm. Will you see to your sister, andbathe her face? It is only a fainting fit from the sudden shock. "

"Yes, thank you, " said Mr Denning, coldly and ungraciously, I thought. "Be good enough to take away your men. "

"Of course. Come, my lads, " said Mr Frewen; and he stepped out of thecabin, followed by Bob Hampton and Dumlow. 

"It's all right, Mr Denning, " I said. "Nothing to mind now. "

But somehow I did not speak very warmly, for I was hurt by his coldreception of a man who had been risking his life to save him and hissister. 

My feelings changed though the next moment, for to my astonishment MrDenning laid hands on my shoulders, and he quite broke down and sobbed, while his words were choking and strange. 

"Thank God!--thank God!" he said. "Oh, Dale, if you only knew what wehave suffered, my poor sister and I!"

"Yes, yes, it has been horrible, " I said, trying to comfort him, for hisillness had made him weak as a girl; "but that's nothing to mind now. We've thrashed the scoundrels and locked them up, and Mr Frewen hasbehaved like a hero. "

"Yes; and--and I'm afraid I spoke very sharply to him, but I could nothelp it, Dale. "

"Well, you weren't very warm to him, " I said; "and he does deservesomething. "

"Yes, yes, " he cried hastily; "and I'll try and thank him another time. Hush! she's coming to. "

"Yes, and I mustn't stay, " I cried quickly; for I was miserablyuncomfortable, and wanted to get away before Miss Denning quite came to, and burst out sobbing and crying, as I was sure she would. 

"Can't you stop--a few minutes?" he said. 

"No; I must go on deck. There's everything to do, and we'reshort-handed. I'll leave you the light. "

"Thank you, yes, " he cried, wringing my hand. 

"Tell Miss Denning I'm so glad, " I said hastily; and then I hurried out. But I was no sooner outside than I remembered my message, and ran back, to find, as I expected, that Miss Denning was sobbing on her brother'sshoulder; when to my horror she left him, and with a cry flung her armsabout my neck and kissed me. 

"Oh, Alison Dale, " she cried warmly, "bless you, and thank you! Youhave always been like a dear good brother to us both, ever since we havebeen on board. "

"He has--he has, " cried Mr Denning warmly, and he looked as pleased ascould be at his sister's behaviour; while as for me, I would have givenanything to be outside the cabin. For to a lad of my age, being thankedfor what I had done was painful in the extreme; and in a hurried way Ihastened to tell them my message, and briefly about how we had foundfriends in the mutineers' ranks, and then of our attack and success. 

But my stay was brief. We had so far mastered one enemy, but weresuffering from the attack of another, which we had ignored for a time;while now it was impressing itself upon us all, as I soon found, in avery serious way. 

On reaching the deck, along which I had to guide myself by holding on bythe side, and catching at rope and belaying-pin, I found that the seahad risen higher, and the wind was rushing through the rigging withalmost hurricane force. But I made my way to the forecastle-hatch, where Mr Preddle was still on guard, as I could see by the light of theswaying lantern, and Mr Brymer was with him. 

"Ah, Dale, " he cried, "I'm glad you've come. I want you to stay onguard with Mr Preddle. You have a pistol?"

"Yes, " I said, pointing to my belt. 

"That's right. I want to go to the wheel. Hampton is there now. Ishould like to do more, but it is terrible work now, short-handed as weare; and we must run on in this blind fashion, for I have no idea wherewe are. "

Just at that moment there was a tremendous crack overhead, followed by asnapping as of pistol-shots; for one of the sails had got loose, and wasnow being torn into ribbons, which snapped and cracked like so manycart-whips on a gigantic scale. 

"Is that dangerous?" I shouted, for the wind carried away my voice. 

"No; a blessing, my lad. It will save her. I only want steering power. Look here, don't fire unless you are obliged. If you do, mind, I takeit as a signal that you want help, both of you; and then of course weshall come to your help. But what about Mr Denning?"

As he spoke, the invalid came struggling along by the bulwarks, and Iran to help him to where he could stand in shelter. 

"Glad to see you, Mr Denning. Ah, that's right. Rather a smallpistol, but I dare say it can do its duty. You will help them?"

"As far as my strength will let me, " he said. 

"That's right. Now, Mr Preddle, I must go. Sorry about your fish, butwe can do nothing till the weather mends. "

"No, I'm afraid not, " Mr Preddle yelled. 

"I don't hear that crying out now. "

"No; I haven't heard it since Mr Dale came, " panted Mr Preddle, withthe wind driving his words back so that he could hardly get his breath. 

"That must wait too. The safety of the ship is all we can look to now. "

He made a dash for the weather-bulwark, and disappeared at once into thedarkness and mist of spray which flew before the gale, hissing by us, and drenching us to the skin. 

"You ought to have brought a waterproof, Mr Denning, " I said. 

"Who could think of waterproofs at a time like this?" he said, with hislips to my ear. Then with a start, as he turned his head and lookedforward--"What's that?"

I had heard a cry as he spoke. 

"I don't know, " I said. "Why, it must be some one wounded crying forhelp. "

"It is what Mr Brymer and I heard several times before, " said MrPreddle excitedly. "He thought it must be one of the mutineers who hadescaped aloft at first, afraid to stir to come down. "

"I don't think it could be that, " I said. "It didn't sound like beingup aloft. "

"So he said. Then he thought--"

"There it is again, " cried Mr Denning and I heard, above the shriekingof the wind and the hissing spray, a despairing kind of wail, as if someone called for help. 

"Why, it's forward somewhere, " I said, with a curious shudder runningthrough me which was not caused by the wind and spray. 

"Yes, that's what Mr Brymer said; but he went and searched all aboutforward. "

"Then it must be one of the men below--one who is wounded, " I said. "Doyou think we could send Mr Frewen down to his help?"

"Not without letting your prisoners loose, " said Mr Denning, decisively. "I'm sorry for the man, but he must suffer for thepresent. "

"It's very horrible, " I said; "for he may be very bad--dying perhaps. "

"Yes, " said Mr Denning coldly; "but it was not our work, I suppose. "

"There it is again, " said Mr Preddle. "When the mate was here, he feltsure that some one had crept overboard, and down to what he called thestays under the bowsprit. "

"When the attack was made?" I cried. "Yes, that must be it. There itgoes again. That was certainly `Help!'"

"Yes. "

"He must be afraid of falling. Why, the vessel keeps on driving intothese great waves, and at every dip down he must be nearly drowned. "

"What are you going to do, Dale?" cried Mr Denning. 

"Find out where he is, and then lower a rope to him; and when he hasfastened it round him, we must haul him on board, even if he is anotherenemy. There'll be no need to be afraid of him. "

I was trying to make out where I could most handily find a rope, when, plainly heard above the heavy beating of the waves against our bows, asthe ship rose and fell in her wild race onward through the denseblackness ahead, there was the murmur of a voice and a loud movementbelow the hatch we were guarding. 

Then distinctly heard came the words--

"Give me room then, " and this was followed by a crashing sound, and ajar against my hand as I held on to the side of the hatchway. 

"They've got a chopper, and are going to cut their way out!" I saidexcitedly. And almost as I spoke there was another dull blow, and thiswas followed by a cheer. 

"What are you going to do?" I cried, as Mr Preddle held on with onehand, and presented his revolver at the door of the hatchway. 

A flash and a dull report served for my answer then; and as the bulletcrashed through the woodwork, there was a yell, a dull sound as of afall, and then in the momentary silence Mr Preddle said--

"Those were my orders; I was obliged. "

A ragged volley was fired then from below, and we heard the bulletsstriking the wood, and saw two or three splitting the thick wood at thetop of the hatchway. But we stood back too much for either of them totouch us, as we listened, trying to distinguish the words said, as wepictured, no doubt pretty accurately, what was going on in theforecastle; for a dull groaning told only too plainly that Mr Preddle'sshot had taken effect. 

What I pictured was the men lifting their bleeding companion forward toone of the bunks, while others were talking and raging furiously aboutthe shot. 

I shuddered, and yet I felt excited, and that it was a necessity. Andjust then I made out Jarette's voice shouting at the men, and givingsome order which only evoked a deep growl. 

"I don't like having to fire like that, " said Mr Preddle just then;"and I feel now as if I ought to fetch the doctor. --Ah, Frewen, " hecried, "I've just shot one of the men. "

For there were Mr Frewen, the mate, and Barney Blane, all panting andeager to help us. 

I told him what had happened, and Mr Brymer said quietly--

"On their own heads be it. This may act as a warning to them. Butthere must be no hesitation; our lives and that of Miss Denning dependupon swift action. At the first stroke of an axe, fire again. "

"I will, " said Mr Preddle firmly; and by the light of the lantern I sawthat the chambers of his revolver were exposed, and that he wasthrusting in a fresh cartridge. 

"Ought we to send down Mr Frewen?" said Mr Denning just then. 

"Don't ask absurd questions, sir, " replied Mr Brymer angrily. "Come, Frewen. Now, my lad. "

He turned away, and before following, Barney Blane got beside me, to sayin my ear--

"Disappynted again, sir. I did think I was to have a go at Frenchynow. "

He hurried off; and the shrieking of the wind ceased for a few moments, during which we strained our ears to try and make out what went onbelow, when very faintly, but the word distinctly heard, came the cry--

"Help!"

"There is some one forward there by the bowsprit!" I cried excitedly;and leaving my companions, I crept to the bows, and, holding on tightly, climbed up and looked over, seeing nothing but the foaming water churnedup by the ship as she plunged on and on, looking as if she were momentby moment going to split upon what might have been one huge black rockright ahead. 

I changed my position, and got to the other side of the bowsprit to holdon and look over there, but still I could see nothing, and though Ishouted again and again there was no reply. 

"Nobody could possibly be hanging on there, " I thought, as I tried topierce the mist of spray; and I felt that if low down on the stays, hewould be dipped at every plunge, and drowned in a few minutes, and ifhigher, to a certainty, unless lashed to the ropes, be washed off. 

I stayed some minutes, hailing again and again, with my voice carriedforward by the wind, and then made my way back to my two companions, whose faces were turned inquiringly toward me as I shook my head. 

"There can't be any one there, " I said. "It's impossible. "

"So Mr Brymer thought, " said Mr Preddle. "He said he would be eitherwashed off or drowned, and that it must be one of the men below. "

"There it is again, " said Mr Denning; "and it is below. "

"Yes; there!" I cried, for there was a heavy banging at a bulk-head, and some one shouted savagely to whoever cried for help to be quiet, andthen a shot was fired, but not at us. 

"The wretches!" I said. 

"The wretch!" said Mr Denning. "That was Jarette's voice, I'm sure;and he must have fired. "

"At some prisoner they have there below, " I said. 

"Or at the wounded man, " cried Mr Preddle. 

"It must be another wounded man then, for you heard the sound before youfired that shot. "

"Yes; and it makes me feel better satisfied, for the mutineers are suchbrutes--such savage brutes. "

"There!" I cried; "do you hear?" for once more the cry for help came sopiteous, faint, and despairing that it seemed to go through me from headto heel in one long, continuous shudder. 

"If it hadn't been for what we heard just now, " said Mr Preddle justthen, "I should have been ready to think it was something uncanny--something ghostly; but, " he added hastily, as Mr Denning turned amocking face to him, "I don't think so now. "

"It's very horrid, " I said; "and the worst of it is that one can't doanything. I wish we could send Mr Frewen to help the poor fellow, whoever it is. "

"Yes, it is horrible, " said Mr Denning; "but they made us suffer sothat I feel hardened against them. It must be a wounded man. "

"Why, " I cried, as a flash of mental light just then illumined my thickbrain, "I know!"

I was so excited by my discovery, which was one of those simple findsthat the wonder was it had not been thought of at once, I could hardlycontain myself, and I made for a swinging lantern and took it down. 

"What is it? What have you found out?" cried Mr Denning at the top ofhis voice, though it only sounded feeble then in the din of the storm. 

"It's some one in the cable-tier, " I cried. 

"Cable-tier? Where's that?"

"Just forward. Front of the forksle, " I shouted. "We must get thehatch off. "

"No, no; not till Mr Brymer comes, " said Mr Denning. 

The words sounded so wise that I hesitated with the lantern in my hand, and for a moment or two I thought of running off to report my discovery;but I recalled the fact that I was on a perilous duty, and that I had noright to leave my post without orders; so I re-hung the lantern, andthen, after listening and convincing myself that there was nothreatening sound coming from below, I shouted to my companions what Iwas going to do, and then staggered forward to the carefully batteneddown hatch, beneath which the great rusty chain cable was lying in aheap. 

I listened, and my heart sank with disappointment, for the wind wasshrieking as fiercely as ever, and I could not hear a sound. 

"Am I mistaken after all?" I thought, and listened still. 

Just then, with a heavy thud, as the ship plunged downward, a wavestruck the port-bow, rose in a perfect cataract, and curling over, deluged me and rushed along the deck. 

I should have been swept away, but the combings of the hatch shelteredme a little, and as the hissing splash of the water ceased, I fancied Iheard a faint clink of one of the links of the great chain below, whilethe moment after came more plainly than I had heard it before asmothered, piteous cry--

"Help!"

And again directly after, as if he who uttered the cry were in agony--

"Help!"

I took out my pistol and thumped with the butt on the hatch, when therewas silence again. 

"Below there!" I shouted with my lips close to the boards. 

"Help! pray help!" came in answer. 

"All right, " I cried; "I'll see. "

I crept back on hands and knees to my companions, who were waiting forme impatiently. 

"It's all right, " I said; "there's some one in the cable-tier aprisoner, and as it must be some one of our lads he is of course afraid. Oughtn't I to run to Mr Brymer?"

The need ceased the next moment, for before we could decide whether thesignal ought to be given by firing a pistol, Neb Dumlow appeared in thefeeble glow shed by the lantern, coming out of the black darkness in apeculiarly weird fashion. 

"Ahoy!" he growled. "Mate says, is all right?"

"No, " I said eagerly, for boy as I was, I seemed to be the captain ofthat watch, the two gentlemen giving place to me, even if they didoppose some of my ideas. "Go and tell Mr Brymer to come here. "

"Ay, ay!" growled the great ugly fellow--uglier now in the darkness thanhe had ever looked before--and he turned and trotted aft, to return in afew minutes bearing a lantern, and in company with the mate and MrFrewen. 

I told them what I had discovered, and Mr Brymer gave an angry stamp. 

"Of course!" he cried. "I might have known. Why, it must be one of ourlads, and a friend. Quick, Dumlow, and have off that hatch. "

In another moment or two the sailor was on his knees dragging off thepiece of tarpaulin which had been fastened down over the top, probablywhen the storm began, and directly after the hatch was lifted off, andthe lantern held down to throw its light upon a ghastly face, which wasraised to us as a couple of hands grasped the combings around theopening. I was so astounded that I could not speak, only listen, asDumlow shouted--

"I say, what cheer you, my lad?"

And Mr Brymer--

"Walters! Why, my lad, what are you doing there?"

"Help!" groaned my old messmate with a piteous look up at us;"half-smothered--water--help!"

"Well, mutineer or middy, " said Mr Brymer, "there's nothing to fearfrom you. Take one arm, Dumlow, " and seizing the other himself, theyhoisted Walters quickly out of the little compartment and set him on hisfeet; but his legs gave way, and he dropped on the deck and lay upon hisback. 

At that moment sounds came up from the hatch, which suggested thepossibility of the mutineers breaking through the heavy bulk-head andmaking their way on deck that way, so before aught else was done, thehatch was securely fastened down again. 

While that was in progress, but feeling wroth all the time, I bent downover the poor, miserable-looking wretch, whose eyes were following everymovement I made, and recalling the shot I had heard fired, I at oncecame to the conclusion that he was hurt. 

"Here, " I said roughly, "where are you wounded, so that I can tell MrFrewen?"

"I'm--I'm--"

"Well, where?" I said, still very roughly, for the sight of thetreacherous young wretch made a hot feeling of rage against him rise inmy throat. 

"Not--not wounded, " he said feebly. 

"Then what's the matter with you?" I cried contemptuously; "sea-sick?"

"No--no, that--that wretch, Jarette. "

"What?" cried Mr Brymer, with a mocking laugh. "What? `WretchJarette!' Do you mean your captain, my worthy young lieutenant?"

Walters' eyes gave a roll and then closed as he lay there; but theyopened again directly, for Mr Brymer gave him an angry thrust--athrust, not a kick--with his foot. 

"Here, get up, cur! You're our prisoner now. What do you say?"

Walters' lips were moving as Dumlow held the light over him and bentdown. 

"Says as you're to stow him in prison, sir, and not let the skipper seehim. "

"Bah! Has it come to this? Speak to him, Dale. What does he say now?"

"Water; he is asking for water, " I said, as I saw how piteously weak thelad was. 

"Suffering from exhaustion and want of air. "

"Then he must have a rest, " cried Mr Brymer. "Now, sir, can you get upand walk?"

"No, " said Mr Frewen, decisively. 

"Lift him up, Dumlow, " said Mr Brymer, "and bring him aft to one of thecabins. Will you see to him, Mr Frewen?"

The doctor nodded, and I felt as if I wanted to go; but my duty wasthere, and I had to stay. 

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. 

That storm showed no signs though of abating, and we watched on throughthe night, constantly on the strain, attacked as we were by alarms frombelow, and the furious assault of the winds and waves. Several timesover during the night, when I was suffering from the cold, and faintwith hunger and exhaustion, a horrible chilly feeling of despair camecreeping over me. I began thinking of home and those there who would beheart-broken if I was lost; but always at these worst times somethingseemed to happen that took me out of myself, giving me work soparticular to do that all my energies were directed to that duty, and inconsequence I forgot my own troubles. 

Twice over, when Mr Brymer came with one or other of the men, MrDenning expressed a wish to be relieved, and I had to take his arm andhelp him along under the shelter of the bulwarks to the saloon and thecabin where his sister was waiting anxiously for news, and as westruggled aft, he talked to me as freely as if I had been his brother. 

"Is there any hope for us, Dale?" he said on one occasion as we restedfor a few moments underneath the bulwarks. 

"Oh yes, " I replied. "Why not?"

"I don't know, I'm not a sailor, but I should not have thought the shipcould have kept on long like this without sinking. "

I laughed. 

"Why, she's a splendid boat, " I said, "and quite strong, and so long aswe've got plenty of sea-room, we shan't hurt. "

"You're talking like this to comfort me, " he said. 

"No; I'm telling you the truth as far as I understand it. Of courseI've never been out in a storm on the ocean before, but I've been insome big ones off the coast round Ireland, where we were always indanger of going on the rocks, which are awful there. "

"But the sea comes thundering down on the ship so. "

"What of that?" I replied. "The ship's hollow, and it sounds all themore, but the water is soft, and we go through it or ride over itsomehow. "

"Ah, you're too young to know what fear is, " he said sadly. 

"Oh no, I'm not, " I cried, laughing. "I've been awfully frightenedseveral times to-night, but I'm more afraid of Jarette and his gang thanI am of the sea. "

"You have no sister on board, " he said. "No bitter regrets for lettingher come into such danger. "

"No, " I said, rather chokingly; "but I've got people at home, and itwould be very horrid to think I should never see them again. "

"Let's go on, " he said laconically, and I helped him along, choosing theeasiest moments till we were in shelter, and then without leaving holdof me he whispered--

"Make the best of things to her. "

There was a lamp burning in the cabin as we entered, and Miss Denningsprang to our side. 

"Oh, John, " she cried piteously, "this will be death to you, drenchedwith the cold sea! Pray, pray, stay in shelter now. "

"Nonsense!" he cried; "it does me good, and it's grandly exciting tofight the storm like this. How are you, little one? Ah, don't touchme, I'm wet. "

"Suffering terribly, John dear. You must stay with me now. "

"Tied to your apron, you foolish girl, " he said merrily. "Nonsense!I'm wanted to help. There, I bring you good news. We've got all thepirates safely in prison, and as soon as the storm's over all will beright again. "

Miss Denning gave me a piteous, inquiring look. 

"Yes, that's quite right, Miss Denning, " I said cheerfully. 

"But this terrible storm; shall we be wrecked?"

"Ships don't get wrecked out in the open sea, " I replied coolly, "onlyhave their sails blown away, and sometimes lose a spar, or get a boattorn off the davits. "

"Then you think we are safe?"

"Oh yes, I hope so, " I replied. 

"Safe? Of course, darling little cowardly sis, " said Mr Denning, kissing her pale cheek very lovingly, and I felt that I had never likedhim so well before, never having seen his true nature and affection forhis sister. 

"Now then, Mr Dale and I have to go back on duty to shoot mutineers andpirates, and you are to lie down and trust in our all taking care ofyou. Try and sleep for a few hours. "

"Sleep!" she said reproachfully, "with you exposed to all that danger. "

"Yes! Why not? To grow strong, and ready to help me if I want it. "

"But, must you go, John?"

"Yes, dear, " he said gravely, "I must; but, please God, the worst dangeris over, and you will not hinder me from doing my duty like a man, evenif I am a weak one. "

She held his hand to her cheek, and smiling at me, spoke quitecheerfully. 

"Come back in about an hour, " she said, "and I will have coffee madewith the spirit-lamp, and try and find some biscuits. "

"That we will, " cried Mr Denning. "Make plenty, Lena, Mr Brymer and--and the sailors will be glad of some. "

She nodded, trying to look cheerful, and we left her, but had notreached the broken companion-way before a door on our right opened, alight was thrown across us, and I felt Mr Denning's arm twitch. For itwas Mr Frewen coming out of the cabin in which Walters had been placed, the one in which Mr Preddle had been kept a prisoner, and as soon as hewas outside he carefully locked it. 

"Not much need for it, " he said to us quietly, "for the little wretch isvery weak still. Nice sort of characters you choose for yourcompanions, Dale, " he continued. "How do we know that you have not beencontaminated, and are going to rise against us?"

"There's no fear till the storm's over, Mr Frewen, " I said, laughing, and then, with the two gentlemen keeping perfectly silent, we wentforward again, and had nearly reached the forecastle-hatch, when, sounding very feeble and strange, there was the report of a pistol, andwe hurried forward to hear shouts of rage coming from below the hatch, and the blows of an axe being used with such effect, that before longwhoever wielded it must make a way through. 

Mr Brymer glanced round at us as we came up, and I saw the barrel ofhis revolver glistening in the pale light. 

Then with his face close to the hatch he shouted--

"Once more, stop that or I fire!"

A shout of derision came from within. 

"I warn you again!" roared Mr Brymer. "I fired before without tryingto hit you, now I shall aim straight. Stop that this moment!"

"Fire away! Ready below, lads, I'll have it off--"

The report of the revolver, a hoarse, half-stifled cry from within, andthen a yell of rage arose, to mingle with the shrieking of the wind. 

"I was obliged to fire, Mr Frewen, " said the mate, sharply, "for at anycost we will keep the upper hand now. "

No one spoke, and I could not help shivering as I saw the stern looks ofthe men by me, even Mr Preddle's round smooth face looking fierce anddetermined. 

Mr Frewen was the first to open his lips. 

"It is a bitter necessity, " he said; "those men must be kept down, but Iam obliged to speak now. Brymer, I am a surgeon, and there are at leasttwo wounded men there below, perhaps more. It is necessary for me to godown. "

"It is impossible, Mr Frewen. If I give orders for that hatch to beopened, there will be a rush, and even if we remain masters and beatthem down, it can only be at the cost of wounding more, perhaps causingdeath. "

"Why not make a truce with them?"

"With the men it would be easy enough, but not with their leader, ascoundrel who feels that he is fighting with penal servitude before him, perhaps the halter! But, Mr Frewen, these are no times for beinghumane. No; that hatch shall not be opened. "

"But I will stand ready, after telling the men what I am going to do, and if they will keep away while the hatch is open there can be norush. "

"I think differently, sir, " said Mr Brymer, coldly. 

"I agree with Mr Brymer, sir, " said Mr Denning, "that it would bemadness. "

"But you agree with me, Mr Preddle?" cried the doctor, excitedly. 

"No, I don't, Mr Frewen, " came in Mr Preddle's high-pitched voice. "Idon't like men to suffer, but I won't give my vote for you to go downinto that wild beasts' cage. "

Mr Frewen laughed bitterly, and turned to me. 

"What do you say, fellow-prisoner?" he cried. 

"I shall vote against Mr Frewen being allowed to go down, " I saidsturdily. "We want your help more than they do. "

"Bravo! my lad, " cried Mr Brymer. 

"Well, yes; bravo! then, " said the doctor, sadly. "I am beaten; I givein. "

"Thank you, Frewen, " cried Mr Brymer, holding out his hand, which thedoctor took frankly. "I am sorry to go against you, but you are toovaluable to us here. I am sure that if I let you go down, they wouldnot let you come up gain. Jarette is fox enough to know how yourabsence would weaken us, and then there is the captain; I place his lifeas of more value than that of a mutinous crew. "

"I'm convinced, " said Mr Frewen. "My desire was to stay, but as asurgeon I couldn't stand still, knowing that my help was wanted downthere. "

"You doctors are so greedy, " cried Mr Preddle. "You have two patientsas it is, and if we're going, on like this I'm afraid you'll soon havesome more. "

"Yes, " said the doctor, turning to Mr Denning, "I shall have anotherone. Forgive me for speaking, Mr Denning, but I think you ought to goback to your cabin now and remove your wet things. "

"You mean well, sir, " said Mr Denning, courteously, "but I am wantedhere. "

"Not now, sir, " said the mate. "I think we can manage, and if you wouldhold yourself in readiness to turn out if we raise an alarm that wouldbe enough. "

"I am here, and I have faced so much of the storm and trouble that Iwill see it through now. "

No one attempted to argue with him, and the watch was resumed, with theship tearing through the water before the storm, for short-handed as wewere, Mr Brymer shrank from attempting to alter her course, or ridinghead to wind. 

From time to time there was a stir below, and voices rose angrily, butwe could always hear Jarette's shrill utterances, and he generallyseemed to calm the men down, or to master them, with the result that theangry sounds ceased and gave place to a low murmuring as if some planwere being discussed. After this had been going on some time, on oneoccasion Mr Brymer, who had been aft at the wheel with Bob Hampton andhad returned in time to hear the talking, shook his head and said to MrFrewen--

"That sounds bad. They're hatching a new plot against us. It is likehaving your ship on fire somewhere amongst the cargo in a place whereyou cannot reach. It goes on smouldering day after day, and you are inthe full expectation of its breaking out. You don't know when, but youare sure that it must come before long. "

"I was thinking something of the kind, " replied the doctor. 

And so was I, though I did not speak. And in addition, I had an idea inmy head that I could not work out, and while I was trying I had anotheridea. The first one was, that if by any means we could catch Jarette, the mutiny would all fall to pieces; but then the job was to catch therascal, and that puzzled me. 

It was very close to daylight; and cold, low-spirited, and miserable, Iwas beginning to think that between the storm and the men below, thepoor old Burgh Castle must come to grief, when Bob Hampton came upglistening in his oilskins. 

"I were to come and say as the lady's got jorums o' hot coffee ready, sir, in the captain's cabin. Mr Denning and Mr Dale's to go first, and I'm to take the watch till they comes back. "

I saw Mr Denning wince and dart a sharp look at the doctor, but thelatter did not turn his head, and once more we began fighting our wayback, with the ship seeming at times quite to dance on the tops of thewaves. 

But we reached the shelter in safety, and as soon as we were under coverI felt sure that the wind was not so fierce, and said so. 

"I could not tell any difference, " said Mr Denning, sadly, as we wentright aft, to find the captain's cabin, right in the stern--the onethrough whose window I had climbed after my hazardous descent from therigging--looking bright and cheerful, and hot coffee waiting for us, incompany with sweet smiles and cheering words. 

It was wonderful. One minute I had been ready to give up and think thatall was over; the next, as the hot drink sent a glow through me, I wasready to smile back at Miss Denning, and join her in persuading herbrother to go to his cabin and change; while the very next minute MrBrymer came down with a large bottle, and after hastily swallowing a cupof the coffee, he begged for a bottleful to carry up to the men at thewheel. 

"Is the storm still so bad, Mr Brymer?" asked Miss Denning, as the matewas about to hurry back on deck. 

"No, " he said emphatically. "It's one of those gales which blow in acircle, and we're passing through it. The glass is rising, and in lessthan an hour I think it will begin to lull. " This was joyful news, andI rose to hurry back so as to take the place of Mr Preddle. 

"You'll stay now, John, " I heard Miss Denning say, and he answered herquite passionately. 

"Don't tempt me, Lena!" he cried. "I want to stay, but I want also to--there, I will act like a man. "

I did not then understand him as I did afterwards, what a strangejealous hatred and dislike there was burning within him as he caught myarm, and held it tightly. 

"Help me quickly!" he whispered. "Take me back before my weaknessmasters me, and I break down. "

"But if you are so weak?" I said anxiously. "Take me forward!" hewhispered angrily. "You cannot understand. "

I saw Miss Denning looking wonderingly at her brother as we went out, and again fought our way back to the forecastle-hatch, no easy task withthe ship heeling over, and the spray flying as it did; but I felthardened to it now, and the darkness did not appear so terrible, nor thedanger so great, with the warm glow I felt spreading through me. Then Ilooked at my companion quite wonderingly, as I could just see his palethin face, for he said quickly in a lull of the wind--

"I think I've conquered, Dale. "

"Conquered? It's wonderful how brave you have been. "

I saw him smile, and then wondered afresh that I could have seen thechange in his face. "Why, it's getting light!" I said joyfully. 

I was quite right, and as we were in the tropics the change was comingrapidly. But just then we reached the watch, and to my surprise MrDenning said as well as the rushing wind would let him--

"Mr Frewen, Mr Preddle, my sister has hot coffee ready, and will beglad if you can go at once. "

I saw Mr Frewen give quite a start, and Mr Preddle regularly jumped, but they were both so surprised that they could neither of them speak, while Mr Denning turned to Bob Hampton. 

"Your turn must be when they come back, " he said. 

"Oh, all right, sir, I can wait, " growled Bob--I mean roared--for thoughthere was a momentary cessation in the shrieking of the wind, he spokeas if Mr Denning were by the wheel; and there was no doubt now--wecould not see it, nor were we likely to, through the mist and spray, butthe sun was rising, and ten minutes after I was gazing at the sea, whichwas churned up into one chaos of foam. 

"It's all over!" yelled Bob, a minute or two later. 

"What's all over?" I asked. 

"The hurry-cane, sir. We're most through it, and the wind's beginningto drop. "

"But it's blowing terribly, " I cried. 

"Ay, sir, it is; but 'nour ago it was blowing ten times as terrible. Why, there was a time when it most shaved my head, and another time whenI put my hands up to feel if my ears was cut off. Strikes me as theywould ha' gone if they hadn't been tied down with the flaps of this heresou'-wester. "

"Yes, it's getting lighter fast, " cried Mr Denning. "But how rough thesea is!"

"Ay, sir, she be a bit tossy like, " said Bob; "but this here's nothingto what it is on a rocky coast. Ah, that's bad if you like. "

"But we've had an awful night, Bob. "

"Tidy, sir, tidy. Not so bad as it might ha' been. "

"Oh, it couldn't have been worse!" I cried. 

"What? Not been worse, sir? Why, where's your mainmas' gone by theboard, and your fore-mast cut off at the top-mast-head, and your mizzensplintered into matchwood? Why, my lad, this arn't been nothing. Andlook yonder, there's the sun a-coming out, leastwise it's making theclouds look red-like. We're coming out of it well. Why, you ought tobe proud, Mr Dale, o' belonging to such a ship as the Burgh Castle. She's a clipper, if ever there was one built. "

"I am proud of her, Bob, " I said, "but I'm not proud of her crew. "

"Well, no, sir, " said Bob, rubbing his red nose, which looked wet andshiny now; "they arn't turned out a werry good lot, but then arter allthey might ha' been worse. You see it's just like having so much soupas the cook's made for you, and all as good as can be, till the cook'smate tilts the lamp aside by a-hitting it with his head, and a drop o'hyle goes into the soup. That one drop o' train-hyle spyles all thepot. See what I mean?"

"That Jarette is the drop of oil?"

"That's it, sir, and a werry, werry rancid drop he be. "

Mr Denning laughed, and I saw him turn his back to the direction inwhich Mr Frewen had gone. 

"_Tlat_!" went Bob Hampton's lips in a loud smack. "Glad when theygents come back, for I want some o' your young lady's hot coffee, blessher! to take the taste o' the hyle out o' my mouth. "

"You shall have it soon, Hampton, my good brave fellow, " cried MrDenning, and I saw the weak tears in his eyes, "and you tell my sisterthat she is to find my little silver flask, and give you some brandy inyour coffee. "

"Thankye, sir, thankye, that's very good of you. Why, Mr Dale, sir, you talk of our having a bad night. Tchah!--nothing, lad, nothing. Howcould it be a werry bad 'un when you have the luck to be shipped aboarda craft with a angel aboard? A angel, that's what I says, and NebDumlow and Barney says the same. We all said it arter the mutiny hadbegun, and that if we didn't get the best of old Frenchy somehow we'deat our heads. --Lie down, will yer?" he roared, as he gave the side ofthe hatch so fierce a kick that I thought his heavy boot would have gonethrough. 

There was a heavy rustling sound, and the grumbling of voices plainlyheard now, for the wind was rapidly falling. 

"That was French Jarette a-listening, sir, for a penny-piece, " whisperedBob, for it was growing possible to whisper now. "Strikes me we arn'tdone with him yet, and if I might adwise, I should say as Mr Frewenought to be sent down below with some of his doctor's stuff to pysonthat chap like you would a rat, for there'll never be no peace whilehe's aboard. Hah!" he continued, smacking his lips. "There's yoursort; here's Mr Preddle coming back with his face shining and smellingo' hot coffee like a flower-garding. "

Mr Denning turned round sharply, but checked himself as he saw that MrFrewen was coming too. 

"Looks like my turn now. "

"Miss Denning is waiting to give you some coffee, Mr Hampton, " said thenaturalist. 

"Thankye for the mister, sir, and thank her for the coffee, " said Bob, smiling, and he straddled off, the sloping of the deck as the ship roseand fell and heeled over being apparently of no consequence to him. 

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. 

A few minutes later Mr Brymer joined us, rubbing his hands. 

"We shall almost have a calm in an hour, gentlemen, " he said, "andsmooth water, with nothing but a long heavy swell before night. I thinkwe may all congratulate ourselves upon what we have done, for we'vesaved the ship. "

"Not yet, " said Mr Frewen, pointing at the fore-castle-hatch. 

"No, not yet, doctor; but we've only one enemy to deal with now, and candevote all our attention to him. I think I can relieve two of yougentlemen now. Mr Frewen, will you fight out another hour or two, while these gentlemen go and change, and have an hour or two's sleep?"

"I'll go and change, " said Mr Denning; "but no sleep to-day. "

"Please yourselves, gentlemen; but you must have rest, and be inreadiness for a call. Hah! that's grand; what should we do without thesun?"

For as he was speaking, a bright gleam suddenly shot almost level acrossthe spray, which still flew over the waves, and made it flash like arainbow. It did more, for it sent light and joy into our breasts as MrPreddle and Mr Denning went aft, meeting Bob Hampton with some boards, a saw, hammer, and nails with which he was soon busily at workstrengthening the sides and top of the hatch, nailing down board afterboard, and only leaving one small opening in case communication shouldbe needed with the prisoners below, who, saving for the light filteringthrough a small sky-light, and also through the ventilator, were in thedark. 

An hour later a sort of council of war was held in the captain's cabin, and it was decided to well nail up the hatch of the cable-tier as well, there being no dread of the men breaking out in other directions onaccount of the closely-packed-in heavy cargo, much of which consisted, as I said, of machinery--agricultural implements and the like--for theAntipodes. Then arrangements were made as to the men being fed withbiscuit and water, just sufficient for keeping them alive, and thisstarvation policy it was considered would be the means of setting themutineers thoroughly against their leader, with the probable result thatthey would open up negotiations, and end by binding Jarette hand andfoot and delivering him up. After that, as many as the captain thoughtcould be trusted might be released to assist in navigating the ship, andthe rest could be kept in prison. 

Mr Brymer was quite right about the weather; we sailed right throughthe circular storm, and long before sunset of what proved to be a veryhot day, the ship was gently gliding up one side of a long wave, andafter pausing for a moment on the top, gliding down the other, so thatit was hard to imagine that we had just passed through so terrible astorm. 

That evening I asked Mr Frewen to take me with him when he went intoMr Preddle's cabin to see Walters, and this resulted in his leaving mebehind to sit down by where my brother midshipman lay, looking white, orrather grey as ashes. 

I found him very stubbornly silent with the doctor, who did not seem tothink him very bad; and to all the sharp appeals to him to try and situp, or explain his symptoms, he only gave vent to a piteous kind ofgroan which worried me a good deal, for I could not help thinking thatMr Frewen was hard, and to put it plainly, rather brutal, to one whohad evidently gone through a great deal of suffering, and was nowcompletely prostrate. 

But certainly it had been rather tantalising, for to everything therewas this piteous groan. 

"Put out your tongue, " said Mr Frewen. 

"Oh!"

"Well, open your eyes. "

"Oh!"--long drawn out, and strange. 

"Surely that does not hurt you, my lad. I want to do you good if Ican. "

"Oh!"

"Are you in pain?"

"Oh!"

"Does that hurt you?"

"Oh!"

"Can you feel it if I press your chest?"

"Oh!"

"Stand a little on one side, Dale; I want to look at his eyes. "

I stepped back, feeling very uncomfortable, and Mr Frewen parted thelad's eyelids gently enough. 

"Oh!" came more loudly than ever, as Mr Frewen looked closely intofirst one and then the other eye. 

Another moan and groan came fast one after the other, sometimes loud andsometimes piteous in the extreme, making me shiver again as I imaginedall kinds of horrors. 

At first Mr Frewen was very gentle in his examination; but as Walterskept on groaning, the doctor seemed to lose patience, and in feeling thepatient's ribs, testing his arms and joints, he was, I thought, unnecessarily rough and harsh. 

Mr Frewen did not speak out, but kept on uttering little ejaculations;and at last he began to pass his hands over and around Walters' skull, while I shuddered, and fully expected to hear the broken bone-edgesgrate together from a fracture. 

But the doctor let my messmate's head sink down again, quickly too, forWalters uttered a thrilling moan and let his face hang down away fromthe doctor, looking so ghastly and strange that I was more horrifiedthan ever in the dim cabin-light. 

I looked anxiously at the doctor, silently asking him what was thematter; but he only gave me a short nod of the head, and once moredirected his attention to Walters, who lay breathing slowly in a catchy, spasmodic fashion, and I was almost about to question Mr Frewen, but heonce more bent over the prisoner patient, listening to his breathing. 

I saw him frown and then lay his hand upon Walters' side, and then Istarted, for there came so piteous a groan that I was sure the ribs musthave been crushed, and I felt angry with him for not being moresympathetic. 

"He went against us and played the blackguard, " I thought to myself;"but he has been severely punished, and is down, so it isn't right tojump upon him. "

I felt then that I disliked Mr Frewen, who must be a cold-hearted, brutal kind of man, and I was not surprised at Mr Denning the invalidshowing so much dislike to him now. 

"Yes, he's very bad, " said Mr Frewen at last, "I shall have to getready a mixture for him--something pretty strong too. "

I was looking anxiously in his eyes as he said this, and then we bothlooked at Walters, for the poor fellow winced and moaned again. 

"Yes, " said Mr Frewen to me, but watching his patient the while;"medicine is as a rule very nasty, and the strong mixtures worst of all;but there are cases where you cannot hesitate to administer them, evenif they are distasteful; and where you disguise their taste with syrupsand essential oils you often do harm instead of good. "

"Do you think he is very bad, Mr Frewen?" I said. 

"Oh yes--very, " was the reply. "Not dangerous!" I whispered. 

"Yes, decidedly dangerous, " he said, in the same low tone. 

"Then he ought not to be left?"

"Oh yes, better left. He'll come round. There, I'm going to see howthe other prisoners are getting on. I'm afraid that I am badly wantedthere. "

He stood looking down at the patient with his brow knit, and I noticed afidgety movement about one of his feet. 

"Oughtn't I to stop and nurse him?" I asked. 

"No; certainly not. He is better alone. This kind of case does notrequire attention--only time. Come along, " and he went to the door. 

"All right, Mr Frewen; I'll come directly, " I said softly. 

"But I want to fasten the door, " he whispered. 

"I'll fasten it when I come out. "

"No, that will not do; Mr Brymer said that the door was to be keptfast, and I can't go away and leave it. "

"But I want to talk to him, " I whispered. "Lock me in for a bit. "

"And suppose he turns savage with you, and tries to get your weapons?"whispered Mr Frewen, with a smile. 

"I shan't let him have them, " I replied. "Besides, he's weak and ill. "

"Humph!--not so very, my lad. There, I'll lock you in, and come and letyou out in a quarter of an hour. "

He closed and locked the cabin door sharply, and I stood there thinkingwhat I should say to my old messmate, and feeling how awkward it was nowhe was in trouble. For he lay there half turned away with his eyesclosed, and I heard him moan piteously again while I waited to hear MrFrewen's departing step. 

But it did not come for a few moments. Then I heard him go into theadjoining cabin, and the opening of his medicine-chest quite plainly. 

"I don't believe he wants medicine, " I thought. "He must be sufferingfrom some internal injury. " Though as to what part of his body theinjury might be in, I had not the slightest idea. 

There was a loud clink of bottle or glass, and then quite plainly camethe setting down of something hard upon a shelf, the sound comingplainly through the opening we had so laboriously made when Mr Preddlewas a prisoner in this cabin, and Mr Frewen and I in the next. 

Then I heard a loud cough. There was a squeaking sound of a cork beingthrust into a bottle, and the doctor went out of his cabin, shut thedoor sharply, and went off, while it was like an electric shock throughme, and I stared wildly, for Walters started up, and in a vicious angryvoice exclaimed--

"Brute! Beast! I only wish--"

He stopped short as he vigorously wrenched himself round. 

"I thought you were gone, " he said blankly. "He told you to come away. "

"I stopped to help you, " I said. "I did not like to have you left whenyou were so bad. "

"No, you didn't, " he cried, with a vicious snarl. "You stopped to playthe miserable, contemptible, cowardly spy. It's just like you, Dale. You always were a beast!"

"If you call me a beast, I'll knock your head off!" I cried, for mytemper was rising against him and against myself, for I felt that I hadbeen imposed upon, and horribly weak and stupid in my sympathy for onewho was shamming from beginning to end. 

"It would take a better man than you, " he snarled. 

"Not it, though you are bigger and stronger, " I cried. "Get up, andI'll show you. "

"Get up, " he groaned, "while I'm so weak and bad that I can't stir?"

"Can't stir, " I said, as I realised how thoroughly the doctor had readhim, and I understood now why Mr Frewen was so indifferent instead ofbeing sympathetic. "Why, there's nothing the matter with you at all. You can move as well as I can. Get up, sneak!"

"Oh!" he groaned, "you're as great a brute as the doctor, " and he turnedup his eyes till only the whites showed, making him look so ghastly inthe dim light, that I was ready to fancy I was misjudging him after all. 

But I recalled his manner and his utterance as soon as he had made surethat the doctor had gone, and thought himself quite alone. 

"Get up, " I said again, "and leave off this miserable shamming. There'snothing the matter with you at all. "

He groaned again, and it made me feel so angry at the thought of hisbelieving that he could impose upon me again, that I raised my rightfoot, whose toes seemed to itch with a desire to kick him. 

"Get up!" I cried angrily again. 

"I can't, I can't!" he groaned. 

"Get up, " I said, "or I'll lie down by you and punch your head thatway!"

"Oh, you coward, you coward!" he moaned. 

"No, it's you who are the coward, shamming being injured. Will you getup?"

"What, " he snarled, changing his manner again, "to fight with amiserable coward who is armed?"

"I'm not armed now, " I cried, snatching the revolver I carried from mybelt, and laying it on Mr Preddle's chest. "Get up, you miserable, cowardly, treacherous, shamming impostor! I'll give you some physicwhich will do you more good than the doctor's. "

As I spoke, I gave him a heavy push with my foot. 

He sprang from the bunk as if he had been suddenly galvanised, made arush at me, and struck out with all his force, but I darted on one side, and he struck the bulk-head with his fist. 

"Poor fellow, how weak he is!" I said, as I stood on my guard, andwrithing now with bodily as well as mental pain, he came at me lookingalmost diabolical. 

I forgot everything the next moment--the nearness of the dangerouslywounded captain, and the alarm that would be felt by Miss Denning, andwith fists feeling like solid bone I sprang at him in turn. For I wasin a strange state of exaltation. My nerves had been stirred by theexcitement of the past days. I had been horribly imposed upon, and inplace of my pity I now felt something very near akin to hate for mytreacherous messmate, whom I had been ready, to forgive everything. Ifelt as if the most delightful thing in life would be to thrash him tillhe was in such a condition that he would be obliged to have the doctorto see to him and put him right--if he did not half-kill me instead, forhe looked capable of doing it then. But this last did not occur to me, as I made my fists fly at his head, no round-about windmill blows, butstraight-out shots right at his face, chest, anywhere I could see achance to hit, though in the majority of cases I missed him, andreceived his blows instead. 

But these did not seem to hurt, only excite me, and give me strength. They were like spurring to a horse; and as I hit out, my tongue was notidle, for I kept on taunting and gibing at him, asking if that one didnot make him groan and this one did not need the doctor, while all thetime he was perfectly silent, save that as he glared at me and foughtsavagely I could hear his teeth grinding together. He fought savagely, and so did I, for to use an old school-boy term, my monkey was up, and Iwas ready to keep on till I dropped. 

Blows fell fast enough on both, and then we closed and wrestled and wentdown. 

Then we were up, and crashing against the bulk-head on one side, then onthe other. Then I sent him staggering against the door; and _enrevanche_, as he recovered himself and came on again, he sent me heavilyagainst the ship's side, where the back of my head gave a sounding rapclose to the little circular window. 

Of course it was a matter of a very few minutes. Boy human nature couldnot stand a prolongation of such a fierce struggle, even if our muscleswere tense as so much elastic wood. And how that time passed I canhardly tell. I was conscious of seeing sparks, and then of Walters'eyes and gleaming teeth which were very hard to my knuckles. So was hishead, and the boards, and cabin-floor; but I fought on, and wrestled andwent down, and got up again, and the fighting was soon in perfectsilence as far as our lips were concerned, till after one desperateround--the last--I struck out so fiercely with my left, adding to it thewhole weight of my body, that Walters fell back over the chest in onecorner, his head struck the bulk-head with a sounding bang, and he wentdown in a sitting position, but in an instant sprang up again, grindinghis teeth. 

The cabin was nearly dark now and my fists were up for the renewal ofthe contest, for Walters seemed to be about to spring at me; but he drewback, and as quickly as I could grasp what it meant, I heard almostsimultaneously the clicking of my pistol-lock, the report, and the crashcaused by the sudden wrenching open of the cabin-door. 

"Hurt?" cried Mr Brymer, as I staggered back, conscious of a sharpstinging pain at the side of my head; and as he spoke he sprang atWalters, wrested the pistol from him, and threw him down. 

"I--I don't know, " I stammered as I put my hand to my ear. "Yes, Ithink so, " for my fingers were wet with blood. 

"You cowardly, treacherous hound!" cried the mate, with his foot uponWalters' breast. 

