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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Sail Ho!, by George Manville Fenn
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Sail Ho!
+       A Boy at Sea
+
+Author: George Manville Fenn
+
+Release Date: May 8, 2007 [EBook #21366]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SAIL HO! ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+Sail Ho! or, A Boy at Sea, by George Manville Fenn.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+This appears to be one of Fenn's later novels, and is just as exciting
+and full of tension as are his earlier ones.  The hero is a
+seventeen-year-old boy called Alison Dale.  We have never heard of a boy
+called Alison before, but this one is pretty tough, and already knew a
+lot about seamanship even before he went to sea, on account of having
+often sailed in his father's large yachts.
+
+Hopefully most boys on their first cruise to sea won't have anything
+like the adventures that befell Master Alison.  The skipper was not a
+pleasant man, and there was a mutiny, led by a nasty piece of work
+called Jarette, who was half-French.
+
+The story progresses through various degrees of terror, beginning when
+the ship is taken over by the mutineers, leaving the passengers and
+officers isolated.  Finally most of the latter are cast adrift to die,
+but leaving two of their number on board.  Attempts are made to rescue
+these.
+
+Eventually the drunken mutineers manage accidentally to set fire to the
+vessel, and flee it.  But the heroic party of officers and passengers
+come back to recover the missing two, get on board, and manage to put
+the fire out.  This is noticed by the mutineers, who are just over the
+horizon, and who row back.  There is then a good old battle in which
+eventually Jarette is killed, and life begins to be restored to normal.
+
+The edition used was very difficult to work with. It is a longish book
+which was squished into less than 160 pages.  The pages were large, the
+typeface was very small, and there were two columns of text per page.
+There were actually 130 lines of text per page, with the lines being
+about two-thirds the normal length.  However, the Athelstane system of
+e-book editing was not fazed, and we hope there won't be too many errors
+found in what we present.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+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 be
+the same.  For, just to be serious for a moment, what is the full
+stretch of the oldest man's life to time?  Just one star-wink, if the
+astronomers are right about the passage of light, and that the glitter
+of stars that we see now are only the rays which started from them away
+there in space long before we were born.
+
+Don't be frightened, I'm not going to talk astronomy, but about my old
+ship, the first I ever sailed in, after having a kind of training in my
+father's little yachts, beginning with the shoulder-of-mutton sail; and
+next with the Cornish lugger, which he bought at Newlyn, on beyond
+Penzance, when Penwalloc went wrong, and his two boats with all their
+gear, and about two miles of drift mackerel and pilchard nets, were sold
+by auction.
+
+Father bought the _Brine_, and had her decked and newly rigged, and
+many's the cruise I had with him and old Tom Sanders, we three managing
+the two big sails well enough.  After that came the cutter, when we had
+to 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 to
+tackle in one of the squalls that come rushing out of the gullies and
+combes down along our Cornish coast, where the great peninsula or
+promontory, or whatever you call it, is scored across and across almost
+from sea to sea with deep valleys; just as you see a loin of pork cut
+with a sharp knife before it is put down to roast.
+
+There, I'm not going to talk about Cornwall this time, but my adventures
+on 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 the
+main-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 the
+deck wich one end, and then fall flat within a foot of where two lads
+dressed as midshipmen in the merchant service had been standing, but who
+at the first shout had rushed in different directions, one to stumble
+over a coil of rope, perform an evolution like the leap of a frog, and
+come down flat on his front; the other to butt his head right into the
+chest of a big, burly, sunburnt man, who gave vent to a sound between a
+bellow 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 startling
+volley of words--expletives and sea terms, in which he denounced the
+gang of men aloft as sea-cooks and lubbers, and threatened divers
+punishments and penalties for their carelessness.