"I--oh don't!--help!--I was only defending myself from Dale. I'm weakand hurt, and--"

"A cowardly, malingering liar!" cried Mr Frewen, hotly. "He tried tomake me believe he was very bad, groaning and wincing, and thinking hehad deceived me, but I saw through him all the time. "

"No, no, I am bad!" groaned Walters, piteously. 

"He isn't, " I said, with my anger against him mastering a sensation ofsickness. "He was shamming; I found him out, and we quarrelled andfought, and as soon as he was beaten he caught up the pistol and firedat me. "

"It's all a lie!" shouted Walters, fiercely. "I was so weak and illthat I--"

"Jumped up well as I was, and called Mr Frewen a brute and a beast assoon as he was out of hearing. "

"And the pistol cocked itself, jumped up into his hand, and then wentoff and wounded Dale. Is it much, doctor?" said Mr Brymer. 

"No, only his ear cut, fortunately, " said Mr Frewen, holding ahandkerchief to my head. "An inch more and our amiable, treacherousyoung friend would have had to be tried for murder. Who's that?"

"Me, " growled Neb Dumlow. "Want help, sir?"

"No. Go and tell the captain there's nothing the matter, and MissDenning that there's no cause for alarm. Lock up the wild beast, Brymer! I thought he was a little weak and wanted feeding up. Leavehim to me, and I'll feed him down. "

Mr Brymer gave a sharp look round, and then closed the door and lockedit, while following Mr Frewen into the next cabin, he put a fewstitches in my injured ear and then strapped it up. 

"Feel sick?" he said. 

"Pretty well, " I said, and I looked dismally at my knuckles. 

"Like a light, and a glass to see your face?"

"Eh? No, " I cried, as I recalled all that had taken place. "Does itlook very bad?"

"Not half so bad as it will to-morrow, " said Mr Frewen, coolly. "Youhad a tidy fight then, you two?"

"Oh yes; don't talk about it, please, sir. He made me feel so wildafter I found out that he was only shamming. "

"Humph! Well, don't let Miss Denning see you. If you had been knockedabout like this in a struggle with those scoundrels under the hatch youwould have won her sympathy; but a lad who goes and indulges infisticuffs till his face looks like a muffin which has tumbled into theslop-basin, can't show himself in ladies' society till he has grownwell. "

"Oh, I say, Mr Frewen!" I cried. 

"It's a fact, " he said, laughing at my dismal face. 

"But can't you put some stuff on it to make it look better?"

"No, nothing, " he said coolly. "I only know of one thing that will helpyou out of your difficulty, " he continued quietly. 

"Yes, " I said. "What?"

"You must wait till we have another fight with the men forward, and thenif you get knocked about, all those bruises will go to the sameaccount. "

I was busily bathing my face and hands as he spoke, and then, as I begandabbing myself gently with a towel, there was an alarm from forwardwhich suggested that, though I was getting stiffer and more sore everymoment, the time had already come for the doctor's remedy to be put inforce, for there was a pistol-shot followed by several more, and a loudshouting which sounded like cries for help. 

It was a wonderful change from the previous night as we hurried alongthe deck to join our friends. The ship rode on an even keel, the nightwas glorious with stars, and the lanterns shone bright and clear wherethey were swung. There was no creeping along a few feet at a time, holding on by rope and belaying-pin, with the spray dashing over theside. 

We could see the group about the hatch standing a little back, for inspite of our defences, the mutineers were making a desperate effort toescape, and were keeping up a steady fire through the top and sides tocover the work of one of their number, who was chopping away at the doorto hack out the fastening. 

As we reached them, Mr Brymer was ready revolver in hand, hesitating asto whether he should fire, for he was husbanding his ammunition, thesupply being far from abundant. 

"It's getting warm, doctor, " he said as we came up. "What is to bedone? I grudge wasting cartridges. "

Just then Bob Hampton, who had been right aft, came trotting up. 

"Who is at the wheel?" said Mr Brymer, sharply. 

"Blane, sir. "

"That will do. Look here, Hampton, the captain saw to the receiving ofthe powder and cartridges while I was busy over the other portions ofthe cargo, and he is too weak to be questioned. You joined the mutinyfor a time. "

"Never, sir, for no time, " growled Bob. 

"Well, you were with the men, and in their confidence. "

"Not a bit on it, sir, arksing your pardon. Frenchy never trusted me amite; only got all the work out of me that he could. "

"Well, well, we will not argue little points, " said Mr Brymer, impatiently, as the chopping and firing went on. "You saw a great dealof what was going on. "

"Yes, sir, heaps; I kep' my eyes open. "

"Well, tell me this--what about the powder and weapons? What do youknow about them?"

"I'll tell you, sir, " said Bob; "but, begging your pardon, hadn't youbetter clap a stopper on this here game?"

"How, man?"

"Answering them shots, sir. "

"I would, but my cartridges are nearly all gone. How did you getthese?"

"Outer the hold, sir, where they stowed 'em close alongside o' theblasting-powder. There's plenty more. "

"Can you get them?"

"Oh yes, sir. You see, before the mutiny began, Jarette set some one, as I heard afterward, to smuggle all the cartridges and weapons he couldout of the cabins and from the captain's locker. "

"Yes, we found out that had been done. Who did they send?"

Bob Hampton chuckled. 

"Why, you know, sir. "

"Not Mr Walters?"

"If you was to spend all the rest o' your life, sir, making shots at it, you wouldn't never get nigher than that. "

"The young scoundrel! Then you know where the cartridges are?"

"Course I do, sir: under the battened down hatches yonder. Frenchy put'em there himself, and wouldn't let no one go nigh 'em, 'cause thefellows were always smoking. I got down to 'em at night when the stormwas coming, as you know, and when you want more, there they are, --yerpistols and guns too. "

"Oh, that puts quite a different complexion upon our position, MrDenning. We can fire as much as we like, " cried the mate. "But oneword more, Hampton. What about the mutineers? Have they a very largesupply of ammunition?"

"Well, sir, that I can't say. I know Jarette always kep' his pocketsjam-full, but I don't know nothing about the others. "

The chopping was still going on while this discussion took place, andshot after shot was fired, evidently in a blind fashion, as if the manwho used the revolver was unable to take an aim at any one, and merelyfired to keep us away from the hatch; but now all at once we werestartled by a sharp jingling of glass, and the violent swinging of oneof the lanterns, which had been struck by a bullet. 

"That was the result of some one aiming, " cried Mr Denning, sharply. 

"If they don't do any more damage than that it won't matter, " said MrPreddle. 

"Look here, Brymer, " whispered Mr Frewen, speaking now after carefullywatching the dimly-seen hatch for some minutes, "it strikes me that ifyou let them go on firing for a little longer they will be forced tosurrender. "

"For want of ammunition?" said the mate. 

"No; for want of air. That ventilator will not carry off the foul gasfrom the firing. "

"But the holes they are making will, " said the mate. "If it were not sodark you would see that the smoke is curling out from several littleholes. "

Mr Frewen took a step forward; there was a sharp report, and hestaggered back. "Flit?" cried Mr Preddle, excitedly. "Yes, but nothurt, " replied Mr Frewen. "The bullet struck my collar, and it waslike something giving me a violent jerk. "

"Change positions every one, " said Mr Brymer in a low voice. "Hampton, the lanterns. Let them both down, and put them in the galley. "

Bob Hampton ran to one line by which they were hoisted up, I to theother; and as I was lowering mine down, I heard a shot, and a whizz likea bee flying over my head. 

"Quite time that was done, " said the mate, as the two lighted lanternswere taken by Bob and carried to the galley. But the door was fast, andit was not until after a good deal of dragging and wrenching that it waspulled open, I holding the two lights, while Bob tugged. 

Bang! went a revolver again, and a shot whizzed by my companion's ear, and stuck into the side of the galley. 

"Look sharp, Hampton; they can see you, man!" cried Mr Brymer. "Throwsomething over the lights. "

"Done it, sir, " cried Bob, as the door yielded, and I stepped forward toget the lanterns in, when, as Bob opened the door widely, and the lightflashed in, he uttered a yell, and nearly dropped the lanterns, forthere before us in the corner of the galley stood, or lay back, aghastly-looking figure which at first sight seemed to me like the bodyof one of the mutineers who had been shot. But as I stood trembling andholding up one light, the white face moved and the eyes blinked. 

"What's the matter?" cried Mr Brymer, loudly. "Go and see, MrFrewen. "

The doctor took a few steps and joined us, saw the figure, and saidsharply--"Another prisoner?"

"No, sir; can't he; 'cause he's fastened hisself in, " replied Bob. "Why, matey, what are you doing here? I thought you was a ghost. "

"Why, it's the cook!" I exclaimed. 

"Cooky it is, sir, " said Hampton. "Here y'are, mate; we've brought youa light. "

The lanterns were thrust in, the door shut, and we hurried back, discussing our discovery, but this was checked by the firing from thehatch, while the blows from an axe threatened to make short work of thedoor and the boards that had been nailed across. 

"What's to be done?" said Mr Preddle, mildly. "Hadn't you better speakto them, Mr Brymer?"

"I feel as if I can only speak by deputy, " he replied, and he raised hispistol, --"by this. But I don't like firing until the last extremity. "

"I'll speak to them, " said Mr Frewen. 

"Very well; but get well out of reach. They will not be so merciful aswe are. "

Mr Frewen went round to the bow-side of the hatch, and shouted loudlyto those in the forecastle, with the result that the chopping ceased, and after a few moments' delay Jarette's voice was heard. 

"You surrender then, eh?" he shouted. "Look sharp and knock off theseboards. "

Mr Brymer could not help laughing aloud, and a pistol was fired in hisdirection. 

"Stop that!" shouted Mr Frewen. "Look here, my men, if you hand outyour weapons through the top of the hatch, and promise not to attempt toescape, food and water shall be passed down, and you shall receive fairtreatment till we get into port. "

"Do you hear, my lads?" cried Jarette, loudly. "And when we get in portthey'll hand us over as prisoners. What do you--there, I'll say it foryou, " he continued hastily. "No, no, no! And now listen to me, all youwho can hear. You can't sail into port without us, and you are onlyproposing a truce because you are growing frightened. "

"Indeed!" said Mr Frewen, coolly. 

"Yes, indeed, doctor. I know your voice. Now you take my advice--youand those two passengers. Get back to your cabins, and perhaps I'llforgive you. We can come on deck now whenever we like, and we'remasters here. If you don't do as I say, look out, for I warn you I cancover all of you with my pistol, and if I couldn't I'd sink the shipbefore you should hold her again. "

"Then you refuse to surrender?" cried Mr Frewen. "Harkye, my lads, below there; don't let this madman lead you on to your ruin. Will yousurrender?"

"Silence below there!" shouted Jarette. "I'll give him his answer. There!"

He fired, evidently aiming in the direction of Mr Frewen's voice, forthe bullet whizzed over the doctor's head; when, without waiting fororders, Mr Preddle fired back, and his shot was followed by a sharpejaculation, suggesting that some one had been hit; but directly afterwe heard a little talking, and several shots were fired at us, butwithout effect. 

"There, " said Mr Brymer, "we have done our duty by them, we must now doit by ourselves. "

"If we could only master that one man, " said Mr Frewen in the littlecouncil of war which followed, "we could manage. "

"Hadn't you better order the hose to be laid on, Mr Brymer, sir, " saidBob Hampton, "and drown 'em out like rats?"

"It would be punishing the weak with the guilty and strong, my lad, "said Mr Brymer. "I am loth to proceed to extremities. "

"Werry well then, sir, smoke 'em out as you would rats. I dessay thedoctor has got some brimstone. "

"Yes, I have, Hampton, " said Mr Frewen; "but, you see, these are men, not rats. "

"That's a true word, sir. "

"You would not like to kill them all in cold blood, my man?"

"No, sir, that's a butchery sort o' way; but I'm ready to give 'em awopses' nest squib to bring 'em to their senses. "

"Out of their senses, man!" cried Mr Frewen, impatiently. "It meansdeath, I tell you--wholesale murder. The men, I repeat, are not rats. "

"Well, sir, they're behaving like 'em, and there's no gammon about itnow. They're desprit; Jarette's worked 'em up; and they've got thejudge to face if we take 'em into port. Strikes me it's our lives ortheirn; but you knows best. I was thinking about the young lady. "

Just then the chopping began again, and Mr Brymer raised his pistol andfired. 

The chopping ceased, and there was a burst of loud talking. Then allwas still for hours, while a careful watch was kept until morning. 

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. 

The discovery of the cook made a great difference in the state ofaffairs. It was found that he had been forced by Jarette's threats towork for the mutineers, and if they had gained the upper hand he wouldno doubt have sided with them again; but now he seemed to return gladlyto his regular duties, and he was as energetic as possible in preparingbreakfast, waiting on Miss Denning and her brother, and when he was notcooking, making himself generally useful, as the advertisements say, about the cabins, especially that of the captain, to whom, unasked, hebegan to act as nurse. 

That morning, by Mr Brymer's orders, he filled a number of bottles withfresh water, and got ready a quantity of biscuits, which he was told tobear to the mutineers. 

"But I dursen't, sir, " he said. "That Jarette would swear I was atraitor as soon as he heard my voice, and shoot me same as he did poorPhipps. "

"What! the steward?" cried Mr Frewen. 

"Yes, sir, dead, on the night they rose. "

"You rose, " said Mr Brymer. 

"No, sir, I didn't; I'm only a cook, and not a fighting man. One doeslots of things when a pistol's held to your head as you wouldn't doother times. "

"Bring the biscuit and water, " said Mr Frewen, "and I'll speak to themen. They will not use pistols when they know food is going to be givento them. "

The cook shook his head. 

"You don't know Jarette, sir, " he said. 

"I'll go with you and help you, " I cried, for I fully believed MrFrewen's words, which proved quite correct, till we had passed down allthat we had taken, the men eagerly thrusting up their hands and seizingbottle and biscuit. 

Then as the last bottle of water was handed through the opening BobHampton had left when he nailed the boards over, Jarette shouted--

"That isn't all, is it?"

"Yes, " I said, "that's all you'll get;" and fortunately I started awayand fell back in my fright, for quick as lightning the scoundrel thrustout a pistol and fired at me, the flash being so close that I felt surefor the moment that I was hit. In fact I was stunned, but it was fromthe sharp rap which I gave the back of my head on the deck. 

"Hurt?" cried Mr Frewen, running to my help, as I sat up rubbing theback of my head. 

"Hurt? Yes, of course I am, " I cried, angrily; but I laughed it off thenext minute, for I was afraid that they would think it cowardly of mefor shrinking away. 

"I'm afraid it will be some time before they get any more refreshments, "said Mr Preddle, laughing; and now by Mr Brymer's orders a tarpaulinwas drawn over the top of the hatch, but it had not been there a minutebefore a knife-blade was passed through it, and a good-sized piece cutout. 

Then a board was thrown on, but it was only tossed away, and shot aftershot was fired, evidently, from the good aim taken, by some one whocould see the people on deck. 

Nothing more was done then, for the mutineers made no further attempt toescape; and in wonderful contrast to what we had gone through, it nowfell perfectly calm, with the sun blazing down upon us and the heatintense. 

Short-handed though we were, matters fell back into the old shiproutine, with the exception that the watches kept were against somethingmore serious than the weather. 

The captain seemed better; and though they were not friendly, there was, it appeared to me, a certain amount of polite intercourse kept upbetween Mr Frewen and the Dennings, though Mr Denning always appearedto be rather cold and strange during the short time they were togetherat meals. These the cook served up regularly for the officers, passengers, and men, the two who were at the wheel having settled downin their places with Hampton and his two companions, and had even goneso far as to offer to fight upon our side. 

They sent the message by Bob Hampton, and he bore it to Mr Brymer, butsaid to me afterwards with a good deal of screwing up of his honestwrinkled countenance--

"Mr Brymer can do as he likes, of course, Mr Dale, but I should justtrust them two chaps as far as I could see 'em. "

"They'll be all right while we have the upper hand, Bob, " I said, "andgo against us if Jarette beats us. "

"That's it, sir. You're as right as you can get. I'm friendly with'em, of course; but I've got my eyes open, and they don't go nigh thathatch while I'm on deck. "

"Do you think we can trust the cook, Bob?" I said in a low voice, forwe were not far from the galley, which was smoking away as methodicallyas if there were no such thing as a mutiny on board. 

Bob gave me a very slow wink. 

"Suet, " he said in a whisper. 

"What?"

"Suet, sir. That's 'bout what he's made on. Sort of soft fat man. There's no harm in him, only softness. Think of a fellow being soscared that he goes and shuts hisself up and drinks hisself into a stateo' muddle so as not to know what's going on. Why, if one's got to bedrowned, one wants to make a bit of a fight for it. Never say die, mylad. Life in a mussel, you know. Oh, there's no harm in oldbile-the-pot, only I shouldn't like to depend on him in a row, though hecould do us a lot o' good. "

"How?" I said, laughing, as I thought of Bob's low estimate of hisfighting powers. 

"Lot of ways, my lad. Cook's got a good many advantages, you see. Red-hot pokers is one; pots and kettles o' boiling water's another, without counting the long sharp knives; but he won't do nothing, and Imust. Don't walk too near the wild beasts' cage, my lad, I'm goingaft. "

He went steadily aft to mount the poop-deck, while being near the galleyI strolled towards it to have a few words with the man of suet, and ashe welcomed me with a simple placid smile, I felt that Bob Hampton'sestimate of his character was pretty correct, and that it would be badpolicy to trust much to him in a time of peril. 

"Well, " I said, "been to the captain?"

"Yes, Mr Dale, sir, and have taken him a beautiful basin of broth. Letme give you one. "

"No, not now, " I said, though I felt tempted to say yes. "Did you takeMr Walters his provisions?"

"I did, sir, with Mr Brymer looking on all the time. "

"Does he seem very bad?"

"Well, sir, he pulled a long face, but I don't think there's much thematter with him. He can eat readily enough. "

"I say, cook, " I half whispered, "you were a good deal on deck?"

"No, sir, not much, I was busy here. The crew ate a deal. "

"But you knew about Mr Walters being shut up in the cable-tier?"

The cook glanced uneasily toward the forecastle-hatch and shook hishead. 

"They can't hear you, " I said, "and even if they could they can't get atyou. "

"I don't know, sir, " he whispered; "that Jarette's got ears such as noman before ever had. I've often thought it isn't hearing he has, but akind of knowing. "

"Oh, he's knowing enough!" I said, laughing. 

"I don't mean that, Mr Dale, " he whispered. "I mean there's somethinguncanny about him, as the Scotch people say, and he can tell what youare thinking about without your saying it. "

"Oh, nonsense!"

"It arn't nonsense, sir, and there's more about him than you think for. Why, he can do anything with the men. They're not only afraid of him, but they're obliged to do what he wants, and if I was Mr Brymer, sir, Ishouldn't rest till he was put in a boat and sent off to shift forhimself. "

"You think he's dangerous then?"

"Ah, that he is, sir; and if he isn't hatching out something row tosurprise you all, I don't know mutton from beef. "

I looked sharply at the cook, for his words chimed in with a kind offancy I had that the people in the forecastle were not so silent fornothing. 

"Ah, well, " I said, "I dare say we shall be ready for him if he does tryto play any pranks. But you didn't tell me about Mr Walters. "

The cook gave a sharp glance round. 

"What's the matter?" I asked. 

"I don't seem to like to talk about him, sir, " he whispered. "He neverforgets anything, and never forgives anybody. I wouldn't say a wordagainst him for worlds. "

"I don't ask you to, " I said; "I only asked you why Mr Walters was shutup in the cable-tier?"

"Jarette don't like him, sir. He found him very useful for stealingpistols and cartridges, and fastening people in the cabins, but once hegot all he wanted, though he made a fuss with him and encouraged him tostrut about, and called him his lieutenant, he used to be always lookingat him ugly-like, and I got to think that before long there would be arow. "

"And there was?"

"Oh yes, sir, a terrible row. You see Mr Walters couldn't forget thathe had been an officer, and Jarette couldn't forget he had been afore-mast man, and feel jealous of Mr Walters, who used to make-believeamongst the men that he was the real captain of the ship, and thateverything depended upon him. So at last there was a terrible row aboutsomething in the navigation, and Mr Walters told Jarette that he didn'tknow anything about it. Then the Frenchman hit him, kind of boxed hisears, and Mr Walters whips out a pistol. That was enough. Jarettewhistled up the men, who none of 'em liked Mr Walters, and before heknew where he was, they had him on his back with his pistol gone and himhelpless. He made a bit of a fuss, and threatened to have Jarettepunished if he did not give it up, and then the skipper pointed thepistol at him, and told the men who were holding Mr Walters down tohang back as far as they could while he shot the prisoner. That wasenough. The poor boy began to holloa out and beg for mercy, and Jaretteset to and teased him, sir, horribly. 

"`Oh, very well, ' he says, `you don't want to be shot?'

"`No, no!' cries Mr Walters, crying now like a little child. 

"`Well, then, sir, ' says Jarette, `I'll try and oblige you. '

"Mr Walters lay watching him with his eyes rolling, but they wouldn'tlet him turn his head, while Jarette whispered something to some of themen, who went forward, and I saw them stoop down, but I didn't know whatthey were doing there even when they came back, and at a word four ofthem seized him, taking hold of his ankles and wrists. 

"`What are you going to do?' cried Mr Walters, who looked white, sir, as so much dough. 

"`What you wanted, ' says Jarette. `You didn't want to be shot, so Ithought I'd humour you, and have you pitched overboard. '

"Then Mr Walters begins to howl for mercy, but Jarette shakes his head. 

"`Off with him!' he cried; and in spite of the poor fellow's kicks andstruggles, they trotted with him right forward and close up to the bows. Then I shut my eyes, for I thought it was all over, and I put my head alittle farther out of the door-way here to listen for the splash. Butthere came a shriek and a loud slap down of a lid, and then I opened myeyes and saw the men all laughing, and found what they had done. Forthey had given the poor fellow a few swings to make him believe he wasgoing over, and then all at once took a few steps and shot him down feetfirst into the cable-tier, shutting the lid over him directly after. "

"The cowardly brute, to torture any one like that!" I said to myself, as I went aft and into the saloon, stopping for a few moments byWalters' prison, and feeling sorry for him till I passed my hand over myface. 

That night passed quietly enough, and a soft breeze rose to send usgently through the water, Mr Brymer giving his instructions to the menat the wheel as to the course they were to steer, though I had not theleast notion where we were bound for now. 

A strict watch was kept, of course, and there was a slight alarm once, but it passed off; and the sun rose again, with the wind dropping, andleaving us once more rocking gently upon the smooth ocean. 

We were all in better spirits though, thanks to the cook and the fewhours of rest every one had managed to snatch. Mr Frewen gave us thenews, too, that the captain was decidedly better, and that Miss Denningwas nursing him constantly. 

This was a bit of relief to me, for it kept Miss Denning in the cabin, and I was determined not to let her see my face till I looked different. 

About an hour later, first one and then another crawled along the deckvery silently to try and make out what was going on in the forecastle. 

I did not go, neither did Mr Frewen or Mr Preddle. Mr Denning was inthe captain's cabin resting; but all came back with the same story, onewhich relieved me, for I was startled, thinking that the party were allsmothered by being shut down in the cabin place in such hot weather. 

Dumlow, Blane, and Bob Hampton all said that the men were sleeping, andthat they thought they had been at the drink. 

Mr Brymer crept close up in his turn, listened for some time, andconfirmed the men's statement. 

"Getting ready for a fresh attack, " he said. "I'll have a talk to thecaptain as to what is to be done. "

He placed another trusty man on duty, ready to give the alarm if themutineers woke and tried to break out, and then proposed that we shouldall go into the captain's cabin and have a council of war once more. 

"Think he can bear it, Frewen?" he said. 

"Oh yes, if we do not stay too long. It will rouse him up and do himgood mentally, to feel that he has some interest in the management ofthe ship. "

"Then come along, " said the mate. "But where is Mr Preddle?"

"Gone to look after his fish, " I said; for he was always snatching everyopportunity to go and see how the salmon and trout fry were getting on. 

"Go and fetch him, Dale. "

I had to pass Mr Frewen on my way, and I seized the opportunity towhisper to him--

"I shall hang back till you come to the door, and signal to me that MissDenning has gone. She mustn't see me like this. "

He smiled, and I went forward to where Mr Preddle was making himselfvery hot by using the bellows to aerate the water. 

"Yes--yes, of course, " he said. "I'll come. " And hastily putting onthe light flannel jacket he had removed, he followed me toward thesaloon. 

"They will not make a rush and get out while we are away, will they?" hesaid, with an uneasy look over his shoulder. 

"They are well watched, " I replied, "and we shall not be very long. "

"Ah! It would be very dreadful if they did, Dale. Have they been fedthis morning?"

"Why, you talk as if they were wild beasts in a cage, Mr Preddle, " Isaid merrily. 

"So they are, " he cried, --"worse. I feel sometimes as if I could killthem all. "

"Gone to her own cabin, Dale, " said Mr Frewen, meeting us at thesaloon-door-way, and Mr Preddle looked at us inquiringly. 

"Dale is afraid of Miss Denning seeing his wounds, " said Mr Frewen, laughing. "He does not think they look the proper kind to be proud of. "

"I wish you wouldn't joke me about my bad face, Mr Frewen, " I said, aswe entered the far cabin, where the mate was seated by CaptainBerriman's cot, and I was startled to see how changed he looked. 

But his eyes were bright, and he held out his hand to each in turn, aswe stood about with the door well open, the place of course being verysmall. 

"Now, sir, " said Mr Brymer, firmly, "you know how we stand. I'mhorribly averse to taking life, but things cannot go on as they are. "

"No, " said the captain, in a voice hardly above a whisper. "You mustact now, and firmly, before there is loss of life on our side. "

"That means then, " said Mr Frewen, "shooting down every man who attacksus. "

"Of course, " said a low, firm voice, and I started to see that MrDenning was standing outside. 

"My practice is always to save life if I can, Mr Denning, " said thedoctor, sadly. "Are you not too hard and revengeful?"

"Neither, sir, " replied Mr Denning, sternly. "If I were alone I wouldsay nothing, but I have my sister to protect, and I say that at any costthese ruffians must not leave that place alive. "

There was so absolute a silence in the captain's cabin, that we allheard distinctly a piteous sigh from that which Mr Denning had justleft. 

"Yes, Mr Denning is quite right, " said Mr Preddle, in hishighly-pitched voice. "I hate all this, and I am not a fighting man;but I know that I shall fire on the first wretch who tries to break outwithout a qualm. "

"You hear, Mr Frewen, " said the mate; "I am forced by circumstances totake very strong measures. "

"That may mean the death of several of those misguided men?" said MrFrewen, excitedly. 

"I fear so, sir. But Captain Berriman agrees with me that it is ourduty, unless we like to well provision a boat and leave the ship. "

"But that would be a terrible alternative, " said Mr Frewen, hastily. 

"Terrible, sir; and a cowardly and unfaithful one to the owners of thevessel. "

"But can we not keep the men down until you are able to run into someport?"

"When we have run into the region of calms. No, sir, even if we hadfavourable winds we are horribly short-handed, and I should not dare tomake much sail for fear of a change, and being unable to reduce it. "

"But that is not the point, doctor, " said the captain, in a feeblevoice; "those scoundrels are certain to make a desperate effort to breakout before many hours have passed, and if they do, I fear that yougentlemen will be too humane to back up Mr Brymer and the men. "

"But--" began Mr Preddle. 

"Pray understand, gentlemen, that I do not doubt your courage, " said thecaptain. 

"Nor I, gentlemen, " cried Mr Brymer, warmly. "You have to a man--andboy, " he added hastily as he glanced at me--"proved how I can trust you;but there is not one of you who would not shrink, and naturally too, from shooting down one of our enemies. Am I not right?"

"I'm afraid so, " replied Mr Frewen, gravely. "Even Mr Denning wouldshrink from the stern necessity. "

I glanced at Mr Denning, and saw him wince. 

"Then you will agree with Captain Berriman and me that some very sternmeasures must be taken?"

"Yes, " said Mr Preddle. 

"I do, certainly, " replied Mr Denning. 

Mr Frewen and I were both silent; but at last the doctor spoke. 

"What do you propose doing?" he said, rather huskily. 

"That is what we are here to decide, and that quickly, for one or two ofus must always be on deck. Can you suggest anything, either of you?"

No one spoke, and I felt that whoever did would feel like a judgecondemning a man to death. 

"Time is flying, gentlemen, " said the mate. "We must act, and thecaptain and I ask for your help to share this terrible responsibility;for whatever we do we shall have to answer for to the laws of ourcountry. "

"Yes, " said Mr Frewen, solemnly, "and to our God. "

"Amen, " said Mr Denning, softly; and he walked into the cabin, and laidhis hand upon that of Captain Berriman, both men gazing into eachother's eyes as if in their feeble state they might soon be called uponto answer the question what they had done with the talents committed totheir charge. 

Perhaps I was very weak then, and I ought to have been stronger and moremanly; but my eyes grew very dim, and for some minutes I could not seewhat was going on. 

Mr Frewen was the first to break the solemn silence. 

"Gentlemen, " he said; and then he stopped while every one turned to him, and I thought how handsome, manly, and yet how stern he looked as hestood gazing straight before him and through the cabin-window at theglittering sea, while I could hardly hear a breath. Then he wenton--"Heaven knows, " he said, "that I would not shrink from my duty; andMr Denning may rest assured, that if it comes to the worst, I will givemy life sooner than harm should come to the dear lady we all reverence--and love. But I shrink, as a man who has had so much to do with lifeand death, from taking the life of any one, however vile he may be. "

Mr Brymer fidgeted a little, and Mr Frewen saw it. 

"Bear with me a few moments, " he said, "and I have done. I shrink, Isay, from shedding blood; but if the stern necessity comes, I willstrike home as a man should at such a time. "

"You--" began Mr Brymer. 

"Stop, sir, and hear me out, " said Mr Frewen. "It seems to me thatthere can be no doubt of one thing: if we can shoot down--wounded, Ihope--this man Jarette, we might easily master his followers. "

"I have no doubt of that whatever, " said Mr Brymer. 

"Exactly, and that shall be done if all other methods fail. "

"What other methods, sir?" said Mr Denning. 

"You gentlemen may have some plans, for my part I have but one. "

"We have no plans, " they all said eagerly. "Then you have one?"

"Yes, " said Mr Frewen. "I have one--a wild and desperate one, whoseaim is to separate Jarette from his followers, living, and to make himprisoner. It may fail, for it is, as I say, a wild and desperate plan. "

"In Heaven's name then, doctor, what is it?" said the captain, feebly. "Speak out, sir; you know how bad I am, and that this business iskilling me. "

"Then I will speak out, captain, " said Mr Frewen, warmly. "I did meanto ask you all to wait, and have confidence in me sufficient to let mehave forty-eight hours for my trial without divulging what I intended todo. "

"The times are too desperate, Mr Frewen, " said the mate. "Don't askthat of us. "

"No; I say I will speak, but I ask you not to look upon the attempt aschildish or absurd until it has been tried. "

He paused, and seeing how faint and hot the captain looked, bade me stepback, and push the saloon-light farther open. 

I did so, and returned nervous and excited, in dread lest I should missa word. 

But Mr Frewen had not spoken, but stood looking straight before him. Then he said quickly--"I am going to do rather a risky thing, an actwhich may imperil men's lives; but I shall be as guarded as possible. "

"Yes, " said Mr Denning, eagerly. 

"Before long, " continued Mr Frewen, in a low, firm voice, "a freshsupply of food and water must be given to those men. They cannot bestarved to death. "

"No, of course not, " said Mr Brymer, excitedly. 

"Then you grasp of course what I propose doing. I shall drug that foodwith one of the powerful extracts which I have in my medicine-chest. Itwill be passed down to the men, who will be almost voracious, and thenwe shall have to wait until it has taken effect, open the hatch, secureJarette, and separate the others into, say, three parties--one in thecable-tier, the other in the forecastle, the last in the hold or one ofthe cabins. The rest, I think, will be easy. "

There was a dead silence. 

"Do you think my plan too wild?"

"No, " said Mr Denning, quickly. "God bless you, doctor!" and he heldout both his hands. 

"Yes, that plan will do, " said Captain Berriman, "I feel assured. "

"Yes, yes, " was murmured in a tone full of emotion; and at that momentthere was a sharp crack which seemed to have come from somewhere in thesaloon. 

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. 

We all ran out, but no one was there, and Walters' cabin door was fast. 

I was quickest, and ran out of the saloon, but there was no one nearerthan the forecastle-hatch in one direction, and on the other as I ran upthe ladder there was the man at the wheel, one of the men we hadsecured, while the other was seated on the bulwark talking to him andsmoking. 

"What could it have been?" I thought, for a shiver of dread had runthrough me, a dread that some one had been listening, and overheard thedoctor's words. 

But the next moment I laughed, and went back to those who were examiningthe various cabins. 

"All right, " I said, pointing upwards, "that was it; I did not properlyfasten up that sky-light, and it fell down. "

It was exactly as I said, for there was the window I had stuck open shutclosely down. 

"I was afraid that some one had been listening to what I had planned, "said Mr Frewen. 

"So was I, sir, " I said, "but we're all right. The men were both at thewheel. "

The next minute we were all in consultation again. I say we, for I wasquite made one of them, young as I was. Then the matter was thoroughlydiscussed, for Mr Frewen's plan proved to be not so easy onconsideration as we had at first supposed. 

"You see, gentlemen, " said Mr Brymer, "it's one thing to set a trap, and another to get your rats to walk into it. How were you thinking ofgiving it to them?"

"I thought dissolved in water, " replied Mr Frewen. 

"Two objections to that, " said Mr Denning; "the stuff would make ittaste, and in all probability some of the men would not take it. "

"I'll answer for it that Jarette would not touch water, " cried MrBrymer, "so that plan will not do. You can't give it to him withbiscuits. Yes, what's the matter?" he cried, for there was a loudrapping at the entrance to the saloon. 

"Beg pardon, sir, " said Bob Hampton's voice, "here's a deppytation fromthe chaps in the forksle. "

"What?" cried Mr Brymer, in alarm, "are they out?"

"No, sir, not they. One of 'em's got up into the hatchway as spokesman, and he's been giving us a bit of his mind. "

"What does he say?"

"Says as he wants to know whether you mean to starve 'em out; as they'veon'y had some water and biscuit for twenty-four hours, and that if youdon't send 'em some grub, they'll set fire to the ship, for they'dsooner be roasted than starved. "

"All right, Hampton; go back and tell them that we will see what can bedone, but that if they fire another shot they shall not have a biscuit. "

"Right, sir, " growled Hampton, and he turned upon his heel and wentback, while Mr Brymer exclaimed in an excited whisper--

"There, doctor, could anything be better?"

"No; they are playing into our hands; but there is the difficulty still. How can we give it to them? It must be something of which all willpartake. Why not have some coffee made for them?"

"Half of them wouldn't touch it, " said Captain Berriman. "I'd suggestgrog, but they have spirits no doubt, and they want food. "

There was a dead silence, and then feeling nervous, and as if I wascertain to be snubbed, I ventured to speak. 

"Wouldn't a tin of the soup do?" I said. 

Mr Brymer brought his hand down on my shoulder. 

"The very thing!" he cried eagerly. "You have some tins of soup amongstthe Australian meat, captain?"

"Yes, plenty. "

"That will do then, only it must be done with a certain amount ofcunning, or they may have suspicions. Depend upon it, if I am seen init they will not take the stuff. "

"Then what is to be done?" said Mr Frewen. 

"I propose, " replied Mr Brymer, "that I get a couple of tins out of thestore and open them. Then Dale here shall take them to the cook; theexcuse for their being opened is to be that so many tins have gone bad. "

"Which is true enough, " said the captain, feebly. 

"Exactly, " continued Mr Brymer; "and these were opened to make surethat they were all right. "

"Well?"

"You can give me the stuff--laudanum, or whatever it is--to mix with thecontents of one tin, which Dale can take to the cook, and tell him towarm up and reduce with hot water, while he reserves the other for ourtable. "

"But why give him two?" said the doctor. 

"Because I want to avert suspicion in every way. The cook has beenmixed up with the men, and he shut himself up as you know in dread ofour punishing him, perhaps shooting him down. He may suspect something, and manage to warn the men. If two tins are sent, one for the men andone for our own table, everything will look simple and ordinary. "

"And suppose he gives us the drugged one by mistake?"

"We can guard against that by sending a large one and a small one. No--by sending two different kinds. "

"There is only one kind, " said the captain. 

"I don't like the plan, " said the doctor. "It may end in a mistake, andwe don't want to be hoist with our own petard. "

"Hang it, no!" cried Mr Brymer. "All right then, we will not eat thesoup. "

"But why shouldn't I take my drug--it will only be a small portion of awhite powder--and drop it into the soup when it is ready?"

"Because there would certainly be some hitch in the proceedings tohinder you getting it in. Besides, we don't want the cook to be in thesecret. "

"Very well then, " said the doctor, "I suppose that must be the plan. I'll go and get the drug ready at once, and bring it here. But oneminute; how many men are there in the forecastle?--because I must reckonaccordingly. "

"Say sixteen. You must give them a pretty good dose. "

"Yes; but not strong enough to be risky, " said Mr Frewen; and he signedto me to go with him to his cabin, where he opened his medicine-chest, and after a little thought, carefully weighed out, from a stopperedbottle, an absurdly small portion of a whitish powder and placed it in asquare of white paper. 

"There, " he said, "take that to Mr Brymer, and tell him to give it agood stir round, or we shall be killing some of the scoundrels, andletting others off scot free. "

"Yes, " I said, looking with no little interest at the powder which hehad turned out of the tiny scales he had used. "The cook is sure tostir it well too. But, Mr Frewen, will that little pinch or two ofstuff be enough?"

"Plenty, " he said. "It is as far as I dare go, for it is most potent. "

"And it will send them off to sleep?"

"Into a sleep so deep that it would be impossible to awaken them forsome hours. "

"Ugh!" I ejaculated, as I took the little packet and thrust it into mypocket. "I hope, if ever you give me any physic, you'll be careful notto give me any out of the wrong bottle. "

"I'll take care, " he said. "Mind you warn Mr Brymer to be very carefultoo. "

I nodded and went out of the cabin, took a turn along the deck to seethat the men were keeping watch by the forecastle-hatch, and then turnedin at the galley to say a word or two to the cook, asking him what wewere to have for our dinner. I went straight back to where Mr Brymerwas down in the captain's store-room with a lantern, by whose light Icould see before me two of the large well-known drum-shaped tins ofportable soup. 

"Got it?" he said in a whisper. 

I handed him the packet without a word. 

"Look here, " he said. "There are two kinds, with blue label and yellowlabel. You see I shall put the stuff in the yellow labelled tin. "

"Yes, I see, " I replied; and he opened the packet, shook out thecontents, so that it lay spread on the top of the brown-looking glueymeat essence, and then stirred it well round with a knife, till it couldnot help being well mixed. 

"There, we must chance that, " he whispered, "but it seems a very smalldose. "

"Mr Frewen said it was wonderfully strong, " I said. 

"Well, we must hope so. Take the tins. You will not make any mistake?"

"Oh no, I'll take care, " I said. "The yellow one for the men, the bluefor us; but you don't catch me touching it. "

"Nor me, Dale, " he said, with a nod. "And look here, I shan't openthis, but here's a big tin of kangaroo-tail; give him that too forwarming up for our dinner. "

I went away pretty well loaded, and walked to the galley. 

"Here, " I said, trying to speak merrily, but it was all forced, for Ifelt exceedingly nervous. "I was asking you just now what was fordinner. Here you are--kangaroo-tail for our dinner, and that soup inthe blue tin; and you're to put plenty of water to this other one, andmake a half-bucket-full of soup for the men in the forecastle. How soonwill it be ready?"

"Five minutes. I've plenty of boiling water. Who opened them?"

"We did, " I replied. "They are all right, but some of the tins aregoing bad. "

"Yes; I've had some I was glad to pitch overboard, sir, and if I had myway I'd make the folks as sells such rubbish for poor sailors eat itthemselves. "

"And serve 'em right. You understand you're to keep this one for us, and get ready the yellow tin?"

"All right, Mr Dale. "

"Hulloa, cookie, what's for dinner?" said the man who had just beenrelieved from taking his trick at the wheel. "Oh!--didn't know you werehere, sir. "

"Chump end of a hurdy-gurdy and organ sauce, messmate, " said the cook, meaning to be very facetious, while I walked out of the galley, passingthe man who had been sitting aft talking to the steersman. 

I reported the progress of what I had done to Mr Brymer, and thenwaited for further orders. 

"I think I'll stand out of this business altogether now, Dale, " he said. "Wait a few minutes and then take one of the men, say Dumlow, and serveout the stuff to them, passing down a fresh supply of biscuits as well. What's the matter?"

I flushed up. 

"I--I don't quite like doing it, Mr Brymer, " I said. 

He looked at me angrily, but his face softened directly. 

"No, " he said, "it is not a pleasant task. It seems treacherous andcruel, but I cannot show myself in the matter. They might turnsuspicious. Some one in authority must go, and it is a work of sheernecessity. You will have to go, Dale. "

"Yes, sir, I'll go, " I said firmly. "I don't like it, but I know it isright. "

"Go on then, my lad, and carry it through for all our sakes. Be carefulthat the man with you does not touch it. "

I nodded, and the time being near, I thrust my hands into my pockets, and began to whistle as I walked forward, passed the galley, and I wasabout to speak to Dumlow, who was on the watch, when a voice came out ofthe hatchway sounding smothered but unmistakable as Jarette's. 

"Now then, you sirs. Are there to be any rations served out, or are weto set fire to the ship?"

"Can't you wait a few minutes?" I said, trying to speak coolly as I sawthe two men who had been by the wheel smoking their pipes near thegalley and looking on. 

"Minutes, you whipper-snapper!" he snarled; "we've been waiting hours. "

"If you're not civil I'll tell the cook to keep the soup back for anhour. "

"Soup? What soup?" he cried. 

"Soup the cook's getting ready; Dumlow, go and get the biscuit-bag. "

Jarette uttered a grunt, and there was a buzz of voices from below whosetones plainly enough told of eager expectation, for they had been prettywell starved since they had been shut down in the cabin. 

Dumlow fetched the bag of biscuits, and with the men watching me Iprepared to go forward. 

"Better let me do it, sir, " growled Bob Hampton; "they may shoot. "

"No, I don't think they will, " I said quietly, as I looked aft to seethat my friends were, like the men hard by, watching me, and BarneyBlane right aft at the wheel. "Look here, below there, " I said, tryingto keep my voice steady, for I felt horribly nervous, and could not helpthinking that if anything went wrong the mutineers would visit what hadbeen done on me. 

"Look here, you, I'm going to serve out biscuits and soup. I shall handthe tins down through the hole in the hatch. Fair play. No pistolsnow. "

"Let's have the soup, and don't chatter, boy, " said Jarette, sharply, and just then the cook came out smiling with a bucket nearly full ofsteaming, fragrant-smelling soup, and the man who had been by the wheelcame behind him carrying a dozen tin mugs whose handles were strung on apiece of rope. 

"Here we are!" I said, strung up now to get the miserable business overas quickly as I could, and just then the cook set the bucket down on thedeck, and began to stir it with a big iron ladle. 

"Lot o' preserved vegetables and herbs and all in it, sir, " heexclaimed. "If I don't stir they'll go to the bottom. "

"Oh, keep stirring!" I said huskily, as I took a tin, made Dumlow laysome biscuits on the wooden boarding over the hatch, and I held the tinready while the cook filled it from the ladle. 

The next minute, with my hand trembling, I handed the first tin and abiscuit down, for both to be snatched from me. Then I shivered and feltthat all was over, for a familiar voice said--

"Taste that, one of you, and see if it's all right. "

"Oh, that's all right! Mister Jarette. Plenty o' salt, pepper, anddried herbs in it, " said the cook. 

Then there was a peculiar noise below, slightly suggestive of pigs, anda voice said--

"Jolly hot, but--suss!--good--capital!"

"Here, look sharp, skipper, make haste! Here, I'm first, " and a dozenother expressions greeted my ear, as, gaining courage, I had a secondone filled and passed it down, leaving it to Dumlow now to hand down thebiscuits, while as every portion was served there were grunts ofsatisfaction, and the cook smiled and looked as proud as could be. 

"Here you, cookie, _bon chef_, " cried Jarette; "I'll promote you as soonas I come to my rights. Ladle away. "

The cook did ladle away, and I handed the tins, moved by a kind offrenzy, so eager was I to get the horrible task over, while my heartbeat furiously. I shivered as I heard the men below laughing andtalking, as they praised the cook's performance, little imagining thehand I had had in the preparation. But I thought of how horrible itwould be if the drug proved too strong for some of the men, or if othersgot more than their share through its settling down, and in spite of thevigorous use the cook made of his ladle as we neared the bottom, I feltworse and worse, feeling as I did at last, that we were sending down tosome of the men that which might prove to be their death. 

"That's all!" shouted the cook at last, giving the upturned tin bucket aloud banging with his ladle, and a loud murmur of disappointment came upthrough the opening. 

"Be good boys, then, and I'll make you another lot to-morrow. Why, MrDale, sir, " he said, turning to me, "it has made you hot; your face isall over great drops. "

"Is it?" I said, rather faintly; "I suppose it is very hot. "

But all the same I felt cold and ready to shiver, while to escape noticeI hurried aft and entered the saloon where the gentlemen were waiting, Mr Brymer following me in. 

"Well!" he said eagerly. 

"They've taken it to the last drop, " I panted, and then to thedoctor--"Oh, Mr Frewen, I feel as if I had been committing a dozenmurders. I wish I had not said a word about the soup. "

CHAPTER THIRTY. 

Seeing how thoroughly upset I was, the mate told Mr Frewen to speak tome as soon as he was gone; for he was about to join the men on the watchby the forecastle-hatch, so as to be ready to take action as soon aspossible after the drug had acted. 

"How soon will it be?" he asked Mr Frewen. 

"I cannot tell you. I never administered it like this before, only insmall doses as an opiate in cases of intense suffering. It may be soon, it may be an hour or two. If they have, as we suppose, an ample supplyof spirits and tobacco below, it is possible that they may retard theaction. "

"Well, " said Mr Brymer, "be ready to come well-armed when I give thesignal--two whistles, mind. I shall call upon you the moment I fancy itcan be done. Hist!--the men. "

For the two sailors whom we had made prisoners through their being atthe wheel had been apportioned the duty of taking the steward's place, that poor fellow having without doubt gone overboard on the night of therising; and as Mr Brymer left the cabin, these two quickly and roughlyprepared the table for our mid-day meal, went forward, and brought backa tureen of soup, with a kind of ragout of the kangaroo's tail from thetin. 

The dinner was just ready, when there was a noise from forward; and wehurried to the door-way, but it was only to hear a roaring chorus risefrom the forecastle-hatchway. 

"They have begun at the spirits, " said Mr Frewen. And then telling thetwo sailors to ask Mr Brymer to come and join us, the men went forward, spoke to the mate, and he came to the saloon entrance. 

"Better come and join us, Brymer, " said Mr Frewen. "You want food: andwe can tell by the cessation of the noise they are making when the timefor action has come. "

"Oh, I can't eat, man, at a time like this!" said the mate, excitedly. 