+
+Then he turned to another man who was bigger, burlier, redder, and
+browner, especially about the nose, and made certain exceedingly
+impolite inquiries as to what he was about, to allow the owner's tackle
+to be smashed about in that fashion.  To which the bigger and browner
+man growled out a retort that he'd nothing to do with the gang, as
+things hadn't been handed over to him yet.  And then he grew frantic
+too, and kicked the fallen yard, and yelled up to the riggers that the
+said piece of wood was sprung, that they'd have to get another yard, for
+he 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 cooling
+down, 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 I
+should 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--I
+the boy who write this--and the other boy who would have been broken in
+half, was one whom I had encountered at the dock-gates, where we had
+both arrived together, that miserable, mizzly morning, in four-wheeled
+cabs with our sea-chests on the top, and both in mortal dread--and yet
+somehow hopeful--that we should be too late, and that the good ship
+Burgh Castle had sailed.
+
+I had been very anxious to go to sea.  I loved it, and all through the
+preparations I was eagerness itself; but somehow, when it came to the
+morning that I started from the hotel where I had slept for the one
+night in London, a curious feeling of despondency came over me, a
+feeling which grew worse as I passed through the city, and then along
+the water-side streets, where there were shops displaying tarpaulins,
+canvas, and ropes; others dealing in ships' stores; and again others
+whose windows glittered with compass, sextant, and patent logs, not
+wooden, 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, I
+became aware of a dirty, ragged-looking fellow of eighteen or nineteen
+trotting along beside the cab, and directly after of one on the other
+side, who kept up persistently till at last we reached the docks and the
+cabman drew up.
+
+"Drive on," I shouted.
+
+"Don't go no further," was the reply, and I stepped out into the drizzle
+to see about my chest and pay the man, just as a sharp quarrel was going
+on close by, and I saw a lad a little bigger than myself scuffling with
+two more rough-looking fellows who had seized upon his chest, and
+insisted 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 the
+first pair, and I was just beginning to think that I should have to
+fight for my belongings, when a dock policeman came to our help, the
+cabmen were paid, and our chests were placed upon a truck, while the cab
+touts 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 a
+shilling; "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 speaker
+with 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 was
+beginning to be soaked by the rain.
+
+"By that," he said, nodding at the embroidered flag and star upon the
+front.  "We're going to be shipmates, then."
+
+"I am glad," I said; but as I uttered the words it did not seem as if I
+were uttering the truth, for I felt anything but joyful, and my
+companion did not impress me favourably.  For he looked sour, yellow,
+and discontented as we tramped over the wet stones along by towering
+warehouses, stacks of chests, and huge buttresses of barrels on one
+side, and with the great basins of water choked with shipping, all
+apparently in the most inextricable confusion, till we reached a great
+loftily masted ship and passed up the sloping gangway on to her deck.
+
+Here every one was busy--officers, sailors, dockmen; hatches were off
+and bales of lading and stores were being lowered down, and we were just
+standing together looking out for some one to show us our quarters and
+to carry down our chests, when the warning shouts came from aloft, and
+we 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 been
+to sea before, still wanting to get out of the rain and save my new
+clothes, I began to exert myself, with the result that at last I found a
+sailor who told me where I could find the steward.
+
+That functionary was too busy, he said, but at the sight of a shilling
+he 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 little
+dark cabin, after doubling up our mackintoshes to make dry cushions for
+the wet seats.
+
+There was not much room, our chests doing a good deal towards filling up
+the narrow space, and hence our knees were pretty close together as we
+sat and tried to look at each other, not at all an easy job, for the
+round window was pretty close to the great stone wall of the basin, and
+a gangway ran across from the wharf up to the deck, shutting out the
+little 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 how
+a 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.  My
+last voyage was in the Hull."
+
+"Oh!"  I said, looking at him as one of great experience; "and did you
+go 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 that
+once, 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 the
+sides 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 the
+deference due to so much experience.
+
+"No.  See how that rotten old yard came down.  She looks to me like a
+regular tub.  Sort of old craft as would melt away like butter if she
+touched 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.  Sure
+to be pretty rough going down Channel.  You'll have the mully-grubs
+pretty stiff."
+
+"Oh!  I don't know," I said quietly.
+
+"Don't you?  Then I do.  Oh, Stooard! won't you be bad!  Ever seen the
+sea?"
+
+"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 my
+father had the Swallow."
+
+"Had the what?"
+
+"His first little yacht.  The one he has now--the Swift--is four times
+as big."
+
+"Oh, then you have been to sea?" said my companion, in a disappointed
+way.
+
+"Dozens of times," I said; "and all about our coast--it's often rough
+enough 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 up
+things.  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 you
+and I can swing together, and I'll help to make it as easy for you as I
+can.  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 retire
+from the service."
+
+"Then why didn't you go in the army?  'Fraid of getting wounded in the
+Crimea?"
+
+"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 the
+merchant service."
+
+"Oh!"
+
+I felt as if I should never like Mr Nicholas Walters, for he was rather
+consequential in his way, and seemed disposed to lord it over me on the
+strength of having made one voyage.  But I consoled myself with the
+thought that it was hard for any one to make himself agreeable on a day
+like that; and then as we sat listening to the banging and thumping
+about overhead, I began to think of my promise to my father, for I had
+promised to make the best of things all through the voyage, and not be
+easily 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 amongst
+strangers," I replied.
+
+"Bosh!  You're talking like a boarding-school girl.  What do you think
+of 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 a
+rough 'un, and no mistake.  Berriman--I don't think much of him nor of
+the ship; I shall shift into another line after this trip.  It isn't
+good enough for me."
+
+"I wonder whether I shall talk like that," I thought to myself, "when
+I've been on a voyage."  Then aloud: "Shall we go on deck for a bit, and
+see if we can do anything?"
+
+"Not likely," was the shortly uttered reply.  "What's the good?  Get wet
+through in this mizzling rain.  Let's wait for lunch.  There'll be a
+good one, because of the passengers' friends being on board.  Some say
+they'll go down to Gravesend with us.  Here, you're all green yet; you
+leave 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 this
+afternoon, I'll take you round and introduce you to all the officers and
+people."
+
+"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 the
+mates 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 can
+take 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 of
+apprentices, 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--just
+as I was growing terribly sick of my companion's patronising ways--to
+get in at the little cabin-window, and failed; but it gave notice that
+the weather was lifting, and I was glad to go on deck, where the planks
+soon began to show white patches as the sailors began to use their
+swabs; but the bustle and confusion was worse than ever.  For the deck
+was littered with packages of cargo, which had arrived late, with
+Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand, painted upon them in black
+letters, and some of these appeared to be boxes of seeds, and others
+crates of agricultural implements.
+
+Then we were warped out of the dock into the river, a steam-tug made
+fast to the tow-rope ahead, and another hooked herself on to the port
+side of the great ship to steady her, as she began to glide slowly with
+the tide, now just beginning to ebb, along through the hundreds of craft
+on 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 new
+friend told me, and would come aboard again at Gravesend.  But I had a
+good view of the crew, and was not favourably impressed, for they
+appeared to be a very rough lot.  A great many of them had been
+drinking, and showed it; others looked sour and low-spirited; and there
+was a shabby, untidy aspect about them, which was not at all what I had
+expected to see in the smart crew of a clipper ship, while my surprise
+was greater still when I saw that four of the men evidently hailed from
+China, and as many more were the yellow, duck-eyed, peculiar-looking
+people commonly spoken of on board ship as Lascars.
+
+The mates were so busy and hot, trying to get the decks cleared, and
+succeeding very slowly with the unpromising material at their command,
+that we saw very little of them, and I looked eagerly round to see what
+our passengers were like; but there were so many people on board that it
+was hard to pick out who was for the other side of the world and who was
+to stay on this.