"You must, to keep up your strength. Will Miss Denning join us?"

This to Mr Denning, who shook his head. 

"No; let her stay in her cabin. She would only be in our way. I willtake her in some dinner. "

"You had better keep up appearances, so that the men may not noticeanything. Mr Preddle, help the soup. "

I shuddered, and every one turned pale. 

"Oh, there is no risk, " said the mate quickly. "But here, make theplates and spoons look as if they had been used, and then throw all thesoup out of the stern-window. "

I brightened a little at hearing this, for the possibility of the cookhaving made a mistake was always before my eyes. So after satisfyingourselves that the men were not likely to return yet, I was one of thebusiest in dirtying the plates and spoons, and ended by emptying thesoup from the window with a feeling of the most intense relief. 

"Will it send the fishes to sleep, Mr Frewen?" I whispered, as Iplaced the empty tureen back in its place. 

"Bad for them if it does, " he said, with an attempt at looking merry. "For their enemies are safe to swallow them while they are napping. "

"With both eyes open, " said Mr Preddle. 

The departure of the soup acted like a charm on all; and after MrBrymer had been down once more as far as the forecastle, we all began topartake of the savoury Australian dish the cook had prepared, with anabundance of rich gravy, and the whole surrounded by a thick wall ofbeautifully cooked white rice. 

Though our meals had been rough and unsatisfactory for many hours, everyone began his dinner with manifest distaste, for it was impossible toavoid thinking of what had been done; but after a portion had been takeninto the cabin by Mr Denning for his sister, and a little of the gravyand rice to the captain by the doctor's orders, first one made a littlepretence of eating by nibbling at his biscuit, then another tasted thesavoury-looking dish and commented upon it, and a minute later, as ajovial chorus came rolling out of the forecastle-hatch, Mr Frewen beganto eat. 

"Come, Dale, " he said, "have some dinner, and forget all that. It wasyour duty, my lad. "

"Yes; I will try, " I said; and making an effort, I mastered mydisinclination and swallowed a mouthful. 

"Capital, isn't it?" said Mr Frewen, smiling. 

"Yes, it is good, " I replied; and I went on, feeling surprised at myreturning appetite. 

The result was that Mr Brymer and Mr Denning fell to, and we wereall--perhaps in a forced manner, to encourage each other--loud in ourpraises of the dish, of which we ate heartily. 

In fact, when I had nearly finished my plateful, a thought struck me, and after a little hesitation I turned to Mr Brymer. 

"Well?" he said. "What is it, Dale?"

"I was thinking, sir, " I said. 

"What of--the gang singing? They're passing the bottle round prettyfreely. "

"No, sir, " I said. "I was thinking how tantalising it must be to hearthis dinner going on, and smell it, and not get some. "

"Oh, we'll call the men to finish it when we've done. Poor fellows!they work hard for us, and we will not stand on ceremony now. "

"I meant Walters, sir, " I said. 

"Humph! The treacherous young hound! Why, you don't mean you want totake him some?"

"Yes, I do, sir, " I said quickly. "I don't like him, or defend him, butI'd give him a plate of this. "

Mr Brymer looked round the table and frowned. 

"Well, " he said, "take him some, but mind he don't get out. "

I rose eagerly. Mr Preddle smiled all over his round, plump face, andwell filled a plate, which I bore to the cabin in which Walters wasprisoned, and unfastening it, bore it in. 

He was leaning against the ship's side, gazing out of the cabin-window, and would not turn his head. 

"I've brought you some dinner, " I said, but he paid no attention, and Irepeated the words, but still he did not move. "Oh, very well, " I said. "If you like to be sulky, be so. I'll take it back. "

He faced round in an instant. Hunger is, after all, very taming. 

"Set it down, " he said shortly; and thereat our eyes met, and he saw mybruised and disfigured features. His face expanded in an unpleasantlytriumphant grin. 

"Oh, all right, " I said, setting the plate and biscuit down on thelocker, though feeling all the time as if I should like to take it back. "Laugh away; you don't look so very beautiful, Mr Pirate Lieutenant. "

He gave an angry start, and the smile changed to a savage frown, whichdid not improve a pair of terribly black eyes and a cut and swollen lip. 

But I was ready to give him quite as defiant a look as I opened thedoor, and then going out I re-locked him in, and went back to my place, ready for some more of the kangaroo stew. 

"Well, was he very grateful?" said Mr Brymer. 

I shook my head, and finished my dinner in silence, listening the whileto the men, who were singing uproariously. 

"Your prescription seems to agree with them, Mr Frewen, " said the matesignificantly, as we all rose. 

"Yes; but wait a wee, as the Scotch folk say. "

"Yes, up by the forecastle, " said the mate. "Put your pistols in yourpockets, and we'll keep watch and listen to the effects of the drugwhile the men have their meal. Dale, my lad, take Blane at the wheel aportion, while I send the others to have theirs. "

I hastily obeyed, taking a pretty good ration for Barney Blane, who musthave been having pretty good sniffs of the savoury food to slacken hisappetite, and he grinned hugely as he saw me approach. 

"That's your sort, sir; I was getting hungry. "

"Can you eat and steer too, Barney?" I said. 

"Can I eat and steer too?" he cried. "You just set that theer on thebinnacle, sir, and come back in ten minutes and see. "

"I will, Barney, " I said, "and bring you some grog too. "

"And I'll say you're a real gentleman, Mr Dale, sir, that I will, anddrink your health. "

"You shall, Barney, " I said, turning to go. 

"But I say, sir, ain't they pretty lively down in the forksle?"

"Yes, very. "

"What did you serve out? Were it rum?"

"No, Barney, soup, " I said; "but wait a bit and they won't be quite somerry. "

"No, sir, they won't. It's unlimited grog, for they've got plenty downbelow; but, as you say, wait a bit. They will have done by-and-by. "

"They will, " I said to myself, with a faint shiver of nervousness comingover me again as I descended the ladder, just as, relieved from duty, Bob Hampton and Neb Dumlow came aft. 

"In with you, " I said, "and eat away. The others coming?"

"No, Mr Dale, sir; they've been having their snack along with the cookin the galley, and got it done. "

"The more for you then, " I said, trying to laugh, but feeling veryserious indeed. 

They entered on tip-toe as if afraid of disturbing the captain and MissDenning, and directly after were eating ravenously at the remainder ofthe meal. 

It was a lovely day, and I could not help thinking what a pity it wasthat Miss Denning should not be on deck watching the blue sea and thesilvery, fleecy clouds. Every now and then some fish sprang out of theclear water as if disturbed by the Burgh Castle's prow as she glidedalong due south almost upon an even keel. One moment I felt disposed tosuggest to Mr Denning that he should bring her out to where the sailscast a shade, but the singing of the men in the forecastle and theanxious looks of Mr Brymer and the gentlemen with him reminded me ofthe serious business in hand. 

The cook was busy in his galley, and the two men were lolling abouttalking to him now and then, and occasionally glancing aft, waiting forBob Hampton and Dumlow to finish before going aft to clear away, andfetch the things to the galley, where they would get hot water to washup. 

How beautiful and calm and peaceful it all seemed! The ocean looked solovely, and I felt so happy and so much at peace that it seemed a pityfor me to have that pistol stuck in my belt, for it was in my way as Ilaid my arms on the bulwarks and my breast against them to listen to thesinging of the mutineers. For they were not shouting now. Their voicessounded pleasant and sweet, though I could not make out the words, whichcame softer and softer, and then there was the chorus almost as soft. Iknew why this was. The drug was beginning to take effect, and I feltthat before long their voices would be quite hushed. They would beasleep, and I did not mind it now. It was all my exaggerated fancy, Ifelt, for it would do them good, and bring them to their senses to findthemselves separated and away from the influence of Jarette. 

I turned to look toward the forecastle, near which Mr Frewen wasstanding with Mr Brymer, and they were evidently listening attentively, while Mr Preddle and Mr Denning were close up to the bulwarks on thestarboard side, I being to port. 

After a time Mr Frewen approached me, and I began to think that he wasa very much taller man than I had been in the habit of supposing, andhis face was bigger too. It looked larger round than Mr Preddle's andthere was a peculiar, light, rainbow-like look around it as if I wasgazing at him through a spy-glass. 

Then I started, for though he was a long way off he took hold of myshoulder with an arm like a telescope, and shook me. 

"What's the matter, Dale?" he said. "Don't look like that, my lad. Notwell?"

"Not well?" I said, or rather it was as if somebody a long way off saidso. "Of course I am. Quite well, thank you. "

"Well, don't go to sleep, boy. "

He shook me just as I felt as if I was beginning to fly right off overthe blue sea, and away into the fleecy clouds, and as I made an effortto get rid of the clutch upon my shoulder, he said, or somebody elsesaid--

"Great heavens! what does this mean?"

I distinctly heard Mr Frewen say that, and wondered what he meant. Forit did seem absurd that he should come slowly up to me till his eyeswere looking close into mine, and then gradually shrink away again tillhe was right off on the other side of the ship, and then over thebulwarks and away at sea, till he was no higher than my finger before hecame back again. 

But though he appeared to be so distant, I could hear him breathing hardall the time. 

I was so disgusted that I determined to take no notice of him, andlooked instead at the two sailors by the galley. One of them waslaughing and the other staring at me very hard. Then he began behavingin the same manner as Mr Frewen, till the doctor said suddenly--

"Drink this. "

It was cold water, and tasted, delicious. 

"Thank you, " I said, with my voice sounding a long way off, and I thinkit was Mr Brymer who spoke then, but his voice sounded too as if hewere distant, though his words were perfectly distinct. 

"Over-excitement, isn't it, and the heat of the sun?"

Then after a very long pause Mr Frewen said--

"Perhaps, but I am beginning to be afraid. Yes, that's light, my lad, sit down here in the shade. Take off your cap. "

That lad--I did not know who it was then--sat down on the bottom of atub, and leaned his head back against the bulwarks for the soft breezeto play through his hair; and very pleasant and dreamy and restful itall was for him, whoever he was, while I listened, too, to what wasgoing on. 

A great deal appeared to be going on about me just then, and I quiteenjoyed it, and somehow it was as if everything was surrounded bybeautiful colours. Mr Brymer came and went just as if I were seeinghim through a cut-glass decanter-stopper, but he was not half sostriking as Mr Preddle, who came and stood over me looking gigantic, but his face and even his clothes were prismatic. So was the air, whichnow began to descend rapidly, as if it were some brilliant waterfallcoming down from the clouds. 

"Will you fetch me a cane seat off the poop?"

"Ay, ay, sir. "

It was Mr Preddle's highly-pitched voice which I heard, and it was thesailor who had sat talking to the steersman who answered, and soon afterI heard the chair squeak very loudly, as big Mr Preddle, looking aslarge as an elephant now, sat down by the boy on the tub, and leaned hishead back against the bulwarks. 

He talked to him about the fish, and said that the hot weather did notagree with them, and that he was afraid that kangaroo-tail was too richa dish to agree with them, for it was indigestible, and made peopledrowsy. 

The boy did not make any answer, but sat staring at Mr Preddlesidewise, wondering why the big stout naturalist also should keep ongoing and coming in that telescopic fashion, which was so puzzling to meas well as to that boy, who was, however, exceedingly stupid, for he didnot say a word, but only stared with his mouth half open. 

Then I was listening to Mr Brymer, who was talking anxiously to thedoctor, as they stood watching the forecastle-hatch, from which came adeliciously sweet chorus, and I knew why it sounded so pleasant--it wasbecause the men were so far away in the bows, for the Burgh Castle grewlonger and longer, till the bowsprit seemed as if it were miles away, but with every rope and block as distinctly seen as if it were stillclose to me. 

"Well, my lad, how are you?" said Mr Frewen just then; but the boyleaning back against the bulwark only stared at him, and I felt ready tokick him for being so rude, and then I wanted to punch Mr Preddle, forhe began to snore abominably. 

"I don't like it, Frewen, " said somebody just then. "What do you say?You don't think it possible that--"

He did not finish speaking, for just then I saw Mr Frewen go to the boyon the tub, and dash some water over his face. 

"Now, my lad, " he said, "you must get up and walk about. "

He took hold of the boy's arm, but did not pull him up, for the ladfought against him angrily, and then I knew I was that boy staring hardat the doctor, and then at Mr Denning, who came along the deck from thecompanion-way far-distant, crying--

"Doctor--my sister--come directly--she's dying!"

The doctor went away directly, and I saw him going what seemed to bemiles away, but so gently and easily that it was like something in adream. Mr Brymer went after him, and the cook and the two men stoodwatching them till they disappeared through the saloon entrance, whilethe men in the forecastle kept on singing a chorus, sounding now loudand now soft, just as one hears the music of a great organ when theperformer opens and closes the swell. 

I don't know how long it was afterwards, but it did not seem to matter, for everything was so pleasant and calm, before I saw Mr Brymer comeback with the doctor, and directly after, though he seemed to be still along way off, Mr Brymer said--

"I must send another man. He is hanging fast asleep over the wheel. "

Then I saw Mr Frewen catch at one of the shrouds and stand gazing athim vacantly, and then I felt quite pleased, for Bob Hampton was therealong with Neb Dumlow. 

"It is all going to be right now, " I thought, though I did not know thatanything was wrong, and I felt as if I was just dropping off into adelicious sleep. 

But all was quite clear and plain again, as I heard Bob Hampton say--

"Some one has been playing larks with the grub, sir. I can't go to thewheel, for I can't--can't--can't--can't--Here, hold up Neb, lad; don'tlurch about like that. "

"I'm a-going down, matey, I'm a-going down, " growled Dumlow, and I sawhim sink on the deck. 

"You scoundrels, you've been at the rum!" cried Mr Brymer, and he drewhis pistol, but only gave a stagger, and caught about in the air to tryand save himself from falling. "Help--Frewen--something--give mesomething, " he panted, and Mr Frewen came to him, feeling his way withhis arms stretched out just as if he were playing at blindman's buff. 

He came on as if from a great distance, till he touched Mr Brymer, andI heard him whisper the one word--"Treachery. "

"I knew it!" cried the mate, fiercely, and cocking his pistol hestaggered for a moment just as I saw Bob Hampton sink down on the deckholding his head. 

Directly after, as Mr Frewen stood swaying to and fro, the mate rushedto where the cook and the two men stood by the galley-door. 

The two sailors shrank away to right and left, while Mr Brymer seizedthe cook and dragged him away, forcing him down upon his knees, holdinghim by the collar with one hand, and swaying to and fro as he saidthickly--

"You dog, you drugged that dish you sent in to dinner!"

"No, sir--'pon my word, sir--I swear, sir!" shrieked the poor fellow. 

"You treacherous hound, you've poisoned us!" stammered out the mate. 

"I swear I haven't, Mr Brymer, sir. Don't, sir--that pistol, sir--pray, sir--indeed, indeed, I haven't!"

Mr Brymer was shaking the pistol about threateningly, as he rocked toand fro over the cook, who as he knelt clasped his hands in agony, and Iheard him say something very indistinctly, for he was sobbing about hiswife and child. 

Then there was a loud bang as the pistol fell, and directly after I sawMr Brymer glide down as it were on to the deck, and roll over towardwhere Mr Frewen already lay--though I had not seen him fall--with hisarms now folded, and his face upon them as if he were asleep. 

And still it didn't seem to trouble me in the least. Even when MrBrymer was gesticulating with his pistol, it did not alarm me, for itwas all something interesting going on before me just as if it were partof a dream which would all dissolve away directly, and then I shouldwake up and think of it no more. 

I think my eyes must have been closing then, but they opened widelyagain, and at one glance I saw my companions perfectly motionless fromwhere I sat back against the bulwark, and heard Mr Preddle snoringheavily by my side. For the cook exclaimed passionately--

"I swear, if it was the last word I had to titter, I've done nothing! Inever drugged nobody's food!"

"All right, matey, " said the sailor I had seen talking to the steersman;"it warn't you--it was me. "

"You?" cried the cook. "You've poisoned them!"

"Not I, my lad, " said the man, laughing; and every word he uttered rangin my ears as if it was being shouted by some tremendous voice, for mysenses were at that moment abnormally clear. "Not I, my lad. I was upyonder, when I saw Brymer and the rest of 'em get together to have whatold Frenchy calls a parley, and they hadn't been there long, leaving mewondering what game was up, and what they were going to do about thelads down below, when I see the sky-light opened a bit. So of course Icrep' along the deck to hear what they'd got to say. "

"And did you hear?"

"Every word, mate. They were going to get the doctor to find the stuffto send all the lads to sleep, and then they were going to open thehatch and shove Jarette by himself, and the others some in thecable-tier and some in the hold. "

"Yes, yes!" cried the cook, eagerly, while I listened hard. 

"Well then, that warmint yonder said it ought to be put in the soup, andso they settled it. 

"`Two can play at that game, ' I says, and I listened till they spoke solow that I opened the light a bit wider, and it slipped out of my handsand went down bang. So I nipped back to set alongside o' Tommy here, and my gentleman comes up to peep, sees me right away, and goes backagain. I thought perhaps they'd give it up then, but I kep' my eyesopen, and bimeby I sees my nipper here come to you with three tins, andhe tells you what to do with them. 

"`All right, ' I says, `I can see through that dodge, ' so I lays low andwaits my chance, empties the tin of soup you'd put aside into a pan, andthen pours the one you were going to use into the one you'd set aside, and that out of the pan into the tin, but I washed it out first, and putit ready for you to use. "

"You couldn't; I was here all the time, " said the cook, angrily. 

"Oh, was you? Didn't go round to the back to fetch taters, did you?"

"Of course. I forgot. "

"Ah, that's right, " continued the man. "But I warn't satisfied then, for I says to myself, `Them poor beggars down below won't get the dosenow, but I should like t'others to have a taste;' and to make sure asthey did, I takes the tin as you'd got the lumps o' meat in, pours outall the pieces and fills it up from the tin they'd doctored, and filledit up again with the juice I'd poured out; now I says to myself, whichever lot they have'll give 'em what they meant for some one else--and so it did. My word, they mixed it pretty strong. "

"Why, the tins were wet and sticky!" cried the cook. 

"Course they was, mate; I had to be in such a hurry for fear of yourcoming back. "

"And I couldn't make out about that pan. "

"Hadn't time to wash it, messmate. "

"Then I gave the lads down below the soup the cabin was to have had?"

"You did. "

"And them in the cabin the soup and kangaroo they'd physicked?"

"That's so, matey, and their games are over again. You'll jyne us, won't you?"

"I? Join you?" faltered the cook, looking across at me; "here, what areyou going to do?"

"Let the lads out again. It's their turn now. "

And just then the men in the forecastle finished a chorus and began tocheer. 

"I shall wake up from this dream directly, " I remember thinking, but Idid not, for all was black, and I was in the deepest sleep that I everhad in my long life. 

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. 

Hot! So hot that I could hardly breathe, and so dark that I could notsee across the cabin. My head ached, and I was terribly sleepy, with aheavy, unsatisfied drowsiness, which kept me from stirring, though Ilonged to get out of my cot and go and open the window, and at the sametime have a good drink from the water-bottle. 

I was lying on my brick, and there was the impression upon me that I hadbeen having bad dreams, during the passing of which I had been in greattrouble of some kind, but what that trouble was I could not tell; and assoon as I tried to think, my brain felt as if it was hot and dry, androlling slowly from side to side of my skull. 

I was very uncomfortable and moved a little, but it made my head throbso that I was glad to lie still again and wait till the throbbing grewless violent. 

"It all comes of sleeping in a cabin in these hot latitudes with thewindow closed. Mr Frewen ought to know better, " I thought, "being adoctor. I'll tell him of it as soon as he wakes. "

This is how I mused, thinking all the time how foolish I was not to getup and open the window, but still feeling no more ready to cool thestifling air of the cabin. 

"What makes men snore so?" I thought then, and began to wonder how itwas that so gentlemanly a man as the doctor should make such a noise inhis sleep. I had never heard him do so before. As a rule he lay down, closed his eyes, and went off fast, breathing as softly as a baby tillhe woke in the morning. Now his breathing was what doctors callstertorous, heavy and oppressed. 

"Oh, how I wish he would wake up and open the window!" I thought; buthe did not wake up nor cease breathing so heavily, and I lay thinkingabout coming to bed on the previous night. That is to say, I lay tryingto think about coming to bed, for I could not recall anything. I hadsome dreamy notion of its having been my watch; but whether I had takenit, or whether it was yet to come and some one was due to rouse me upsoon, I could not tell. 

"It's all due to having such a headache, " I thought, "and of coursethrough this horrid air. Why doesn't he wake up and open the window?"

How long that lasted I cannot tell, but it must have been for some time, during which my brain burned and my thoughts came in a horribly confusedmanner. I could hear the sounds on deck, and feel that the ship wascareening over with the breeze, but these facts suggested nothing to me, and I must have been in quite a stupor, when I was roused by a voicesaying angrily--

"Well, what is it?"

I knew the voice from its rough harsh tones, and I lay waiting for someone to answer, but there was no reply, and all was blacker and hotterthan ever, when there came the peculiar smacking noise of one passinghis tongue over his dry lips, and once more he spoke. 

"D'yer hear, what is it?"

There was no reply, and it seemed to me that the speaker was settlinghimself down to go to sleep again, for he moved uneasily. 

"What did yer say, Neb?"

I had not heard Neb Dumlow say anything, and I wondered why I had not, for I did not think I had been to sleep. But I felt that I must havebeen, or I should have heard. 

"Mussy me, what a head I've got!" muttered the voice. "Did the gentsgive us some rum?"

There was a pause. 

"Must ha' done, but I don't recklect. Why, it must ha' been a wholelot. "

My head must have been growing less confused, for now I began to bepuzzled about how it was that Bob Hampton was sleeping in our cabininstead of just under shelter with the others at the entrance of thesaloon. It was very strange, but I was too stupid to arrange things. Once I wondered whether I really was in the cabin along with Mr Frewen, but I got no farther with that line of reasoning, and I was sinking backinto my stupor or lethargy when Bob Hampton spoke again. 

"Here, Neb--Barney, open something, and let's have some fresh air. My, how hot!"

He had a headache too then, and could hardly breathe for the hotcloseness of the place. This roused me, and I lay thinking how strangeit was that he should be just as much indisposed as I was to move. Buthe was a fore-mast man and I was an officer, so I had only to speak tobe obeyed, and after making two or three efforts which only resulted ina dull muttering sound, Bob Hampton exclaimed--

"Here, whatcher talking about? Who is it, and what do you want?"

"I say, open the window, Bob, and let's have some fresh air. "

There was a quick rustling movement close by me, as if some one hadrisen upon his elbow, and he exclaimed--

"What d'yer say?"

"Open the window, Bob; I'm half-stifled. "

"So'm I, my lad. Here, what's the matter? What are you doing here?"

"No, " I said; "what are you doing here in the cabin, Bob?"

"I arn't in the cabin, my lad, and you arn't in the cabin, for thisarn't in it, and--Here, I say, what's up?"

"I don't know, " I said peevishly, "but it's so hot I can't bear it; doopen something. "

"Blest if I--Look here, my lad--There arn't anything to open anywheres, and my head won't go. Would you mind telling me where the sky-light is, for I s'pose I had too much grog last night like a fool, and I arn'twerry clear in the head. "

"I don't know, I can't tell, Bob. It's all a puzzle. "

"And it's so plaguey dark, my lad. Wait a bit and I'll feel round withmy fingers, for eyes aren't no good here. "

"Well, " I said, for there was a good deal of rustling, "what can youfeel?"

"Chesties and casks, my lad, and we're a-lying on 'em--leastwise I am. What are we two a-lying on chesties and casks for?"

"I don't know, Bob. But who's that snoring so?"

"Where?"

"Somebody was snoring just now, but it stopped when you spoke. "

"Then I s'pose it must ha' been me, my lad. I have heard say as I couldplay a pretty good toon on my nose when I was very fast asleep. "

"No. There it goes again, " I said in a hoarse whisper, as the noisewhich I had first heard recommenced. 

"Oh, there's no gammon 'bout that, my lad. That there's Neb Dumlow. Ifever you're anywheres and hears a sound like a vessel blowing off hersteam under water, all snort and bubble, you may take your oath it's NebDumlow. Here, I'll stop that. "

"Wait a moment, Bob, " I said. "I want to know first where we are. "

"So do I, my lad, but it seems to me, as my old mother used to say, thatwant'll be your master. I dunno, my lad; arn't dead and buried, arewe?"

"Don't talk nonsense, " I said peevishly. "Look here, --were you on themiddle watch last night?"

"Dunno, my lad, --were you?"

"I can't recollect, Bob. But do try. We must be somewhere in the dark, and it's that which puzzles us. "

"Oh yes, there's no gammon about that, my lad; we're somewheres in thedark, and it's 'bout the solidest, thickest darkness I ever found myselfin. Here, I'll wake up old Neb. He's very ugly and precious stoopid, but he'll tell us where we are in a jiffy. Here! Hi! Avast there!Neb!"

"Hullo!" came in answer to what sounded like a heavy shaking after BobHampton had crept by me. 

"Now, my lad, rouse up a bit. "

"Our watch, old man?"

"No; not yet. "

"Bless yer. Good-night. "

Snore. 

"No, no; rouse up. "

"Well, all right, messmate. That there's flesh and blood you've gothold on, not suit. Don't skin me. "

"Then wake up. "

"Well, I'm woke up. What is it? Who's dowsed the lantern?"

"I d'know. Here's Mr Dale wants you to tell him where we are. "

"Mr Dale?"

"Yes; I said so, didn't I, stoopid?"

"Course you did, matey, but what's he doing here?"

"That's what he wants you to tell him, only he wants to know first wherehere is. "

There was the sound of some one feeling about, and I fancied I couldhear some one else breathing, but I was not sure, and I listenedpatiently for what Neb Dumlow was going to say. But Bob Hampton was thefirst to speak, and he said in a gruff whisper--

"He's a awful thick-headed chap, sir, but I think he'll hit it off forus directly. "

"Messmate!" came from a little way off. 

"Well?"

"Has some one been having a lark with us?"

"I dunno, and I don't know anything, " growled Bob. "You arn't wanted toask questions, but to answer what Mr Dale wants to know. Now, then, what d'yer make of it?"

"Nowt. "

"Well, where are we?"

"Dunno. "

"What!--can't yer tell?"

"Can't find bottom, my lad; only seem to arrive at one thing. "

"Well, what is it?"

"Well, it's this here; if it was me and you and old Barney--where is oldBarney?"

"Here, messmate. "

"Oh, come then, I might be right, on'y you see we've got Mr Dale withus. "

"Look here, what are you fogging about? Why don't you say what yermean, my lad? Now then, out with it. Where are we?--'cause Mr Dalewants to know. "

"Well, as he's here, we can't be here, " growled Dumlow. 

"What d'yer mean, stoopid?"

"Why, we can't be where I thought we was. "

"And wheers that?"

"Why, my lad, it looks like this here 'cording to what I feels. Butstop a moment, let's ask Barney a question. Barney, old lad!"

"Hullo!"

"How's yer head?"

"Just as if it was a beehive, and all the bees swarming. "

"That's it. Then we are here, and all I've got to say for myself is, asI wonder I could ha' been such a fool, and I'm sorry as Mr Dale don'tknow better. "

"Then where are we, Dumlow?" I said hastily; "for I don't know anybetter. "

"Then you ought to, sir; you a orficer and brought up proper. I wonderat you a-leading men into trouble, and there'll be an awful row when oldBrymer finds us out. "

"He's got it, sir, " said Bob Hampton. "It's what I thought, and it's arum 'un. "

"Then, where are we?" I said pettishly; for my head kept on feeling asif it was spinning round. 

"Why, sir, " said Dumlow; "we're down in the hold among them sperritcasks as was stowed by themselves, and some one's been opening one of'em with a gimlet and letting us all drink. "

"Hist!"

Tap, tap, tap, tap. 

A long, low knocking as of knuckles against a bulk-head. 

"Come in!" growled Bob Hampton. "Here's the cook brought yourshaving-water, sir. "

The tapping was repeated, and sounded some little distance off. 

"Answer them, whoever it is, Bob, " I said; for this seemed to besomething, if not tangible, at all events certain. 

There was a little rustling about, and the tapping came again. 

"Why don't you answer them?" I said tetchily. 

"What do you mean, sir--shout?"

"No, no; tap again. "

"But there arn't nothin' to knock on, sir. It's no good to hit the top, or the floor. "

"But there must be a partition somewhere, " I said. 

"Dessay there is, sir; but I can't tell where it is. "

"Are we not somewhere near the forecastle?"

"Dessay we are, sir; but my head's some'at like a lump o' solid wood. What did you bring us down here for?"

"I! Bring you down! Nonsense, man. I did not bring you. "

"Then how did we come, sir? Do you know, Neb?"

"No. "

"Do you, Barney?"

"No. I only knows here we are, and my head's a rum 'un. "

"But there must be some reason for us being here, " I said piteously, asI struggled vainly to get beyond what seemed to be a black curtainhanging between the past and present. 

"Yes, sir, " said Bob, coolly; "there must be some reason. "

"Then what is it, Bob?"

"Oh, don't ask me, sir; I arn't no scholard. I'm all muzzly like. Seems to me that we've been to one o' they casks, --and all the time itdon't. No; we arn't had no drink. We shouldn't with all that theretrouble a-hanging over us. "

"Yes, Bob, " I said eagerly, for he had touched a chord which set methinking--I mean trying to think; "that trouble hanging over us. Therewas some trouble, wasn't there?"

"Oh yes, sir; we was in a lot o' trouble about something, but blest if Iknow what it was. "

"Well; try, man, " I cried. "Think about trouble. What trouble was it?"

"No, sir, I dunno, " he cried, after a pause. "We're aboard the BurghCastle still, arn't we?"

"I don't know, " I began. "Yes, of course we are, and we must be down inthe hold. It's coming now, I think. Why did we come down here? Surelyone of you must know. "

"It arn't likely, sir, if you don't, " growled Dumlow. 

"But what were we in trouble about?" I said, for--I cannot describeit--there was the thick feeling of something having happened; butstrange as it may seem, neither I nor the men could make anything outabout what had preceded our unnatural sleep. 

"It's a rum 'un, " said Bob Hampton at last. "I dunno. It's a rum 'un. "

"But cannot either of you think at all?" I cried in agony. "It seemsso horrible to be here like this in black darkness, and not know how orwhy. "

"Or what?" suggested Bob. 

"I think I've got it now, " said Dumlow. 

"Yes; what is it?"

"All gone mad wi' being so much out in the sun. "

"You may be mad, Neb, I arn't, and I don't mean to. I'll take my trickat the wheel and box the compass with any on yer. Wheel--wheel, " headded, thoughtfully--"steering. Why arn't I at the wheel now?"

"'Cause you're here, messmate, " said Dumlow. 

"But I was a-steering when you comes, Mr Dale, sir, and brings me aplate o' wittles, and you says, says you--"

"Oh!" I cried excitedly. 

"No, you didn't, sir, beggin' your parding; you says something aboutcould I steer and eat too, and I says--no, you says--no, it was I says;well, it was one or t'other of us, I can't quite 'member which says, `put it on the binnacle, '--and it was put there, and I ate it, and itwas very good. "

"Oh!" I cried again, as I pressed my temples with my hands, for I couldsee a faint gleam of light peeping through into my head, or so itseemed; but it kept on dying out again, and I was blank of memory againas ever. 

"Did you say wittles?" cried Dumlow, suddenly. 

"Ay, mate, I did. "

"Why, I 'members something 'bout wittles. O' course. Me and you, Bob. "

"When? Where?"

"Ah, I dunno when it was, nor wheer it was, but--"

"She's dying--she's dying, " I cried; for those words came cuttingthrough the black silence, and gave me quite a pang. 

"Who's she? And what's she a-dying for?" growled Bob Hampton. 

"Toe be sure, mate, " said Dumlow, "that's what Mr Denning says as hecome out of his cabin. `She's dying, ' he says, and you and me got upand sat down again feeling as silly as two booby birds. "

"Here, you don't know what you're talking about, messmate, " said BobHampton. 

"Yes, he does, " I cried excitedly, for a greater light seemed to havenow flashed into my brain. "You did go into the saloon to have--Oh, BobHampton, I recollect it all now. "

"Do you, sir? Then let's have it, " he said gruffly. 

"There was a great mistake made, " I cried. 

"Seems like it, sir. "

"And, yes, " I continued, "I know Barney went to sleep at the wheel. "

"That's a lie!" he rapped out. "Leastwise, I beg your pardon, sir; Imean I arn't the sort o' man to go to sleep on duty. "

"No, no; of course not, Barney, " I said piteously; "but you did, and BobHampton and Neb Dumlow came and laid down on the deck, and I saw it all, and heard it, and, oh dear, oh dear! what a terrible mess!"

"Arn't he going off his head, matey?" whispered Dumlow; but I heard him. 

"No, no, man; it's all coming back now. You don't know, but you mustnow; it was a plan to give the mutineers stuff to send them all tosleep, and it was changed and given to us instead. "

"Beg pardon, sir, " said Bob Hampton; "but hadn't you better lie down andgo to sleep again?"

"Why, Bob?"

"'Cause, to speak plain English, you're talking nonsense, sir. "

"No, man; it's sense. That fellow Dean heard all, and changed thetins. "

"Now, do lie down, sir; it's o' no use for you to go on worryingyourself about tins. "

"I tell you I can see it all now, man, " I cried angrily. "We took thestuff, and the prisoners got off. They're out now, and we're prisoners. Don't you see?"

"No, sir; it's too dark. But--"

"I tell you I'm all right. My head is come clear again, and I canthink. We were all confused through taking Mr Frewen's stuff. "

"I never took none o' the doctor's stuff, " growled Dumlow. "And I don'tnever mean to. "

"Are you sure o' what you're saying, sir?" said Bob Hampton. 

"Certain, Bob. "

"I arn't. "

"You hold your tongue, and don't be sarcy, Neb, " growled Bob. "I'ma-beginning to see now. Mr Dale's right. If he warn't, how could webe shut up down here with our heads as thick as if we'd been having 'emstuffed? That's it, sir, though I don't half understand what you say. Then we've all been hocussed, and Jarette's got the upper hand again?"

"Yes, Bob, I'm afraid so. "

"Well, that's ugly, my lad; but there's no help for it now, and thesooner we get to work and take the ship again, I suppose, the better. "

"Yes, Bob, " I said. "Of course. "

"Very well, my lad, then here goes. I'm glad it's how you say, for Iwas beginning to think I'd got crazed, and been shut up for beingviolent. That's a comfort anyhow, for I don't hold with a man going offhis head. "

"Then it's all right, messmate?" growled Dumlow. 

"Right as it can be in a place like this, matey. Yer can't breathe, noryou can't see, and--well now, that's queer. You seem to ha' set my headworking again, Mr Dale, sir; and I recklect sittin' in the s'looneating our dinner arter you gents had done, and then coming over allpleasant and comfble like, and then I don't seem to 'member no more tillI woke up down here. "

"And that knocking we heard must be some of the others, " I criedexcitedly. 

"That's sartain, sir. "

"Is there any one else here beside us four?"

"If there be, " says Barney, "we're a-lying on 'em, for there arn't noroom without as I can see. "

"Yer can't see, " growled Dumlow. 

"Well, I didn't mean with my eyes, Neb; so don't be so chuff on afellow. I meant with my understanding. "

"Don't. Don't get arguing together, " I cried impatiently. "It issuffocating down here. I want to understand how we are placed, and Ican't quite make it out yet. "

"Well, sir, p'r'aps I can help you a bit, " said Bob. "Seems to me asthey pulled up a hatch and pitched us in, and then battened it downagain. "

"And where are our friends?"

"Why, they'd shove 'em where we shoved they, down in the forksle, Ishould say, unless they've stuffed 'em in the cable-tier. "

"Yes, perhaps so, " I said thoughtfully. 

"Why, o' course, " growled Dumlow. 

"What? They are in the cable-tier?"

"Oh, I dunno, sir; I was a-thinking about our taking they wittles in thes'loon, and it's come back like sort o' bells ringing in my ear, and MrDenning saying she's dying. Oh yes, I recklect that, and the doctorcoming. That's 'bout as far as I can get. "

"I 'member the wittles on the binnacle quite plain now, " said Barney;"and, yes, o' course, I kep' coming over all soft like, and wantin' tosing songs, and listen to moosic, and couldn't sing; but it was allsilver and gold and sunshine and beautiful birds in beautiful trees. Yes, it's all right, sir. You see now, don't you, Neb?"

"No, I can't see nowt; but I dessay it's all right. I don't want toknow; it don't matter to me. "

"Hush!" I whispered. "There's that knocking again. "

There it was quite plainly, and then came a repetition seemingly closeat hand, --three smart taps as of knuckles on a chest. 

"There's some one else, and quite near, " I said in a low voice. 

"No, my lad, that was me. Here's a big case behind me, and I let go onit. "

There were three more taps at a distance. 

"Knock again, " I said, and this time Bob struck twice. 

A few moments later there were distinctly heard two knocks. 

"They heard us, " I said, and answered. "Try again with one. "

He struck once as loudly as he could, and we waited excitedly to hearone blow given apparently on a bulk-head. 

"Those are our friends there, " I cried excitedly. 

"If it arn't old Frenchy gammoning us, sir, " said Barney. 

"I think it must be our friends, " I said, feeling unwilling to give upthe idea; and I was going to add something, when there came to usplainly enough the sound of feet passing somewhere overhead, anddirectly after a voice shouted something, but what we could not hear. 

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. 

Our heads, on comparing notes, began to feel more bearable, and as thethrobbing gradually died away we could feel that the effort to think waseasier, while our thoughts were clearer, and before long we began tofeel about so as to learn what kind of place we were in, and made outthat it was an oblong kind of space between cases, and with barrelsunderneath, and upon which we had been lying when we began to come to. We could learn nothing further, and there were no replies now to thetappings we gave from time to time, a fact which made my heart sinkrather low. For I knew that there must be some reason for this, and Iwas trying to puzzle it out, when Barney Blane said suddenly--

"Say, messmates, arn't it 'bout time as some 'un came round to feed thecrew?"

"Ay, " said Bob, "and the sooner they do it the better. I'm getting wildfor want o' somethin' to stow in my hold. They've got to bringsomething too, or I'll soon let 'em know. "

"Know what, Bob?" I said anxiously, for the man's voice sounded fierceand strange. 

"Why, sir, they threatened us as to what they'd do; fired it right intomy ear, Jarette did. He says to me he says, `If yer don't soon let usout, I'll set fire to the ship. '"

"Yes, I know he did, " I said. 

"That's 'robborative evidence, messmates, when yer orficer says you'reright. Well, then, what I says to him is this, I've got a box o'matches in my pocket, and if they don't soon let us out, or put ussomewhere so as we can breathe, I'll set the blessed old Burgh Castlealight myself and burn our way out. "

"Nonsense, " I cried; "you're mad. "

"And 'nuff to make me, sir. That there stuff we took's set up a reg'larfierce annymile or something in my inside, as goes on gnaw, gnaw, gnaw, till I shan't be able to stand it much longer, and shall have to breakout. "

"Well, you are a rum 'un, Bob, " said Barney. "Why, you're not going toturn canniball, are yer, at your time o' life?"

"What d'yer mean?"

"Talking about eating your messmates. "

"Who did? What yer talking about? Nobody wouldn't want to eat you, Barney. If I wanted to get the flavour o' 'bacco in my mouth I'd get itfrom a quid, and while a man could get at a bit o' oak or an old shoe hewouldn't think o' trying to gnaw old Neb. What d'yer mean?"

"Then what d'yer talk o' roasting us for in that there mad way, matey?"

"Oh, well, I don't know as I meant it, messmate, but I'm that hungryjust now as never was. "

"That will do, " I said, asserting my position as officer. "Silence, please. "

"All right, sir; all right, " growled Bob. "I'm ready. What yer goingto do?"

"Try and feel about, Bob, to find where the hatch is. We must get someair somehow. "

"That's right, sir. Come on, lads, and have a try. Who's got knives?"

"I have, " said Barney. "Me too, " growled Dumlow. "That's right, then;we may have to use 'em. "

Then a rustling sound began, and I knew that the men were feeling aboutoverhead; while being able to think pretty clearly now, I came to theconclusion that we had been thrown down here, the hatches put on again, and the tarpaulin spread over them, and that was why it was so airlessand hot. 

I had an endorsement of my opinion a minute later, for Bob growled out--

"Here's the hatches, sir, and they're all battened down and the 'paulinsis nailed over 'em. I'll soon have some fresh air in. " And before Icould grasp what he was going to do, I heard a curious ripping sound, which told me that he had passed the blade of his long Spanishspring-knife through between two of the cross-hatches, and was cuttingthrough it. 

"There!" he said, as a gleam of light struck through, so brilliant thatI knew it must be broad daylight; and even that ray sent a thrill ofhope through me, for it seemed to bring me nearer to the living worldafter feeling as if I had been buried alive. 

"Don't cut any more yet, Bob, " I whispered. 

"But that there hole won't give enough air for one man to sniff, sir. You must have another to let out the steam. "

"But listen first, " I said. "Can you hear any one on deck?"

There was perfect silence for some minutes, and then came a deep--

"No. "

"What time should you think it is?"

"'Bout four bells, I should say, sir. Sun's shining down so as thetarpaulin's made the hatch hot. "

"Then the lubbers are all having a caulk, " growled Dumlow. "Tell him tohave another cut, sir, and a good long 'un this time. "

I hesitated for a few moments, shrinking from doing anything to let theenemy know that we were trying to get out; but the heat was so terriblethat I was obliged to give the order at last. 

"Cut, Bob, " I whispered, and there was a low buzz of satisfaction as theknife ripped through the tarred canvas, and we could see a long streakof bright light. 

"'Nother, sir?" said Bob. 

"Yes, " I said desperately, "we shall be suffocated if you don't. "

Rip went the tarpaulin again, and another streak of light a shortdistance from the others appeared, while directly after, without waitingfor orders, Bob lengthened the first cut he had made till it equalledthe two latter. 

"Won't be much better, " he growled, "but it's better than nothing. Shall I get under the end of one of the hatches now, sir, and try andpush it up?"

"No, not yet. If we do that it ought to be after dark. But I don'tthink there will be any chance, for they are sure to be well fasteneddown. Listen again. There must be some one on deck. "

"Yes, sir, for sartain, but they'll be up at the other end. Dessaythey're a-feeding o' themselves, and got plenty to drink. "

"Ay, trust 'em, messmate, " growled Dumlow, "but it's no use to grumble. Ups and downs in life we see. We're down now, and it's their turn. "

"Now, " said Barney. 

"Hush!" I whispered. 

We all listened, and plainly heard a step overhead, as if a man waswalking along the deck. It passed by, sounding fainter, and died away, but at the end of a minute we heard it again, and knew that whoever itmight be, he was returning and would pass by us again. 

This happened, and I feared that he would notice the cuts in thetarpaulin, but he went on, the footsteps grew fainter, and I fanciedthat I heard them continue on the ladder as the man ascended to thepoop-deck. 

"Could you tell who that was, Bob?" I said. 

"Ay, sir. No mistaking that pair o' legs. They don't go like anEnglishman's would. That was old Jarette. "

I set my teeth hard, and almost writhed at the feeling of impotencewhich troubled me. To have been so near success, and then for thatscoundrel, who had promised to work faithfully for us if he wereforgiven, to have played the spy, and contrived after hearing our plotto change the contents of the tins. For it was all clear enough now inmy memory, and I could recall every word the man had said to the cook. 

"We ought to have kept some one on the watch while we made our plans, " Isaid to myself, but felt how absurd it was to murmur now that themischief was done. 

The heat seemed a little less intense now, but it was so terrible thatthe throbbing in my head commenced again, and I was ready to order anattempt to be made to force up one side of the hatch, when there was awhisper. 

"What say, Bob?" I replied. 

"Didn't speak, sir, " was the reply. 

"You then, Dumlow?"

"No; not me, sir. "

"Well then, Barney, it was you, " I said tetchily. "What do you want?"

"I never spoke, sir, " said Barney, in an ill-used tone. "What do theywant to say it was me for?"

"Cheer up!" came now quite plainly. 

"Eh? Who spoke?"

"Friend, " was whispered again. 

"Yes, what? Who is it?"

"Pst!"

I waited for whoever it was to speak again, but there was not anothersound, and I turned to where I believed Bob to be lying. 

"Who could that be?" I said. 

"Well, sir, when a man blows his words down through a slit in atarpaulin--"

"You think it came down through the hole you cut?"

"Yes, sir, sure on it; but as I was a-saying, when a man blows his wordsdown like that he might just as well be whistlin' a hornpipe for all youcan tell who it is. But if I was put upon my oath afore a judge Ishould swear as it were Plum Duff. "

"What do you mean?" I said. 

"Well, sir, old Byled Salt Pork. "

"The cook?"

"That's him, sir. "

"But he whispered `Friend, '" I panted excitedly. 

"Yes, and that's what bothered me. If it had been any one else it wouldha' been all right, but one can't quite believe in a cook being yourfriend at any time. After what has taken place just lately I should sayhe was the worsest enemy we ever had. "

"No, no, " I cried eagerly, "the man could not help it. He was innocentenough. It was that scoundrel who did the mischief. "

"All right, sir; have it your own way. I'm willing. "

"Then we have one friend on deck. "

"Yes, sir, and s'pose he'll doctor the lot of 'em this next time andhave us all up on deck again. Good luck to him. I hope he'll looksharp about it. "

"Hist! What's that?"

It was the three knocks again plainly heard from forward somewhere, andplain proof that we had other friends who would gladly join us in acombination against our common enemy. 

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE. 

We answered the knocks, which were repeated, and we soon found that wecould signal to or talk to our friends forward, for we had pretty wellmade out now which was fore and which aft, though it was evidently adead calm again, and the ship was rolling slowly from side to side. 

But though we could signal and converse, there was no code for thesignals, and our conversation was in an unknown tongue. 

I suppose it was the heat, or the fact that I had gone through soterrible an experience from the narcotic, which made me feel sointensely irritable, for after our knocking and tapping had gone on forsome time, I exclaimed--

"I wish to goodness they wouldn't. What is the good of their keeping ondoing that? It means nothing, and does no good. "

"Oh, but it do mean something, sir, " said Bob. 

"Well, then, what?"

"They keep on tapping to show us where they are, and means us to go tothem. "

"Why don't they come to us?" I said, in a tone full of vexation. 

"'Cause they can't, sir. "

"And we can't go to them, " I cried pettishly. 

"Well, I don't know, sir; I've been thinking as perhaps we could. "

"But how, man? We can't get through all these cases and barrels andthings. "

"No, sir; but praps we might manage to creep along over 'em. One on usought to volunteer to try. "

"All right; volunteer it is, " growled Dumlow. "I'll go. "

"There you are, Mr Dale, sir. Never say die. Wait a minute, Neb, oldman, and let's set my fingers and thumbs to work to try whether they cansee a hole as 'll soot you to go along by. "

"There can't be any holes, Bob, " I said. 

"Mebbe not, sir; but I tell you what cargo does in a voyage, speciallyif you get a storm or two to shake it together. You may pack it and jamit as much as you like when you're in dock, but it's sure to settle abit, and leave some room up at the top. I'm going to try whether therearn't some o' that room here. "

We waited almost breathlessly, and listened to our fellow-prisoner as herustled about; and then my heart gave a bound, for he exclaimed--

"Here's plenty o' room here, sir, just at the top, but it goes aft. This can't be toward the bows. But it was this way as the knockingcame, warn't it?"