+
+The time passed, and I ate as good a dinner as my companion that
+evening, 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 had
+retired to my bunk, it seemed as if I had been on board for days.  I lay
+there longing to throw shoes or brushes at Walters, who was lying on his
+back just under me, and breathing so exceedingly hard, that it was as if
+he kept on saying _Snork_ in a nasty spiteful manner on purpose to keep
+me awake.  And it did keep me awake for some time.  At last I dropped
+asleep for about a minute, as it seemed to me, and then started up and
+knocked my head against the woodwork.
+
+"Only cold water, lad," said a voice.  "I say, you, been to sea, and not
+know how to tumble out of your berth without knocking your pumpkin."
+
+I was confused for the moment by my intense sleepiness, and the blow I
+had given my head, so that I could hardly make out where I was.  Then as
+I awoke to the fact that my brother middy was half-dressed, and that he
+had been holding his dripping sponge to my face, I crawled out, or
+rather 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 the
+bluff, 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, and
+keep 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 felt
+as if I should like the captain in spite of a whisper from Walters which
+sounded like "boor."
+
+Then feeling free for the day, I upset my new friend and patron by going
+amongst the men and passengers as they came on deck.
+
+"Here, don't you be so fast," said Walters, as I was hurrying from place
+to place asking questions of the sailors, and finding interest in
+everything on board, where, though bearing a certain similarity, all was
+so different to the arrangements upon a yacht.
+
+"Fast!"  I said, wonderingly.
+
+"Yes," said Walters, shortly.  "You'll be getting into trouble.  You'd
+better, now you're so new, let me lead, and I'll tell you all that you
+want 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 a
+great spar, evidently an extra top-mast, close under the bulwarks, to
+secure it tight out of the way.
+
+"Quite right, youngster," said the officer, who seemed to have
+exceedingly sharp ears, and then he gave me a nod.
+
+"Hang him and his youngsters," grumbled Walters as we went forward.  "He
+has no business to speak like that before the men."
+
+"Oh, what does it matter?"  I said.  "Look there, at that thin gentleman
+and 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 the
+gentleman's arm, for as he came out of the cabin entrance, looking very
+pale, and leaning upon the arm of the lady, he caught his foot in a rope
+being drawn along the deck, and in spite of the lady clinging to him he
+would have fallen if I had not run up.
+
+"Don't!" he cried angrily, turning upon me.  "Why do you leave your
+ropes about like that?"
+
+"John, dear!"
+
+Only those two words, spoken in a gentle reproachful tone, and the young
+lady 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 turned
+his eyes with an irritable look to the lady and encountered hers, a
+change 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 are
+shaky 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 my
+uniform--"You're not the captain, are you?  Ah, that's better," he
+sighed, 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 you
+all through the rigging."
+
+"All right," I said, "you shall.  My father says there's nothing like a
+sea trip when you've been ill.  He took me in his yacht after I had had
+fever."
+
+"And you got well in no time, didn't you?"
+
+I nodded, as I looked at his wasted figure, and noted his eager, anxious
+way.
+
+"There, Lena, hear that," he said quickly.  "I told you so."  Then
+turning to me again--"Come and sit near us in the cabin; I shan't be so
+nasty and snappish when I've had my breakfast."
+
+He laughed in a forced way, and promising that I would if I could, I
+drew back to leave the brother and sister together, for Walters gave my
+jacket a twitch.
+
+"I say, I shall never get you round the ship," he said, in an ill-used
+tone.  "Now look here," he began, "this is the saloon-deck, that's the
+mizzen-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 the
+compass with you."
+
+"Tuppens as you can't do it right, young gent," said a rough-looking
+elderly sailor, who was coiling down the rope which had nearly overset
+the sick passenger.
+
+"You keep your place, sir, and speak when you're spoken to," said
+Walters, sharply.
+
+"Certeny, sir.  Beg pardon, sir, of course.  Here, you Neb Dumlow, and
+you Barney Blane," cried the man to a couple of his fellows, who were
+busy tightening the tarpaulin over a boat which swung from the davits.