"No, no, no, " we all cried. "The other way. "

"Look at that, " growled Bob. "My head can't be right yet, or else it'sthe darkness as confooses a man. It's like being in a thick fog andhaving to steer. "

"Try again, " I said. 

"Ay, ay, sir; I'll try again, o' course. "

"I say, don't kneel on a man's chesty like that, messmate, " grumbledDumlow. 

"Then why don't you put your chesty somewheres else?" growled Bob. "You're allers lying about all over the deck. "

"Nay, I arn't, matey, " remonstrated Dumlow. "Speak the truth, my lad, if you can. "

"Why, you're spreadin' about on your back now, arn't yer?"

"Course I am, mate; I was trying how flat I could make myself 'fore Istarted on the adwenter. "

"Try, pray try the other way, Bob, and don't quarrel so--"

"Now hark at that, Barney, when I'm trying all I can to be as civil andsmooth as butter, on'y Neb let out at me. "

There was a pause, and we could hear Bob grunting as he felt about inthe other direction, sending joy into all our hearts directly, just asthe tapping began again. 

"It's just as I said, Mr Dale, sir, " he whispered. "The knocking comesalong over the cargo here, and there is just room for a man to creepalong. "

"Hush! let me answer the knocking first, " I whispered. 

"Never mind the knocking, sir; let's get to 'em 'fore we misses thechance. Now, Neb, lad; ready?"

"Ready it is, messmate. "

"Here you are then; on'y go face downwards. "

"Would yer? Can't breathe so well if you turns yer fizzy mahoganydown. "

"And yer can't crawl so well if yer goes with it up. "

"You had better crawl, Dumlow, " I whispered; "but try and go straighttoward where the knocking came from. "

"He'll be 'bliged to, sir. No doubt about that, 'cause there arn't noother way. Now then, I'll give yer a hyste. Can you manage it?"

There was a loud breathing and panting, and though Barney Blane and Icould see nothing with our eyes, yet we could mentally picture the greatslow-moving sailor crawling into an aperture between the beams and theheterogeneous stowing of bales and boxes, casks and crates of all kindsof goods en route for our destination. 

Now we knew that his head and chest were in, for his voice came in ahalf-smothered tone. 

"Deal hotter in here, messmate. Just take hold o' my hind legs, as ifthey was part of a wheelbarrow, and give 'em a lift and a shove at thesame time. "

"That right?"

"Yes; that's good. Steady!"

"Steady it is. "

"Now another. With a will, my lad. "

"Right. How far are yer in?"

"Up to the middle, lad; and if yer give another shove I can get a bit ofa pull here. That's yer sort. "

"I can't get you up no farder, messmate, " said Bob. "Yes, I can, if youclap your foots together. I'll plant my hands again 'em, and ram yeralong that way. Ready?"

"Ay, ready, " came in smothered tones. 

"There you goes then, " growled Bob. "Now another. I'll shove yer feetwith my hands. "

There was a loud grunting and rustling, and Bob said, panting--

"There he goes. I've sent him in as far as I can reach. He must do therest hisself. "

We crouched there just under the streaks of light which came down fromthe cuts, listening for a good ten minutes to the scuffling, scramblingnoise made by the big sailor, but they all sounded close to us, as if hewas not making much way; but I concluded that this was because theopening conducted the sound so well, and in hopeful anticipation I sawthe brave fellow going on and on along the top of the cargo till hereached the forecastle bulk-head, upon which our friends must havetapped their signals. Then we should be able to arrange a plan ofco-operation, and perhaps succeed in re-taking the vessel, when crash!down went my card castle. 

"Bob!" came in smothered tones. 

"Hullo. "

"Can't get any farder, mate. "

"Why?"

"I'm too big. "

"Well, then, come back and let me try. "

"Can't, mate. "

"Why?"

"'Cause I'm stuck fast, and can't move either way a hinch. "

Bang, bang! came on the hatches overhead, in company with a loudtalking, and above it the voice of Jarette. 

"Have it off, my lads. Only one, my braves. And below there, be quietall of you. Make a movement, and I'll shoot you down like dogs. "

Those were terrible moments. The sudden glare of light by the removalof the hatch dazzled us, a couple of pistols were thrust down, and abucket of water was lowered. Then some biscuits were thrown to us, asif we were the dogs of which Jarette had spoken; and I crouched theremotionless, thinking only of Dumlow jammed in there amongst the cases, and expecting moment by moment to hear him call out for help. 

But, poor fellow, he was as silent as we were, feeling as he did andafterwards said to me, that it would have been like telling Jarette thatwe had a chance of getting out. 

But before the hatch was rattled on again, and hammered down into itsplace, I managed to get a glimpse of the opening in among the cargo, into which we had been thrown, and in that rapid glance I grasped thefact that it had evidently been made by the removal of a number ofcases, probably hoisted out by Jarette's men. 

I did not breathe freely again till the hatch was replaced, but I didthen, from the fact that the strain was taken off my mind, and the hatchhad been off long enough for the foul hot air below to rise, and bereplaced by fresh. 

To my great delight the tarpaulin was not put down over the opening, andconsequently there were a few vivid pencils of light to brighten ourprison. 

We waited till the men had gone forward, and then I spoke to Dumlow. 

"Are you sure you can't get any farther?" I whispered. 

"Yes, sartain, sir. "

"Then make another trial and get back at once. "

"Can't, sir. "

"Nonsense, " I cried, speaking sharply to inspirit him; "if the hole wasbig enough for you to go in, it's big enough for you to come out. "

"No it arn't, cause it's like a rat-trap, and the corners and thingskeeps you from getting back, sir. "

The perspiration began to stand out on my forehead, and a strangefeeling of horror came over me as I thought of the man's position, andof what might happen if he could not get back; while just as thoughts ofsuffocation ensuing came rushing through my mind, the object of mythoughts suddenly said in a low husky voice--

"Bob, lad?"

"Hullo, mate!"

"You and Barney get hold of a leg each, and haul me back, or I shall besuffocated. "

"Yah! not you; wiggle yourself back, matey. "

"There arn't no wiggle left in me, lad, and it's so hot that I can'tbreathe. "

"Have another try, " whispered Barney. 

We heard a rustling, struggling sound as if some one was striving hardto get forward or back, but without result, and then the voice came morehusky and smothered than ever. 

"No go, lads. Look sharp and have me out, or I'm a goner. "

"Get out, " growled Bob, quite excitedly. "You don't half try. "

"I did, mate, but I'm getting worse, " came back faintly, "I'm a-swellingup and fitting tighter every moment. Can't yer get me out?"

"Here, ketch hold of one o' his legs, Barney, " growled Bob, hurriedly. "We must have him out somehow. Got him?"

"There arn't no room, messmate. "

"Lie up close to me and reach in together. Head in too. "

A low groan now came from the hold, and though I could not see, ofcourse I knew what was going on, and could estimate the difficulties ofthe position. Dumlow's two messmates, in their efforts to help him, were making his position more perilous, for they were forcing theirheads and shoulders into the opening, and stopping off what little aircould get to him. 

There was another groan. 

"Don't make a row, lad, we're doing our best, " came in a distant voicewhich sounded as far away as poor Dumlow's groans. "Got him, matey?"

"Ay, ay. "

"Both together. Yo ho, ahoy!"

This was all quite in a smothered tone, and accompanied by jerking anddragging sounds, which as they were kept up were accompanied andfollowed by feeble groans. 

"Quick, quick!" I cried. "Have him out, or they'll hear on deck. "

No one answered, and I moved forward and tried to help by clasping Bobround the waist. 

"Ahoy! Ahoy! Haul away--hoy!"

All in quite a smothered whisper, and then there was another moan. 

"Now again. All together. "

I joined in and dragged with all my might, but our efforts were in vain, Barney paused to get a fresh messmate's legs. 

"He's worked himself on till he's regularly jammed in, " growled Bob. "Now then, once more; we must have him, or he'll be a dead 'un. Haul. Now then!"

We all dragged together. There was a sudden giving way, a rush, and Iwas on my back with two men--it felt like three--upon me, and I dare notcall out in my horror and pain, but had to lie there listening topassing footsteps overhead until they had gone, and then to my greaterhorror Bob Hampton growled out--

"Well, we've got his legs, anyhow. "

There was a smothered groan once more. 

"It's all right, messmate, " said Barney. "Here's his uppards and headcome too. Oh, I beg your pardon, sir. Are you hurt?"

"Hurt?--yes!" I said angrily, "but never mind me. How's Dumlow?"

There was a low groan in answer. 

"Oh, he's all right, sir, " said Barney. "We didn't break him. He's allout. "

"No, he arn't all right, " growled Bob, who was feeling about in thedark. "He's in a reg'lar muddle, I dunno what's the matter with him. Strikes me we've pulled him inside out. "

"Go on with yer. It's all right. It's on'y his jersey pulled rightover his head and shoulders, and most off his arms. That's the way. There you are. You're all right now, arn't you, Neb?"

"Oh, my heye!" muttered the great fellow, and I felt a profound sense ofsatisfaction in hearing him speak again. "I began to think I was agoner. "

"Not you, " said Bob. 

"Warn't the skin all off o' me, Barney?"

"Nay, not it, lad. "

"Sure? Felt as if you was a-stripping of it all off o' me when I beganto come. "

"Nay, you're in your skin right enough, messmate. "

"Sure, Barney? 'Cause I feel precious sore uppards. "

"Sure? Yes. There, I'm glad we got you out without breaking. "

"So'm I, mate, werry glad indeed. I'm two sizes too big for a hole likethat, and I don't think it's any use for me to try again. "

As he spoke there came the three signal knocks, and as Bob answered themhe growled out--

"Oh yes, we know you're there. Look here, Mr Dale, sir. I'm two sizessmaller than Neb; I'm going to have a try. "

"No, you'd better not, Bob, " I whispered. "Let's wait and try to breakthrough the hatch. "

"Nay, sir, we ought to get along with them if we could. I'll just try, I'm quite two sizes smaller than Neb, and I won't be such an old sillyas to go and ram myself in fast. Say I may go, sir. "

"Yes, sir, let him go, " said Dumlow. "It'll take some o' the conceitout on him when he gets stuck fast. "

"Well then, go, Bob, but pray be careful. "

"Ay, ay, sir, I'll be careful, for I've got a great respeck for BobHampton, mariner. But you'll lend a hand, Neb, if I want hauling out?"

"I just wall, " growled the big fellow. "You shall have it, messmate. "

I felt very much disposed to stop him, but while I was hesitating therewas the old scuffling noise, and I could mentally see Bob Hamptonshuffling in the opening above the cases, and soon after there was agrunting and panting, followed by a low muttering in the hole. 

"What d'yer say, messmate?" whispered Barney. 

_Pat_!

"Here, I say, mind what you're arter, " cried Barney, angrily. "Youkicked me right in the chin. I don't want my teeth loosened that how. "

"Why, he's a-comin' back, " growled Neb. 

For the shuffling and rustling was continued, and the next minute BobHampton was back and lying along the casks. 

"Couldn't you get any farther?" I said, feeling greatly relieved at hisreturn. 

"No, sir. Neb's two sizes too large for the place, and I'm one size. Igot as far as he did, and if I'd moved a bit farder I should ha' stuck. "

"Yer didn't go as far as I did. "

"Yes, I did, mate. "

"How d'yer know?"

"'Cause I brought back your knife as lay just where I reached. "

Neb Dumlow grunted, and Bob drew a series of very long breaths. 

"Rayther hot in there, sir, and Neb had swallowed up all the fresh airthere was. "

"And precious little too. I could ha' swallowed bucketsful more if I'dhad it. "

"Lor'! what a fuss you two chaps make, " said Barney. "I knowed that'show it would be. There, shut your eyes, both on you, and see yer fatherdo it. "

"You're not going, Barney?" I whispered. 

"Oh yes, I am, sir. I can do it. "

"Yes, sir, let him go, " said Bob. "He's a reg'lar conger-eely sort o'fellow, as can wiggle hisself through a gas-pipe a'most. You let himgo, and see what he can do. "

"Yes, sir, let me have a try, " said Barney, and I reluctantly consented, though I had very little hope of his getting through. 

"Hadn't us better have a biscuit and a drink of water first, sir?" saidBob Hampton. "I'm strange and hungry yet. "

In my excitement I had forgotten all about the food, and giving theword, we squatted down round the bucket of water to nibble our biscuitsand have a good drink from time to time; and in spite of the heat andcloseness of our prison, that was one of the most enjoyable meals I everate. 

We had just finished when we heard Jarette and his followers talkingabove us, and the subject of their discourse, as far as I could make itout, seemed to be something about a boat. 

Then I heard Jarette say something that sounded like--

"Bah, my brave! He won't die. Well, let him. He'll be out of theway. "

Then there was a good deal of thumping and stamping about, and I fanciedthat they were going to open the hatch again. 

Under these circumstances I did not let Barney, who was thoroughly eagerto show his prowess, make the trial; but at last all was quiet on deck, save that there was a good deal of talking and singing right aft, and asit seemed to me in the saloon. 

"They've got some good stuff forrard there, lads, " said Barney, suddenly. 

"Why, o' course. I know, " growled Bob Hampton, "and they might ha' leftone or two lots for us. "

"What do you mean?" I said. 

"Why, sir, here's where there was a whole lot o' cases o' champagnestored, and they fished them out, and left this here hole as we're in. I wouldn't mind a drop o' that now to cheer us up again. It's werrygood stuff, ain't it?"

"What, champagne, Bob? I don't know. They say it is, but I nevertasted it. "

"More didn't we, sir, " said Bob. 

"You speak for yourself, old man, " said Barney. 

"Well, you ain't tasted it, and you know it, " growled Bob, "so tell thetruth. "

"Well, I can't say as ever I did taste champagne, " said Barney, "butI've had a bottle--ay, bottles and bottles--o' what comes next to it, and fizzles up wonderful. "

"Why, what does?"

"Joeydone, or Sueydone, or something like that they calls it. It arn'tso very bad. Might go now, sir, mightn't I?"

"Well, yes, if you mean to try. "

"Oh yes, I mean to try, sir, " he said. "Dessay I can manage it. ShallI start?"

"Yes, " I replied, and without a moment's pause he rose, thrust his headand shoulders into the hole, and as he drew himself in, he began towhistle. 

"He'd better save his wind, " grumbled Dumlow. "He'll want it soon. "

"Ay, that's the worst o' young chaps, they're so wasteful, " muttered BobHampton. "But they thinks they knows best. How are you getting on, messmate?"

"Tidy--tidy!" came back. "It arn't so very tight. "

The rustling went on, and I heard Dumlow whisper--

"When he holloas, let's fetch him out with a will. "

"Ay, ay, but he don't holloa, " said Bob. "Why, he've got farder than wedid. "

"Nay, not he. Why, he have though!"

For the whistling went on, just a softened hissing, and it was evidentthat Barney had got some distance in. What was more was that he wasstill progressing. 

"He's going to do it, Bob!" I cried excitedly. 

"Getting a bit farder, sir, that's all, " replied Bob. "But what I wantsto know is, how are we going to get hold on his legs when he gets stuck?There won't be no reaching on 'em, as I can see. "

"Hadn't yer better hail him to hold hard, and come back for us to hitcha line round one of his fins?"

"Which line would you use, messmate?" said Bob dryly. "The old 'un orthe noo 'un?"

"Eh? Which on 'em?"

"Ay. Why, there arn't no line down here, is there? What yer talkingabout?"

"No, " muttered Dumlow, thoughtfully; "there arn't no line down here, o'course. I never thought o' that. But s'pose he gets stuck fast, as hewill farder on, what's to be done?"

"I d'know, without old Jarette comes and has the cargo out. Why, where's he got to!"

I was listening intently, but the whistling and rustling had ceased, andhalf in alarm, half hopeful that he would find a way through to whereour companions were imprisoned, I strained my ears longingly for somesuggestion of how far Barney could be. All at once the soundrecommenced, stopped, began again, and then much nearer than I hadexpected there came a struggling and panting, which made my blood runcold. 

"He's hitched, " muttered Bob Hampton, and then in quite a low voice hecried into the opening--

"Where are you, mate?"

"Here, " came back in a smothered voice. 

"I knowed he would, " growled Dumlow. "He's got fast, and now what's tobe done?"

It was very horrible, shut down there in that close, hot place, listening to the struggles of a fellow-creature who was in such aposition that wanting help he was beyond the reach of those who wereeager to render it. The perspiration once more streamed down my face, and my hands trembled as I called upon myself to act in a manly way. Neither of my companions could go to Barney's help. They were, as hadbeen proved, too bulky, and yet help must be given, and quickly too. Everything pointed to the fact that the task must fall upon me to creepforward to render aid; but when I got there in that confined place, whatwould my strength be toward getting the poor fellow back? All I coulddo would be to creep along to him and say a few words of encouragementto incite him to make a fresh effort or two to struggle free, and ifthat failed, stay beside him and talk of hope while the men gave thealarm, and help was brought to take off the hatches right along, anddrag out cargo until the man was reached and set free. 

"Ahoy, messmate!" cried Bob now. "Are you stuck fast?"

"Ay, ay. "

The words sounded so stifled and strange that I knew the moment had comefor me to make an effort to save him, and mastering the horriblesensation of shrinking cowardice that came over me, I drew a long, deepbreath, and seized Bob Hampton to draw him aside. 

"What's wrong, my lad? What is it?" he said, almost surlily. "It arn'tmy fault; I'd go in to pull him back, but I shouldn't get in fur 'fore Iwas stuck. "

"No, no, " I said excitedly. "Of course not. "

"Then Neb had have to come, and he wouldn't get far arter me for he wasstuck too. Then what would you do 'bout pulling us out all three?"

"Nothing, " I said, desperately. "You must not either of you go. Thetime has come for me to try and save him myself. "

Bob Hampton laid a hand upon my shoulder to stop me; but I thrust himback and was half into the opening when the rustling sound withinincreased. 

"I'm coming, Blane, " I said, in a loud whisper. 

"No, no; don't you come, " he whispered back. "I'm coming out, and therearn't room for two. "

I stopped in astonishment, for I had pictured him to be hopelessly fixedand unable to move; and not only did the rustling continue, and heseemed to be approaching, but he said he was coming out. 

"Rather an awkward kind o' place, sir, " he said, and his voice wascarried along toward me, so that it sounded as if he were whisperingclose to my ear. "One feels like a rat going down a pump to make a mealoff the sucker, and a drink o' water after. Don't you try to come, sir. "

"But I am in, Barney, I came to help you. "

"Thankye, sir; but I'll talk to you when I get out. I'm coming fastnow. "

And he did come on so fast that in less than a minute, as I waitedmotionless, and with one hand extended to touch his feet when they cameinto reach, his face was close to mine, and I shrank back as he said--

"Here we are, sir. That's you, isn't it?"

"Yes, Barney. But you didn't go in feet first?"

"No, sir, head-first; and I come out head-first too. "

I was so puzzled that I said nothing, and backed out as quickly as Icould, followed by the sailor, who seated himself panting. 

"Precious hot in there, sir, " he said. 

"But how did you manage? You said you were stuck fast, " growled Bob. 

"So I was, matey, for a minute or two, right at the end as far as Icould go; for it got too small for me at last. "

"How far did you go in?"

"Ah, that I don't know, sir. Ever so far in, till it got so as I shouldha' been stuck fast if I'd gone any farther. "

"Then how could you turn round?"

"It was wider and higher a little bit this side of the narrow part, andI made shift to double myself up pretty close and get round there. "

"Then was it there you were stuck?" I asked. 

"Yes, sir; but by a bit o' giving and taking I got round, and come outface forrard, as you see. "

"I am thankful, " I murmured. 

"Well, if you come to that, sir, I liked it better when I'd got faceoutwards; for it arn't nice to feel yourself set fast in among a lot o'cargo which may shift if the ship gives a roll, and there you are, justlike a blue-bottle shut in a big book, and come out next year flat anddry. "

"Why, you must be a thin 'un, Barney, " growled Bob. "You'd better leavethe sea, and take to being first-class messenger to go up and downsteam-pipes. "

"Be quiet, Bob!" I said angrily. "Here, tell me, Barney, " I continued;for now that the man was safe, the horror and nervousness of a terribleaccident rapidly passed away. 

"Tell you what, sir?"

"Is it hopeless? Is there no chance of getting to the forecastlebulk-head that way?"

"Well, sir, I can't say only that you know how far Neb Dumlow got, andthen how Bob Hampton got a little farther. "

"Didn't, " growled Dumlow. 

"Now what's the good o' you talking, messmate? because he did, just abit farther, " said Barney, in a tone full of protest. "You may just aswell say I didn't go three times as far. "

"Nay, I won't say that, lad. "

"'Cause I did; and arter the tight nip of a bit where them two stuck, itwere pretty easy, and I got along fast, though of course it's all upsand downs like. Then there's the widish bit 'tween them two big cases, where I twisted round; and after that the cargo's closer together, andnigher the beams, till it got too stiff for me, and I give it up; for Iknowed that if I got stuck there, I should have to stay. "

"Then there is a way on?" I said excitedly. 

"Kind of a sort of a way, sir. I don't think I could ha' got along ifI'd tried ever so hard, 'cause the cargo's jammed up so close to theroof; but a small sort o' man might do it, or p'r'aps I might if oldFrenchy keeps me here long enough to get precious thin. "

"But a boy could get along?" I said. 

"Oh yes, sir, I dessay a boy could; but don't you get thinking it's aregular pipe or a passage, 'cause it arn't. It's all in and out, andover chests and cases and things as don't fit together, or has gotsettled down; and you have to feel all this as you go, and trust to thetips of your fingers for leading of you right. It arn't as if there wasany light, you see; 'cause their ain't enough to show a mouse the way tothe inside of a Dutch cheese. "

"Then if any one got along there far enough, he would come to theforecastle bulk-head?" I said eagerly. 

"Well, that I can't say, sir; 'cause, you see, he might find he had tocreep along right under the forksle floor, and the men's bunks. "

"If he got to the place where our friends are, that would not matter, " Icried excitedly. "The distance must be very small. "

"O' course, sir. "

"But one moment, Barney. Could any of the cargo be pushed out of theway, so as to make more room?"

"No, sir, for sartain, 'cause it's all wedged together, and there'snowhere else to put it so as to make room. "

"And I don't see, if one got there, that it could be a great deal ofgood, because they couldn't get here, and we couldn't all get there. "

"They seems to think it would be some good, sir, " growled Barney, "because they keeps on knocking. There they goes again. "

For once more the tapping commenced, and was repeated impatiently as wedid not answer. 

"Give 'em the sigginals, Bob, " said Dumlow, gruffly. 

The tapping was answered--three taps together, two, then one, and in allmanner of variations; till the others stopped, and so did we, and therewas silence till Bob spoke. 

"That's all very pretty, " he said; "but, you see, it don't lead tonothing. They raps, and seems to say, Here we are! And then we raps, and says, So are we! And so it goes on, over and over again, till youdon't know what they mean, or what you mean, or where you are. I wishwe could do something to make 'em understand as we're stuck fast. "

"The only way to do that is to tell them so, " I cried passionately. "Even if nothing more comes of it, I feel as if it would be something tofeel that you can communicate with your friends when you like. We mightcontrive something too, some means of escape. Yes, we must get to them, my lads. "

"Then you'll have to starve down, Barney, till you're as thin as askelington, " said Bob, "and then have another try. "

"All right, messmate, I'm willin', " said Barney, with a sigh. "I don'tlike going without my wittles, but what we gets here arn't much to lose. There you are then, Mr Dale, sir; starve me down till I'm smallenough. "

"No, Barney, " I said firmly; "there's no need. I'm small enoughalready; and if you'll follow me for company as far as you can, and tohelp me if possible, I will go myself. I said when you were in thereI'd try and help you; now you must try and help me. Will you come?"

"My hand on it, sir, if you'll shake it. "

I shook it. 

"I shall keep as close to you as I can, sir, " said the sailor. "Youwon't want any telling which way to go, for there is only one way foryou to get along, as you'll soon find out. "

I started, and soon felt that I must be past where the two men had foundit so tight a fit, though I had had no difficulty in getting alongwhatever, and gaining courage from the excitement, I crawled forwardover the tops of rough packing-cases and between others, finding thepassage uneven, and with a different level every minute. Now therewould be plenty of room; but a foot or two farther I had to crawl over acase that came so close to a beam arching over from side to side of theship that I began wondering how my companion had passed in, and as soonas I was through and into the wider space beyond, I stopped with my headturned back to speak. 

"You can't get through there, can you?" I asked. 

"Well, it is pretty tight, sir, but I did it afore, and I've got to doit again. "

I listened to his efforts, and could make out that he was gettingthrough inch by inch, and he kept on commenting upon his progress thewhile. 

"Good job as one's bones give a bit, sir, " he was saying, when theknocking ahead came clearly, and seemed not so very far away. "Give 'eman answer, sir; not too loud. Do it with your knuckles on something. "

I was upon a case as he spoke, and I answered at once; but to myannoyance this only drew forth fresh knockings in various ways--twoknocks together, then two more very quickly--a regular rat-rat--and thenall kinds of variations, to which I replied as well as I could, and thenleft off in a pet. 

"Who's going to keep on doing that?" I cried angrily. "They mustwait. "

"Yes, " growled Barney; "I'd go on, sir. That arn't doing nobody nogood. "

The consequence was that I went forward slowly, with an accompaniment oftaps, which kept irritating me in that hot, stifling passage--no, it isnot fair to call such a place a passage, seeing that it was merely anopening formed by the settling down of the packages, or their openingout from the rolling of the ship in the storm. 

I was passing along one of these latter portions with great care when acold chill ran through me, for the thought came--suppose the ship heelsover now, I shall be nipped in here and crushed to death. 

But the ship did not heel over; though I did not feel comfortable till Iwas out of the opening, and flat once more on the top of a huge crate, between whose openings, the sharp ends of the straw used in packing itprojected and scratched my face. Here I paused to listen to Barneypanting and grunting as he struggled along. 

"Mustn't make quite so much noise, sir, " he whispered; "or some 'unuppards 'll be hearing of us. "

He was more careful, and I once more went crawling laboriously, andfinding on the whole so little room that I began to think I must havegone much farther than Barney had been before. And there was a strangething connected with that creep over and amongst the cargo. Time seemedto be indefinitely prolonged. I could fancy one moment that I had beencrawling and crawling for hours, and going a tremendous distance, whilethe next my idea was that I had hardly moved and not been there aminute. Every now and then, in spite of setting my teeth hard, and evenbiting my tongue, that horrible feeling of fright came back; and I haveoften asked myself since whether I was an awful coward. But I nevercould give a fair judgment, for I have thought that most people wouldhave felt the same, whether they were lads or grown men, and certainlymy three companions in talking it over said it upset them more thangoing in for a real fight. 

It was curious, too, how busy one's brain was when I could keep fromthinking of being smothered or crushed, or so fixed in that I could notget out. For then I began to think about moles burrowing underground, and worms in their holes, and rabbits and mice; and on one of theseoccasions I started and wondered at the peculiarity of the coincidence, for I suddenly became aware of a peculiar, half-musky smell, and thenthere was a scuffling, squealing sound which sent a shudder through me. 

"Hear the rats, sir?" whispered Barney; but I was so upset that Icouldn't reply. 

All at once, as I was crawling more freely, my companion whispered--

"You ought to be close to where I turned myself round, sir. Aren'tthere more room?"

"Yes, " I said. 

"Then that's it, sir. Eh?"

"I didn't speak. "

"But some one did, sir. It arn't them in the forksle, is it?"

We listened, and there was whispered, close to us apparently--

"How are you getting on?"

"It's them behind, sir. I'll lay down flat as I can, and you whisperback as we're all right. Sound travels easy. "

I found that I could readily turn, and I did as he proposed that Ishould, hearing my voice sound so smothered that it startled me again. But the tapping was resumed; and answering it again, I turned and wenton once more in silence till all at once my way was stopped by a cratewhich touched the beams overhead. 

"Is this where you got to, Barney?" I said. 

"Where there's a big crate thing, sir, as goes right up? That's it. "

"Then we can't get any farther?"

"I don't think I can; but that tapping wouldn't come so plain if therewarn't a way. It weer too tight for me; but you can try if you can'tget round the end of the stopper. It may be big enough for you. "

I would have given anything to get back now, feeling as I did that I haddone enough; but I plucked up my courage, and began feeling about tomake the discovery that while one end of the crate was closed solidlyagainst the next package, the other end did not touch. 

"There's a way here, " I said to my companion, who was sitting up behindme, having found a place where he could let his legs go down. 

"Well, sir, that's what I thought, " said Barney. "But it's too smallfor me, arn't it?"

"Yes, far too small, " I said. "I don't think I could get along. Is itany use to try?"

Tap, tap. Tap, tap, tap. 

That knocking came so plainly and from so near now that I at once said--

"Yes; I must get through. "

"Bravo you, sir. That's your sort. Take it coolly. Where the head 'llgo, the rest on you'll follow if you wiggles yerself well. Don't youget scared, sir. I'll pull you back if you get stuck. "

"But it's horribly hot here, Barney, " I whispered. 

"Yes, sir; but I s'pose we mustn't mind that. Go it, sir, and let's getit over. "

I did not need his words, for I was already trying to get round thatgreat crate. It was, I felt, an impossible job, for I had to pass roundone angle, and the heat as I wedged myself in became insufferable. ButI forced myself along inch by inch till I could get my arms round theend, where to my great joy I found that I could get hold of the bars ofthe crate, the straw with which its contents were packed yielding enoughto allow my fingers to obtain a firm grip, and with this purchase Ipulled and pulled, getting myself farther and farther till I was part ofthe way past the angle; then more and more, till my hips checked the wayfor a few minutes, and I stopped short, feeling that it was all over, for I could get no farther. 

Then I felt that I had done enough. It was useless fighting against theimpossible, and I made up my mind to go back; but at the first movementI rucked up my jacket and trousers and literally wedged myself in, finding that I could not get back an inch, and that if I tried more Ishould be stuck beyond the hope of extrication. 

I felt faint with the heat and horror, then a peculiar giddiness cameover me; I saw lights dancing before my eyes, and my senses were fastgoing, when, sounding quite cool and unconcerned, Barney's voice came tome, teaching me the value of companionship at such a time as this. 

"Having a rest, sir? Say when, and I'll give your feet a shove. "

Just those few simple words, but they were sufficient to give me courageonce more, and drive away the mists of horror. 

I was myself again, tightened my grip on the stout bars of the crate, gave a spasmodic jerk, and dragged myself as I lay edgewise two or threeinches along the end of the great crate. 

"That wins it, sir, " whispered Barney, and feeling desperate I triedagain and again, the bars giving me so much assistance that I got on andon till I was lyings as I said, edgewise along the end, with my backagainst a large wooden case. 

Then I stopped, panting with my exertion, the perspiration streamingfrom me, and feeling as if it would be impossible to get any farther. But all the same I was cheered by my success, and after gaining mybreath I was just going to have another try when Barney whispered--

"What's ahead of you? Can you touch anything?"

I stretched out my hands as far as I could reach, and this actionelongated me a trifle, so that I felt myself slipping down a little--only a few inches, but that was enough; a curious oppression of my chestfollowed, and to my horror I realised that the passage narroweddownwards, and my weight had carried me lower, so that now at last Ifelt that I was hopelessly wedged in. 

For some moments the horror of my position rendered me helpless. Icould not struggle, but lay as if paralysed till Barney roused me bywhispering in his cheery way--

"Takin' a rest again, my lad?"

"No, no, " I panted in a hopeless tone of voice; "I'm fast, Barney; Ican't move. "

"Oh yes, you can, sir, " he replied; "take it coolly. "

"But the packages on each side are holding me, " I panted. 

"Have another go, sir. You don't know how ingyrubbery you are till youtry, sir. Take it coolly, sir, then wait your time, and you'll workyourself out just as we did. All three on us got fast. "

"Yes; but there was some one to pull Bob Hampton out, " I said angrily;and in this spirit I made a fierce effort after reaching up with one legand one arm, and somehow managed to drag myself higher, so that I didnot feel so much oppression at my chest. Another inch or two made mewonder why I had been so much alarmed, and in another minute I hadpassed the great crate, and found more room between the cargo and thebeams overhead. 

But I hesitated to go farther in that horrible darkness, dreading somefresh complication, and feeling that now I had reached a part where Icould hear, it would be wise to go back and accept my fate of aprisoner, and see what Jarette would do, when all at once the tapping, which had been unheard for some time, recommenced, and apparently soclose, that my cowardly dread passed off, and I determined to go on. 

"All right now, aren't you, sir?" whispered Barney. 

"Yes. "

"Told you so. Only be careful, sir, I can't help you now. "

I felt about a little, and then crawled forward in no narrowperpendicular crevice, but flat on my chest, between the cargo and thedeck, and in less than a minute my hand touched an upright piece? ofroughly-sawn wood. Then another and another, and passing my handbetween them I felt board, while the next instant there was a dull jaras if some one on the other side struck the board I touched, and gavethree taps. I answered directly with my knuckles, and a strange feelingof emotion made my heart palpitate as a voice came through the narrowopening between the boards. 

"Is any one there?"

I placed my mouth as close to the crevice as I could in my constrainedposition, and chancing being heard, I cried--

"Yes. "

"Who is it?" came back. 

"Dale; and the three men are with me. "

"Can you force off one of these boards?"

"No. Who is it?" I said. 

I was almost sure when I asked the question, and my ideas wereconfirmed. It was Mr Brymer speaking, and he told me that Mr Preddle, Mr Frewen, and the captain were with him. 

That was good news, but he had not told me all. 

"Where is Miss Denning?" I asked. 

"With her brother in their cabin still, I think. Now look here, Dale, we will try and pull out one of these boards, and you and the othersmust join us here. "

I must have made his heart sink in despair the next minute, when I toldhim that it was impossible, and said how I had had to struggle to get tohim. 

"Then either you or we must get out, and the party that gets on deckmust help the other. Wait a minute. "

I waited, and heard the sound of boring, and a few minutes later, as Ikept a hand upon the board, I felt the point of a knife or gimletworking its way through. 

After it was withdrawn conversation became more easy, and I had a fewwords with Mr Frewen and Mr Preddle, all of which were cheering, though as far as escape was concerned it did no good. But I learned howthat they had been literally thrown down there, as they supposed, forthey had come-to very much as we had, to find themselves lying helplesson the floor. 

We had reached this point when Barney's voice came, and it soundedanxious. 

"Better come now, Mr Dale, sir, " he whispered. "We can get along hereagain. "

"Yes, I'll come soon, " I whispered back, for to a certain extent Iforgot my troubles in the satisfaction of having been able to reach myfriends. 

"Better come now, sir. They're getting scared behind yonder, and seemsto me there's on'y just wind enough left for us to breathe going back. If you stop any longer there won't be none, for I shall swaller it all. "

I explained what he said to me, and it was Mr Frewen who now spokethrough the tiny hole. 

"Yes, go back directly, " he said. "Come again in a few hours' time, theair will be better again then, and we will cut this hole big enough foryou to come through. "

I could have wished it to have been made bigger then, so that I couldget to my friends, but I knew it would be like forsaking the men I hadleft, so after promising to return soon--thinking nothing now of thedifficulty of the journey--I said good-bye, and began to crawl back, remembering directly plenty of things I should have liked to ask. 

But now I had to think of my perilous journey back, and I shuddered as Ithought how nearly I had been wedged fast beside the crate. Somehow, though, now that I knew the extent of my risk, it did not seem half sobad, I reached the crate, changed from the horizontal to theperpendicular opening, kept close to the top with my head and shoulders, and let my legs go down till I could rest them on the crossbar of thecrate, made my way to the end round the corner, and reached the placewhere Barney was anxiously waiting, and then paused for a few moments torest, ready to wonder at the ease with which I had returned. I saidsomething of the kind to Barney, and he laughed. 

"Oh yes, sir, " he said. "It's like going aloft when you're young. Iremember the first time I went up to the main-topgallant mast-head, Isaid to myself, `On'y let me once get down safe, and you'll never ketchme up here again;' while now one goes up and does what one has to dowithout thinking about it, and--Hear that?"

"Yes; what are they bumping about on the deck?"

"Dunno, sir. Sounds like getting the big boats off from over thegalley. But they won't hear us, sir; let's get back to where we canhave a pull at the fresh air. Will you go first?"

"No; you know the way best. "

Barney chuckled. 

"There arn't much queshtion of knowing the way, sir. There arn't nofirst turnings to the left, and second to the right. It's all go ahead, and you're sure to come out right if you don't get stuck, and I s'pose Imustn't get jammed anywhere 'cause of you. "

He went on, and as I followed I could not help thinking about howterrible it would be if he did get fast, and more than once a curioussensation ran through me as he struggled on. But we had no mishap, andat last crept out to where Bob Hampton and Dumlow were waiting for us. 

"You have been a long time, sir, " growled the former. "Did you makeanything out of it?"

"Yes, Bob, I reached the forecastle. "

"You did, lad! Well done you! I allus thought you'd do something someday. "

Then I told them both of all that had passed, as I lay there in thathot, dark, stifling hole, thinking though all the while how delightfullyfresh and light it was. When I had finished, Bob rubbed his ear, andgrowled softly--

"Why, my lad, " he said, "seems to me as it's like pig-shearing. "

"Pig-shearing? What do you mean?"

"Much cry and little wool, sir. We've all been crawling about in thehold like rats, and got to where the t'others are--leastwise you have--and then you've come back again. "

"Yes, Bob. "

"Taken all that trouble for nothing. "

"Well, but I have been able to talk to them, and make plans. "

"Bah, sir, I don't call them plans. What was the good of us all gettingsmothered as we was, just to find out as we couldn't do nothing?"

"I communicated with Mr Brymer and Mr Frewen, " I cried. 

"And said `How de do? I'm quite well thank you, how are you?' Didn'tpay for the trouble, sir. We must do something better than that. Whatdo you say, Neb?"

"I says as I arn't going to squeedge my carcadge into that hole again ifI knows it, messmate. "

"And you, Barney?"

Barney Blane uttered a low deep snore. Worn-out by his exertions, hehad lain down on his back and gone to sleep at once, and ten minuteslater the hot vitiated air had produced such an effect upon me that Iwas just as fast, and dreaming of bright sunshine and lovely tropiclands, till I was aroused by strange noise, and a sharp angry voicecried--

"Now then, all! _Vite_! _vite_! Tumble up. "

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. 

I was so confused by being awakened suddenly from a deep sleep, and bythe light of a lantern flashing in my eyes, that for a few minutes Imoved about quite mechanically, getting out of the way of my companionsin misfortune, as first Barney, and then Neb Dumlow, obeyed and climbedout on deck. 

"Now then, look sharp, " cried the same voice, "don't keep us here allnight. "

"You go next, my lad, " growled Bob, "and I'll give you a hyste. Takehold o' the combings and give me one leg. "

I obeyed, in a sleepy stupid way--in fact, if I had been told to jumpoverboard I think I should have done so then--and as I grasped thecombings Bob Hampton seized the leg I lifted as if I had been going tomount a horse, and jerked me right up to where I was seized by a coupleof men, thrown down, and then dragged along the deck to the opengangway, where, as I awoke to the fact that there was the black sea allgleaming with yellow scintillations, I suddenly made a desperate effortto escape. 

"No, no, " I shouted. "Help!"

"Hold still, will you?" cried one of the men. "Now then, out with him!"

In spite of my struggles they forced me onward, holding on to my wriststhe while; and speechless now in my horror, I felt that the next momentI should be plunged into the black water to drown. 

Those were terrible moments, but they only were those brief spaces oftime, for just as I felt that all was over, the man who had just spokenshouted--"Below there! Now then, together, mate, " and they stooped aslow as they could, lowering me down, and then snatched their hands away, and I fell what seemed to be a terrific distance, though it was only afew feet, before I was caught by strong arms and lowered into a boat. 

"There you are, sir. Go aft. "

I staggered in the direction in which I was pushed, and dropped on to athwart, still half-stunned and confused, but sensible enough tounderstand the words uttered about me, and to see the dull yellow lightof the lanterns held by the gangway lighting up a number ofdrink-flushed faces. 

"I don't want chucking down, I tell you, " growled Bob Hampton. "Give'sa hold of a rope and I'll drop down. "

"Yes, you pig, " snarled Jarette, for I knew it was he now who gaveorders, and now came full into sight, with the lights showing: hisevil-looking face. "It's rope you want, is it? Hah, for two sous I'dhave one round your neck and run you up to the yard-arm. Treacherouslying dog. "

Bob Hampton was a big heavy man, but as quickly and actively as a boy heswung himself clear of the men who held him, and lowered himself down. 

"Stand clear, " he shouted, and the next moment he had dropped down intothe boat. 

"Was you talking 'bout the rope for yourself, Frenchy?--because theykeep that round the yard-arm for thieves and pirates, not for honestmen. "

"Pig--cochon!" yelled Jarette, and there was a flash of light and asharp report as he fired a pistol to hit the sailor, or perhaps only tofrighten us, for no harm was done. 

"Silence, man, don't exasperate him, " whispered a voice from close bywhere I sat, and I knew that if I raised my hand I could have touchedMr Frewen. 

"All right, sir, " growled Bob, and Jarette spoke now. 

"Below there, " he cried. "I'm behaving better to you than you alldeserve. Some men would have pitched you all overboard to drown. Nowthen, listen you, Captain Berriman; you can row west and get into theline the packets take, or you can row east and make the coast somewhere, if you don't get caught in a storm and go to the bottom. But that'snone of my doing, I can't help that. Now then, push off before I altermy mind and have a bag of ballast pitched through the bottom of theboat. Off with you. Fasten up that gangway, my lads. "

"No, no, stop, " cried Mr Frewen, excitedly. "We are not all here, " andI glanced round, but it was too dark to make anything out below wherethe light of the lanterns was cast outward in quite a straight line, well defined against the blackness below, which looked solid. 

"Not all there, doctor? Oh, I forgot, " said Jarette. "Wait a minute. "

He turned away from the side, and we heard him give some order, whichwas followed a minute later by a sharp shrill cry, which went throughme, and then there was a series of frantic shrieks, which seemed topierce the dark night air. We could hear a scuffling too, and appealafter appeal approaching the side from somewhere aft. 

"Silence!" snapped out Jarette, and a sharp smack was followed by a lowmoan. 

Then in loud hysterical tones, as if a hoarse frantic woman wereappealing, I heard as I sat shuddering there--

"No, no, don't, Captain Jarette. I'll work with you, and stick to you, and help you always. Don't do that. "

"You--you cowardly, sneaking traitor! Who'd trust you an inch out ofhis sight? Over with him, lads. No, no, not there. Over with himhere. "

"Help! Mercy, pray! help! help!" came with frantic shrieks, for thepoor fellow evidently did not know of the boat over the side. He feltthat he was going to his death, and then he was evidently clinging tosomething, for there was a pause, and in a hoarse yell we heard himcry--

"Don't kill me, Jarette, and I'll tell you where the money-chests arestowed. "

"You? Why, I know. Over with him!" cried Jarette, and then, utteringshrieks that horrified us, we saw Walters for a moment above thebulwarks in the full light of the lanterns, and then he was pitchedoutwards, shrieking as he fell, a loud splash and a gurgling noise, which ceased suddenly, telling us where he had gone down. 

The boat was pushed along in the darkness, and without an order beinggiven. 

"See him?" said Mr Brymer, in a hurried whisper. 

"No, sir, not yet, " growled Bob Hampton. 

Almost at that moment there was a wild shriek for help just by theboat's side, and Dumlow growled out--

"I got him. "

Then came a splashing and a repetition of the cry for help, but thistime from the bottom of the boat. 

"What has he done wrong?" said Bob Hampton. "Want us to chuck you inagain?"

"Oh, help!" cried Walters piteously. 

"What, have you took him aboard?" said a sneering voice overhead. "Better let him drown. He isn't worth the biscuit and water he'llwant. "

"Oh, only wait!" cried Walters, rising up to his knees. 

"Wait, " snarled Jarette. "Yes, you cur, I will with one of theshot-guns if you ever come near my ship again. And you, Berriman, andyou, Brymer, take my warning; I've given you your chance, so take it. If you hang about near here I'll have the signal-gun loaded and sinkyou, so be out of sight by daylight. Now push off before you getsomething thrown over to go through the bottom of the boat. "

There was a low whispering close by me, and then I could just make outthe doctor's figure as he stood up. 

"Stop, " he shouted. "Mr Jarette, we are not all here. "

"What? Why, who is left behind?"

"Mr Denning. "

"The sick passenger?"

"And his sister, sir. "

"Oh yes, I know, board. "

"No, sir, they must come with us. I warn you that Mr Denning's healthis such that he must have medical attendance. "

"Oh, I see, " cried Jarette, with a sneering laugh. "You are afraid ofmissing your job. There, cure the captain. One patient is enough in anopen boat. "

"If anything happens to him, sir, you will have to answer for his life. "

"You are stupid, " sneered Jarette. "You wish to trap me. It would killthe patient to keep him with you, exposed in an open boat. No, Monsieurle docteur, I am too wise--too much of the fox, le renard--to be trappedlike that. Push off. "

"No, no, sir, " cried Mr Frewen; "for mercy's sake, sir, let Mr Denningand his sister be lowered down to us. "

"But they do not wish to come, monsieur. "

"I will not argue with you, sir, or contradict. You hold the power. Ionly say, for mercy's sake let that poor suffering invalid and hissister come. We will then push off and leave you to your prize. "

Jarette was resting his arms on the bulwark, gazing down at us, no doubtmaliciously, but the lights were behind him and at his side, so that hisfeatures were in the dark, and as I looked up I could not help thinkinghow easily any one might have shot him dead and thrown him overboard. But I shuddered at this horrible idea as it flashed through my head, andwaited for him to speak. 

Mr Frewen waited too, but he remained silent, only making a slightmovement as if to pass one arm over the bulwarks, though from where Isat I could not quite make out his act. 

"You heard me, Jarette?" said Mr Frewen, after this painful pause. "You will let your people help Mr Denning and his sister down?"

Still the man did not answer, but appeared to be staring hard at thedoctor. 

"Mr Jarette. "

"Captain Jarette, doctor. There, you see what a merciful man I am. Youdo not know that I have been taking aim at you right between the eyesfor the last five minutes, and could at any moment have sent a bulletthrough your head. "

"Yes, sir, " said the doctor, calmly; "yes, Captain Jarette, I knew thatyou were aiming at me. "

"Then why did you not flinch and ask for mercy!"

"Because I am accustomed to look death in the face, sir, when I am doingmy duty, I am doing it now. Mr Denning's life is in danger. Come, sir, you will let him and his sister join us?"

"In an open boat? No. "

"Mr Jarette. "

"Captain Jarette, doctor, " cried the man, angrily. "Now all of you rowand take this mad fellow away, before I am tempted to shoot him. "

Bob Hampton uttered a low growling sound as he sought in the darknessfor the boat-hook, stood up, and began to thrust the boat from theship's side. 

"No; stop, " cried Mr Frewen, fiercely, "we cannot desert the Denningslike this. Ahoy!--on board there! Mr Denning, where are you?"

"Here, " came from one of the cabin-windows aft. 

"Row beneath that window, " cried the doctor, and the boat was not rowedbut dragged slowly there by Bob Hampton, who kept hooking on by the mainand mizzen-chains. 

"Keep off!" roared Jarette fiercely. "Do you hear? Keep off, or Ifire. "

But Bob Hampton paid no heed to his orders till the boat was beneath oneof the round cabin-windows, and then he thrust the boat about six feetfrom the ship. 

He had a reason for so doing, and he had hardly steadied the boat when, in obedience to an order from Jarette, something tremendously heavy wasthrown over the side, and fell with a loud splash between us and theship, deluging us with the shower it raised, and making the boat rock. 

But Mr Frewen paid no heed to that which would have driven a holethrough the bottom of the boat, perhaps killed one of its occupants atthe same moment. 

"Are you there, Denning?" he said, in a quick whisper. 

"Yes. "

"Quick, run with your sister to the stern-windows and jump out. Forheaven's sake don't hesitate. We can pick you up. "

"Ay, ay, " growled Bob Hampton. 

"Impossible! We are both fastened in, " said Mr Denning. 

"Can you pass through that window?"

"No. Save yourselves; you cannot help us now. "

"Over with it, my lads. Well out. "

We could not see what was heaved over the side, but something else, probably a piece of pig-iron, was thrown over, and fell with a heaviersplash, making the phosphorescent water flash and sparkle, so that Icould see the light dancing in the darkness for far enough down. 

Jarette's savage design was again frustrated, and in spite of ourterrible danger no one among us stirred or said a word about the risk. 

"Do you hear?" cried Mr Denning, from the cabin-light. "Save yourself;the wretch will sink the boat. "

"I cannot go and leave you and your sister in this man's power. "

"It is madness to stay. You have done all that is possible. CaptainBerriman, order your men to row you out of danger. "

"I am not in command, " said the captain feebly. 

"Mr Brymer, then, " cried Mr Denning. "Quick, they are dragging upsomething else to throw over. "

"I should not be a man, sir, if I ordered the men in cold blood to leaveyou and your sister, " said Mr Brymer huskily. 

"But you are risking other lives. Mr Frewen, " cried the young man, "Iwish it; my sister wishes it. You must--you shall go. "

Mr Frewen uttered a strange kind of laugh. 

"If I told the men to row away, sir, I do not believe they would go, " hereplied. "Answer for yourselves, my lads; would you go?"

"'Bout two foot farder, " growled Bob, "so as they couldn't hit us;that's 'bout all. "

"But you can do no good, " said Mr Denning. "Lena, my child, they havebeen very brave, and done everything they could; tell them to go now; itis to save their lives. "

"Don't--don't, Miss Denning, " I shouted, for I could bear it no longer. "There isn't anybody here but Nic Walters who would be such a cur. "

I said the words passionately, feeling a kind of exaltation come overme, and everything was in the most unstudied way, or I should not havesaid it at all. 

The words were not without their effect, for they stung Walters to thequick. The moment before he had been lying shivering in the bottom ofthe boat, but as I spoke he sprang up and cried in a high-pitched, hysterical voice that might have been Mr Preddle's--

"It isn't true, Miss Denning. I've been a treacherous coward and abeast, but I'd sooner die now than leave you to come to harm. "

"A pity you didn't, my lad, before you betrayed us as you did, " said MrBrymer, in a deep-toned voice. 

"Ah, yes. Words are no use now, " said the captain slowly. 

"No! No use now--no use now, " cried Walters wildly. "It is too late, too late, " and before any one could grasp what he was about to do, heleaped over the side into the black water. 

But not to drown, for the scintillations of the tiny creatures disturbedby his plunge showed exactly where he was, and Bob Hampton only had tolower the boat-hook and thrust it right down as a wild cry came from thecabin overhead. The next minute he had caught the wretched, half-distraught fellow, and dragged him to the surface, where Neb Dumlowseized him and snatched him over the side to let him fall into thebottom of the boat, and thrust his foot upon him to keep him down. 

"Want to doctor him, sir?" then said Dumlow gruffly. 

But there was no answer, for our attention was taken up by a savageburst of rage from Jarette, who fired at us unmistakably this time, anda sharp cry came from one of the occupants of the boat. 

"I warned you, " cried Jarette. "Now row for your lives. "

"Yes, in heaven's name, go, " cried Mr Denning, "you are only adding toour agony. "

"No, " cried Mr Frewen, "I will not give up. Brymer--my lads, you willfol--"

"Hush, " said Mr Brymer, as there was another flash and a report fromJarette's pistol. "Of course we will follow, but not now. It would bemadness. Wait, man! We will not go far. Use your oars, my lads. "

"No, no, I forbid it, " cried Mr Frewen wildly, "and I call upon you mento help me board this ship. "

"You are not in command here, sir, " said Mr Brymer sternly. "Take yourplace. Now, my lads, oars, and give way. "

There was another shot from the deck, and one of the men uttered anexclamation as the blades were thrust over the side, dipped, and seemedto lift golden water at every stroke. 

"Good-bye, and God bless you!" came from the cabin-window, and directlyafter the same words were spoken by Miss Denning, and I heard Mr Frewenutter a groan. 

Another shot came from the ship, whose lanterns showed where she lay, while, but for the golden oil the oars stirred on the surface of thewater, our boat must have been invisible, though that bullet wassufficiently well aimed to strike the side of the boat with a sharpcrack. 

"That will do. In oars!" cried Mr Brymer, when we were about a hundredyards away. 

"How can you be such a coward?" I heard Mr Frewen whisperpassionately. 

"No coward, sir, " replied the mate. "I am ready to risk my life intrying, as is my duty, to save those two passengers from harm, but itmust be done with guile. It is madness for unarmed men to try and climbup that ship just to be thrown back into the sea. "

"Then you will not row right away?" said Mr Frewen, excitedly. 

"And leave the ship in the hands of that scoundrel? Is it likely?"

"I beg your pardon, Brymer, " whispered Mr Frewen, "I did not know whatI was saying. I was half mad. "

"My dear fellow, I know, " was the mate's reply in the same tone. "I'mnot going to give up, nor yet despair. There's always a chance for us. That scoundrel may come to his end from a quarrel with one of his men; aship may heave in sight; or we may board and surprise them, and if wedo, may I be forgiven, but I'll crush the life out of that wretch as Iwould destroy a tiger. Now just leave me to do my duty, and do yours. "

"What can I do?" replied Mr Frewen. "You do not want me to row away?"

"No; but I do wish you to attend to our wounded. "

"Ah! I had forgotten that, " said Mr Frewen, hastily bestirringhimself. "Here, some one cried out when one of those shots was fired, and again I heard an exclamation just now. "

"It was Walters who was hit first, " I said, from where I knelt in thebottom of the boat. 

"Where is he? Somewhere forward?"

"No; here, " I said. 

"Has any one matches? It is impossible to see, " muttered Mr Frewen. 

"He is hit in the chest, sir, " I said. 

"How do you know?" cried Mr Frewen. "Is this your hand, my lad? Whatare you doing?"

"Holding my neckerchief against his side to stop the bleeding, " I saidin a low voice. 

"Hah!"

It was only like a loud expiration of the breath, as Mr Frewen kneltdown beside me, and cutting away Walters' jacket he quickly examined thewound by touch, and I then heard him tear my neckerchief and then one ofhis own pocket-handkerchiefs. 

"Your hand here. Now your finger here, my lad, " he whispered to me. "Don't be squeamish. Think that you are trying to save another's life. "

"I shan't faint, " I said quietly. "It doesn't even make me feel sick. "

"That's right, my boy. Now hold that end while I pass the bandage roundhis chest. "

I obeyed, and there was dead silence in the boat as the doctor busiedhimself over his patient. 

"Is he insensible, sir?" I whispered; "really insensible?"

"Yes, and no wonder. "

"Is it a very bad wound?"

"Yes; bad enough. The bullet has passed through or else round one ofthe ribs. It is nearly out on the other side; I could feel it, but itmust stay till daylight. That's it. --I've plugged the wound. He cannotbleed now. Thank you, Dale. "

"What for, sir?" I said innocently enough. 

He did not answer, but busied himself laying Walters down, and then thelad was so silent that a horrible feeling of dread began to trouble me. I was brought back to other thoughts, though, by the doctor's speakingout of the darkness. 

"Who else was hurt?" he said. 

"Neb Dumlow's got a hole in him somewheres, sir, " said Barney. 

"Wish you'd keep that tongue o' yourn quiet, Barney, " growled Dumlow. "Who said he'd got a hole in him, my lad?"

"Why, you did, " cried Barney, "and I knowed it without. Didn't I hearyou squeak?"

"Well, only just then. It was sharp for a moment, but it's better now. "

"Let me pass you, my man, " said the doctor quietly. 

"There you are, sir. This way. Neb's on the next thwart. "

"You needn't come to me, sir, " protested Dumlow. "I'm all light, I tieda bit o' line round the place. You can give me a pill or a shedlickspowder or something o' that kind to-morrow if you like. "

"Hold your tongue, Neb, and let the doctor tie you up, " growled BobHampton. "What's the use of being so jolly independent? Don't you takeno notice o' what he says, sir. Dessay he's got a reeg'lar hole inhim. "

"Tut tut tut!" muttered Mr Frewen. "What is this, --fishing-line?"

"That's it, sir, " said Dumlow. "It's right enough, there arn't no knobson it, and it stopped the bleeding fine. "

"Difficult work here, Dale, " Mr Frewen whispered to me. "One need havewell-educated fingers--what surgeons call the _tactus eruditus_--to worklike this in the dark. "

"Terrible, " I replied, and I noticed how his voice trembled. For heseemed to me to be doing everything he could to keep himself fromdwelling upon those we had left in the ship. 

"Hurt you, my man?" he said to Dumlow. 

"Oh, it tingles a bit, sir; but here, stop, hold hard a minute. None o'them games. "

"What games? I don't understand you. "

"No takin' advantage of a poor helpless fellow as trusts yer, doctor!"

"Explain yourself, man. "

"Explain myself, sir? How?"

"Tell me what you mean. "

"I mean, I want you to tell me what you mean, sir. "

"To dress your wound. "

"Ay, but you're a-doing of something with that 'ere other hand. "

"No, my man, no. "

"Arn't got a knife in't then?"

"Certainly not. Why?"

"Dumlow thinks you were going to cut his leg off, sir, " I said, feelingamused in spite of our terrible position. 

"Course I did, " growled the man. "I've been telled as there's nothing adoctor likes better than to have a chance o' chopping off a man's legsor wings, and I don't mean to go hoppin' about on one leg and a timbertoe, and so I tells yer flat. "

"I'm not going to cut your leg off, Dumlow. "

"Honour, sir?"

"Honour, my man. "

"Honour bright, sir?"

"On my word as a gentleman. "

"Thankye, sir, but if it's all the same to you, I'd rather as you saidhonour bright. "

"Well then, honour bright. There, I am not going to do any more to younow; I must dress the wound by daylight. "

"Won't bleed any more, sir, will it?"

"Not now. "

"That'll 'bout do then, sir, thank ye kindly. "

"You are welcome, my man, " said the doctor, and then, "What is it?" forI had grasped his arm. 

"I want you to tell me about Walters, " I whispered. "Feel his pulsefirst. "

He turned from me and bent down over my messmate, who lay in the bottomof the boat perfectly motionless. 

I could not see what he did, but listened attentively, not for the sakeof hearing his movements, but so as to hear a sigh or moan from thatunhappy lad. 

"Well?" I said excitedly. 

"I can tell you nothing yet, " said Mr Frewen, as I thought, evasively. 

"He--he is not dead?" I gasped; and I fell a-trembling with horror atthe idea of one whom I had known vigorous and strong so short a timebefore, lying there at my feet, robbed of the power of making anyreparation for the crime he had so weakly committed, and with no chancefor repentance. 

"I--I say, he is not dead, is he?"

I spoke fiercely, for Mr Frewen had not replied; and now I caught andheld on by his hand. 

He quite started, and turned upon me. 

"I--I beg your pardon, Dale, " he cried. "I was thinking of somethingelse--of those on board that unfortunate ship. It seems so cowardly toleave them to their fate. "

"How could we help it, Mr Frewen? What could we do? But tell me aboutWalters. "

"Yes, " he said, drawing a long breath, as if he were making an effort tokeep his mind fixed upon the present--"yes, I'll tell you. "

"Then he is dead?" I whispered, with a shudder; and as I looked downinto the bottom of the boat, where all was perfectly black, I seemed tosee the white face of the lad quite plainly, with his fixed eyes gazingstraight at me, full of appeal, and as if asking forgiveness for thepast. 

"No, not dead, Dale, " said Mr Frewen in a low voice. "Be quiet. Don'ttalk about it. We have quite enough to depress us without that. I cansay nothing for certain in this black darkness, and he may recover. "

"Is the wound so very bad?" I asked. 

"Dangerous enough, as far as I can tell; but he has everything againsthim, my lad. "

"But if he dies?" I exclaimed in horror. 

"Well?" said Mr Frewen bitterly. "If he were a man, I should say itwere the best thing that could happen. He has as a young officerhopelessly dishonoured himself. He can only be looked upon as acriminal. "

I could not argue with him, and relapsed into silence, thinking thewhile of the horror of my messmate's condition, and asking myselfwhether it would not have been possible for him to redeem the past, andgrow up into a straightforward, honourable man. 

It was a hard matter to mentally discuss, but as I sat in the darknessthat night, with hardly a word spoken by my companions, I forgot allWalters' bitterness and dislike, and only thought of his being young andstrong like myself; and that he had those at home who would beheart-broken if they heard of his death, and would feel his disgrace asbitterly as he must have felt it himself, when all came to be known. 

"I won't think it was his nature, " I said to myself. "It was a piece ofmad folly. He was won over by that brute of a Frenchman, who, now thathe has obtained all he wants, throws over the tool he used, and ends byshooting him. Poor fellow! how could he be such a fool?"

I sat on, thinking how bitterly he would have repented his folly, andhow his last days must have been spent in the keenest of regret. And itwas in this spirit that I bent down over him, to thrust my hand in hisbreast to feel for the beating of his heart. 

"Mr Frewen, " I whispered as I rose, "tell me how you think he is now. "

The doctor bent down, and after a little examination, rose again. 

"There is no difference which I can detect, " he said gravely. 

"But you will--you will--"

"Will what, Dale?" he said, for I had paused. 

"You will not treat him as if--as if he were a criminal?"

"How can I help it? He is one. We have him to thank for our positionhere, for those two people being left on the ship, at the mercy of thosescoundrels. "

His whole manner changed as he said this, and his voice sounded full offierce anger. 

"Yes, " I faltered, "that's all true; but you will not be revengeful?"

"A doctor revengeful, Dale?" he said quickly. 

"I don't mean that, " I said. "I mean, you will do your best to save hislife?"

"For him to be punished by the law?"

"I was not thinking of that, " I said hastily. "I mean, that you will doall you can to cure him, Mr Frewen?"

"Why, of course, my lad--of course. Am I not a doctor? I am neitherprosecutor nor judge. You have curious ideas about my profession. "

"I could not help it, Mr Frewen, " I pleaded. "It is only that I am soanxious for him to recover. "

"And do you another ill turn, Dale--betray us once more!"

"No, no, it isn't that. " I cried; "it is only that I should like him tolive and be sorry for all this. I believe, after what has taken placeto-night, he would be only too glad to come over to our side, and fightfor us. "

"Perhaps so, if he were well enough; but who would ever dream oftrusting him again?"

I was silent, thinking as I was how terrible was the slip my messmatehad made, and seeing now clearly how it must take years for him to climbback to the position he held when we left the London Docks. 

"There, " said Mr Frewen at last, "you need not be afraid, Dale. Ishall treat him as I would any other patient. A medical man has but oneaim when he treats a sick person, a surgeon one who is injured--to makethe sufferer well again. That is my duty here, and I shall do it to thebest of my ability. "

I did not answer, only laid my hand upon his, and he pressed it warmly, holding it for some moments before turning his back to me; and I madeout that he rested his arm upon the side of the boat, and sat gazing atthe dim lights which showed where the ship lay. 

For some time no one spoke, and we lay there gently rising and fallingon the golden-spangled water. There was not a breath of wind, and thesilence was so great that any one could have imagined that the occupantsof the boat were asleep. 

But no one dozed for a moment, only sat or lay there, trying to bearpatiently their mental and bodily suffering. 

It was the captain who broke the silence, toward morning, by saying tothe mate--

"Have you settled what to do, Brymer?"

"Yes, " said the mate, starting. "I can't quite make out how we aresituated till daylight, but unless Jarette has taken them out, we havethe boat's spars and sails. You know how fast she is, and I propose, ifwe can do so, to--"

He stopped short, for Walters moaned piteously till Mr Frewen bent downover him and altered the position in which he lay. 

"Yes, go on, " said the captain feebly. 

"I propose hoisting sail in the morning. "

"And making for the Cape?"

"No, sir; weather permitting, and if we have a sufficiency of provisionsand water, I shall keep pretty close to the ship--our ship. I shallkeep just out of range of a bullet, and that is all; merely hang aboutor follow her when she catches the wind, until some other vessel heavesin sight. Captain Jarette is a clever, cunning man, but he has, Ithink, given us our chance, and we shall hang on to him till a chancecomes for seizing the ship again. "

"I thought our case was hopeless to-night, " said the captain. 

"And so did I, for a time, sir, " continued the mate; "but he hasover-reached himself in trying to get rid of us--hoist himself with hisown petard--if the weather will only favour us now. "

Mr Frewen drew a deep breath, which sounded to me as if full of relief, and the mate went on--

"It is not too much to expect that if at any time we make an attack now, some of the men will side with us. "

"Don't matter if they don't, sir, " growled Bob Hampton, in the deepestof deep bass voices. "We're strong enough, if you'll only give us achance. "

"All depends on chance, my lads, " said Mr Brymer. "Let's get thedaylight, and see what we have on board. "

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. 

That daylight seemed as if it would never come, and a more painful anddepressing time I never spent, in spite of the glory of the starryheavens, and the beauty of their reflections in the calm sea beneath. It was hard sometimes not to believe that many of the stars had fallen, and were sinking slowly down into the dark, inky black of the ocean, where I could see dots of light travelling here and there, now lookingmere pinheads, now flashing out into soft effulgent globes, whosebrightness reached a certain point, and then slowly died out. 

Every now and then too there was a disturbance some little distancedown, as if something had suddenly passed along, and caused all thephosphorescent creatures to flash and sparkle, and mingle their lightsinto a pale lambent blaze, which soon passed away, leaving all still andcalm as before, with the tiny stars gliding softly here and there. 

But the greater part of my attention was taken up by the lights dimlyvisible on board the ship, where I tried to picture what was going on inthe cabin where Mr Denning and his sister were prisoned. Jarettewould, I know, have taken possession of the guns, but without doubt MrDenning would have kept the little revolver which I knew he wore hiddenabout his person. And, what was more, I knew that he had the sterncourage to use it if put to the test, in spite of his weakness. 

"And if he does use it, " I thought, "it could only be against Jarette. "

"If he does, " I said half-aloud, "what a change in the state of affairsit would produce!"

"What yer talking about, Mr Dale?" said Dumlow, who was nearest to meof those forward; "not asleep, are you?"

"Asleep!--who could go to sleep at a time like this?"

"Ah, it's hard lines, sir, " said Barney Blane, joining. "Such a pity, too, just as we'd found a way of getting along over the cargo! Nextthing would have been as we should have took the ship. "

"And we'll do that yet somehow, Barney, " I whispered, for I felt in myheart that Mr Frewen would not rest till some desperate effort had beenmade to save Mr and Miss Denning. 

Barney said he hoped we should, if it was only to give him one chance atJarette. 

"One charnsh, " growled Dumlow, whose voice sounded as if he were verysore indeed. "I on'y want half a charnsh, my lad; that'll be enough forme. I don't brag, but on'y give me half a charnsh, I don't care if he'sall pistols. I says on'y give me half a charnsh, and the side of theship close by--"

"What'll you do?--chuck him overboard, mate?"

"Ay, that I will, just as if he were a mad cat, and that's about what heis. Just think of it, our getting that dose as the doctor meant forhim. I can't get over it, and that's a fact. "

The night passed slowly by--so slowly that I felt we must have beenroused up quite early, and directly after we had gone to sleep. But atlast the golden clouds began to appear high up in the sky, then it wasall flecked with orange and gold, and directly after the great sunrolled slowly up over the ruddy water, lighting the ship where she laynot a quarter of a mile off, till the whole of her rigging looked as ifthe ropes were of brass, and the sails so many sheets of ruddy gold. Tous it seemed to give life as well as light, and instead of feelingdespairing, and as if all was over, the brightness of that morning mademe look eagerly at the ship, and ask myself whether the time had notcome for us to make our dash and secure it. For I could not see a soulvisible at first, not even a man at the wheel. Then my heart gave athrob, for I could see a white face framed in the little opening of oneof the cabin-windows. 

"It's Miss Denning, " I said to myself, and I waved my hand, and thenfelt for a handkerchief to wave that. 

But I had none, though it did not matter, for my signal had been seen, and a white handkerchief was waved in response. 

I turned to Mr Frewen, who was bending down over Walters, and was aboutto point out the face at the window, but it disappeared. 

"How is he?" I asked. 

"Very bad, " was the laconic answer, and I could not help shuddering as Ilooked at the pinched, changed features of my messmate, as he lay therein the bottom of the boat, evidently quite insensible. 

"I must not move him now, " said Mr Frewen gravely. And turning toDumlow he was about to offer to dress the wound better now that he couldsee, but the great fellow only laughed. 

"It'll do, sir, " he said. "There's nothing much the matter. I'm notgoing to make a fuss over that. It's just a pill as old Frenchy giveme. If it gets worse I'll ask you for a fresh touch up. "

There appeared to be so little the matter with the man that Mr Frewendid not press for an examination, and he joined me in searching the shipwith our eyes, but there was no one at the round window. 

"Can you see any one on board, sir?" I said. 

"Only one man. But he is evidently watching us. "

"Where? I can't see any one. "

"In the main-top. "

I had not raised my eyes from the deck, but now as I looked aloft, therewas a man plainly enough, and he was, as Mr Frewen said, watching us. 

Directly after, I saw him descend, and we neither of us had any doubtabout its being Jarette. 

Our attention was now directed to Mr Brymer, who, being in command, had, directly the light made such action possible, begun to see how wepoor wretches afloat in an open boat, eight hundred or a thousand milesfrom land, were situated for water and food, and he soon satisfiedhimself that our enemy, possibly for his own sake, had been extremelymerciful and considerate. 

For there were two breakers of water, a couple of kegs of biscuit, and aquantity of tins of provision, which had been pitched down anyhow. 

There was a compass too, and the regular fit out of the boat, spars andtwo sails, so that if the water kept calm, and gentle breezes sprung up, there was no reason why we should not safely reach land. 

But we did not wish to safely reach land in that way, and the exaltationin Mr Brymer's face and tone was due to the power which Jarette hadunwittingly placed in our leader's hands. 

"He never thought of it; he could not have thought of it, " said MrBrymer. "Of course in a gale of wind we shall be nowhere, but if theweather is kindly, we can hang about the ship, or sail round her if welike, and so weary him out, that sooner or later our chance must comefor surprising him. "

"Without any arms, " said Mr Preddle, shaking his head sadly. 

"We must use brains instead, sir, " replied Mr Brymer. "Jarettemastered us by means of cunning, we must fight him with his own weapons. Dale, I shall have to depend on you to carry out a plan I have ready. "

"Yes, sir, " I said eagerly; "what is it?"

"That you shall see, my lad. Now then, gentlemen, and my men, we musthave strict discipline, please; just as if we were on board ship. Thefirst thing is to rig up a bit of an awning here astern, to shelter thecaptain and--faugh! it makes my gorge rise to see that young scoundrelhere, but I suppose we must behave like Christians, --eh, Mr Frewen?"

"You have just proved that you intended to, sir, for you were thinkingof sheltering the lad as well as Captain Berriman, when you talked ofthe awning. "

"Well, yes, I confess I was, but I thought of our lad here too. Isuppose you will have to lie up, Dumlow?"

The big fellow gave quite a start, and then turned frowning and spat inthe sea, in token of his disgust. 

"Me, sir--me lie up!" he growled. "What for?"

"You are wounded. "

"Wounded? Tchah! I don't call that a wound. Why, it arn't bled muchmore than a cut finger. Me under a hawning! I should look pretty, shouldn't I, mates?"

"Oh, I don't want to make an invalid of you, my lad, if you can go on. "

"Then don't you talk 'bout puttin' of me under a hawning, sir; why I'das soon have you shove me in a glass case. "

The bit of awning was soon rigged up, and the captain and Walters placedside by side. Then the little mast was shipped forward, and the tinyone for the mizzen right aft; the sails hoisted ready for use, and alsoso that they might add their shade; and while this was being done, andthe rudder hooked on as well, I saw that some of the men had come ondeck and were leaning over the bulwarks watching us, while at the sametime I saw something glisten, and pointed it out to Mr Brymer. 

"Yes, " he said, smiling, "but I'm afraid that he will be disappointed. Do you see, gentlemen?"

Both Mr Frewen and Mr Preddle, who were eagerly scanning the ship, turned to look at him inquiringly. 

"Jarette has the captain's spy-glass at work, and he is watching us, expecting to see us move off, rowing, I suppose, but I'm afraid he willbe disappointed. He did not think he was arranging to have a tender towatch him till he loses the ship. But now all is ready, as they say onboard a man-of-war, we will pipe to breakfast. "

A tin was opened, and with bread and water served round, but nobody hadany appetite. I could hardly touch anything, but I had enjoyed bathingmy face and hands in the clear, cool water, while the rough meal hadhardly come to an end, and I had placed myself close to Walters, to seeif I could be of any use in tending him, when a faint breeze sprang up, making the sails of the ship flap to and fro, and the yards swing andcreak, though she hardly stirred. With us though it was different, forgiving orders to Bob Hampton to trim the sails, Mr Brymer told me totake hold of the sheet of the mizzen, and he seized the rudder, so thatthe next minute we were gliding through the water. 

Jarette came to the side, and seemed to be staring in astonishment atthe boot, which he evidently expected to begin sailing right away, butinstead was aiming right for the ship, Mr Brymer steering so that weshould pass close under the stern. 

"Keep farther out!" yelled Jarette, as we approached, but no notice wastaken, and just then the mate said steadily to me--

"Now, Dale, hail Mr Denning. I want to speak to him as we pass. "

"Denning, ahoy!" I shouted through my hands. "Mis-ter Den-ning!"

"Keep off there, do you hear?" roared Jarette, and I saw the sun gleamon the barrel of a pistol. 

"Den-ning, ahoy!" I cried again, but I must confess that the sight ofthat pistol levelled at the boat altered my voice, so that it trembledslightly and I gazed at it rather wildly, expecting to see a puff ofsmoke from the muzzle. 

"Hail again, Dale, " cried Mr Brymer. "Never mind his pistol, my lad. It would take a better shot than he is to hit us as we sail. "

"Mr Denning, ahoy!" I shouted once more. 

Bang! went the pistol. 

"I told you so, " said Mr Brymer coolly, and at that moment I heard asharp gasp behind me, and saw that a white face was at the little roundcabin-window we were nearing. 

"When we are passing, " said Mr Brymer, "that is, when I say `now, ' andbegin to run off, tell Miss Denning to be of good cheer, for she and herbrother shall not be forsaken. We are going to keep close to the shiptill help comes. "

"Keep off, you dogs, " snarled Jarette; "you will have it then, " and hefired again. 

I felt horribly nervous as I thought of the wounds received by Waltersand Dumlow, but I drew my breath hard, as I stood up in the boat andtried not to look alarmed, though, as I waited for Mr Brymer's ordersto speak, I knew that I must offer the most prominent object for themutineer's aim. 

And all the while nearer and nearer glided the boat, and I saw Jarette, after cocking the pistol, raise his arm to fire again. 

"Yah! boo! coward!" yelled Dumlow, and as he shouted, he lifted one ofthe oars which he had thrust over the side, and let it fall with a heavysplash just as the Frenchman drew trigger, and the bullet went throughthe sail. 

"Now, " cried Mr Brymer, ramming down the tiller, and as we glided roundthe stern I cried--

"We are going to stay close by, Miss Denning. "

"Keep off!" roared Jarette, and he fired again. 

"The boat will be kept close at hand to help you and your brother. "

"Yes--yes--thank you, " she cried shrilly. "God bless you all! I knewyou would not--"

"Go, " I dare say she said, but another shot prevented us from hearingthe word, and as we sailed round the stern Jarette rushed to the otherside, held his left hand to his mouth, and shouted--

"Now off with you. Come near this ship again and I'll sink you--I'llrun you down. "

"Hi, Frenchy, " roared Barney, "look out for squalls; we're coming aboardone night to hang you. "

"Silence forward!" cried Mr Brymer, and we were now leaving the shipfast. "Frewen, what does this mean? Where is Mr Den--"

The doctor shook his head. 

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX. 

"We want a long calm, " said the mate that evening, as we lay on theglassy sea. 

"You will have it, " said Captain Berriman, and so it proved. 

We saw the enemy, as he was called by all, pacing up and down thepoop-deck hastily, and scanning the offing with a spy-glass, as if insearch of approaching vessels or of clouds that promised wind, butneither came, dark night fell once more, and Mr Brymer ordered the oarsout and we were rowed round to the other side of the ship, from whichposition we could see a light faintly shining from the little roundcabin-window where we knew Miss Denning to be. 

Mr Frewen had been carefully attending Walters; Dumlow had declared hewas "quite well, thank ye, " and the captain was lying patiently waitingfor better days, too weak to stir, but in no danger of losing his life;and now Mr Brymer and the two gentlemen sat together talking in a lowvoice, and at the same time treating me as one of themselves, bybringing me into the conversation. 

It was a weird experience there in the darkness, with the only soundsheard the shouts and songs of the ship's crew, for they were evidentlyfeasting and drinking. 

"And thinking nothing of to-morrow, " said Mr Preddle, sadly. 

"No, sir, and that is our opportunity, " said Mr Brymer. "Let themdrink; they have plenty of opportunity, with the cases of wine and thequantity of spirits on board. We could soon deal with them after one oftheir drinking bouts; but the mischief is that Jarette is a cool, calculating man, and sober to a degree. He lets the men drink to keepthem in a good humour, and to make them more manageable. He touchesvery little himself. "

"What do you propose doing?" said Mr Frewen, suddenly. "We must act atonce. "

"Yes; I feel that, sir, " replied Mr Brymer, "but can either of yousuggest a plan?"

They both answered "No. "

Then Mr Frewen spoke out--

"There is only one plan. We must wait till toward morning, and thenquietly row close to the ship, climb on board, and make a brave attack, and hope to succeed. "

"Yes, " said Mr Preddle, "and if we fail we shall have done our duty. Yes, we must fight. "

"But you've got nothing to fight with, " I said, for no one spoke now. 

"Except the oars, " said Mr Preddle. 

"Why, you couldn't climb up the ship's side with an oar in your hand, " Icried. "Look here, wouldn't it be best for one of us to get on board inthe dark, and try to get some guns or pistols?"

"Will you go and try, Dale?" said Mr Brymer, eagerly. "That was what Imeant. "

I was silent. 

"You are right, " he said sadly; "it would be too risky. "

"I didn't mean that, " I said hastily; "I was only thinking about how Icould get on board. I don't mind trying, because if he heard me andtried to catch me, I could jump over the side, and you'd be therewaiting to pick me up. "

"Of course, " cried Mr Brymer. "I know it is a great deal to ask ofyou, my lad, and I would say, do not expose yourself to much risk. Weshould be, as you say, ready to pick you up. "

"I don't see why he shouldn't go, " drawled Mr Preddle. "One boy stolethe arms and ammunition away, so it only seems right that another boyshould go and steal--no, I don't mean steal--get them back. "

"Will you go, Mr Preddle?" said the mate. 

"If you like. I'll do anything; but I'm afraid I couldn't climb onboard, I'm so fat and heavy, and, oh dear! I'm afraid that all my poorfish are dead. "

At any other time I should have laughed, but our position was too gravefor even a smile to come upon my face. Instead of feeling that MrPreddle was an object to excite my mirth, I felt a sensation of pity forthe pleasant, amiable gentleman, and thought how helpless he must feel. 

"You will have to go, Dale, " said Mr Brymer. 

"Yes, " said Mr Frewen; "Dale will go for all our sakes. "

"When shall he go?" said the mate; "to-morrow night, after we havethrown Jarette off his guard by sailing right away?"

"It would not throw him off his guard, " cried Mr Frewen, excitedly. "The man is too cunning. He would know that it was only a ruse, and beon the watch. Dale must go to-night--at once. Who knows whattwenty-four hours may produce?"

"Exactly, " said Mr Preddle. 

"I quite agree with you, " replied the mate; "but I did not wish to urgethe lad to attempt so forlorn a hope without giving him a little timefor plan and preparation. "

"I'm ready, " I said, making an effort to feel brave as we sat there inthe darkness. "I don't think I could do better if I thought tillto-morrow night. "

"How would you manage?" said the mate. 

"I know, " I said. "I'm not very strong, but if you made the boat driftunder the ship's bows, I could catch hold of and swarm up the bob-stayeasily enough. Nobody would see me, and if I got hold quickly, the boatcould go on round to the stern, and if anybody was on the watch he wouldthink you were trying to get to the Dennings' window. "

"Some one would be on the watch, " said the mate; "and that some onewould be Jarette. "

"And he would think as Dale says, " exclaimed Mr Frewen, "that iscertain. "

"Oh yes, I must go to-night, " I said, with a bit of a shiver. "It wouldbe so cruel to Miss Denning to keep her in suspense, and thinking wewere not trying to help her. "

A hand touched my arm, glided down to my wrist, and then a warm palmpressed mine hard. 

"Then you shall go, Dale, " said Mr Brymer, firmly. "Keep a good heart, my lad, for the darkness will protect you from Jarette's pistol, and youcan recollect this, we shall be close at hand lying across the sternready to row along either side of the ship if we hear a splash. Thatsplash would of course be you leaping overboard, and you must rememberto swim astern to meet the boat. "

"And what is he to do when he gets on board, sir?" said Mr Frewen. "Make for the Dennings' cabin at once?"

"No, " I said sharply. "That's just where I shouldn't go. Some onewould be sure to be watching it. I should try and find out which wasthe cabin Jarette uses, for the arms would be there, and then I shouldtie some guns--"

"And cartridges, " whispered Mr Preddle, excitedly. 

"Oh yes, I shouldn't forget them. I'd tie 'em together and lower themdown out of the window. He's sure to have the captain's cabin, and thewindow will be open, ready. "

"Bravo!" cried Mr Preddle. "Oh dear! I wish I was a boy again. "

"And the best of the fun will be, " I continued excitedly, "old Jarettewill never think anyone would go straight to his cabin, and be watchingeverywhere else. "

"Then you think you can do this?" said Mr Frewen, eagerly. 

"Oh yes, I think so, sir. "

"I'd better come with you, my lad, " he continued. 

"No; that would spoil all. A boy could do it, but I don't believe a mancould. "

"He is right, Frewen, " said the mate. "Then understand this, Dale, youwill have to act according to circumstances. Your object is to getweapons, which you will hang out so that we can get hold of them;perhaps you will be able to lower them into the boat and then slide downthe rope you use. But mind this, you are not to try and communicatewith the Dennings. "

"What?" said Mr Frewen, angrily. 

"It would be fatal to our success, " said the mate, firmly. "Now, Dale, you understand, guns or revolvers, whichever you can get. "

"Yes, sir, I know. "

"Then how soon will you be ready?"

"I'm ready now. "

"Hah!" ejaculated Mr Frewen, and my heart began to go pat pat, pat pat, so heavily that it seemed to jar against my ribs, while a curious seriesof thoughts ran through my brain, all of which were leavened by the sameidea, that I had been playing the braggart, and offering to do thingswhich I did not dare. 

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN. 

"Now, " whispered Mr Brymer, "utter silence, please. Not a word must bespoken. Shake hands with us all, Dale, and God bless and speed you inyour gallant attempt. "

I shook hands all round, Mr Brymer whispering--

"Don't talk to him, gentlemen. Let him make his attempt on his ownbasis. He will act according to circumstances, and will know what isbest to do. There, Dale. Now off! Go right forward into the bows, andsend Hampton aft. He shall put an oar over the stern and scull youright in under the bowsprit. Then we shall go on round to the stern andwait. If you do not hear or see us, act all the same. It is intenselydark, and we shall be there. Off!"

It was like being started on a school race, and my breath came short asif I were running. I crept forward as silently as possible to where BobHampton was seated, and it was so dark that I had to feel for him. 

"Go aft and take an oar with you, " I whispered. "Don't speak, and don'tmake a sound. "

Then I crept right into the bows, and stood there gazing at the faintlights on board the ship, and trying to think of nothing but the task Ihad in hand. 

"I've got it to do, " I said to myself, "and I will do it for MissDenning's and her brother's sake. "

Then I shivered, but I made a fresh effort to be firm, and said halflaughingly--but oh! what a sham it was!--"It's only like going in for agame of hide-and-seek. There'll be no one on deck but Jarette. "

I stopped short there, for I thought of his pistol and Walters' wound. 

"Hang his pistol!" I exclaimed mentally, "perhaps it isn't loadedagain, and he couldn't hit me in the dark. --But he hit Walters and poorold Neb Dumlow, " something within me argued. 

"Well, " I replied to the imaginary arguer, "if my wound when it comes isno worse than poor old Neb's, I shan't much mind. "

And all the while I could feel that we were moving toward the ship, forthough I could not hear a splash aft nor a ripple of the sea against thebows, the boat rolled slightly, so that I had to spread my legs apart tokeep my balance. 

Oh, how dark it was that night! And how thankful I felt! For savingthat the lights in the cabin shone out, there was no trace of the ship;nothing ahead but intense blackness, and not a star to be seen. 

"I can't see it, " I thought. "I hope Bob won't run us bump up againstthe hull, and give the alarm. "

Then I hugged myself and felt encouraged, for if I could not see thegreat ship with her towering masts, and rigging, and sails hanging, waiting for the breeze which must succeed the long calm, it was notlikely that the keenest-eyed watcher would see our small boat. 

"But he may hear it coming, " I argued. And then. "Not likely, for Ican't hear a sound myself. "

On we went with the round dim light in the ship's side showing a littleplainer; but I noticed, as I stood there buttoning up my jacket tightly, that the light appeared a little more to my right, which of course meantthat Bob Hampton was steering for the left to where lay the ship's bows. 

I tried to make out her outlines, but I could see nothing. I couldhear, though, for from where I guessed the forecastle to be came a songsung in a very tipsy voice as a man struck up. It sounded dull andhalf-smothered, but I heard "Moon on the ocean, " and "standing toast, "and "Lass that loves a sailor. " Then there was a chorus badly sung, andI started, for away to the right where the cabin-light was, I heard asound like an angry ejaculation or an oath muttered in the stillness ofthe dark night. 

"Jarette, " I said softly. "Hurrah! He won't hear me climb the stay, and I can get on deck safely. "

Another minute of the slowest possible movement, and I was thinkingwhether I ought not after all to take off my jacket; but I felt I wasright in keeping it on, for my shirt-sleeves would have shown lightperhaps if I had been anywhere near a lantern. Then I had somethingelse to think of, for looming up before me, blacker than the night, wasthe hull of the ship, and directly after, as I looked up, there, justdimly-seen like the faintest of shadows against the sky, was the biganchor beneath which we were gliding so slowly that we hardly seemed tostir. 

"How well Bob is sculling us!" I thought; and then I looked up, strained over, made a snatch and touched a great wire rope reaching fromthe ship's prow below the water to the bowsprit, to hold it down, flungup my other hand, gave the boat a good thrust with my feet as I got bothhands well round the rope, and swung my legs up and round the stay, fromwhich I hung like a monkey on a stick, my head screwed round as I triedto see my companions, and just dimly seeing a shadow apparently glideby, leaving me hanging there alone, with the water beneath me, and ashuddering feeling coming over me for a few moments as I thought of theconsequences that would ensue if I let go. 

As I hung there from that taut rope, I felt that if I let go I should beplunged in the sea, go down ever so far into the terrible black water, and rise again half-suffocated, my nerve gone, and I should be drowned, for the occupants of the boat would be out of hearing, and I shouldnever be able to swim and overtake them, since they would make a longdetour before reaching the stern-windows. 

But then I had no occasion to let go. Why should I? And as I climbed Iwas ready to laugh at my fears. For I was strong for my age, and activeenough to climb that stay, and I did; halting at last by thespritsail-yard to listen before mounting to the bowsprit, getting myfeet upon the ropes beneath, and then travelling slowly sideways, till Iwas able to rest by the figure-head and look over on to the forepart ofthe dark deck. 

I was as silent as I possibly could be for fear of encountering a man onthe look-out, but there was no one, and hesitating no longer, I climbedover and stood upon the deck, thinking how easily the rest might havereached it too; when there would have been a chance for us to close theforecastle-hatch once more. For there it was open, a dim light risingfrom it to form a very faint halo around; and the men seemed to be allthere, for I could hear the talking, and then an uproarious burst oflaughter, caused by one of them beginning to sing in a drunken tone, andbreaking down at the end of a couple of lines. 

There was nothing to fear there, I thought, and after listening I beganto creep along, step by step, close to the starboard bulwark, keeping myhands thereon for a few paces, till becoming bolder I stepped out more, but stumbled directly over something big and soft, and went sprawling onthe deck. 

I felt that all was over, as I went down noisily, and springing up, hesitated as to what I should do, but not for long. The fore-shroudswere close at hand, and feeling for them I drew myself up, ascendinghigher and higher as I heard some one coming rapidly from aft till hewas close beneath me, and catching his foot in the same obstacle as hadthrown me, he too went down heavily, and scrambled up, cursing. 

My heart throbbed more heavily than before as the voice told me it wasJarette, though for the moment I did not grasp the fact that his fallhad been my safety. For naturally attributing the noise he had heard tothe object over which he had fallen, he began to kick and abuse and callthe obstacle, in a low tone, all the drunken idiots and dogs he couldlay his tongue to. 

"And I run all these risks for such a brute as you, " he snarled; "butwait a little, my dear friend, and you shall see. "

I was in hopes he was going away, but he only went to theforecastle-hatch, where to my horror he called down to the men carousingbelow to bring a lantern; and feeling that my only chance was to climbhigher, I crept up step by step, ratline by ratline, till the lightappeared and four men stumbled out on to the deck. Then I stood still, hugging the ropes and looking down, certain, as everything below was soplain, that in a few moments I must be seen, perhaps to become a targetfor Jarette's bullets. 

There on the deck lay the tipsy sailor over whom I had fallen, and aboutten feet away there was another. 

"Haul these brutes down below!" said Jarette, fiercely; and in a slowsurly way first one and then the other was dragged to the hatchway andlowered down, with scant attention to any injuries which might accrue. 

So intent was every one upon the task in hand that not an eye was castupwards, and it was with a devout feeling of thankfulness that I saw theman who carried the lantern follow his comrades, the last rays of thelight falling upon Jarette's features as he stood by the hatchway. 

"Now then, " he said savagely, "no more drinking to-night. There'll bewind before morning, and you'll have to make sail. "

"All right, skipper, " said the man with a half-laugh, and he and hislantern disappeared, while I clung there listening and wondering whyJarette did not go aft. Could he see me?

Just when I felt as if I could bear the suspense no longer, I heard himmove off, whistling softly, and as soon as I dared I descended andfollowed, creeping along step by step, and listening with all my earsfor the faint whistling sound to which he gave vent from time to time. 

There it was plainly enough, just abaft the main-mast, and he seemed tohave stopped there and to be looking over the bulwark--I merely guessedas much, for the sound had stopped, and of course I stopped too. 

To my intense satisfaction I found that I was right, for the faintsibillation began again, and was continued along the deck, till, as Ifollowed, it paused again, grew louder, and I knew that the scoundrelwas coming back. 

But he altered his mind again, turned and went aft--into the saloon, Ithought for a few moments, for the faint whistling ceased, and thenbegan again high up. 

There was no mistaking that. He had mounted to the poop-deck, and waswalking towards the wheel. Young as I was then, I grasped the fact thatthe man was restless and worried lest some attempt should be made torecover the ship, and unable to trust one of his men, he was traversingthe deck uneasily, keeping strict watch himself. 

This was bad for my purpose, for it was too dark to see him, and at anymoment I felt he might come upon me, and my attempt be defeated. 

But here was an opportunity I had hardly dared to reckon upon, and theminute his steps died out I hurried to the companion-way, entered, andsaw that there was a dim light in the captain's cabin at the end of thesaloon. 

This seemed to prove that my ideas were right, and that Jarette hadtaken possession of this cabin now for his own use, and at all hazards Iwas about to hurry there, when I caught sight of another faint light onmy right--a mere line of light which came from beneath the cabin-door, and told me plainly enough that this was the one in which Miss Denningwas kept a prisoner. Whether her brother was there too I could nottell, for there was not a sound. 

I hesitated and stopped, for the inclination was terribly strong upon meto tap and whisper a word or two about help being at hand. It was not aminute, but long enough to deprive me of the chance of finding outwhether there were arms in the cabin, for as I hesitated I heard a lightstep overhead, and knew that Jarette was returning from his uneasyround. 

The probability was that he would now come into the saloon. 

Where should I go! There was not a moment to lose, and my first impulsewas to dart forward into the captain's cabin--a mad idea, for thechances were that Jarette would come right through the saloon and enterit. So darting to the side, I felt along it in the dark for the firstcabin-door that would yield, found one directly, and had hardly enteredand drawn to the door when I heard Jarette's step at the companion-way;and as it happened he came in and along my side of the table, so that atone moment, as I listened by the drawn-to door, he passed within a fewinches of where I was hiding. 

The next minute there was a creaking sound, and the saloon was dimlylit-up, telling me that our enemy had opened the cabin-door and gone in. But he did not stay. I heard the clink of a glass, and then arepetition of the creaking sound, the saloon darkened again, and as Ilistened I heard his step returning. This time, though, he did not comeback on my side, but on the other, stopping for a few moments evidentlyto listen at the door where his prisoners were confined. 

For a moment I thought he meant to go in, but I heard his footstepscommence again, pass on to the companion, and there they ceased. 

This was terrible; for aught I knew he might be standing there listeningas he kept his uneasy watch, and for some minutes I dared not stir. 

At last though, to my great delight, I heard a step overhead, and nowwithout farther hesitation I stepped out, hurried to the cabin at theend, guided by the light which came through the nearly closed door, entered, and shut it behind me before looking round. 

A lamp hung from the ceiling, there was spirit in a flask, and theremains of some food upon the table; but what most delighted me was thesight of three guns lying on a locker near to the cabin-window, whichwas wide open, and I felt that I should only have to show myself for theboat to be rowed beneath. 

My first want was a rope or line, my next a supply of ammunition for theguns, and there was neither. 

I felt ready to stamp, with vexation, for I might easily have brought aline wrapped round me, but neither Mr Brymer nor the others had thoughtof this, and unless I could find a fishing-line in one of the lockers, Ifelt that I should have to go back on deck. 

At that moment I remembered that Captain Berriman had a number of smallflags in one of the lockers--that beneath the window. Four or five ofthose tied together would answer my purpose for lowering the guns, andif tied to the window they would be strong enough for me to slide down. 