+
+The two men, whose lower jaws were working ox-fashion as they ruminated
+over their tobacco, left off and faced round; the first addressed, a
+big, ugly fellow, with a terrific squint which made his eyes look as if
+they were trying to join each other under the Roman nose, held a tarry
+hand up to his ear and growled--
+
+"What say, mate?"
+
+"These here's our two noo orficers, and you've got to be wery 'spectful
+when you speaks."
+
+"Look here, young man," said Walters, haughtily, "I've been to sea
+before, and know a thing or two.  If you give me any of your cheek I'll
+report you to the first mate.  Come on, Dale."
+
+He turned away, and the bluff-looking sailor winked at me solemnly as I
+followed, 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'm
+the doctor."
+
+"Oh!"  I cried, catching his meaning, "I hope not, sir, unless it's very
+rough, 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 him
+it seemed to me in a weak, helpless, amiable fashion, as if he was so
+glad 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 I
+must laugh, for his voice was a regular high-pitched squeak, and it
+sounded so queer coming from a big, stoutish, smooth-faced man of six
+feet 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 to
+question the servants--I mean the stewards--because they are all so
+busy.  How long will it be to breakfast?"
+
+"Quite half-an-hour," said the doctor, smiling, as he looked at his
+watch.  "Hungry?"
+
+"Oh no; I wanted to know if there would be time to see to my little
+charges first."
+
+"Your little--Oh yes, I remember the captain told me.  You have quite a
+collection."
+
+"Yes, very large, and I am anxious to get them all across safely."
+
+"I wish you success, I'm sure," said the doctor quietly.  "You
+naturalists 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 a
+girl was speaking.  "Perhaps your two young gentlemen would like to see
+them."
+
+"To be sure they would," said the doctor.  "Let me introduce them.  Let
+me see, your name is--"
+
+"Preddle--Arthur Preddle."
+
+"To be sure, you told me last night in the cabin.  Then here are two of
+our 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 and
+see the fish."
+
+Mr Preddle led the way--that is, his words and looks were eager, but
+his 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 he
+moved his feet, I could not for the life of me help thinking about the
+way in which an elephant walked onward in his slow, soft way.  It put
+one in mind of india-rubber, and all the time our new acquaintance gave
+a peculiar roll from side to side.
+
+There was still a great deal of lumber about the deck, but the officers
+were rapidly getting everything cleared, and we soon reached a
+well-protected and sheltered spot forwards, where several large frames
+had been fitted up on purpose, and the boards which had been screwed on
+when they were brought on board having been removed, there they were,
+several shallow trays of little fish swimming hurriedly about in shoals
+in the clear water, but ready enough to dash at the tiny scraps of food
+Mr 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 and
+round, so did his mouth.
+
+"For food, my dear young friend?" he said in his quiet way.  "They are
+being sent out by an acclimatisation society, in the hope that they will
+assist to furnish Australia and New Zealand with a good supply of salmon
+and trout.  Look at the little beauties, how strong and healthy, and
+bright and well they seem!"
+
+I was afraid to look at Walters for fear he should make me laugh, so I
+stood staring first in one tray then in the other, till it was time for
+breakfast, 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 rather
+awkwardly, the captain shouted to us from the other end--
+
+"Here, youngsters, you can find a seat at this table," and just then I
+saw 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 where
+my new friend was seated, Walters said sharply in my ear, "Oh, that's
+it, is it?  Well, you are a sneak!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+These were the people I saw most of, on that first day.  The next I did
+not see any of them, for when I awoke next morning, it was to feel that
+there was a heavy sea on, which somehow, from experience, I took quite
+as a matter of course; but a deep groan below me, and sounding very
+startling, taught me that some one else was not taking it in the same
+fashion.
+
+"That you, Dale?" came piteously.
+
+"Yes; what's the matter?"
+
+"Oh, pray go and fetch the doctor.  Some of that meat we had has upset
+me."
+
+I looked at him, and certainly he seemed very ill, as I hurriedly began
+to 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 want
+to see me die?"