I lifted the locker-lid, and there they were, quite a bed of them in thebottom of the great convenient store of objects not in everyday use. 

That got over one difficulty, but there was that of the ammunition, andturning to the locker on my left I looked in that, to find plenty ofodds and ends of provisions, for it had become quite a store-room, butno cartridges. 

"Where can they be?" I muttered, as I stood holding the locker-lid andgazing round the cabin for a likely spot for Jarette to have stowed themready for an emergency, when I heard his step so suddenly overhead thatI started in alarm to leave for my place of concealment, when the lid ofthe locker slipped from my hand and fell with a smart rap. 

I felt that I was lost--that it would be impossible for me to get to thecabin and hide before he reached the companion-way, alarmed as he wouldbe by the sound, and looking frantically round I was for leaping intothe cot and drawing the curtains, but another thought struck me just asI heard his step, and lifting the lid of the locker beneath the window, I slipped in upon the flags, and let the cover down and shut me in. 

The moment I was lying there in the darkness, the place just seeming bigenough to hold me lying upon my back with my knees drawn up, I felt thatI had done a mad thing, for Jarette would immediately come to theconclusion that it was the shutting down of a locker which made thesound, and come straight to the one I was in, open it, and drag me out. It was too hot, and I could feel that in a few minutes I should besuffocated if he did not find me. That he had entered the cabin I hadample proof, for I heard him move something on the table quite plainly, while directly he came to the locker where I was, and I heard a noise. It was the thump, thump made by his knees as he got upon the lid tokneel upon it and look out of the window. 

My heart gave a bound; he did not know then that I was hiding there. But the next moment I was in despair, for the heat was intense, mybreath was coming short and painful, and Jarette made no sign of leavingwhat promised to be my tomb. 

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT. 

I bore it as long as I could, and then I was on the point of shriekingout and striking at the lid of the locker, when I heard a movement overmy head, Jarette stepped down, and I forced the lid open a little way, and drew a long deep breath. 

I don't believe that the air was any better, but there was the idea ofits being purer, and the horror of suffocation which had nearly drivenme frantic was gone. 

I have often wondered since that he did not hear or see the movement ofthe lid, but his attention was probably taken up by something else, andI heard him go out into the saloon, and then on through thecompanion-way to the deck. 

I opened the lid a little more and peered out, breathing freely now as Ikept the locker open with my head; and to my horror I saw that he hadleft the door wide open, so that with the lamp burning it was impossiblefor me to get out without the risk of being seen. 

But I felt relieved, for I could breathe freely now, and I lay stillwith the lid raised, listening for Jarette's uneasy step as he came andwent, and thinking of how easy it was to make plans, and how difficultto carry them out. I knew that if we were going to try and obtain themastery once more we must act at once, for a fresh breeze would separateus at once, and the chance be gone. But how could we do it withoutweapons?

How I lay puzzling my brains as to where the cartridges could be! Irecalled how Walters had stolen them, and he must have carried themforward, where the main portion would be stowed somewhere; but all thesame I felt that Jarette would, for certain, have some in this or one ofthe other cabins, ready for use in case of emergency. But where?

I tried very hard, but I could not think it out, and at last lay therequite despondent and feeling in no hurry to stir, for it only meantgoing back to the boat to say that I had failed. 

There was Walters, of course, but he was insensible, and it was notlikely that I could get any information from him. No; the case washopeless. I had failed, and all my hopes of our gallant little partystorming the deck and carrying all before them were crushed. 

By degrees, though, the mental wind changed the course of that peculiarweathercock, one's mind, and I felt better. 

Violence would not do, so why not try cunning?

How?

Well, I thought, if I could so easily steal on board, and get actuallyinto the cabin, it must surely be possible for Mr Brymer, Mr Frewen, and two of the men to get up, wait their opportunity, and, in spite ofhis pistols, seize and master Jarette. 

"That's it, " I said to myself; "the only chance. How could I be sostupid as not to think of it before?"

All excitement again, I was now eager to get back to the boat, so thatmy friends might take advantage of the darkness, and carry out my plansbefore morning came. For another night would perhaps prove to be tooclear. 

I raised the lid a little higher and looked out, but the table was toomuch in the way for me to see more than the top of the other door-way, and this encouraged me, for that worked two ways--if I could not see outinto the saloon, Jarette could not see the locker. But all the same Iwas afraid to get out. It was so light in the cabin, and everywhereelse was so dark, that if he were on deck, and looking in my direction, he would be sure to see what took place. 

Then I concluded that I could do nothing till the door was closed, andas soon as an opportunity offered itself, I determined to creep out, andat all risks draw that door to, trusting to Jarette thinking that theclosing was caused by the motion of the ship as it gently rocked uponthe swell. 

At last as I lay there, for minutes which seemed to be hours, I heard myenemy talking loudly, and I knew that he must be speaking to the men inthe forecastle. 

That would do. He could see nothing now, for between us there were themain and foremasts, and plenty besides--the galley and water-cask, andthe long cabin-like range upon the top of which our boat had lain in thechocks. 

I crept over the side after propping up the lid, went upon hands andknees to the door, readied out and touched it. That was sufficient: itswung upon its hinges so that Jarette could easily imagine that themotion of the ship had caused the change. 

The next minute, still keeping the locker open ready to form a retreatfor me in case of necessity, I leaned right out as far as I could, andbending down, strained my eyes, trying to cut the darkness as Iwhispered sharply--

"Are you there?"

"Yes; got them?" came from the boat, though to me the voice came out ofthe black darkness. 

"No cartridges, " I whispered. "Come closer. No--keep back. "

I said that, not that I knew anything, but I had a kind of impressionthat Jarette was returning, and dropping down into the locker once more, I lowered the lid, but this time not quite close, for I thrust in a bitof one of the flags, so that there was room for a little air to get in, and that and possibly the idea that I could not be suffocated, made memore at my ease. 

I waited some little time, and then began to grow impatient; feelingsure that I had fancied his coming and taken alarm at nothing, Idetermined to lift the lid and get some fresh air, but I did not stirjust then, only lay still, finding my position terribly irksome. Icould not hear well either, and at last I began to move cautiously topeer out, when to my horror there was a sharp blow delivered on the lidof the locker, and then another probably given with the butt of arevolver, and Jarette exclaimed fiercely--

"Hang the rats!"

I lay back, breathless, expecting that he would hear the dull heavythrob of my pulses, while I trembled violently, thinking that all wasover, and that he was trifling with me, and knew all the while that Iwas lying there. But by degrees I grew calmer. There were rats enoughin the hold. I had heard them, and why should he not have attributedthe slight rustling noise I made to one of the mischievous littleanimals?

At last, to satisfy my doubts, I heard him come and kneel upon thelocker again, as if looking out of the cabin-window. 

He stayed some minutes, and I began to think that he must see the boat;but I soon set that idea aside and felt that it was absurd, for if hehad seen the boat he certainly would either have shouted to warn itsoccupants away, or fired at them. 

"He feels that he is not safe, " I said to myself at last, and to mygreat relief he got down, muttering to himself, and I could tell by thesound that he was at the table, for I heard a clink of glass, thegurgling of liquor out of a bottle, and then quite plainly the noise hemade in drinking before he set down the glass and uttered a loud "Hah!"

Just then I heard voices from forward, loud laughing and talking. 

"Curse them, what are they doing now?" exclaimed Jarette, loudly. "Oh, if I had only one man I could trust!"

He hurried out of the cabin, and I did not flinch now from opening thelid and looking out, to find that the door had swung to as soon as hehad passed through. 

The noise was so boisterous forward that I crept out, pushed the door, and stood in the dark saloon, where I could still see the line of lightat the bottom of Miss Denning's cabin as I crept to the companion, and, excited by curiosity, slipped aside to where I could shelter under thebulwark and see what was going on. 

There were lanterns now by the big hatch in front of the main-mast, andI could see quite a group of men at whom Jarette was storming. 

It was a curious weird-looking scene there in the darkness, for themen's faces stood out in the lantern-light, and in spite of their fearof their leader they were laughing boisterously. 

"You dogs, " he roared; "not a drop more. Go back to your kennel. "

"Mus' have little drop more, skipper, " cried one of the men. 

"No, " he roared, "not a drop, and it shall be allowances from thisnight. "

"But there's heaps o' good stuff spoiling, skipper. "

"I'll spoil you, you dog, " snarled Jarette, and I saw him snatch alantern from one of the men and lean down, holding the light over theopen hold. "Hi! below there, " he roared; "leave that spirit-keg alone, and come up. "

In the silence which ensued I heard a muffled muttering come from below, and Jarette dropped upon his knees to hold the lantern right down in theopen hold, while the light struck up and made his face and his actionsplain from where I stood watching. 

"Once more, do you hear? Come up and leave that spirit, or I'll fetchyou with a bullet. "

"Better come up, mate, " shouted one of the men. 

"You hold your tongue, " snarled Jarette to the speaker. "Now then, willyou come, or am I to fire?"

There was no reply, and Jarette spoke once more in quite a calm, gentle, persuasive voice. 

"I say, will you leave that spirit-keg alone and come up?"

Still no answer, and Jarette turned his head to the group of men. 

"That's a fresh keg broached. Who did it?" he said slowly. "I said nomore was to be taken. I say--who broached that keg?"

"Oh, well, it was all on us, skipper. You see we couldn't do nothing inthis calm, " said the man who had before spoken, and who seemed to be themost sensible of the group. 

"Then you all broke my orders, " cried Jarette, hastily now, "and youshall all see how I punish a man for breaking my orders. "

I looked on as if spellbound, forgetting the boat and my mission as Icrouched there in the dark, feeling that a tragedy was at hand, though Icould not grasp all and divine that this was the crowning-point of themutiny. 

For Jarette bent right down over the open hold, lowering the lantern, whose light played upon the barrel of a pistol. 

"Now, " he cried, "once more, will you come up and leave thatspirit-barrel, or am I to fire?"

"Fire away, " came up in muffled tones, but quite defiantly, and as thelast word reached my ear there was the sharp report of the pistol, whoseflash shone out brighter than the lantern. Then a horrible cry camefrom below, and for a few moments I could see nothing for the smokewhich hung in the air. But from out of it came an excited burst oftalking and yelling. 

"Stand back, " roared Jarette. "I have five more shots ready, and yousee I can hit. Serve the scoundrel right. "

"But look, look!" shouted the man who had spoken before; and as thesmoke dispersed, I saw him pointing down into the hold, while the othermen, sobered now, stood huddled together in alarm. 

Then with a wild yell of horror one of them threw up his hands, shouting"Fire, fire!" ran forward, while a fearful figure suddenly appeared atthe mouth of the hold, climbed on deck, and then shrieking horribly, also ran forward with Jarette and the others in full pursuit. 

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE. 

It was a horrible sight, one which made me cling to the bulwarksabsolutely paralysed, for the man who had climbed on deck was one massof blue and yellow flames, which flickered and danced from foot toshoulder, and in those brief moments I realised that he must have fallenand overset the spirit-keg when Jarette fired, saturated his garments, and no doubt the fallen lantern had set all instantaneously in a blaze. 

It was impossible to stir. My legs trembled, and every shriek utteredby the poor wretch, as he ran wildly here and there, thrilled me throughand through. One moment it seemed as if he were coming headlong towardme, and I felt that discovery was inevitable; but before he reached theopen hold, he dashed across the deck to the starboard bulwark, turnedand ran forward again shrieking more loudly than ever, while the rapidmotion through the air made the flames burn more furiously, and I coulddistinctly hear them flatter and roar. 

His messmates, headed by Jarette, were not idle; they shouted to him tostop; they chased him, and some tried to cut him off here and there; butas if the idea of being stopped maddened him, the poor wretch shifted, dodged, and avoided them in the most wonderful manner, shrieking morewildly than ever, as a man who had been below suddenly confronted himwith a tarpaulin to fling round him and smother the flames. 

At last, with the sharp tongues of fire rising above his head, he madeone maddened rush forward, and the whole of the party in pursuit; whilehis cries, and the sight of the man dashing on like a living torchthrough the darkness of that awful night, made me long to close my eyesand stop my ears. But I could not--it was impossible. I could onlycling helplessly to that bulwark, praying for the power to help, butunable to stir. 

It takes long to describe all this, but it was only a matter of a minuteor two, before, with the flames rushing up to a point above his head andstreaming behind him, he rushed for the bows. 

I grasped in an instant what he intended to do, and felt that at last Icould act. For, seeing that he meant to leap overboard, I made a startto run back to the cabin and shout to those in the boat to pick him up, when he caught his foot in a rope, and fell upon the deck with a heavythud; and before he could rise, the man with the oilskin overcoat flungit over him, rolled him over and over in it, and extinguished theflames. 

In the midst of the loud talking which followed, I heard Jarette's voiceabove all the rest. 

"It was his own fault, " he cried. "Here, carry him below. I shall nottake the blame. "

"But you shot at and hit him, " growled a man angrily. 

"As I will at you, you dog, " roared Jarette, "if you disobey my orders. Quick!--get him below. "

I saw Jarette bend down to the moaning man, for two of the crew heldlanterns over him; and then, as they were all crowding down thehatchway, I hurried into the cabin, closed the door after me, and goingto the window, I leaned out, and called in a whisper to Mr Brymer, butthere was no answer. 

I called again and again, raising my voice till, had any one been ondeck, there must have been an alarm raised; but still there was no replyfrom the boat, and feeling at last that my companions must have rowedalong by the ship to try and find out what was the matter, I was aboutto go back and run along till I could hail them and implore the doctorto come on board to try and save the poor wretch's life, when, all atonce, there was the faint splash of an oar, and Mr Brymer exclaimed--

"Ah, at last! I was afraid you were being hunted. What were theydoing? What was the meaning of those cries, and the torches they wererushing about the deck with?"

I explained in few words, and, saying I would fetch a rope, implored MrFrewen to come up and help the poor creature. 

"Come? Of course I will, Dale, " he said; "but it seems curious work todo--help the men who have sent us adrift on the ocean in an open boat. "

"Yes, " I cried excitedly; "but wait while I get a rope. "

"Yes; quick, my lad, " said Mr Brymer. "It is our only opportunity. "

I made no attempt now at concealment, but ran through the saloon, andout on the deck, to secure the first coil of rope I could find. 

I got hold of one directly, not neatly coiled, but tumbled down anyhow;and then, looking forward to see if any one was on deck, I was consciousof a dull bluish glow, which I attributed to the lights by theforecastle-hatch, from which I could hear a low muttering of voicesdominated by Jarette's sharp angry snapping. 

Then grasping the fact that there appeared to be no one on deck, I ranback into the dark saloon, tapped smartly on the door of Miss Denning'scabin, cried, "Help coming!" and darted through the door, closing itafter me. 

"Got a rope?" came from below; and my answer was to lower it down asquickly as I could before passing it twice round the legs of the fixedtable. 

Then came a sharp whisper--

"All fast?"

"Yes; all right, " I said; and the next moment Bob Hampton was climbingin. 

"Sent me to help you, my lad. Hooroar! the ship's our own again. "

In another minute Barney was up alongside, and he was followed by MrFrewen and Mr Brymer. These all seized guns. 

"They're not loaded, " I said sadly. 

"Never mind, my lad; appearances go a long way, " said Mr Brymer. "Thescoundrels will not know. Now then, pick up something for a weapon, Dale, if it's only the cabin poker. "

"Are you going to fight?" I said in a low tone. "I thought you weregoing to help that poor wretch. "

"I can attend him as well when he is our prisoner, Dale, as if we wereJarette's. "

"Of course, " I said excitedly. "But hadn't you better have Dumlow too?"

"Can't climb up, my lad, " said Bob Hampton, in a husky whisper; "and MrPreddle's too fat. "

"Ready?" said Mr Brymer. 

"Ay, ay, " came from the men, and "Yes" from Mr Frewen. 

"Then come on. "

The mate threw open the door to lead the way, and then hesitated for amoment or two, for the saloon was flooded by a pale bluish light. 

"I hoped we should have darkness on our side, " he said, "but--"

"Look, look!" I cried wildly; "the ship's on fire. "

We all ran to the companion together, three on one side of thesaloon-table, two on the other; while I could hardly believe my eyes asI saw flooding up from beyond the main-mast great soft waves of bluishfire. 

"It is the casks of spirits in the hold, " cried Mr Brymer, excitedly. "They've done for it at last. But come on quickly: we can pass thatwithout getting much harm; and as soon as we have secured thescoundrels, we must try the pump and hose. "

We tried to go along the starboard side, but the flames came out in suchstrong pulsations there, that we were obliged to cross to the port side, where there seemed to be about ten feet clear. 

"Now then, " cried Mr Brymer; "they're all below, and have not taken thealarm. A quick rush, and we have them. "

He was half-way along the clear pathway formed along the deck betweenthe flames floating up from the hold and the port bulwark, and hisfigure stood up strangely unreal against the bluish light, when therewas a heavy report below in the hold, and a rush of flame which extendedfrom side to side of the ship. But after the report there was no roaror crackling sound of burning, for the blue and orange flames camepulsing up in great waves silent and strange, the quiet mastery they hadattained being appalling. 

The explosion--that of a spirit-cask, one of the many in the hold--brought up the men from the forecastle, wild with excitement; but weonly saw them for, a moment, and then they were screened from us by thefire, which was singularly clear from smoke, and rose steadily upwardand away from the main-mast, whose sails hung down motionless in thecalm. 

We all stood motionless, unable to grasp the extent of this newcalamity, and listened to the yelling and shouting of the frightenedmen, who now broke loose entirely from the slight control Jarette hadheld principally by means of his revolver. For death in a more horribleform threatened them than that from the pistol which had held them insubjugation, and with one consent they all began to shout the word"Boats!"

Just then there was the report of a pistol, and Jarette's voice roseloud and clear. 

"Silence--idiots--fools!" he shouted. "It is your own doing, and nowyou want to run away and leave a good ship and all its valuable cargo--ours, do you hear?--all ours--to burn. Bah!"

"The boats, quick!--the boats!" shouted one of the men. 

"Throw that fool overboard, some of you, " cried Jarette, contemptuously;"he has not the spirit of a _mouche_. Bah! what is it? A cask or twoof spirit in the hold. Come along, brave lads. The pumps and buckets;we will soon make grog of the spirits, and it will cease to burn. "

"No, no! The boats!" cried two or three. "We are all lost!"

"Yes, if you do not obey, " cried Jarette, speaking slowly through histeeth, and with a very marked French accent, as he did when greatlyexcited. "I go not to lose our great prize, for which I have fought andwon. Every man now a bucket, and you four to the pump and hose. "

"Draw back a little, " whispered Mr Brymer; "they have not seen us. "

"Shall we get buckets, sir?" said Bob Hampton in a gruff whisper. 

"No; it is useless. There are nearly fifty of those casks of strongspirits there below, and no efforts of ours could stop that fire. "

"But you will not let it burn without an effort?" whispered Mr Frewen. 

"I shall let it burn, sir, without an effort, " said Mr Brymer, drawingback, and leading Mr Frewen toward the companion, I being so close thatI could hear every word, which was only intended for the doctor's ears. "I'll tell you why, " he said. "As those casks burst, the spirit willrun through the cargo in all directions, the flame will glide along thesurface, and as the spirit heats, the hold will be full of inflammablegas, which will keep on exploding. "

"Yes, " said Mr Frewen, angrily; "but an abundance of water--"

"Would not stop the flashing of that spirit here and there, doctor, till, sooner or later, it reaches the blasting-powder. That must bereached, and then the ship will be rent open. "

"Great heaven!" cried Mr Frewen. 

"And the fire will be extinguished then. My good sir, with awell-trained crew, working calmly, we might perhaps reach the powder andcast it overboard; but, situated as we are now, any efforts of ourswould be worse than folly. "

"Then--the boat!"

"Yes, but don't hurry or grow excited; the vessel may burn a day or twobefore the final calamity comes. We have plenty of time to do ourduty. "

"Yes, I understand, " said Mr Frewen, and he hurried towards the saloon. 

"Aren't we going to try and put out the fire, Mr Brymer, sir?" said BobHampton. 

"No, my lad; we'll leave that to Jarette and his gang. Come and help. "

By this time we had reached the cabin-door, from beneath which the faintlight shone, and Mr Frewen exclaimed--

"Are you there, Miss Denning?"

"Yes, yes, " she cried eagerly. "Pray, pray help us. "

"Yes. One minute; is the door locked on the inside?"

"Yes, " came from within, in company with a sharp snapping sound whichwas repeated, while the doctor felt outside, and convinced himself thatit was secured there too, and that we had no means of unfastening it. 

"Stand back from the door, right to the other side of the cabin, " saidMr Frewen, and, drawing back some distance, he ran at the panel, raisedhis foot, struck it just above the handle, and it was driven right off, and he saw Miss Denning standing there, pale and large-eyed, holding alittle taper in her hand, while in the bed-place lay her brother, gazingat us wildly, but for his countenance to change and become restful andcalm as he saw that he was in the presence of friends. 

"I told you they would not desert us, Lena, " he said faintly; and thenhis head sank back as if he were too weak to raise it from the pillow. 

Mr Frewen stepped close up to the bed-place as I joined Mr Denning andlaid my hand in his, for his eyes had seemed to invite me to come tohim. Then, as if I had not been there, he whispered quickly to theinvalid--

"Denning, you don't like me, but we are in a perilous strait. Believeme, I will do everything man can for you and your sister now. Will youtrust me?"

"Yes. "

Mr Frewen turned to Miss Denning, and said firmly--

"Dress quickly, as if for a long journey. " She looked at himwonderingly. "Yes, " he said, and his voice sounded almost harsh. "Infive minutes or less you must both be down in the boat. Hat, cloak, waterproof, and any necessary that you think may be useful. Nothingmore. You understand?"

She bowed, and began hurriedly to collect the few things she required, while, without waiting to be told, I dragged pillow and blankets fromthe cot, and ran out with them to the stern-window, beneath which Icould plainly see the boat now. 

"Mr Preddle--Dumlow, " I cried, "stow these aft;" and I threw down thearticles I had brought, and went to fetch others from the cabin, passingBob Hampton and Barney, who were collecting everything they could findin the way of provisions, tins, bottles, bags, from the captain'sstores, and throwing them down. 

By the time I was back, Miss Denning was ready, and she was about tohelp her brother, but he hung back. 

"No, no, " he said. "Take her first, Frewen. "

She would have resisted, but I said quickly--"The ship is on fire; wemust not lose a moment. Pray come. "

She put her hand in mine, and I led her through the saloon, now full ofa lurid light, and into the captain's cabin, where the rope still hungdown. 

"Be ready to help, Mr Preddle, " I said, as I hauled it up, and handedthe end to Bob Hampton, who came in loaded. 

"Make a loop, Bob, and help lower Miss Denning down. "

"That I will, my dear lad, " he said, shooting his load on one of thelockers. "Don't you be skeart, but just you trust to me. That's yoursort, " he cried, as he passed the rope round her, and knotted it. "Nowthen, you'll just take a tight grip of the rope there with both hands, and trust to me, just as if I was going to give you a swing. "

"I'll trust you, Hampton, " she said, with a quiet smile. 

"That's right, miss; you'll be like a baby in my arms. Now, Barney, boy, lay hold of the rope. Nay, you needn't, she's light as a feather. Give way to me, my dear, just as if I was your father, and I'll loweryou right enough. "

I could not help thinking how pretty and gentle and brave she looked asshe left herself in Bob's hands, while he knelt on the locker, liftedher up, passed her out of the cabin-window, held for a moment or two bythe knot, and then gently lowered her down. 

"Done lovely, " said Bob. "Better let Neb Dumlow cast off the rope, MrPreddle, sir. You can hand the lady into the starn arter-wards. That'syour sort, sir, " as he hauled up. "Why, some gals would ha' kicked andsquealed and made no end o' fuss. Want this for Mr Denning, shan'tus?"

"Yes, " I said, and at that moment, supporting the poor fellow below thearms, Mr Frewen and the mate helped Mr Denning into the cabin, pantingheavily even from that little exertion. 

"I'll be--as quick--as I can, " he sighed. "There is no hurry, " said MrBrymer, quietly; "we have a wall of fire between us and our enemies. "

"Go on heaving down that there prog, Barney, " whispered Bob from behindhis hand. "I don't hold with running short out in a hopen boat. "

Barney grunted, and while Bob passed the rope round Mr Denning so thathe could sit in the bight, and then made a hitch round his breast so asto secure him in case his weak hold with his hands gave way, the sailorkept various articles of food in tins flying down to Neb Dumlow, whocaught them deftly and stowed them rapidly forward in the bottom of theboat. 

The next minute Mr Denning was tenderly lifted by Bob Hampton and MrFrewen, and his legs were passed out from the window, the rope wastightened, then he swung to and fro, and a minute later Dumlow had leftthe catching and stowing to cast off the rope which was now lefthanging, so as to afford us a ready means of retreat in case it shouldbe necessary. 

With the help of Mr Preddle and the sailor, Mr Denning was soon lyingback in the stern, and now the mate leaned out to give a few directionsto Dumlow. 

"Have you got that painter fast to the ring-bolt so that you can castoff directly?"

"Ay, ay, sir. Hear the pumps going?"

"Yes; go on stowing the stores sent down as well as you can. MrPreddle will help you. "

"There, doctor, " he said the next minute, "now we can cast off at amoment's notice if there's danger. "

"From the explosion?"

"It would not hurt us, " said Mr Brymer, coolly, for now that MissDenning and her brother were safe, he did not seem to mind. "When thepowder goes off it will be amidships, and strike up. We shall only hearthe noise, and perhaps have a few bits of burning wood come down near. What I fear is Jarette and his party when they take to the boats. But Ithink we can out-sail them. "

"Then what are we going to do now?"

"Collect everything that I think may be of use, so work away, Dale, mylad, and help me. Hampton, Blane, get another breaker of water. Takethe one on the poop-deck, and lower it down over the stern. "

Bob Hampton grunted, and after seeing to a few more things being loweredinto the boat, we three went quietly toward where the fire was hissingfuriously, and a great cloud of steam rose now from the hold. But theblaze was as great as ever, and as we looked, and I wondered that themain-mast and its sails had not caught fire, we heard the clanking ofthe pumps cease, and Jarette's voice rise above the noise and confusion. 

"Boats, " he said laconically. "But no hurry, my lads. Water and storesin first. We're all right for hours yet. "

It was curious to be there, behind the main-mast, listening to all thatwas going on forward, and yet seeing nothing for the fiery curtain atwhich we gazed, and which cast a lurid reflection on either side, andbrightened the sea till it looked like gold. And it appeared the morestrange that the men had not the slightest idea of our being on board, as we could tell by the orders shouted from time to time. 

"There, " said Mr Brymer at last, in answer to Mr Frewen's uneasylooks, "the lads have got that breaker of fresh water down by now, sowe'll just take the captain's little compass and chronometer, and a fewmore things from the store, and be off. Ah, here they are. "

For just then the two men came down coolly enough from the poop-deck, reported the water on board, and then eagerly set to work, carrying morestores, blankets, and all else we could by any possibility want, tillthe mate cried hold, enough. 

"We've got all we can stow, I'm sure, " he said. 

"Then pray let us get away before it is too late, " whispered Mr Frewen. 

"Afraid, doctor?"

"Yes--for those poor shivering people below, sir--and, well, yes, I amalarmed too, knowing that at any time the deck may be rent up beneathour feet and the vessel sink. "

"Yes; it is unpleasant to think about, and there is the danger of thosescoundrels lowering one of the boats and coming round here for storesthat they have none of there. Ah, there goes one of them down. "

For plainly enough came the chirruping of the falls as the boat waslowered from the davits. 

"Now then, down with you, Frewen. You next, my lads; I don't think Ican remember anything else. You after the men, Dale, and I come last, as I'm captain for the time. "

We all obeyed with alacrity, and I breathed more freely as I sat down inthe boat. Then Mr Brymer slid down, and threw the rope back throughthe cabin-window. 

The next minute the painter was withdrawn from the ring-bolt, and BobHampton sent the boat away with a tremendous thrust; oars were got out, and we rowed out into the darkness to lie-to about three hundred yardsfrom the ship, just as a dark object came along from forward, and we sawthat, as the mate had expected, the boat which had been lowered had comeround to the stern-windows for the men to mount, if they could, insearch of stores. 

"None too soon. Dale, " said the mate, coolly, and a deep breath ofrelief escaped my lips as I replied in his words--

"No, sir; none too soon. "

CHAPTER FORTY. 

As we lay there in our boat, only a short distance from the burningship, it seemed to me impossible that it could be long before Jaretteand his men discovered us, and came in pursuit. For I felt sure thatthey would give us the credit of having been beforehand with them, whenthey saw how the stores had been put under contribution; and knowing howmuch more easy it would be for them to remove the things from one boatto another than to obtain them from the ship, we should, if overtaken, be absolutely stripped. Something to this effect I whispered to BobHampton, but he shook his head. 

"Not they, my lad; they're in too much of a scare. Don't supposethey've got any room in their heads to think about anything just now. They know fast enough that the poor old ship will soon blow up, and whatthey want to do is to get some more prog, and then row off soon as theycan. "

I was going to say more, but I had a warning from the mate to be silent, and I sat there watching the men make a good many tries before theyreached the cabin-window; but how they did it at last I couldn't quitemake out, for they were in the shadow, while all around them spread thelurid glare cast by the flames which rose from the burning hold. 

These seemed to have reached their greatest height soon after the firefirst broke out, and directly the first cask of spirits had burst. Thenthe fire went steadily on till it began to wane slightly, when anothercask would explode, and flames rush up again--those great waves of firewhich lapped and leaped, and floated up out of the hold, appearing fromwhere we lay to lick the sails hanging from the fore and main-masts. But these never caught, the golden and bluish waves rising steadily andspreading to starboard and port, and every now and then sending outdetached waves to float on the black night air for a moment or twobefore they died out. 

It was very terrible and yet beautiful to see the great bursts of flamegliding up so softly and silently, almost without a sound; there wasevery mast and stay glistening in the light, and the sails that werehanging from the yards transparent, or half darkened on the main andmizzen-masts, while those on the fore-mast beyond the fire shone likegold. 

I wondered how it was that the sides of the deck did not begin to burn, crackling, splitting, and sending up clouds of black smoke dotted withbrilliant sparks, as I had once seen at the burning of a coal brig inFalmouth harbour; but they did not, and the utter stillness of thenight, in that hot calm, which had on and off lasted for days, had sofar saved the masts. 

But as I watched, I felt that their turn must come, and that sooner orlater I should be watching them turned into pyramids--all brilliantglow--till they fell with a crash, hissing and steaming, into the sea. 

I pictured all that clearly enough in my mind's eye, feeling in myexpectancy a sensation of awe as the conflagration went on--this gradualburning of the spirits in the casks, which kept on exploding one by onewith a singular regularity. 

And all the time, as I watched, there in the shadow at the stern werethe crew, busily throwing out such stores and necessaries as they couldfind. 

I said that I could not tell how they managed to reach the cabin-window, but I suppose they spliced two oars together, and leaned them pole-likefrom the boat up toward the cabin-lights, and then one of the mostactive must have climbed. 

There was a great deal of shouting and talking, and the light in thecabin enabled us to see them going and coming to the window loaded, andheaving things down. 

By-and-by another boat came into sight, gliding along over the goldenwater, and we could see the faces of the men shining in the light asthey gazed at the burning ship, and every now and then we could make outall they said, Jarette's abuse and orders being quite distinct as theyworked more busily than ever. But still they did not see us, thoughwhenever they stirred we could plainly make out their actions, and attimes even could distinguish the objects that were brought to the windowand thrown down. 

This was more especially the case after the second boat had come fromforward, for several more men had ascended by the rope they had lowered, and the second cabin-door was opened, so that both the stern-windowswere now illuminated; and as the bigger waves of light floated upward, every now and then quite a glare struck through the companion-way, lighting up the saloon, showing the men hurrying here and there, andthen making for the windows to throw something down to their companionsin the boats. 

All at once I felt a hot breath on my cheek, and then Bob Hampton's lipsclose to my ear. 

"They're a-getting a whole jorum o' things, my lad, as won't be much useto 'em. I'd rather have a cask o' fresh water than one o' themboat-loads o' odds and ends. "

I nodded and watched for a time, and then turned to look aft at thefaces of my companions, all intent upon the strange scene before them, wondering why Mr Brymer did not give orders for the men to row awaybefore we were discovered. 

But he did not open his lips, and by degrees the reason came. For nodoubt the slightest splash of an oar would have made the water flash, and drawn Jarette's attention to us where we lay at the edge of thecircle of light shed by the burning ship. 

I can give no account of the time occupied by the various events of thatnight, for some things are strangely jumbled up in my mind consequentupon my excited state; but, oddly enough, others stand out bright andclear as if lit-up by the blaze, and there were moments when the silentburning and the floating away of those waves of light beyond the busyblack and gold figures at the cabin-window seemed to be part of somestrange dream. 

All at once, as the men were hurrying to and fro, one of thespirit-casks exploded so loudly that I saw them all dash for thewindows. Then came another and another report in such quick succession, that it was almost like one. There was a tremendous burst of flame, which floated high up, and I felt that the masts must catch now, andthen the cabin-lights stood cut clear without a figure visible; a burstof talking, and then a roar of laughter telling that all had safelyreached the boats. 

The next minute the Frenchman's voice came clearly to us as he orderedthe men to mount again, and this was answered by a confused clamour. 

"You miserable gang of cowards!" shouted Jarette, sharply; and his wordswere so clear coming across the water that they might have been spoken adozen yards away. 

"Why don't you go up yourself?" cried one of the men, evidently from thenext boat. 

"Because I order you, " he shouted. 

"And because you are afraid. "

I did not catch what he said, but there was a little stir in one of theboats, and directly after I saw a figure appear at the window of CaptainBerriman's cabin and begin to climb in. 

"There he is, " whispered Bob Hampton. "Sarve him right if the boysrowed away and left him. "

I was too much interested in the scene before me to pay much heed to BobHampton's words, and sat watching Jarette, as he turned from the windowand disappeared. Then, directly after, I heard him shout and shoutagain, something which sounded familiar, but I could not quite make itout even when I heard him calling again, but nobody in the boats seemedto stir. 

Bob Hampton grasped the fact though, for he laid his hand on my knee, and whispered excitedly--

"Why, Mr Dale, sir, he's gone up to fetch Mr and Miss Denning, and hecan't find 'em. "

To endorse his words Jarette appeared the next minute at thestern-windows and cried--

"Did any of you see those passengers?" There was of course a chorus ofNoes, and the man ran back again shouting Mr Denning's name, and wecould hear the banging of cabin-doors. Then I saw the man's shadow ashe came back into the captain's cabin to fetch the lamp, with which hewent back, and, as I judged, ran from cabin to cabin. The next minutehe appeared upon the poop-deck, his figure thrown up by the light andplainly seen as he ran here and there, and then disappeared, to be seenat the stern-window. 

"They're nowhere about, " he cried. 

"How rum now, aren't it?" muttered Bob Hampton. "Now I do call thatstrange. "

"Didn't either of you see them?" shouted Jarette. 

"No. "

"Did you go into their cabin?"

"No, no. "

"They must be somewhere. "

"All right then, " shouted a voice. "You go and find 'em. We're off. "

Jarette was back at the window in an instant. 

"Stop!" he cried, in his clear sharp voice. 

"Pull away, my lads, we've had enough of this, " cried the same voice. "We don't want to be blowed to bits. "

We heard every word clearly, and the hurried splashing of the oars. 

"I told you to stop, " cried Jarette, authoritatively. 

"Pull, lads! She'll bust up directly, and suck us down. Pull!"

"Stop!" roared Jarette again, as the oars, splashed rapidly, and theboats' heads both appeared in the light, as they left the ship. 

"Why, we shall have to save him ourselves, " I thought in horror, assomething seemed to rise in my throat, so enraged was I with thecowardly crew. 

There was a sharp report, a wild cry, and a man who was standing uprightin the bows of the first boat toppled over and fell into the sea with asplash of golden water. 

The men ceased rowing. 

"One, " cried Jarette sharply. "I can hit eleven more without reloading, for I never miss. There, go on, my lads. I don't ask you to comeback. "

A low murmuring sound arose, and we saw that instead of the boats goingon forward they were returning into the shadow once again, as Jaretteshouted aloud mockingly--

"One less to row. Why didn't you pick him up?"

Again the low murmuring growl arose, and my mouth felt hot and dry, aswith eager eyes I vainly searched the surface of the water, just wherethere was the plain demarcation between black shadow and the goldenlight. 

"The wretch!" I thought. "Why don't they rise against him?" But afresh current of thought arose, and in a confused way I could not helpthinking that it was fair retaliation. The man who had been shot andfell into the sea was evidently the one who had incited the two boats'crews to leave Jarette to a horrible death. Was he not justified inwhat he did?

Then as with a strange contraction at my heart I realised the fact thatJarette's victim had not risen to struggle on the surface of the water, I could not help feeling what power that man had over his companions, and what a leader he might have proved had he devoted himself to somegood cause. 

By this time the boats were right under the stern, and as I watched thelighted-up window one moment, the glistening, motionless water the next, I saw Jarette climb out, rope in hand, and glide down into the darkness. 

"How horrible!" I thought, as the cold perspiration gathered on myface--"only a minute or two, and one of these men living, the next--dead. "

And then I leaped up in the boat and fell back, for from the ship aterrific rush of flame sprang up skyward, mounting higher and higher, far above the tops of the masts as it appeared to me; and then, as thefire curved over in every direction, there was a terrible concussion, and all instantaneously a short sharp roar as of one tremendous clap ofthunder, cut short before it had had time to roll. 

CHAPTER FORTY ONE. 

The boat we were in rose as a long rolling swell which lifted the bowspassed under it and swept on, while I gazed in awe at the falling piecesof burning wood, which were for the most part quenched in the sea, though others floated and blazed, shedding plenty of rays of light, andshowing two boats being rowed with all the power of their occupantsright away from where the ship rocked slowly, half hidden by a densecanopy of smoke which hung overhead. 

The great waves of burning spirit were there no more. It was as if theyhad suddenly been blown cut, and in their place there were volumes ofsmoke, through which, dimly-seen, were sparks and patches of smoulderingwood. And as the burning pieces which were floating here and theregradually died out, a strangely weird kind of gloom came over the scene, which grew more and more dim till the sea was black once more, and thesole light came from the ship--a feeble, lurid glow nearly hidden bysteam and smoke. 

And now we were half-stifled by the smell of the exploded powder and thesteam evolved when the burning fragments fell in all directions, to bequenched over acres of water around the ship. It was a dank, hydrogenous odour, which made me hold my fingers to my nose till Iforgot it in the interest with which I watched the ship. For Mr Brymersaid sadly, but in a low voice, for fear that a boat should be withinhearing--

"Poor old girl! she ought to have had a few more voyages before this. She'll go down directly. "

But the minutes passed, and the ship still floated and burned slowly, though it was a different kind of burning now. No soft floats ofspirit-blaze rose gently and silently, but little sluggish bits of fireburned here and there where the tar had melted, and the flame was yellowand the smoke black; in other places where the wood had caught therewere vicious hissings, spittings, and cracklings, as if it were hardwork to burn. And so hard did it seem in some places that the scraps ofwood gave it up as a bad job, and went out. 

But there was plenty of mischief still in the hold, from whence a densebody of smoke rose, the rolling volumes being dimly-seen by thereflections cast upon them, and tingeing the suffocating vapour of adull red. 

We sat there almost in perfect silence, watching the ship for quite anhour; but though she was expected from moment to moment to heel over alittle first to one side, then to the other, she still floated upon aneven keel, and her masts with their unfilled sails retained theirplaces. But we dared go no nearer for fear of the death-agonies of themonster coming on, and our being sucked down into the vortex she made asshe plunged beneath the sea which had borne her triumphantly so manytimes in the past. 

The desire was strong amongst us to begin talking, but Mr Brymerforbade a word being spoken. 

"Jarette may be waiting somewhere close at hand with his two boats, tillhe has seen the last of the ship. We have had troubles enough; we donot want to increase them by a fresh encounter with the scoundrel. "

So there we sat watching, with the dull smouldering still going on inthe hold of the ship. Sometimes it flashed up a little, and promised toblaze fiercely; but it was only a spasmodic attempt, and it soon settleddown again to the dull smouldering, with a few vicious sparks risinghere and there to hide themselves in the dull, rolling clouds, and wewere in momentary expectation of seeing the vapour-enshrouded mastsbegin to describe arcs in the cloud, and then slowly settle down afterthe sinking vessel. And as I watched and calculated, I seemed to seethe water rising slowly around the faintly-marked black hull, till itcovered the ports, reached the deck, and then began to pour over intothe burning hold, when of course there would be a fierce hissing, steamwould rise in volumes, which would cover the clouds of smoke, and thenall would be over, and we should be left on the wide ocean to try andfight our way to the land. 

How dim the sparks and tiny, darting flames grew, and how black theship! I listened for the splash of oars, and the sound of voices; but Iheard neither for a time, and then only in faint whisperings, whoseimport I could not grasp. 

Then our silence was broken by a slight moaning, for the doctor had goneto attend Walters, where he still lay insensible; and after that Ifaintly grasped the fact that in that darkness aft Mr Frewen had beenattending to the captain and to Mr Denning. But I knew it all in avery misty way, and then I knew nothing whatever, for everything was ablank till I started up excitedly, and Mr Brymer said--

"Steady, my lad, steady; nobody is going to throw you overboard. "

I had been asleep for hours, and I moved out of the way now, feelingashamed to look round; but when I did, it was to see that Mr Brymer, I, and two more were the only people awake. 

"Then the ship hasn't sunk, " I said, as I looked at her about fivehundred yards away, with a pillar of smoke rising out of her hold, andthe masts, yards, and sails all in their places intact. 

"Yes; she still floats, " said Mr Brymer, quietly; "and we are goingcloser to see how she stands. "

"Where are Jarette and the men?"

"They rowed away to the east, " replied Mr Brymer, "and are quite out ofsight. "

"Then we can talk aloud, " I cried. 

"Ay, and shout if you like. "

It was morning, and there were signs of the sun being just about to rollup above the smooth sea, as the men gently dipped their oars so as not:to waken the sleepers, and the boat began to move softly toward theship. 

"It is a puzzle to me that she has not gone down, Dale, " said MrBrymer, in a low voice. "That explosion was enough to drive out hersides, as well as rip up her deck; and I am beginning to think thatafter all she may float. "

"But she is on fire still, " I said; "and though burning slowly, the firemust be eating its way through the bottom. "

"Perhaps not, my lad, " he replied. "There was an immense amount ofcargo solidly stowed below, and it may be only that which is burning. "

"But you will not venture to go on board?" I said. 

"Why not, my lad?"

"She may suddenly sink. "

"She does not look now as if she would; at all events not during thiscalm. Yes; I am going on board, and you may come too if you like. "

I looked at him wonderingly, and felt a strange shrinking; but I fanciedthat I could detect a faint smile at the corner of his lip, and thistouched me home, and made me speak at once. 

"Very well, " I said. "I'll go with you, sir. "

"That's right, my lad, " he said, laying his hand on my shoulder. "Why, Dale, you will be chief mate of some ship, young as you are, almostbefore I get to be captain. But we won't waste time passingcompliments. What should you say if we find that the old ship is strongenough to carry us into port?"

"Oh, it is impossible, " I cried. 

"Not so impossible perhaps after all; but we are getting near, and we'llsee. "

"But suppose she is so near sinking that the addition of our weightproves to be enough to make her begin settling down?"

"Well, I should be greatly surprised if it did, " he said with a smile. "But we'll be on the safe side. As soon as we mount on deck through thecabin-window, the boat shall be backed out of the way of danger, and ourfirst task shall be to cut loose a couple of the life-buoys. Then, ifthe ship drags us down, we shall be sure to rise again and float. "

I could not help a shudder at the idea of being dragged down in such ahorrible vortex, perhaps to be entangled in some part of the rigging, and never rise again; and seeing what I was thinking, Mr Brymerlaughed. 

"No fear, my lad. She will not sink now, unless there is a storm;perhaps not even then. Row right round, my lads, " he continued to BobHampton and Barney; and we made a circuit of the ship, passing fromastern right forward, without the hull showing any damage; and thoughMr Brymer touched her just about opposite to where the principal bodyof smoke arose, there was no perceptible heat to be felt. Then as wepressed on under the bowsprit, I looked up at the bob-stay and therigging about that spritsail where I had climbed; and we began to goback on the other side, to find the hull intact, and no sign of damage, but here the side was decidedly warm. Then on to the stern and underthe first window, where a rope was still hanging out. 

"Will you go first, Dale, or shall I?" said Mr Brymer. 

For answer I began to climb, and in a very short time reached the windowand crept in. 

Then the rope was drawn taut again, and the mate climbed in after me, turned, and spoke gently--

"Row aft about a hundred yards, my lads. It is only for form's sake. "And as the men began to paddle gently away, he said to me quietly--

"There is no fear of her going down, Dale, for many hours, if at all. Iwant to see what damage there is forward, and whether we can come aboardand attack the fire with any chance of success. "

"But shall we not be safer in the boat?" I said. 

"Most decidedly not. And fancy, boy, there are three sick and woundedpeople, and a lady! It is our duty to study them, and besides, afterall, we may save the ship. "

This sent a thrill of enthusiasm through me as we passed out of thecabin, littered with all kinds of stores and fittings, out along thedamaged saloon, and thence through the companion on to the deck, whichwas blackened with pieces of burnt wood, scraps of a heterogeneous kindthat had probably been sent skyward by the explosions, to fall backhalf-charred. 

The smell of burnt powder now was terrible, and I could not helpstopping. 

"What is it?" said Mr Brymer. 

"Do you think there is any more powder below?" I said, as I thought ofthe possibility of another explosion. 

"Indeed I don't, " said the mate, decisively. "Not a grain. It is allhonest fire, my lad, smouldering away in the cargo, and waiting for alittle encouragement in the shape of wind to burst out into anunconquerable blaze. "

We had been advancing again through the charred embers and fragments, tostand at last by a large ragged cavity, torn up in the deck. The wholeof the hatches and combings were blasted away, and a clean sweep hadbeen made for fully thirty feet onward, and twenty or so across; andeverywhere was of a blackish grey, showing the effects of theblasting-powder. Still there was room enough on both sides to walkalong by the hole; and as we looked down we could see that, in spite ofthe destruction, with one exception the great cross-beams whichsupported the deck were intact. 

"She will not sink, Dale, " said the mate, quietly; and as a feeling ofconfidence on that question made me feel better, the fire suddenlyflamed up in one place, burning briskly with a good deal of cracklingand sputtering, making me feel doubtful of the ship's stability on thatside. 

Mr Brymer gave me a nod, meant for encouragement, as he went on--

"All the force of the powder went upwards, as it usually does. If ithad been dynamite, the explosion would have struck down, driving out thebottom, and then of course the ship would have sunk. "

"But the fire!" I said; and the anxiety I felt affected my voice, making it sound husky. 

"Oh, the fire, " he said coolly. "We must fight that. It is dangerous, but the explosive spirit has burned out, or been destroyed; the powderhas gone, and we have nothing to fear now but the slow working of ourfriend or enemy, whichever you make it. "

"But it may burst out furiously at any moment. "

"It may, my lad, but I hardly think it possible. Of course a great dealof the cargo is highly combustible, but things will not burn quicklywithout room and plenty of air. Fire shut in only smoulders, and eatsits way slowly, as you see it there. Come, I think we may hail theboat, and get our friends on board. "

"But do you think it will be safe?"

"Safer than leaving them in an open boat. "

"But the mast--the main-mast? Suppose the fire has eaten its waythrough that?"

"If it had the mast would fall; but the fire has worked forward, and, asfar as I can see, the mast is untouched. Run up to the main-top, it isclear now. Have a look round, to see if you can make out the two boatswith our friends. "

I looked at him sharply, and he laughed. "Not afraid that the main-mastwill give way with your weight, are you?"

I felt the colour burn in my cheeks at this, for he had read my thoughtsexactly; and without another word, I sprang to the side, climbed abovethe main-chains, and made my way upwards. But I had not gone farbefore, as I rose higher and more over the burning hold, I became awareof a hot, stifling fume, and the irritating smoke which rose frombeneath me. 

But I persevered, and though it increased for a time, a few feet higherstill the oppressive sensation of breathing these hot fumes grew less;and by the time I had reached and climbed into the top, the smoke was somuch dissipated as to trouble me very little indeed. 

The moment I was up I laid hold of a rope and began to look round, myeyes falling, naturally enough, first upon our boat lying a shortdistance away, with Mr Frewen, who had just awakened, bending overWalters; and I watched him anxiously, to see if I could make out how mymessmate was. But I was brought back from thoughts of him and hisposition by the mate's voice, as he hailed me from the deck. 

"Well, " he said, "what can you see?" I looked sharply round beforeanswering, and there was the wide sea in all directions, glistening inthe morning sunshine. "Nothing, " I said at last. "Try again. Take agood look round, my lad. The boats look small in the distance. Theycan hardly have passed out of sight. "

I shaded my eyes, and looked long and carefully east, west, north, andsouth, but could see nothing, and said so. 

"Well, that's good news; but I don't want them to see that the ship isstill floating, and come back again. Go up to the main-topgallantmast-head, and have a look from there. "

I mounted higher, and reached the head, to pause there and survey, butas far as I could see there was nothing visible. 

"That will do; come down, " shouted Mr Brymer; and I descended asquickly as I could to the deck, when we took a hurried peep at theforecastle, to find there and in the galley plenty of traces of thehurried departure of Jarette and the crew. 

"They do not seem to have been disposed to stop for the explosion, Dale, " said Mr Brymer, smiling. "Now let's hail the boat, and have ourfriends on board. "

"But do you really think it safe for them to come?" I said again. 

"I told you before, my lad, safer than in an open boat. My good fellow, escaping as we were last night, we were glad to do anything; but thinkof the sufferings of Miss Denning and our wounded in such closequarters! They must come on board while we fight the fire; and ifmatters get too bad, there will be the boat all ready, swinging astern, and we can take to it. "

The boat was hailed, one of the gangways amidships opened, and by meansof a sling, which Bob Hampton and Barney soon had rigged, Miss Denningand our invalids were quickly hauled on deck. Then after the boat hadbeen made fast, they were left in charge of the doctor and Mr Preddle, who had orders to join us as soon as the sufferers were attended to inthe cabin; while Mr Brymer led us forward to see if something could notbe done to save the ship. 

CHAPTER FORTY TWO. 

Ours appeared to be a herculean task, for the fire had been burning manyhours now, as after a little examination Mr Brymer decided that itwould be best to attack it from the starboard side, where a bold mancould approach the worst part and pour in water from buckets if the hosefrom the pump could not be brought to bear. 

As I looked down into the blackened hold, surrounded by the jaggedplanks of the deck, which had been splintered and torn in the mostwonderful way, the place looked to me like what I had always imagined avolcano to be. This was very small, of course; but there was theglowing centre, from which arose a column of smoke towering and curlingup for some distance, and then spreading out like a tree. 

The glow of the smouldering fire could be seen, but with the sun nowshining brilliantly its appearance was anything but terrible, thegreater light completely dimming the lesser; but as I stepped out on tothe beam from which the planks had been torn by the explosion, I wasmade fully aware of the danger being great, for a peculiar dizzinesssuddenly seized me, and I was caught by the collar and dragged back tothe strip of ragged deck on the starboard side. 

"None o' them games, Mr Dale, sir, " said a gruff voice in my ear, as Iclung to the bulwark, and a cold perspiration gathered on my forehead. 

"Anything the matter?" cried Mr Brymer. 

"Not much, sir, " growled the sailor; "on'y Mr Dale, here, trying todive down into the hold to look for the fire. "

"Why, Dale!" cried Mr Brymer, hurrying up from where he had beenforward examining the hose left by the mutineers after their feebleattempt to extinguish the fire, "did the fumes attack you?"

"Yes, " I said faintly, as I pressed my hands over my forehead; "Isuppose it was that. "

"Some'at queer burning below, sir, " growled Bob Hampton. 

"Or the gas from the combustion, " said the mate, leading me a littlemore from the part where the smoke arose. 

"Pretty nigh combusted him, sir, if I hadn't got hold on his arm. "

"Well, it's a warning for us, " said Mr Brymer. "Now then, come andpass this hose along. "

I felt better now, and walked forward to where the pump was rigged, andhelped to drag the hose along the narrow path beneath, the bulwarks towhere Neb Dumlow was now stationed with the brass nozzle at the end ofthe canvas tube, and Mr Brymer instructed him how to direct the streamof water as soon as the pump was started. 

"Better let me pump, sir, " he grumbled. "I understands that a dealbetter. "

"I set you to this, man, because of your wound. You are not fit to takeyour turn at the pump. "

"Well, I like that, sir. It makes me mut'nous, it do. Why, you wantsall the strength yonder to take spells in pumping, " grumbled Dumlow;"wants men, don't yer, while this here's boy's work, or might be done bythe gal. A baby could handle this squirt. "

"If you can pump, for goodness' sake go forward, and don't talk now, "cried Mr Brymer, impatiently. "Here, Dale, is that sickness gone off?"

"Oh, yes, " I cried eagerly. 

"Take the branch, then, and direct the stream. Right down, mind, wherethe glow rises. As he says, we want all our strength there, and you canserve us better here. "

I seized the brass nozzle and held it ready. 

"Be careful, " cried Mr Brymer. "Keep back so that the fumes don'tovercome you, and call out if you want help. "

I nodded, and he hurried forward, while as I stood there in the hotsunshine waiting for the water to come, I directed the nozzle so as tostrike one particular part of the smouldering ruins just beside wherethe great spiral of smoke rose up. 

The next minute clink-clank came the strokes of the double-handled pump, invisible to me, for it was on the far side of the smoke which rose fromthe forward part of the deck. But no water came, and after a minute ortwo I heard them talking loudly, and the clanking ceased. Then came thesplash of a bucket over the side, and though I could see nothing, Icould picture the throwing down of that bucket, and the handing of it upwith the sparkling of the water as it streamed back; and I knew what thegurgling and splashing meant, as the contents freshly drawn were pouredinto the top of the pump. 

Then the clanking began again, and I waited listening to the steadyworking up and down of the handles, and the strange, gasping, suckingsounds which rose hollowly from the piston. 

But still no water came, and I listened to the splash of the bucket asthe process of filling the big barrel of the pump was repeated. Thenclang-clank again, with gurgling, hissing, and splashing; and I feltthat the pump must be broken or worn-out. 

"They will have to take to the buckets, " I said half-aloud; and in fancyI saw what a slow, laborious task that would be, and how hopeless it wasto imagine that, short-handed as we were, we could cope with thatterrible fire steadily eating its way down through the cargo, and whichwould certainly before long burst forth with uncontrollable fury. 

"It's all over, " I said to myself; and my heart sank once more as Ibegan to think that we ought before long to get back to the boat, andtrust to it alone, for although open and comparatively frail, it wouldnot have a terrible enemy on board, insidiously waiting to destroy us. 

"Oh, how disappointing!" I muttered, as I passed the metal nozzle frommy right to my left hand, so as to wipe the perspiration from my face, when all at once there was a quick, throbbing sensation; something ranthrough my left hand. There was a splash, a hiss, and a cry, and MrPreddle rushed back into the shelter of the main-mast, from behind whichhe had suddenly appeared. 

"Oh, I say, Mr Dale, " he shouted, "you shouldn't!"

The stream of water had come with a sudden rush, and struck him full inhis smooth, plump, round face. 

I tried to say, "I beg your pardon, " but I was choking with laughter andcould not speak. But I could act, for I rapidly changed the nozzle backto my right hand, and directed it down at the spot I had selected for myattack, and as the clear, bright jet of water struck the smoulderingcargo the effect was startling. 

That fire might almost have been some fierce, dragon-like monster, suddenly attacked by its most deadly foe, for in an instant there was asavage hiss, followed by a series of crackling explosions, sputtering, popping, and shrieking even. For the steam began to generate and rushup from the hold, instantaneously changing from its natural invisibilityto dense white clouds of vapour, which rose and spread, and grew sothick that I could not see where to direct the jet of water, but had totrust to my ear for the spot to attack. 

"Hurray! hurray!" came faintly from forward, where the pump clankedsteadily; and I responded to the cheer, but my voice was stilled by thehissing and shrieking arising from the hold. But I cheered again, andkept on, feeling quite excited, and more and more as if I were attackinga den of dragons, or serpents, so strangely unusual were the noiseswhich followed every fresh direction of the stream. 

"I say, Dale, you shouldn't, you know, " came from close by me, in a tonefull of protest; and I quite started to see Mr Preddle's face loomingout of the mist in which I was closely enveloped, and which grew moreand more dense each minute. 

"I didn't do it on purpose, " I shouted. 

"Oh, don't say that, Dale, " he cried back, the voice sounding verypeculiar through the hissing and shrieking of the steam. "I am quiteready to forgive you, my dear boy. "

"But I didn't really, " I yelled. 

"Oh, Dale, don't--don't! Why, I saw you take aim at me with that thingacross this dreadful gap. "

"I--can't talk--now, " I shouted. Then, contradicting myself, --"Going tohelp pump?"

"Yes; but what a fearful noise!--and you have made me so wet. "

"How are you getting on?" shouted Mr Frewen. "That's right. "

I could not see him for the steam; but his voice came from the otherside of the deck, and I must have altered the direction of the jet alittle, for a fresh series of explosions arose to prove how much moreserious the hidden fire was than we could judge it to be from what wasvisible. 

Crick, crack, sputter, and then report after report, as loud as thosemade by a revolver, while each steam-shot was followed by a ball ofwhite vapour which came rushing up as from the mouth of a gun. 

"Hurrah!" came from by the pump again, and Mr Preddle came slowly alongto pass me and get forward. 

"I suppose I can get by you, " he said. 

"No, no; don't try it, " I cried excitedly. "I must not stir, and thereis so little room. Go back and round with Mr Frewen. "

"No, no; I daren't. "

"The fire isn't there, " I said, as the screaming and hissing were louderthan ever. 

"I'm not so much afraid of the fire as I am of the water, " cried MrPreddle. "You want to squirt me again. "

I couldn't say "I don't, " for his words tickled and yet annoyed me, sothat I felt that I really did want to deluge him with the water fromhead to foot. 

"Will you promise me not to squirt if I go that way?" he shouted. 

"Honour--bright, " I yelled. "Couldn't see you. "

That was a fact, for from cut of the hold, and spreading all over theship, the dense white fumes hid everything; and though Mr Preddle wasnow only about a yard away, I could not see anything but a dim, blurredpatch; while facing me a dull, luminous disk all blurred and hidden fromtime to time showed where the sun was dealing his slanting beams. 

"Well, I'm going to trust you, " said Mr Preddle, "and I beg you willnot do it again. "

"All right, " I shouted; and the next minute I felt that I was alone tocarry on the war against the enemy below. 

"How stupid of him to think that!" I said aloud, with a laugh. 

"I don't see anything stupid. It was stupid of you to play tricks atsuch a time, " said Mr Preddle. 

"Why I thought you were gone, " I shouted. 

"No; I waited to see whether you were going to keep your word, " hereplied; and then I heard no more till Mr Brymer shouted--

"Want any help, Dale?"

"No, sir. "

"Steam too much for you?"

"No, sir; all right. I'll call if I want help. "

The pump clanked steadily on, and without any more than a half-stoppageas they made a change for resting, and I kept on searching out thehottest places by following up the loudest hissing and sputtering of thewater as it changed into steam, and rose and floated upward till Ithought that if the mutineers were able to see it, they would concludethat the ship was burning right away to the water's edge, for the steam, as it floated up in that huge volume, would have all the appearance ofsmoke. 

Then I started, for from close behind me came Mr Brymer's voice--

"How are you getting on, my lad?"

"I don't know; I can't see. "

"No, but I can. Capitally, " he cried. "There must be a tremendous bodyof fire down below; far more than I thought. "

"But is there any fear of our pumping too much down and sinking the shipafter all?"

Mr Brymer burst into a cheery laugh. 

"I don't think we should sink her by our pumping, Dale. We should gettired first, I'm afraid. Why, my good lad, I don't know whether mycalculation is right, but I should say that half the water you send downthere must float up again in steam. "

"Think so, sir?" I shouted, altering the direction of the jet a little, and feeling startled at the consequences, for the shrieking and hissingwhich followed became deafening. 

"I'm sure, " shouted my companion. "Quite below in my calculation. Youcan keep on, can't you?"

"Oh yes, " I said. 

"That's right. I couldn't do it better. Go on; every drop's telling inextinguishing the fire, or wetting other parts of the cargo so that theywill not burn. But what a fiery furnace it is! I had no idea it was sobad. "

"Do you think--" I began. 

"Yes--what?"

"That it has burned through to the ship's bottom?"

"No; and it will not now, " he shouted. "There is so much heat therethat an immense body of steam must be rising, and that will help toextinguish the fire. "

"Then I am doing some good, sir?"

"Good? Yes; you are winning the fight. I must get back now, andrelieve Mr Preddle. I left him and the doctor pumping. "

I did not hear him go, but when I spoke again there was no answer, and Idevoted all my energy to my task, though it had become so monotonousthat my thoughts began to stray, and I found myself wondering howmatters were going in the cabin--whether they were very much alarmed bythe noise of the steam, or whether they felt as confident as the matedid about our ultimate mastery of the fire, and how Walters and MrDenning were. 

Just then a gruff, familiar voice came out of the steam behind me. 

"Mr Brymer's orders, sir, as you're to hand me the nozzle, and go aftand get a refresher. Says you must be choked enough. "

"Did he order me to go, Bob?" I said. 

"That's it, sir. Give's hold. "

I handed the nozzle. 

"Talk about a fog, " he cried; "this is a wunner. I say, Mr Dale. "

"Yes. "

"Sounds like something good being cooked, don't it? I s'pose there'llbe a bit o' something to eat soon. I'm growing streaky, and could eatanything, from biscuit up to bull-beef. Well, what's the matter?" hecried, as a fiercer shrieking came along with clouds of vapour. "Thatgo in the wrong place? Well, will that do?"

He shifted the direction of the nozzle, but the noise was as bad asever. 

"Well, you are hard to please, and you'll have to take it now as I liketo give it you, so off you go, my lad. "

"All right, Bob, " I replied; "I'm going, " and saturated with themoisture of my strange vapour-bath, I went along the narrow passage bythe bulwarks, to find to my astonishment that I had walked out of adense fog into the clear sunshine; and when I looked back, it was to seethe white vapour towering up as if to reach the skies. 

CHAPTER FORTY THREE. 

I was faint and hungry, but I could not help standing there for a fewminutes in the hot sunshine, which sent a pleasant glow through my dampclothes, and watching the wonderful great wreaths of steam rolling andcircling up in the bright light, which made them look as if the pearlylining of sea-shells were there in a gaseous state in preparation beforesinking in solution down into the sea. 

Here the wreaths looked soft and pearly and grey, there they wereflushed with a lovely pink which, as the steam-cloud curled over, becamescarlet and orange and gold. In places where they opened as theyascended, the gold-rayed blue sky showed through, to give fresh effectsof beauty, while high up, there at times were the upper parts of themasts standing out as if they belonged to some smaller ship sailing awaythrough a thick sea-fog of an ocean far above the level where I stood. 

I was gazing wonderingly at the beautiful effects produced by the brightsunshine upon the vapour, forgetting all about our danger for the momentin spite of the steady clank of the double pump, which came in regularpulsation above the hiss and roar of the steam, when my name wassuddenly pronounced behind me, and turning sharply, I saw Miss Denningstanding there, looking very pale, and with a scared expression in hereyes that was painful to see. 

She had evidently just come to the companion-way and caught sight of me, and now held out her hands, with a smile coming into her troubled face. 

"I am so glad, " she cried. "You will tell me the truth. My brother hassent me to see. Are we in great danger?"

"Oh no, I think not, " I cried, as I took her hands, and felt as if I hadbeen neglecting a sister and a sick brother to gratify my desire towatch some coloured clouds. 

"You are not deceiving me?" she cried. "Tell me, is not the danger verygreat? Come and tell John. "

She hurried me in through the saloon to where her brother was back inhis own cabin, lying upon his mattress, looking terribly weak and ill. His face brightened though as he saw me, and he too held out his hands. 

"Ah, Dale, " he said feebly, "I wanted to see you. It is so hard to liehere without being able to help, and I sent Lena to get news. Tell usthe whole truth. Don't keep anything back. "

I told him all I knew, meeting his great sunken eyes frankly enough, andhe seemed relieved. 

"Then there is hope?" he said at last. 

"Certainly, I think so, " I replied. "They are mastering the fire, andit cannot burst out afresh, for the cargo not burned will be drenchedwith water. "

"But it may have worked its way through the ship's side, " he said, witha shake of his head. Then, suddenly--"Look here, I want you, if I breakdown altogether, and my sister here is left alone, to take my place, andbe as it were her brother. We have both liked you from the first day wemet. Will you promise this?"

"I will when it becomes necessary, " I said quietly; "but you are goingto be better. "

He shook his head, and Miss Denning gazed at me wildly. 

"Oh, come, " I cried, "don't look at the black side of things. It wasenough to make you much worse, having to go through all that trouble;but we've got rid of the mutineers, gone through an explosion and afire, and all sorts of other trouble. You'll soon feel better when weare all straight again. "

"That's what I tell him, " said Miss Denning eagerly, "but he only shakeshis head at me. "

"And he doesn't know so well as I do. "

"Had your breakfast, Dale, my lad?" cried Mr Brymer cheerily. "Good-morning, Miss Denning. Well, Mr Denning, we're winning thebattle. "

"Then you will save the ship?" cried Mr Denning. 

"Oh yes, I think so now, " said Mr Brymer quietly. "Miss Denning, it isalmost an insult to ask you, but if you could find time to help us alittle!"

"Yes, " she said eagerly. "What can I do?"

"I would not ask you, but we are all forced to go on pumping toextinguish the fire, and to a man we are getting exhausted. "

"And you want food--breakfast?"

"That's it, my dear young lady; and if you could collect a few scrapstogether for us--"

"It is all ready in the cabin next to the captain's. "

"Hah! I might have known, " cried the mate, taking Miss Denning's handto raise it to his lips. "God bless you for all you have done for us, Miss Denning. If my little wife at home could only know everything, shewould be down on her knees praying for your safety. Look here, MrDenning, don't you be down-hearted. I can read you like a book, betterthan the doctor. Half your complaint is worry about your sister here. "

"Well, " said Mr Denning with a faint smile, "suppose I grant that itis. "

"Why, then, you would be honest, that's all. Now don't you fidget abouther, for there are on board this ship six men--I was going to say and aboy, but I can't, for that boy counts as a man in the spirit to do allhe can, so I shall say seven good men and true--who will do everythingthey can to protect as sweet a young English lady as ever stepped. There isn't one of us, from grim-looking Neb Dumlow or brown Bob Hamptonup to the doctor, who wouldn't cheerfully give his life to save her fromharm. "

"Yes, yes, " cried Mr Denning, with the weak tears in his eyes, "Iknow. "

"And I too, " said Miss Denning, in a choking voice, "though I do notknow what I have done to deserve it. "

"You don't?" cried Mr Brymer; "then I'll tell you, my dear. There, Isay it, and mean it. You have behaved like a true, sweet English ladyshould, ever since you have been on board. Do you think, rough sailorsas we are, we haven't seen your devotion to your brother? Do you thinkwe haven't all loved you for your genuine patient English pluck allthrough troubles that would have made scores of fine madams faint. Here, I'm getting into a knot, instead of getting something to eat, andgoing back to my work. Mr Denning, don't you fidget, sir. We'll pullyou through. And you, Miss Denning, if you'll go on seeing that thepoor fellows have a morsel now and then, we'll bless you a little more. Come along, Dale, we must get back. "

We hurried out, but I saw Miss Denning sink down on her knees sobbing byher brother's side; and, as he put his left arm round her neck, he wavedhis right hand to me. 

"It's no use talking, Dale, my lad, " said Mr Brymer huskily, "we mustsave the ship--we will. Now, then, let's get a handful of food a-pieceand look in on the captain before we go back. "

I followed him into the right cabin, where a freshly-opened tin of beef, some biscuits, and a can of fresh water stood ready on a white cloth, and we both began to eat ravenously. 

"There's an angel for you, Dale, " mumbled the mate, with his mouth full. "Right kind of angel too, who can open meat-tins for hungry men, andwho knows that even now it's nicer off a white cloth. I don't wonder atthe doctor. "

"What about the doctor?" I said curiously, as I too ate as if I had nothad anything for a month. 

"Never you mind. Fill your fists and come along. Eat as we go. "

We each covered a biscuit with meat and laid another on the top, to formthe hardest sandwiches ever made by man, and then hurried into the nextcabin, where Captain Berriman was lying on a mattress. 

"Ah, Brymer! At last!" he cried. "Well?"

"Yes, it's well, skipper, " said Mr Brymer. "I think we shall save theship. "

Captain Berriman's lips moved, as his eyes closed for a few moments. 

"Can you eat this?" said the mate, offering his sandwich. 

"Oh no. Miss Denning has been attending to me, bless her!"

"Amen, and a double blessing, " said Mr Brymer. "There, keep a goodheart, man, and pray for another day or two's calm. We'll do everythingpossible. Good-bye. "

"I know you will, Brymer. Go on, then. You will all do your best. "

He smiled at me then, and I followed the mate, who was hurrying along tothe end of the saloon. 

"Let's look at Walters first. "

"No. You go; I can't, my lad. If I do I shall feel as if I must throwhim overboard. He might have saved us from all this. Go and see him, and don't let him starve; though I suppose Mr Frewen's feeding him nowon physic. "

He hurried away, as I felt that in all probability Miss Denning had beenthere to see to the wretched lad; and so it proved, for on the lockerclose to his head was a glass of fresh water, and the white handkerchiefbound round his head, still moist with eau-de-cologne, was evidently oneof hers. 

His eyes were closed as I entered, but after a minute he opened them andlooked at me fixedly. 

I could not help shuddering, and thinking how horribly bad he looked, but the repelling feeling gave way to pity directly, as I thought of howsharply he was being punished for all he had done--wounded, sufferingseverely in body, and far worse, I was sure, in mind. 

I hesitated for a few moments, hardly knowing how to approach him, formentally I felt farther from him than ever. We had never been friends, for I knew that he had never liked me, while now, as I gazed at him, andthought of all the sufferings he had caused, I felt that we ought to beenemies indeed. And so I behaved to him like the worst enemy I everhad, and as he gazed at me fixedly I went and laid my hand upon hisforehead. 

"You're precious hot and feverish, " I said. "You had better have thedoor open too. "

I propped the cabin-door wide, so that the air might pass through, andthen added, gruffly enough--

"Shipbuilders are awful fools to make such little round windows, " but, as I said it, I felt all the time that the little iron-framed circularwindow that could be screwed up, air and water-tight, had been thesaving of many a ship in rough seas. 

"Hadn't you better drink some water?" I said next, as I saw him passhis dry tongue over his parched lips. 

"Please, " he said feebly; and, as I took the glass of water, passed myarm under his head to hold him up and let him drink, I said to myself--

"You cowardly, treacherous brute!--the bullet ought to have killed you, or we should have let you drown. "

"Hah!" he sighed, as, after sipping a little of the water and swallowingit painfully, he began taking long deep draughts with avidity, just asif the first drops had moistened his throat and made a way for the rest. 

"Have another glass?" I said abruptly. 

He bowed his head, and I let him down gently; though, as I thought ofMiss Denning, her brother, and the burning ship, I felt that I ought tolet him down with as hard a bump as I could. 

I filled the glass again, and once more lifted him and let him drink, scowling at him all the time. 

"There, " I thought, as I laid him back again, "that's enough. You'llsoon die, and I don't want to have the credit of killing you withkindness. "

He looked at me piteously, and his lips moved, but I could not graspwhat he said. 

"Wound hurt?" I asked. 

He bowed his head. 

"Sure to, " I said. "It'll be ever so much worse yet. "

He bowed his head again. 

"Look here, " I said gruffly, "why don't you speak, and not wag your headlike a mandarin in a tea-shop?"

He looked at me reproachfully, and his lips moved again. 

"Is the ship still burning?" he said faintly, and evidently with a greateffort. 

"Yes, I s'pose so, " I replied. "It wasn't out when I came away. Arn'tyou glad?"

"Glad?" he said with a groan. 

"Oh, well, it was all your doing. Feel proud, don't you?"

His eyes gazed fully in mine, and their lock said plainly, "I'm weak, helpless, and in misery. I'm full of repentance too, now. Don't, don't, pray, cast my sins in my face. "

But somehow my tongue seemed to be out of my control. I wanted to takepity on him, and to do all I could to make his position more bearable, but all the time I kept on attacking him with the sharpest and mostbitter reproaches. 

"You ought to be proud, " I said. "You can lie there and think thatthrough your blackguards the ship has been blown up, and is now burning, and would burn to the water's edge if we couldn't stop it. The captainlooks as if he were dying; you are nearly killed; you've nearly killedpoor Mr Denning, who came this voyage for the benefit of his health;you have had Miss Denning insulted and exposed to no end of dangers;poor old Neb Dumlow has a shot in him; and we've been treated more likedogs than anything else; while now your beautiful friends have turnedupon you, and left you to be burned in the ship they have set on fire, for aught they care. Yes; you ought to be proud of your work. "

He groaned, and I felt as if I should like to bite my tongue off, as Iwondered how I could have said such bitter things. 

"I say, don't faint, " I cried, and leaned over him, and sprinkled hisface with water, for his eyelids had drooped, and a terribly ghastlylook came over his face. But even as I tried to bring him to, I felt asif I were only doing so to make him hear my reproaches once more. 

He opened his eyes after a few moments, and looked up at me. 

"Here, " I said roughly; "I'd better fetch the doctor to you. "

"What for?" he cried. "He will only try and save my life, when it wouldbe better for me to die out of the way. I want to die. How can I facepeople at home again? No, no, don't fetch him. It's all over. Thereis no hope for me now. "

"Can I help you, Walters?" said Miss Denning, suddenly appearing at thedoor-way; and as I looked at her bright gentle face, with my wretchedmessmate's words still ringing in my ears, I could not help thinkingthat there must be hope even for such a cowardly traitor as he hadproved, when she was here ready to help him and forgive all the past. 

"Yes, Miss Denning, I think you can, " I said very clumsily, I know. "Walters knows what a brute he has been, and of course he is horriblysorry, and bad now, and keeps on speaking about there being no hope forhim, and wanting to die. I can't talk to him, because I don't seem tobe able to do anything but pitch into him--I mean with words--but youcan. "

"Poor fellow!" she said gently; and she laid her hand upon his hot brow;"he is very feverish, and in great pain. "

"Yes, of course he is, " I cried hurriedly; "but that's the way. Icouldn't have said that. It would do any fellow good. And I say, MissDenning, you tell him that I didn't mean all I said, " I continued. "He's done wrong, and he's sorry for it, and I'm sure I'll forgive himif you will. "

She smiled at us both so gently that the stupid weak tears came in myeyes. 

"That means you will, " I cried hurriedly. "Then I say, you speak tohim, and make him feel that talking about dying's no good. He can'tshow how sorry he is if he does, can he?"

"Of course not. "

"Then tell him he's to get well as soon as he can, and play the man nowand help us to save the ship, and you, and all of us; and I say, Ireally must go and help now, and--oh, Miss Denning, don't sit downthere; that's my sandwich. "

I caught up the partly eaten biscuit and meat, and hurried out of thecabin to make my way forward. 

"What a donkey I have made of myself!" I cried, mentally. "I thought Ihad said stupid enough things to poor old Walters, and now I've spokensuch nonsense to her that she'll always look upon me as a regular booby. Yes, that she will. "

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR. 

I was so upset and worried about the way in which I had acted in thecabin, that for a time I forgot all about my sandwich; but, as I nearedthe steam, and heard the hissing and shrieking going on, I begannibbling the biscuit, and went on along the side of the broken deckclose to the starboard gangway, and as soon as I was in the thick mist, I forgot all about the scene in the cabin, the clanking of the pump sosteadily going on helping to drive it out of my head. 

"Well, Bob, " I said, "you haven't put it all out yet, then. Why, Icould have finished long ago, if I'd stopped. "

"No doubt, clever-shakes, " said Mr Brymer. "Here, lay hold of thenozzle and do it then. "

"Oh, I beg your pardon, " I cried. "I thought it was Bob Hampton. "

"I know you did, " he said, as I took a step or two forward to where Icould dimly see the mate manipulating the copper tube, and directing thewater here and there. "Catch hold: I'll go and pump, and send some oneto have some food. "

I took the nozzle and went on with the task, Mr Brymer hurrying forwardto the pump, while I was astonished to find how little impression hadbeen made upon the fire. Tons of water must have been poured into thehold, but wherever I directed the stream, there was the sputtering, hissing, and shrieking, and I began to ask myself whether it would bepossible to master the great body of fire after all. 

A strange, nervous feeling came over me now, and I began to suppose--and, oh, what nonsense one can suppose when that tap is turned on, andallowed to run!--I imagined danger after danger. I saw the firegradually eating its way to chests of horrible explosives--chemicals ofwhose existence we were not aware--and as, with feverish haste, Idirected the heavy streams of water down into that thick mist of vapour, I kept on fancying that the sharp reports of steam were the precursorsof another terrible explosion, of which, from my position, I should bethe first victim. And as I thought these horrors, I poured the waterhere, there, everywhere, so as to make sure that I did not miss thedangerous place, though, even as I directed the jet, I felt as nervousas ever. For I told myself that the explosive might be so tightlypacked to make it waterproof that all I sent down was only for it to runoff again, and that I might spare my pains. 

Just as I was in one of my most nervous fits, there was a momentarycessation of the pumping, and instead of hissing and spurting violentlyfrom the nozzle, the water ceased for a moment or two and then shot outin a couple of feeble spurts. 

"It's all over, " I thought; "the pump has broken down. "

But the thought had hardly crossed my mind when the jet came as strongas ever, and I knew that they must have been changing hands, proof ofthis being the correct idea coming directly after out of the dense mist. For a well-known voice exclaimed--

"Hold on tight, Mr Dale, sir; we're coming by this side, so as to speakyou. "

"Who's with you, Bob?" I cried. 

"T'other two, sir; Barney and Neb. There's Mr Trout-and-Salmon Preddleat one handle, and the doctor at t'other, with Mr Brymer to relievewhile we're off dooty to go and 'vestigate the wittling department. That's so, eh, lads?"

"Ay, ay, " growled Dumlow. 

"That's so, " said Barney; "and then I'm to take my turn at thesquirting, if so be as you can't put it out. "

"No fear of that, Barney, " I cried. "It seems as if it won't be putout. "

"Oh, it'll have to, sir, 'fore we've done with it. "

"How is your wound, Dumlow?" I said, loudly. "Hurt you much?"

"Don't shout, Mr Dale, sir. I'm a-goin' out to braxfass with a lady, and I don't want her to hear as I've had a hole punched in me, or she'llbe thinking about it all the time. "

"But does it hurt you much?" I asked. 

"Tidy, sir. Sometimes it's better; sometimes it's worse. 'Tarn't anat'ral way o' taking blue pill, and consekently it don't agree withyou. But don't you worry about that, nor me neither: I arn't killedyet. "

As Dumlow spoke, the others got carefully by me, and passed on out ofsight. Then it came to his turn. 

"Stand fast, sir, " he said. "I don't want to shove you down into thathole. Looks just like my old mother's washus used to on heavy days. She was a laundress out at Starch Green, she was, and--hff!"

"What's the matter?" I said, for the man uttered a peculiar sound. 

"Just a bit of a nip from that there bullet, that's all, sir. That'sbetter now I'm by. 'Tis a bit steamy, though, eh?"

"Horrible, " I said; "but I say, do let Mr Frewen see to your wound. Itisn't right to leave it. "

"Course it ain't; but I put it to you, as a young gent who's got a headof his own, and got it screwed on right, as you've showed us more'nonce; can I go and get a bite and sup, and can the doctor see to my legand go on pumping, and all at the same time?"

"Of course not, but as soon as you've had some breakfast, do have itdone. "

"All right, sir, all right; and thankye heartily for what you say. Why, dear lad, you make as much fuss over me, and my damaged post, as if itwas your uncle, or your father, or somebody else. It's very good ofyou, Mr Dale, sir. "

"Are you stopping to hargy anything, Neb, old man?" cried Barney, whohad returned. 

"No, mate, I arn't. "

"Well, then, come on. Yer can't 'spect the young lady to stand all daya-holding the coffee-pot up in the air, while you're a-talking out allthe breath in your chest. Do send him on, sir. "

"All right; coming, " growled Dumlow, and he went on, leaving me to fightwith the fire, listening to the hissing and sputtering of the steam, fire, and water, and to the steady clang-clank of the pump. 

It was strange how shut in I seemed, and how lonely, in the midst ofthat white vapour; but it did not seem very long before the men returnedto pass by on the other side, and after I had waited for the slightcessation of the water which followed, telling me that there was a freshchange being made at the pumps, I soon heard voices, and Mr Frewen cameup to me to pass to the cabin. 

"Going to have some breakfast?" I shouted. "Isn't it Mr Preddle'sturn too?"

"Yes, " he squeaked, from over the other side; "I'm going too, but it'svery hard work passing along here. Dale, my dear boy. "

"Yes, Mr Preddle. "

"I've had a look in at my place forward, and quite half the fish aredead. "

"I'm very sorry, " I shouted; and then in a lower voice to MrFrewen--"Do have a look at poor Walters, sir, " I said; "he's very bad. "

"Yes, he's very bad, Dale, mentally as well as bodily, I hope. "

"Oh yes, sir; he's horribly sorry now. "

"Sorry?--Hah!"

I felt that I was not evoking much sympathy for my messmate, and Ichanged my attack. 

"Dumlow's in a lot of pain too, sir, " I said. "I should be so glad ifyou'd see to him. "

"Poor fellow! Yes, I know his wound's worse than he'll own to. Heshall have it dressed as soon as I get back. I wanted to do it before, but he was as obstinate as a mule. "

"Coming, Mr Frewen?" came from aft; and the doctor went on, leaving meonce more alone, to go on searching out hot places with that jet ofwater till he returned and stood by me. 

"Why, Dale, " he said, "you are winning. "

"Oh no, sir; it's as bad as ever, " I cried. 

"Nonsense, my lad; not half. The mist is not so dense overhead, and thehissing and shrieking of the steam is nothing like so loud. We can talkto one another without shouting. "

"I say, " squeaked Mr Preddle from the other side, "it isn't so thick, is it?"

"No, " cried the doctor; and just then Mr Brymer came near, and, to mysurprise, I could see him dimly on the other side of the gap in thedeck. 

"Three cheers!" he shouted; "the day's our own. In an hour or two weshall be able to cry hold hard!"

Those three cheers were given--cheers as full of thankfulness as theywere of joy at our prospect of final success. Mr Brymer came round tome, and laid his hand upon my shoulder. 

"Let Blane take the branch now, " he said. "Why, Dale, my lad, youcouldn't have stood to your water-gun better if you had been a man. "

And I felt a burning flash of pride in my cheeks, and that it was timeto leave off, for my arms ached so that I could hardly direct thebranch. 

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE. 

So much water had been pumped into the hold, that it was now doing thework steadily by soaking in all directions, and making packing-case andbale so saturated that the fire was languishing for want of food. 

For my part I fully expected that if we poured in much more the shipwould become unsafe; and when I descended into the forecastle andcable-tier in turn, I thought the water would be a couple of feet deepon the floor. But there was no sign of a drop. Saturation had taken upan enormous quantity, but more had gone off into the air turned intosteam; and when I went down with Mr Brymer to sound the well, I wasastonished to find how small the amount of water was in the ship. 

"No fear of our sinking, Dale, " said the mate; and he went on deck againto look at the tremendous clouds of steam rising from the hold. 

Before evening the pumping had been allowed to slacken; and as whereverthe jet was directed now, the hissing had ceased, it was decided to giveup and rest, though everything was laid ready for continuing the fightshould it become necessary. 

Every one was fagged, but there was so much to do that we could notafford to show it, and we set to work to try and place matters so thatwe could go steadily on as far as was possible in the regular routine ofthe ship--no easy matter, seeing that we were so short-handed. 

But the cabin arrangements were put straight, and Miss Denning and MrPreddle did all they could to provide a comfortable late dinner, which, if not hot, was plentiful. 

Then Mr Frewen did all he could for his patients, and Neb Dumlow wasbandaged and ordered to rest. He said he could not, for there was somuch to do. It was not, he said, as if he could have been set to steer, for the ship still lay motionless, merely drifting with the current. 

"I can do nothing, sir, " he growled morosely. 

"Look here, my lad, " said Mr Frewen, "I have no objection if you wishto provide me with a bit of practice--go on, and I will do my best. "

"Whatcher mean, sir, with yer bit o' practice?--pouring of physic intome as if I was a cask?"

"No; I meant taking off your leg. "

"Taking off my leg!" cried Dumlow, with so comical a look of disgust onhis countenance that I was obliged to laugh; "whatcher want to take offmy leg for? Can't you stop the holes up?"

"I don't want to take off your leg, my man, and I can stop up the holesas you call it; but you persist in using it, and if you do, theconsequences will possibly be that the wounds will mortify, and the legget into such a state that I shall have to amputate it to save yourlife. "

"Hear this, Mr Dale!" growled Dumlow. 

I nodded. 

"That won't do for me. Timber-toes goes with the Ryle Navy andpensions. They won't do in the marchant sarvice. All right, doctor;I'm game to do just as you tell me, only let me get about a bit. Couldn't you put my leg in a sling?"

"Your leg isn't your arm, Neb, " I cried, laughing. 

"Well, sir, who said it were? I knows the diffrens 'tween a fore and ahind flipper. "

"There, that will do, my man, " said the doctor. "Your wound is not abad one, but in this hot climate it would soon be if neglected. "

The doctor walked away, and the sailor chuckled. 

"It's all right, Mr Dale, I won't do what the doctor don't want. Ketchme getting rid of a leg like a lobster does his claw. But I say, sir; Idid think, you know, just then, as I might have a hankychy round my neckand hang my leg in it. "

I was called aft soon after, and I saw Dumlow go forward, disappearingamongst the steam, while I went to Mr Frewen and helped him while hedressed Walters' wound, and was with him afterwards when he went to thecaptain and Mr Denning, both of whom were certainly easier now. 

We had a light in the saloon too, for I had managed to trim the lamp, and Mr Brymer had been busy hunting out ammunition for the guns. Thishe had found in the forecastle lying in one of the upper bunks, and withit a couple of revolvers, so that once more we were fairly armed. Thenit was decided that the boat should be hooked on to the falls, and anattempt made to raise her, but Bob Hampton shook his head. 

"Don't think we can manage her, sir, to-night. To-morrow perhaps Imight rig up tackle, and we could get her on deck. She's too big forthem davits. But why not let her hang on behind, as the weather'sfine?"

"And suppose those scoundrels return, sir, what then?" cried Mr Brymer. 

Bob Hampton scratched his head. 

"Ah, you may well say what then, sir, " he grumbled. "I hadn't thoughto' that. Don't think they will come, do you?"

"It is possible. They left in a scare, but if they see the ship stillfloating they may come back. "

"Then we'd better get a couple o' pigs o' ballast ready to heave over, and knock holes in the bottom in case they do come, for we can't get herhysted to-night. "

"I suppose you are right, " said Mr Brymer in a dissatisfied tone; and, giving the orders, Hampton and Barney Blane went off to get the two bigpieces of cast-iron and place them ready for the emergency, though itwas fervently hoped that that need might not occur. 

Then as the night was clear, and we were so short-handed, it was settledthat one man only should take the watch, and every one volunteered, though we were all so exhausted that we could hardly stand. But MrBrymer settled that. 

"I will take the first watch myself, " he said. "All of you go and getsome rest so as to relieve me. "

This consultation was held just outside the saloon, and Mr Frewen hadjust spoken and told Mr Brymer that he ought to have some one to sharethe watch with him, when a white figure suddenly came up out of thesemi-darkness of the cabin, and I gave quite a start. 

"You, Miss Denning?" I said. 

"Yes. Mr Brymer, our cabin-door is open, and my brother and I haveheard every word. "

"Well, my dear young lady, " said the mate pleasantly, "I wish you hadheard better news. "

"It was the best you could give us, " she said quietly. "But my brothersends me to say that he has had a long sleep, and that if he is helpedto a chair on the upper deck with a night-glass, he could keep the watchhimself, and easily give the alarm if it were necessary. "

"But he is not fit to leave alone, Miss Denning, " said the doctorquickly. 

"He would not be alone, Mr Frewen, " she replied gently. "I shouldshare his watch. "

"And do you think, my dear child, " cried Mr Brymer, "that we big strongmen are going to lie down to sleep, and let you watch for us?"

"Why not?" she said quietly. "You have all risked your lives to saveus. It is the least we can do. "

"Yes, " came in Mr Denning's sharp voice; "we shall keep this watchtogether, I am strong enough for that. Nothing shall approach the ship, Mr Brymer, without your having warning. "

"He is quite right, Brymer, " said a fresh debater in a faint voice, asno less a person than the captain joined in the discussion. "You areall worn-out. We sick folk have sharp ears, and will keep them wellopened. "

"I--I really hardly know what to say, " said Mr Brymer. 

I did, for I suddenly started from the spot where I stood, aftersniffing suspiciously two or three times, shouting--"Fire!--fire!" Forthe enemy had evidently been at work insidiously, and had burst itswater-chains, and leaped up to attack us again. 

We all made a rush for the pump and hose, for the smell of burning wasstronger as we reached the steaming hold, I being first. But I feltpuzzled, for the steam was dense as ever, and I could only smell thedank, unpleasant, hydrogenous odour of decomposed water, while the smellwhich had reached the companion-way had been the fresh, sharp, pungentscent of burning wood. The next moment, though, I saw where the dangerwas, and shouted--

"The galley--the galley!"

We all ran round to the door, for smoke was issuing from the woodenbuilding freely, and a dull light shone out on to the darkness. Then Iburst out in astonishment--

"What, Dumlow! You here?"

"Ay, ay, sir. Practysing up. I got it now, and go ahead to-morrowmorning. Stove bothered me a bit at first, but I can work her, andthere'll be hot water and coffee for braxfast in the morning, and soupand taters for dinner. Cooking's easy enough when you knows how. "

There was a roar of laughter at this. 

"Ah, you may laugh, all on you, I don't keer. This won't hurt my leg, will it, doctor?"

"No; you can go on with that, " replied Mr Frewen; "but keep seated allyou can. "

"Toe be sure, sir. I've often seen the cook sitting down to peel thetaters and stir the soup. "

"Well, let that fire out now, and get some rest, " said Mr Brymer. "Youstartled us all. "

Then leading the way back to the saloon, he told Miss Denning that weshould all gladly accept her brother's offer; and it having beenarranged that a whistle should give the signal of danger, the poorfellow was carried up on the poop-deck, and left there with his sister, a final look given at the steaming hold, and then the men went forward, and we to our cabins, I choosing for mine the one occupied by Walters, to whom I talked for a few minutes, and then in an instant I was asleep. 

CHAPTER FORTY SIX. 

I said in an instant, for I was talking to Walters one moment, and thenext I was fighting the fire over again, and seeing now all kinds ofhorrible glowing-eyed serpents and dragons, which kept on raising theirheads and breathing out flames. And as they reared their heads, theyglared at me with their glowing eyeballs, and lifted themselves higher, to try and lick with their fiery tongues the woodwork of the ship. 

It was all wonderfully plain, and the worry and trouble were terrible. I held the nozzle, of the hose, and knew that unless I drove them backwith a strong jet of water they would destroy the ship at once; but thetube was empty, the pump did not clank, and the hissing creatures rosehigher and higher, till they were about to scorch me, when I startedinto wakefulness, and found that I was lying on my back, bathed inperspiration, and all was perfectly still. 

I soon changed my position, and dropped off to sleep again--a calm, restful sleep for a time; but the old trouble returned: there I wasstanding at the edge of that great steaming gap in the deck, with thefiery serpents darting here and there and dancing up and down. Thenthey began to make darts at the woodwork, and one greater than all therest reared itself up to try and reach the main-mast, but sank backagain. Then it reared itself up and tried once more, this time reachinghigher and higher, till it disappeared in the grey smoke; and directlyafter I saw that it had reached the mast, and was creeping up it, in onelong undulating streak of golden and ruddy fire, which would soon reachthe mast-head, if I did not drive it down with the jet of water. 

I raised the copper branch, and directed it straight at the fierymonster, but the pump still did not clank, and no water flowed. Insteadthereof came a jet of steam--not the visible grey vapour which is reallythe water in tiny vesicles, but a jet of invisible steam which rushedout of the breach with a shrill whistling sound, and again I awoke witha start to fancy that I was yet dreaming, for the sharp whistling stillrang in my ears. 

Then I knew what it was--the signal of danger given by Mr Denning orhis sister, and, hurrying out of the cabin, I crossed the saloon, andran out and upon deck to where they were. 

"A boat?--the mutineers?" I panted. 

"No, " said Miss Denning, excitedly. "The fire has broken out again!"

At the same moment I found that the alarm had been heard forward, forthe men were tumbling up from the forecastle, and Bob Hampton's voicethundered out--

"Ahoy, there! man the pumps. She's going it again. "

For, on reaching the gap in the deck where the hissing had recommenced, the steam which we had left steadily rising when we went to lie down, then looking of a blackish grey, now appeared luminous, as if some greatlight were playing about beyond it. 

Knowing where the copper branch had been made ready, I made for it atonce; but as I picked it up, it was snatched from my hands by some one, whom I could not distinguish till he spoke, and when he did, his voicesounded husky and strange from excitement. 

"Ready there?" shouted Bob Hampton, from forward; and none too soon, forthere was a flash of light, which turned the steam to ruddy gold, and adull crackling roar was rising out of the hold. 

"Yes; go on there!" shouted Mr Brymer from the other side of the deck. "Who has the branch?"

"I have, " cried Mr Frewen. 

Then as my heart beat wildly from excitement, the clanking of the pumpbegan again, and directly after a shrieking and hissing, which, in thedarkness of the night, sounded louder than ever. Report after reportcame too, and with them the steam seemed to be denser than ever. Darkas the night appeared, it was visible enough, and looked so awful andyet grand, lit-up as it was by the fierce burst of fire beneath, that itbecame hard to believe that it too was not glowing, curling flame, rising up from the hold, and wreathing about the great yards and sailsof the main-mast. 

I watched it as it rose, fully expecting to see the sails burst intoflame; but there it came in heavy folds, dimly-seen here, black inshadow there, and the fiery-looking clouds proved to be only visiblevapours, water perfectly harmless, while the real flames caused by thefire having reached something specially combustible, never rose manyfeet in the hold, and by degrees began to yield to the powerful jet ofwater Mr Frewen poured down. 

"Tell me if I miss any of the worst places, Dale, " he shouted, to makehis voice heard above the din of the elemental strife. 

I answered that he was doing quite right; and the proof of my words wasshown by the gradual darkening of the steam from bright gold to paleyellow, then to orange, bright red, and soon after to a dull glow, whichserved to show where the danger lay, and this part was so deluged, thatin less than an hour the glow died out, and we were in utter darkness. 

"Let me take it a bit now, " said Mr Brymer, joining us; and with thehissing and sputtering to guide him, he now continued to pour on thewater, talking loudly the while about our alarm. 

"I ought not to have lain down, " he said, in tones full ofself-reproach. "I might have known that the fire would break outagain. "

"Why, we couldn't have had a better watch kept, Mr Brymer. "

"You are right, my lad, " he replied warmly. "I ought to have thought ofthat too. Go and tell Mr and Miss Denning that the danger is at anend. "

I hurried off, and mounted to the poop, where Mr Denning sat in hischair, well wrapped in a plaid; and as I approached, Miss Denning'svoice asked quickly--"Who is that?"

"Dale, Miss Denning. I've come to tell you that the fire is masteredagain. "

I heard her utter a deep sigh, and I believe she began to cry, but itwas too dark to see her face. 

"How long had it been burning when you whistled?" I asked. 

"Not a minute, " said Miss Denning. "We were watching the setting of oneof the stars, when all at once there was a dull report somewhere in thehold, and in an instant there was a flash, and great volumes of fire andsmoke began to roll up. "

"But it was only lit-up steam, " I said, talking as one experienced insuch matters. 

"Then there is no more danger?" said Mr Denning. 

"No, I think not--at present. "

"Why do you say at present?" cried Miss Denning, eagerly; and she caughtmy arm. 

"Don't say anything to frighten her, Dale, " said Mr Denning; "she ishalf-hysterical now. "

"Indeed no, John dear; I am quite calm. Tell us, Alison. It is betterto know the worst. "

"I only meant, " I said hastily, "that there is sure to be some fire leftsmouldering below, where the water will not reach it, and it may breakout again two or three times--just a little, that's all. But we shallwatch it better now. No, no, " I cried, "I don't mean that; because noone could have watched better than you did. "

"Starboard watch, ahoy!" cried Mr Brymer, cheerily. "How are you, MissDenning?" but before she could reply the mate was up with us. 

"Thank you for keeping watch so well. Any idea what time it is?--wehadn't been asleep long, I suppose. "

Mr Denning uttered a little laugh. 

"It must be close upon morning, " he said. 

"Morning? Impossible! What do you say, Miss Denning?"

"I think it must be very near day, " she replied. "It is many hourssince you left us. "

"And gone like that!" cried the mate in astonishment. "Ahoy there, MrFrewen, Preddle, " he shouted, "what time should you think it is?"

"My watch is not going, " replied Mr Frewen; "but I should say it isabout midnight. "

"Oh no, " cried Mr Preddle, in his highly-pitched voice; "about elevenat the outside. Do you think we may venture to lie down again?"

"Almost a pity, isn't it, " said the mate, merrily. "Look yonder--there--right astern. "

"Yes?" said Mr Frewen. "What is that? The moon about to rise?"

"Say sun, and you will be right, " cried Mr Brymer. "Go and lie down ifyou like, gentlemen; but look yonder too; there is a fleck of orangehigh up. For my part, I propose a good breakfast. "

"No, no, you cannot be right, " said Mr Frewen, from the main-deck; "butwe'll take our watch now. Mr Denning, will you and your sister go andtake yours below?"

"No, not yet, " said Mr Denning. 

"Then I must speak as the medical man, and give my patient orders. Youought both to have some sleep now. "

"Wonderful!" cried Mr Preddle, excitedly. For, with the wondrousrapidity of change from night to day so familiar in the tropics, themorning broke without any of the gradations of dawn and twilight. Therewas a brilliant glow of red, which, as we gazed at it, became gold; andthen, dazzling in its brightness, the edge of the sun appeared above thegleaming water, still and smooth as ever; then higher and higher, sending its rays across the vast level, and turning all to gold. It wasbetween us and the sun now one broad patch of light, but not quite allgolden glory, for as I looked right away from the poop-deck, with thatindescribable feeling of joy in my breast which comes when the darknessof night and its horrors give place to the life and light of day, I felta strange contraction about my heart--a curious shrinking sensation ofdread. 

For, far away on that gleaming path of gold, I could plainly see acouple of black specks. Half-stifled with emotion, I caught at MrBrymer's arm, and pointed as I looked in his face, and tried to speak, but no words would come. 

I must have pointed widely, for he turned quickly, looked in thedirection indicated by my finger, and then clapped me on the shoulder. 

"Why, Dale, my lad, what's the matter?" he said. "Did you see a whale?"

At that moment Barney shouted from where he stood forward, unseen forthe mist of dimly illuminated steam which lay between us, though hisvoice was plainly heard, and sent a thrill through all who heard--

"Boat-ho! Two on 'em astarn. "

"Ay, ay!" roared Bob Hampton in a voice of thunder, "lying doo east. It's Frenchy and his gang come back. "

For a few seconds there was a dead silence, and no one stirred. Then, as if electrified, I ran half-way down the ladder, and leaped the restof the way, dashed through the saloon to Mr Brymer's cabin, seized hisglass, and ran back with it and up on to the poop-deck. 

He gave me a quick look which seemed to say, "Good!"--snatched theglass, brought it to bear upon the two black specks, and then stoodmotionless, while all present waited breathless for the lowering of theglass again, and the mate's first words. 

For we hoped against hope. The boats might be two sent from someinvisible ship to our aid. 

All such thoughts were swept away as the mate lowered his glass andnearly threw it to me. 

"He's right, " he said calmly. "They are our boats and men. They musthave been somewhere near, and seen the light rising up from the ship, and come back to see what it means. "

"Then all is lost!" said Mr Denning, wildly, as he seized his sister'shand. 

"Oh, no, " replied Mr Brymer, coolly, "by no means. Miss Denning, kindly see what you can do in the way of breakfast for us. Those mencannot be here under an hour, and we shall all be faint. Cheer up. They're not on board yet. "

The next minute he was on the main-deck, giving his orders. 

"They can't board us, " he said, "but they can cut that boat adrift, andcarry her off with all those provisions on board. Now, Mr Frewen, youwill help us. Mr Preddle, be ready to come and haul when you areasked, but in the meantime I leave the arms to you. See that they areall loaded and laid ready on the saloon-table, and with the ammunitionto hand. "

"Yes, I'll do that, " he said eagerly; and he was moving off. 

"Stop, " cried Mr Brymer. "There is a small keg of powder in thecable-tier, get that in the saloon too; and in the locker in my cabinyou'll find some big cartridges and shot. Everything is there. Do youthink you can load and prime the cannon?"

He pointed as he spoke to the small brass gun, used for signalling whengoing into port. "I never loaded a big one, " said Mr Preddle, "but Iused to have a brass one when I was a boy, and I've loaded and firedthat. "

"It is precisely the same, sir. Have it ready, and a poker in thegalley red-hot. Bah! we have no fire. "

"Wrong, sir. Stove's going, and the kettle nearly on the bile, " growledDumlow, who had limped up. 

"Bravo!" cried the mate. "They have not taken us yet. Off with you, Mr Preddle. Now, Hampton, we must either get that boat on board, orsave all we can, and then she must be stove in. "

"Which would be a pity, sir, " said Bob Hampton. "She's heavy, and we'refew, but I think if you'll help get out all you can from her, water-breakers and sech, I can slew round the yard, and rig up tackle as'll do the job. "

"Right! Up with you! Now, Blane, and you, Dale, have the boat roundhere to the gangway, and down into her. Mr Frewen, you and I willlower tackle, and have all up we can to lighten her. "

The men cheered, and, as excited as they were, I added my shout, and thenext minute we were all at work as ordered by the mate. The boat wassoon brought round, made fast, and by the time Barney and I were in, theport-gangway was opened, and tackle lowered, to which we made fast oneof the breakers of water, and saw it hauled up. The other followed, andthen cases, biscuit-bags, everything heavy was roped together and hauledup on them, till nothing remained but small things that it would havetaken too long to collect. 

"Now then, " shouted Mr Brymer, "look out!" and there was a creaking andclanging sound as the iron wheel of the tackle used for loading andunloading the cargo spun round, and the falls for running up boats tothe davits descended, and were hooked on bow and stern. 

"Now then, up with you!" cried the mate; and we seized the rope lowered, and climbed on board. 

"Are they close here, sir?" I panted. 

"Don't talk; no. Ready there at the capstan?"

"Ay, ay, " came back. 

"Haul away then. "

The rattle and clang of the tackle began, as the men turned with alltheir might, the catches on either side making sure of every foot theywon, and by degrees the heavy boat rose slowly out of the water, andhigher and higher, till she was above the bulwarks, when the mencheered, ceased turning, made all fast, and while two of us got hold ofthe painter and swung the boat's head round, the crane-like spar, atwhose end the iron wheel, hung, was slewed round till the boat was wellon board. 

Then Hampton and Barney ran back to the capstan and lowered away, tillthe boat lay on its side on the deck, when, with a rousing cheer, thegangway was closed, and I felt that I could breathe; for, as I lookedover the bulwarks for our enemies, there they were, steadily rowingtoward us, but still quite a mile away. 

I breathed more freely then, for, in spite of their superior strength, Ifelt that our position was not unfavourable. The sides of the ship werehigh and smooth, and, without help from within, the only likely placesfor our enemies to be able to gain the deck were from under thebowsprit, where I had climbed up, or through the stern-windows. But wehad a keen and thoughtful man in command. Mr Brymer soon rendered thestern-windows safe by having the dead-lights over them, while I was sentround to screw up the glazed-iron frame of every circular window. Thenour principal vulnerable point was the stay beneath the bowsprit, wherehe stationed Dumlow, armed with a capstan-bar, which the big sailorprepared to use as a club; the other dangerous points being the chains, where it was possible for a man to climb up by means of a boot-hook. 

These places Mr Brymer guarded as well as possible by stationing one orother of his forces ready for their defence, with the understanding thatwe were to act on our discretion, and run to help in the defence of thepart most menaced. 

All these arrangements were quickly made, and lastly, the saloon wasreserved for our final stand, the cannon being wheeled just inside, pointed so as to sweep the entrance, though I failed to see how it wasto be fired if we were driven there, when the red-hot poker was in thestove of the galley. 

By this time they were all armed. Miss Denning was back in our citadel, the saloon, where we had all been refreshed with the provisions she hadprepared for us. Mr Brymer had begged Mr Denning, too, to go into hiscabin, out of the way of danger; but he had flushed up and insisted uponhaving a chair placed by the cannon, and being furnished with one of theguns and some cartridges. 

"I am a good shot, " he said, "weak as I am, and I command a good deal ofthe bulwarks on either side of the ship. "

So he was placed as he wished, and sat with his gun across his knees, just at the breach of the cannon. 

"And I can fire that if it becomes necessary, " he confided to me, as Isaid good-bye to him before I went to my place. 

"How?" I asked, --"with a match?"

"No, " he whispered; "if it comes to the worst, and Jarette and hisscoundrels are making for here, I shall put the muzzle of my gun to thetouch-hole and fire it. "

"Won't it blow the priming away?" I said. 

"No; it will fire the piece instantly. "

"I hope he will not have to try, " I thought to myself as I ran toWalters' cabin, and told him of the fight to come. 

"And I can't help, " he moaned. "I wish I could. "

"What, to take the ship?" I said spitefully. 

"You know better than that, " he said. 

I don't know how it was, but one minute I was saying that to himspitefully, the next I had hold of his hand and shook it. 

"I didn't mean it, " I said quite hurriedly. "Good-bye, old chap; we'regoing to whop them after all. "

I ran out of the cabin with the thought in my mind that I might perhapsbe killed. 

"And one ought to forgive everybody, " I said to myself, just as MrBrymer cried--

"Oh, here you are, Dale. Take this gun, and mind, you are the reserve. Be ready to go and help any one who is most pressed. There must be nononsense now. Shoot down without mercy the first scoundrel who reachesthe deck. If it is Jarette, aim at his head or breast; if it is one ofthe others, let him have it in the legs. "

He hurried to the side then, leaving me with a double-barrelled gun anda handful of cartridges, which, after seeing that the piece was loaded, I thrust into the breast-pocket of my jacket. 

"This is a rum way of forgiving one's enemies, " I said to myself; "but Isuppose I must. "

And then I began patrolling the deck as we waited on our defence, withthe boats coming on and the insidious enemy within, for the fire wascertainly making a little way in the hold. 

The boats were only a couple of hundred yards away now. I could seeJarette seated in the stem of one of them, as they came on abreast, making straight for the port-gangway abaft the main-mast; and my breathcame thick and fast, for the fight was about to begin, and I felt thatwe could not expect much mercy at the hands of the leader of the men. 

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN. 

"It's all over, " I thought to myself; "they'll take the ship and send usadrift now;" but all the same I knew that the defence would be desperateas soon as Mr Brymer gave the word. 

I could see the faces of Jarette and his men now clearly enough in theone boat, while in the other I picked out five men, among whom was thecook, who would have been, I should have thought, the very last to joinin so desperate a game, one which certainly meant penal servitude forall, and possibly a worse punishment for the leaders, as death mightvery probably ensue in the desperate attack upon the ship. But I had nomore time for such thoughts. Jarette just then rose up in the stern ofthe boat he was in, and hailed us. 

"Ahoy, there! Open that gangway, " he shouted, "and let down the ropedsteps. "

Mr Brymer stepped to the bulwarks just opposite the boat. 

"Throw up your oars there, " he cried, and the men obeyed, so used werethey to his orders. 

"Row, you idiots, row!" roared Jarette, and the oars splashed again. 

"Stop there, you in the boats, " cried Mr Brymer, "or I give the orderto fire. "

"Bah! don't be a fool, Brymer, " he shouted. "Pull away, my lads; theywon't fire. Hi! there, the rest of you, don't take any notice of themate. We saw you were on fire and in danger. We saw the fire and smokein the night, and came to save you. "

"In the same way as you deserted the ship when you thought she wouldsink, " said Mr Brymer, tauntingly. 

"Pull, my lads, and get aboard, " cried Jarette, so that the men in theother boat could hear; "he doesn't know what he's talking about. We'llput the fire out, and then talk to him. "

Bang! went Mr Brymer's revolver, fired over the heads of the men inJarette's boat, and the Frenchman fell backward into the stern-sheets. 

I thought he was killed, and the men ceased rowing. 

But Jarette was up again directly. 

"Pull, you beasts!" he cried. "You jerked me off my feet. You, there, "he roared to the men in the second boat, "round to the starboard sideand board there. No--"

He leaned over the side and said something behind his hand to the men inthe other boat, which we could not hear, but we did hear him say--"Wemust have her. It's too far to row. "

Those last words enlightened us, telling as they did that the boats hadmade very little progress, but had drifted with the current just as theship had, and they could never have been very far away. They must toohave supposed the vessel had sunk till they saw the fire renewed, whenfeeling that they had been premature in forsaking her, they came back, and were no doubt a good deal taken aback by finding us there ready todefy them. 

"Now!" shouted Jarette. "Ready? Off!"

The boats came on in spite of two or three shots fired from the deck, and then, with Jarette rapidly returning our fire, they were soon closeup and sheltered to a great extent. 

Jarette's boat came right alongside at once in the most plucky manner, urged on as the men were by their leader, who seemed utterly devoid offear. But the other boat rowed right round by the stern, and itsoccupants were damped on finding that unless they could mount by thefore or mizzen-chains, there was apparently no means of reaching thedeck. They ceased rowing in each of these places, but there were acouple of defenders ready at each halt, and they made no furtherattempt, but lay on their oars in a half-hearted way, as if waiting foran opportunity to occur. 

But meanwhile the fight had begun by the main-chains on the port side, where, with Jarette to cover them with his revolver, the men made adesperate effort to gain the deck, but only to be beaten back each timethey showed their heads above the bulwarks, and after five minutes theysat down sullenly and refused to stir. 

"You cowards!" snarled Jarette, savagely. "Do you want to stop afloatin open boats and starve? Now then, once more. Up with you!"

The men rose at his words, but Mr Brymer appeared now above them. 

"Sheer off, " he roared, "or we'll sink the boat. "

Two reports followed this speech, and, to my horror, I saw Mr Brymerfall back heavily on the deck to lie motionless. 

"That's winning, boys, " shouted Jarette, triumphantly. "Now then, allof you follow. "

He made a spring at the boat-hook they had fastened to the chains, andscrambled up, to step on one side crouching down, revolver in hand, sheltering himself, but watchfully ready to fire at either of us whomight show, and waiting while his men climbed to him. 

While they were climbing out of the boat to his side, Mr Preddlestepped forward gun in hand, to pass it over the bulwark, and hold themen in check; but the barrels were seized, pressed on one side, and aman reached up and struck the naturalist over the head, so that he toowent down heavily. 

"Here, hi! Mr Dale, you're in command now, " shouted Bob Hampton. "Barney, doctor, Neb, come and help here. "

We all made a rush to the side to help Bob, and our presence was needed, for man after man had now reached the chains, where they waited forJarette's orders to make a rush. 

"Here, let me come, " cried Dumlow, limping up with his capstan-bar. "Give me room, and I'll clear the lot down. "

He swung up his bar to reach over and deliver a sweeping blow, but hewas over Jarette, who started up below the bar, and fired right in thebig sailor's face, when he too went down, but not hit. The shock andthe whizz of a bullet close to his ear had sufficed to stagger him, sothat he tripped over Mr Preddle's prostrate body, and gave his head asharp blow on the back. 

To all appearances, three of our side were now hors de combat, and Ifelt that all was over; and to confirm my thought, there was a shoutforward in the bows. 

I uttered a despairing groan, for it was all plain enough. The secondboat had made for the stay beneath the bows, just as Dumlow had beencalled away with his capstan-bar, and as I looked forward, there, to myhorror, dimly-seen through and beneath the ascending steam, were fourmen who had climbed on board. 

"We're licked, Mr Dale, sir; but hit, shoot, do anything as they comeover the side. Do, dear lad, shoot Frenchy, whatever you do. Now then, let 'em have it, for Old England's sake and sweet home! Here theycome!"

Jarette and four men rose up now suddenly in the chains, climbed on tothe bulwark, and were about to leap down, and with a desperate feelingof horror, I raised my gun to fire. But there was a rush and a cheer asthe men from forward rushed down to us, and I was roughly jostled, myaim diverted; but the trigger was being pulled, and the piece went offloudly. 

The next moment blows were being given and taken. Mr Frewen wasfighting furiously, and well seconded by Bob and Barney. Jarette andhis men were checked, two going down, and to my astonishment they fellfrom blows given by the four men who had dashed forward. 

It was all one horrid confusion, for now one of these men turned on me, and wrested the gun from my grasp, though I tugged at it hard. Then itwas pointed and fired at Jarette--not at me--missing him though, butmaking him lose his foot-hold, and fall with a heavy splash into thesea. 

"Hurray!" yelled Bob. 

"Give it to 'em, " cried Barney; and I saw Mr Frewen strike one with arevolver in his hand, but using his fist as if he were boxing, andanother man went backwards into the boat, while a blow or two from NebDumlow's capstan-bar, which Barney had picked up, sufficed to clear thechains. 

I looked over the side for a moment, and saw a man holding out an oar toJarette, who was swimming; but there was a rush of feet again, and themen who had come over the bows were running back just in time to driveback three more, tumbling them over into the sea, to regain their boatthe best way they could. 

Then these four, headed by the man who had led them, began to cheer, andcame running back toward us, the man who had snatched my gun, and whom Isaw now to be the cook, shouting louder than all the rest put together. 

"What, are you on our side, then, old Plum Duff?" cried Dumlow, who wasnow sitting up. 

"Seems like it, Neb, " cried the cook. "Here, Mr Dale, sir, loadquickly and fire, or they'll come on again. "

He handed me the gun, and I rapidly opened the breech and slipped in thecartridges, just as firing began from aft, and I saw that Mr Frewen wasstanding against the companion-way aiming at the boat containingJarette, which had sheered off after picking up their leader and anotherman, while now the second boat hove in sight from under the bows, intime for Mr Frewen to send a stinging charge of shot at her crew inturn. 

He kept up his practice, while in both boats the men pulled with alltheir might to get out of range. 

But our troubles did not seem over, for hardly had we grasped the factthat the cook and three of the men had snatched at the opportunity toescape from Jarette's rule, and join us in the defence of the ship, thanI saw that which made me shout--

"Fire!--fire!" for the great cloud of steam always rising was sweptsuddenly towards the starboard side, and the vessel slowly careened overin the same direction. 

"Burnt through, and sinking, " I groaned to myself, and then I feltstunned, for Bob yelled out--

"Run to the wheel, Barney, lad. Keep her before the wind. "

The sailor bounded to the ladder, and up on the poop-deck, to spin roundthe spokes of the wheel; and the next minute, almost before I couldgrasp what had happened, the sails, which had hung for days motionless, had filled, and we were running free, leaving the two boats and theiroccupants far behind. 

"Thank God!" cried a voice behind me, and I turned to see that it wasMr Frewen, who now ran to the entrance of the saloon, where I saw himgrasping Miss Denning's and her brother's hands, and I knew he wassaying "Saved!"

Directly after he was back with us, who were carefully lifting MrBrymer, while Mr Preddle lay so motionless that I was afraid he wasdead. 

Mr Frewen dropped on one knee, and began to examine the mate, while Iwatched him with intense eagerness, waiting to hear his words. 

"It must have been a bad cartridge, or the pistol improperly loaded. Itdid not pierce the cloth of his cap, and even the skin of the scalp isnot broken. "

"Then it will not be fatal?" I said. 

"Fatal?--no! There may be a little concussion of the brain. You hadbetter carry him into his cabin, my lads, out of the sun. "

The cook and one of the men who had returned to their allegiance liftedthe mate carefully, and bore him toward the saloon, while Mr Frewen nowdirected his attention to the naturalist. 

"I'm not in fit trim for acting as surgeon, Dale, " he said. "I'mbubbling over with excitement; my nerves are all on the strain with thestruggle I have gone through. But we've won, my lad, thanks to thosefellows who came over on our side. Now, Preddle, my good friend, how isit with you? Hah! Only been stunned. A nasty crack on the headthough. "

He parted the hair to show me how the head had puffed up into a greatlump; but I had hardly bent forward to examine it, as the poor fellowlay sheltered from the morning sun by the shadow cast by one of thesails, when he opened his eyes, looked vacantly about him, and thenfixed them on me, and recognising me, a look of intelligence brightenedin his gaze, and he said quietly--

"My fish all right, Dale?"

"I--I haven't been to look at them this morning, " I stammered, hardlyable to keep back a laugh. 

"I forgot. I went myself, " he said. "Of course. But I couldn't findthe bellows. You haven't taken them, have you?"

"No, " I said gently, thinking that he was wandering in his mind. 

"How tiresome! That water wants aerating badly. "

"Bellers, sir?" growled Dumlow, who was looking on; "I took 'em to makethe kittle bile, and didn't have no time to put 'em back 'cause of theboats coming. "

"Ah, the boats, " cried Mr Preddle, excitedly. "Jarette knocked medown. "

"And he got knocked down hisself, sir. Reg'lar one for his nob, " saidDumlow. 

"Then we won, Dale?"

"Oh yes, we've won, " I cried, "and the boats are a couple of milesaway. "

"Let me examine your head again, " said Mr Frewen. 

"What, for that!" cried the naturalist. "Oh, it's nothing--makes mefeel a little giddy and headachy, that's all. But I think I'll go andsit out of the sun for a bit. Why, we're sailing again. "

"Yes, " I cried; "there's a beautiful breeze on, and we've left thebeaten enemy behind, and--"

_Flip_-_flip_-_flap_-_flap_-_flop_!

The wind had ceased as suddenly as it had come on. 

"Well, sir, " said Bob Hampton, a short time later, "I never 'spected tosee you get to be skipper dooring this voyage. "

"Oh, don't talk nonsense, Bob, " I cried. "Look--they're coming on againas fast as they can row. "

The old sailor shaded his eyes and looked aft at the two boats, whichthe men were tugging along with all their might, taking advantage of ourbeing becalmed to try and overtake us and renew their attempt. 

"Yes, there they are, bless 'em!" cried Bob. "Well, sir, as skipper o'this here ship, with all the 'sponsibility depending on you, o' courseyou know what to do. "

"No, I don't, Bob, " I cried. "How can a boy like I am know how tomanage a full-rigged ship?"

"Tchah! You've been to sea times enough, and a ship's on'y a yachtgrowed up. Besides, there's no navigating wanted now as there's nowind. "

"But the boats!" I cried. "Look at the boats. "

"Oh, I see 'em, my lad; well, that means fighting, and I never knowed aboy yet as didn't know how to fight. "

"We must try to beat them off, Bob, " I said, ignoring his remark. 

"Nay, not try--do it, sir; and you, being skipper, of course 'll give'em a startler to show 'em what's waiting for 'em, if they try to boardagain. "

"What do you mean, Bob?" I cried. 

"Well, come, I like that, sir, " he said, with a laugh; "there have yougot the little signal-gun loaded and primed, and the poker all red-hotand waiting, and i'stead o' having it run to the gangway, set open readyto give 'em their startler, you says you don't know what to do?"

"Would you do that, Bob?" I said anxiously. 

"No; but you would, sir, being skipper, and wanting to save the ship, what's left o' the cargo, and all aboard. "

"But it might sink them. "

"And jolly well serve 'em right--a set of piratical sharks. Ahoy, Barney!--you aren't to stop at that there wheel now; the skipper wantsyou to lend a hand with the gun. "

Barney ran up to us, and the gun was dragged to the open gangway, readyfor the mutineers, as they still rowed on. 

"Neb, old lad, " cried Bob, "give a hye to the red-hot poker, and when Icries `Sarvice!' out you runs with it, and hands it to me. "

"Ay, ay, " growled Dumlow, in his deepest bass. 

"It's all right, Mr Dale, sir, " whispered Bob. "You can't hit 'em withthat thing if you try ever so; but it'll splash up the water, and scarethe lot on 'em so that old Frenchy 'll have no end of a job to get 'emto come on. "

I felt better at that, and waited for the attack. Mr Frewen was backwith us, and Mr Preddle too. Mr Denning was also in his old placewith his gun; and as the men, including the four who had joined us, werearmed with the weapons they had brought from the boat, they made arespectable show. 

"But do you think we can trust those men?" I whispered to Bob. 

"Trust 'em, my lad?" he replied, with a chuckle. "You jest may. Theyknows it would be all over with 'em if once Frenchy got 'em under histhumb again. Don't you be scared about them; they'll fight likegamecocks. "

"If we could only get the wind again, " said Mr Frewen, who lookedanxious. 

"Is there any chance of it, Bob?" I asked. 

"Can't say, sir. Maybe we shall get a breeze; maybe we shan't. Butnever mind; we'll raise a storm for them in the boats, in precious fewminutes too. She's charged all right, arn't she, sir?"

"Oh yes, " said Mr Preddle. "I rammed the cartridge well home, andprimed the touch-hole with powder. "

"Then I should not wait long, " said Mr Frewen, anxiously. "It willperhaps make the scoundrels keep off. "

"'Zactly, sir. Mr Dale here's skipper now, and he'll give the orderdirectly. "

"No, no, " I said; "Mr Frewen, you take the lead. "

"I am only the doctor, " he replied, with a smile, which made me feelthat he was laughing at me. But the boats were coming on so fast thatsomething had to be done, and in my excitement I cried--

"Now, Bob. Time!"

"Ay, ay, sir, " he shouted, going down on one knee to point the littlegun. "Sarvice!"

There was a growl from forward, and Neb Dumlow came limping from thegalley, along the narrow piece of deck, by where the steam still rose, and flourishing a red-hot poker, hurried to our side. 

"Cap'en o' the gun says--Stand well from behind; keep alongside, 'causeshe kicks. One moment. I can't get no better aim. Now, sir, ready!"

"Fire!" I cried; and I felt in agony, but had faith in Bob Hampton'swords. 

Down went the hot poker. There was a flash, a fizz, and a puff of smokefrom the touch-hole, and that was all. No, not all, for a puff of windfollowed that of smoke, and the ship began to glide onward again, whilethe men gave a cheer, and Barney ran to the wheel. 

"Saved once more, " cried Mr Frewen. 

"Yes, sir, and them too. But beg pardon, sir, " growled Bob Hampton; "Imean you, sir, --Mr Preddle, sir, --are you sure as you loaded the gun?"

"Yes, quite. With one of these cartridges, "--and he went to a box, outof which he took one with the ball fitted in its place by means of acouple of tin bands. 

"That's right, sir; but did you ram it home?"

"Yes, hard. "

Bob Hampton thrust in the rammer and felt the cartridge. 

"Yes, sir; seems right. Perhaps the powder's old and damp. "

"No; I think it was perfectly dry. "

"Humph!" growled Bob; and then an idea seemed to strike him. 

"Beg pardon, sir, " he cried; "would you mind showing me how you shovedthe cartridge in?"

"Like this, " cried Mr Preddle, eagerly, stooping down to apply thecartridge to the mouth of the little brass gun. 

"Sure you did it like that, sir?"

"Yes; certain. "

"Then no wonder it didn't go off. Why, that's the way to sarve one o'them breeches-loaders. You don't put a cartridge ball first into themuzzle of a gun. "

"Why, no!" cried Mr Preddle, colouring like a girl. "How stupid!"

"And we shall have a job to unload her, " growled Bob. 

But his attention was directly after taken up by the management of theship, for the wind held on, and by night we had left the boats downbelow the horizon line, invisible to us even from the mast-head. 

That proved an anxious time, for the wind sank soon after sunset, and acareful watch had to be kept, both for the boats, and against our enemythe fire, which kept on showing that there was still some danger in thehold. 

The next morning dawned with the boats in sight again, and their crewswere evidently straining every nerve to overtake us, for it was oncemore a dead calm. 

We were more hopeful though, for a couple more applications of the hosehad pretty well extinguished the fire; the cannon had been unloaded andproperly charged; and, best of all, Mr Frewen's patients were allbetter, and Mr Brymer sufficiently well to sit up in a chair, and bebrought on deck to take his place as captain, to my intense relief. 

The cook had quietly gone to his galley, and then acted as steward aswell, so that while the boats were still miles away, we had the bestbreakfast we had been provided with for many days. And, after this, quite ready for our enemies, and well furnished with weapons, we waitedtheir coming. 

I obtained a glass from the captain's cabin, my principal officertelling me to keep it as long as I liked, on condition that I keptreporting to him the state of affairs on deck. 

"Everyone is very kind, " he said sadly; "but I spend a great manyanxious hours here, longing to hear how things are going on, and if itwere not for Miss Denning, my position would be ten times worse. "

I hurried out with the glass, focussed it on the boats, and watched themen for long enough. The forces had been equalised by four men beingsent out of Jarette's boat to take the places of the men who hadreturned to their allegiance, and, as I watched them, I could see thatas they slaved away at the oars, their leader kept jumping up with apistol in his hand, to throw himself about wildly, stamping, gesticulating, and pointing to the ship, as if he were urging the crewson. 

I was not the only one who used a glass, for there was nothing to do nowbut wait for the coming attack; and as I had been watching for some timewith the glass on the rail, one eye shut, and the other close to theglass, I suddenly ceased, for my right eye felt dazzled by the glare ofthe sun, and I found that Mr Frewen was close beside me. 

"Well, Dale, " he said, "who will get tired first--these scoundrels ofattacking us, or we of trying to beat them off?"

"They will, " I said decisively, as I closed my glass and tucked it undermy arm. "We've got nothing to do but wait; they've got to row miles inthis hot sun, and then they have to fight afterwards. They can't helphaving the worst of it. "

"Yes; they have the worst of it, " he said, smiling. 

"And it strikes me they'd be very glad to--Hurray! here's the windagain. "

For the surface of the sea was dappled with dark patches, and longbefore the boats could reach us, we were sailing gently away, certainlytwice as fast as their crews could row. 

It is astonishing what effect those gentle breezes had upon our spirits. I found myself whistling and going to the galley to ask the cook whatthere was for dinner, and I found him singing, and polishing away at histins, his galley all neat and clean, and the dinner well in progress. 

"Well, mutineer, " I said; "anything good to-day?"

"Oh, I do call that unkind, Mr Dale, sir, and it isn't true. Didn't Ishow you as soon as I could that I wasn't one of that sort?"

"Well, yes, you sneaked back when you thought your side was going to bebeaten. "

He looked at me fiercely, but smiled the next moment. 

"Plain Irish stoo to-day, sir, made out of Noo Zealand mutton, for Ifound the onions. There's plenty of 'em. You don't mean what you said, sir. Just you have a pistol stuck in one of your ears, and be told thatyou're not to be a cook and a slave any more, but to join theadventurers who are going to live in a beautiful island of their own, where it's always fine weather, and if you don't you're to be shot. Why, of course I joined 'em, same as lots more did. Any fellow wouldrather live in a beautiful island than have his brains blown out. "

"I don't know about that, " I said shortly. "I wouldn't on Jarette'sterms. "

"No, sir, you wouldn't, " said the cook; "but Mr Walters would. "

As he spoke he lifted the lid off one of his pots, and gave the contentsa stir round. 

"Smell that, sir? There's nothing on Jarette's island as'll come up tothat. But, between ourselves, I don't believe he knows of any island atall such as he talked about to the men, till he'd gammoned them orbullied them over. Hah!" he continued, tasting his cookery; "wants adash more pepper and a twist of salt, and then that stuff's strongenough to do the skipper and Mr Denning more good than all the doctor'sstuff. Young Walters, too; he's very bad, isn't he?"

"Terribly. "

"Sarve him right. Wonderful island indeed! This galley's good enoughisland for me. You didn't mean that, Mr Dale, sir. I got out of thescrape as soon as I could, and so did those other three lads as comeaboard with me; and we'll all fight jolly hard to keep from getting intoit again. I believe that some of the others would drop the game, and beglad to get back on board, if they weren't afraid of Frenchy, as we callhim. That man's mad as a hatter, sir. "

"That's a true word, cookie, " growled Bob Hampton. "You smell good, mate, but I wish you'd keep your door shut. It makes me feel mut'nous, and as if I wanted to turn pirate and 'tack the galley. "

"Wind going to hold good, Bob?" I said, moving off. 

"Arn't seen the clerk o' the weather this mornin', sir, so can't say. "

"Jarette's mad--Jarette's mad, " I repeated to myself as I left thegalley, and found Mr Preddle, with his head very much swollen and tiedup in a handkerchief, blowing away into the water where his fish stillsurvived. 

"I shall get some of them across after all, " he said, with a nod. 

"I hope so, " I replied; and after a look at the far-distant boats--merespecks now--I went on aft to have a chat with Mr Denning, who lay on amattress in the shade, with his sister reading to him; but there was hisloaded gun lying beside him, to prove that it was not yet all peace. Istopped to sit down tailor-fashion on the deck and have a chat with themboth, feeling pleased to see how their eyes lit-up, and what smilesgreeted me; and somehow it seemed to me then that they felt toward me asif I were their younger brother, and they called me by my Christian namequite as a matter of course. 

"If the wind would only keep on!" Miss Denning said. 

"Or if Mr Preddle would only use those bellows of his on the sails, "said her brother, smiling. 

"Why, you're ever so much better, " I said quickly, "or you wouldn't jokelike that. "

"Yes, " he said with a sigh, "I feel better. Mr Frewen's doing me good, or else it's this lovely soft, warm air. "

"Oh, we shall have him running ashore in New Zealand like a stag, MissDenning, " I cried, getting up. 

"Don't go yet, " she said. 

"I must, " I cried. "I want to stop, but Mr Brymer uses me now as histongue and fists. I have to give all his orders to the men. "

I went to where the mate was seated, received his orders, had themexecuted, and then met Mr Frewen coming out of Walters' cabin. 

"Oh, there you are, Dale, " he cried. "Go in and talk to that poorwretch for a few minutes. You must try and cheer him up, or he'll die, as sure as I'm here. "

"Oh, I say, don't tell me that, " I cried. "I don't like him, and Ithink he behaved horridly, but I don't want him to die. "

I hurried into my messmate's cabin, and found him lying there so ghastlyand strange-looking that I shivered, and began to move on tip-toe. 

"Come and sit down a minute, Dale, " he said in a weak voice; and I atonce seated myself close to his bunk. 

"Want some water?"

"No, " he said sadly; "I want nothing now, only for you to promise mesomething. "

"What is it?"

"I can't write, but I want you to promise me when you get home to go tomy father and mother, and of course they'll know everything from thepapers; but I want you, my messmate, to tell them I was not quite such awretch as I seem to have been. "

"Oh, never mind about that now, " I said. "Get well, and go and tellthem yourself. "

"No, " he said calmly; "I shall not get well. I could see it in MrFrewen's eyes. I'm very glad now. If I got well, of course I shouldhave to be tried and punished, and be a convict. I should deserve it, but the judge and lawyers would be very hard, and I don't want them totry me. "

"Oh, come, Walters, old chap, " I cried in a choking voice, "don't takeit like that. " And I caught his hand in mine, and felt him press itfeebly, as his face lit-up with a pleasant smile, which made him lookquite changed. 

"Yes, " he said, quite cheerfully, but almost in a whisper, "I must takeit like that now. Old Jarette aimed too well. "

He lay looking straight out of the bright cabin-window; while I tried tospeak, but found no words would come. I knew that the wind had droppedagain, for the ship had grown steady once more; but I forgot all aboutthe approaching boats, and could only sit holding Walters' hand, andwatching his altered face. 

"Yes, " he said at last, "Jarette aimed too straight, Dale, old fellow, it has all been a mistake. I was a weak, conceited fool, and thoughtevery one was against me, when it was all my fault. I know it now. Anyfellow can make himself liked if he only tries--no, without trying, ifhe'll only go straight and act like a man. But somehow I couldn't. Igot jealous of you, and wild because people made so much of you. And Isaid you hated me, and did all you could to make things worse, but itwasn't true, Dale, old fellow. It was all my fault. "

"Yes, yes; but that's all over, old chap, " I said huskily. "You'll getwell, and do your bit of punishment, and make a fresh start. "

He looked at me with a smile on his poor wan face, and I never realisedbefore how good-looking he was. And then I shuddered, for he saidquietly--

"Yes, I shall make a fresh start--somewhere else. "

"Walters!" I whispered. 

"Yes, somewhere else, " he repeated. "It was all wrong; and just when Iwas at my worst, that wretch, who had been watching me and reading itall, came to me, and, as if he were some evil spirit, kept on day afterday, laughing and jeering at me, till he regularly worked round me likethe snake he is, and flattered, and planned, and talked of the future, till in my weak, vain folly I drank it all in. For I was weak, and hewas strong; and at last, though I didn't know it then, I was his slave, Dale, and ready to do every bit of villainy he wished. But there, Ineed not tell you any more. I only want you, knowing all you do, to goto my poor old father and mother and tell them everything--how it allhappened. It will be better than for them only to know it from thepapers. They will understand then how it was I went wrong so quickly, right to the bitter end. "

"No, " I cried; "you shall go and confess it all yourself. "

He laughed gently. 

"Oh no. I'm glad Jarette aimed so straight, Dale. It was the kindestthing he could do. It's all over now. Can't you see it's best?"

"No, " I said more firmly. "It would be best for you to get well, andprove in the future as a man, that you have repented your weakness as aboy. "

"Yes, perhaps, " he said, after a long pause; "but it is not to be so. I'm not going to be tried here, Dale, where no one can tell everything, and understand how weak I was, and how, from the first day, I bitterlyrepented giving that man such power over me. I'm going to be judgedthere, Dale, where everything is known. "

He closed his eyes as he spoke, and I was going to steal away, but hisgrasp tightened on my hand. 

"Don't leave me, Dale, " he whispered. "You'll promise all this, won'tyou?"

"If it is necessary, " I said; "but you--"

He opened his eyes, and looked at me, smiling gently, and I ceasedspeaking, for I knew that my words were not true as I sat beside him allthrough that hot day waiting. 

Mr Frewen came in from time to time, but he said little, and Waltersappeared to be dozing for the most part. 

"Better stay, " Mr Frewen whispered; and then in answer to myquestioning look, he shook his head, and I knew that it was all over. 

It was close upon sundown, and the interior of the cabin was filled withan orange glow when Mr Frewen came in again. 

Walters seemed to be fast asleep, quite free from pain, and breathingeasily. 

"You must be terribly faint, my lad. You have had nothing, " the doctorwhispered. 

"Yes, I have, " I replied. "Bob Hampton brought me a biscuit and somesoup, and Miss Denning brought me some tea just now. "

"Heaven bless her!" he muttered. Then in a quick whisper--"We shallhave to call you up presently, my lad. "

"Why?"

"The enemy are closing in. They'll make a desperate fight of it thistime, and every help we can muster is necessary. Eh! Want me?" hesaid, as there was a tap on the door. 

He went out, and I was thinking whether I could withdraw my hand withoutwaking Walters, so as to get out on deck and help, when he opened hiseyes and looked round quickly as if he wondered where he was. 

Then he saw me and smiled. 

"Don't forget, Dale, " he whispered. "Now I want Miss Denning. "

He loosened my hand, and I went out to find her waiting close by thedoor. 

"Walters wants to see you, Miss Denning, " I said, and she bowed her headand crept silently into the ruddily-lit cabin, and knelt down by whereWalters lay. 

"Yes, " he said, holding out his hands. "Thank you. But you tell them--how sorry--they will listen--to you. --Now--`Our Father'--"

Helena Denning's voice took up the words and went on in a low appealingmurmur, and as I looked wildly in Walters' face, I saw his lips movingtill she uttered the words--"and forgive us our trespasses--"

Then his lips became motionless, his gaze fixed on the golden glory inthe heavens, and I started wildly to my feet, for at that moment therewas a tremendous roar. The heavily-charged cannon had been fired, and Iknew that the enemy were close at hand. 

I gave one glance at Miss Denning, who knelt there now, crouching low, with her face buried in her hands, and then ran on deck ready to helprepel the attack. 

For there were the two boats close into the port-gangway, and the men inthem frantically gesticulating and waving their hands. 

"Don't--don't fire, " one of the men yelled. "We give in. "

"Yes, yes; give in, " came in a wild chorus. 

"The beggars surrender, sir, " cried Bob Hampton, who was on his kneesre-charging the cannon. "But get that there poker ready again, Neb. We'll hit 'em next time if they don't. "

"Ahoy!" cried Mr Brymer, through a speaking-trumpet. "One boat comeforward; but if there is any treachery, we'll show no mercy to any onethere. "

"Treachery?" shouted a man pitifully, as the first boat was slowly rowedin. "We're all spent, sir. There arn't a drop o' water. Give us all adrink first, and then shoot us if you like. "

"Where's Jarette?"

"Here, in the bottom, sir, tied neck and heels. He went stark mad lastnight, and bit and fought till we had to tie him down under thethwarts. "

"Water--water!--for heaven's sake, water!" came in a piteous chorus, asthe second boat rowed slowly in. 

"Is it real or a trick?" said Mr Brymer, in a whisper. 

"Real enough, " said Mr Frewen. "The men are suffering horribly, and--oh! look! There's no subterfuge there, --that man--Jarette. He isdead!"

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT. 

It was plain enough: the man had died there where his companions hadtied him fast, and that night the two boats lay astern carefully watchedafter all the arms had been handed on board. 

Not that there was anything to fear. For at daybreak, after two bodieshad been committed to the deep, the spokesman of the mutinous crew tolda pitiful tale, of how they would gladly have given up but for theirleader, who by force and violence kept them to their task till, in utterdespair, they had turned upon him and bound him, as they would somedangerous wild beast that they dared not kill. 

That day, half the poor worn-out wretches were again confined in theforecastle, while the others were, under careful surveillance, allowedto return to their work. 

For the calms were over, and a hard fight began with the weather, whichgrew so bad at last that Mr Brymer, who, as the days passed on, seemedto recover the more rapidly for having plenty to do, was glad to haveall the men back to their duty. 

This, in the hope of some mitigation of their punishment, they did well, working away, so that long before we reached Auckland we seemed to havea model crew. 

That latter part of our voyage had its good effect on every one. Captain Berriman recovered sufficiently to have re-taken the command, but he left it in Mr Brymer's hands till the day we sailed intoharbour, when he once more took his place, and laughingly complimentedMr Denning upon the change which had taken place in him as well, though, poor fellow, he was so weak that he was glad to lean upon hissister's arm. 

There was nothing to show how adventurous our voyage had been, but theroughly boarded-over deck, beneath which lay the sadly damaged cargo. 

But, as Bob Hampton said, --"It were an accident, and of course it waswell insured. But I want to know, my lad, what they're a-goin' to dowith our crew. My word, they are a-shivering in their shirts, eh, Barney?"

"They just are. It'd be a charity to wring 'em out to dry. "

"Arter taking on 'em off, and givin' on 'em four dozen a-piece on thebare back, and say no more about it, " growled Neb Dumlow, "for Iforgive--far as I'm consarned. "

But there could be no "say no more about it" in such a case as this. The men were tried and punished, but got off very easily inconsideration of their sufferings and subsequent good behaviour. Hampton, Barney, and Neb Dumlow were the only men who sailed with usagain. 

I kept my word to Walters, and a painful task it was. I have oftenthought of his conduct since, and talked with Mr and Mrs Frewen when Ihave been to see them at their residence in Auckland, where I have beenfour times since. But, as Mrs Frewen always says. "He was sorelytempted, and he fell. "

"And, --_De mortuis_--you know the rest of the quotation, Dale, " said MrFrewen, "and if you cannot say nothing but good of the dead, my lad, don't say anything at all. "

Those were delightful visits, when I was on shore in New Zealand, divided between Mr Denning's up-country farm, where he has grown strongas one of his own horses, and the Frewens' charming house just outsideAuckland, where he is the most famous doctor for miles. Mr Frewen andMr Denning are like brothers, of course, and they are always temptingme to leave the sea and settle in that grand new England; but no--Iresist, and keep to my profession, and I suppose I always shall, for, asBob Hampton says, "a man might do worse than go to sea. "

"Not as I hold much with having ladies on board, my lad, " the old fellowonce said. "They're okkard an' in the way, unless they're the same kindas Miss Denning--I mean Mrs Frewen, bless her heart!--for it was likehavin' of a hangel with us. But I say, Mr Dale, sir, " he added with achuckle; "her brother didn't like the doctor, bein' a bit jealous like;but I says to Neb Dumlow and Barney when they first come aboard, --`Yousee if them two don't make up a match. '"

"You did, lad, " said Barney. 

"That's so, " said Neb. 

For they did; but all through that voyage such an idea never entered mymind. I was a boy then, on my first long voyage. A perilous one too. And would I go through it again? No, not for untold gold. I don't knowthough. Yes! I would--if once more I were a boy. 

THE END.