+
+"Poor fellow!"  I muttered, as I fought hard to get buttons through
+their proper holes, after a desperate struggle with my trousers, into
+which I got one leg, and had to try again and again to get in the other
+as I stood; but so sure as I raised the second limb the ship gave a
+lurch, and I either went against the bulk-head or banged up against our
+bunks.
+
+"You're doing that on purpose," groaned Walters.  "Oh, do, do call for
+help."
+
+"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 how
+it 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 my
+second brace.
+
+"Ah, you'll have it directly.  Oh dear, oh dear!  I am so bad--why did I
+ever 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, sitting
+on my sea-chest; and then, instead of springing up again, I sat rolling
+from side to side, laughing silently and trying hard to master the
+intense desire to break forth into a tremendous roar.
+
+Walters did not see it for a few moments, but kept on bemoaning his
+condition.
+
+"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 only
+a 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 have
+thought 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 I
+encountered on deck was the bluff-looking sailor, whom my companion had
+snubbed.
+
+"Look here," I cried quickly, "Mr Walters is very ill.  Where's the
+doctor's cabin?"
+
+Just then the ship made a lurch, and so did I, but by giving a kind of
+hop 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 the
+skipper'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 my
+name's Bob Hampton."  As he spoke he had descended with me, and ended by
+pointing out number three.
+
+"There you are, sir; two rollers at night, and a shake the bottle in the
+morning.  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 him
+directly."
+
+I ran back to our cabin, which I reached this time without going first
+on deck.
+
+"How are you now?"  I said.
+
+"Is he coming soon?" moaned Walters.  "Oh dear!  He'll be too late.  I
+know 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 too
+late."
+
+To my surprise and delight the door was opened, and the doctor with a
+very 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 matter
+with you but the sea tossing you up and down.  Lie still, you'll soon
+come 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 about
+him, 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 rough
+weather 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 the
+cabin, while a good deal of my first work at sea was attending on poor
+Walters, 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 of
+his cabin twice a day, looking miserably ill, and having hard work to
+stand; but Hampton the sailor and I used to help him go right forward to
+attend 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 if
+I 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 going
+down, 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 is
+our 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 the
+lady?"
+
+"No, she has not been on deck."
+
+"No.  It would be too rough," sighed the poor fellow.  "What's that?" he
+cried, excitedly, "something wrong?"
+
+"I'll go and see," I said; for there had reached us the sound of an
+angry voice, and then a noise as of something falling overhead, and as I
+hurried 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 I
+hurried forward to where Captain Berriman was following up one of the
+sailors, who, with his hand to his bleeding cheek, was gazing fiercely
+at his officer and backing away toward the forecastle.
+
+"Yes," shouted the captain, "get down below and don't show yourself to
+me again to-day, you scoundrel.  Call yourself a sailor, and haven't
+learned the first line of a sailor's catechism--obedience to his
+officer."
+
+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 away
+from him the man did not allow for the heaving of the ship, and the
+consequence was that he stumbled, tried to save himself, and then fell
+heavily and rolled over into the lee-scuppers, but picked himself up and
+then hurried forward and out of sight.
+
+As I looked back at the captain, it was to see his rugged face twinkling
+now with mirth, and he turned to Mr Frewen the doctor, who had hurried
+on deck at the noise.
+
+"There, doctor," he said, "you see the old Burgh Castle wouldn't rest
+easy, and see her skipper insulted.  Pitched the scoundrel off his legs.
+That comes of having these mongrel sort of fellows aboard.  He's half a
+Frenchman.  Shipped in a hurry.  An insolent dog.  Got my blood up; for
+as long as I walk this deck, right or wrong, I'll be obeyed.  Perhaps I
+ought to have put him in irons though, instead of being so handy with my
+fists.  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 him
+an 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 for
+Miss Denning to hear--never mind what.  Here she comes;--and I knocked
+him down."
+
+"Ah, my dear young lady," he continued, taking off his cap, "I apologise
+to 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 for
+you to strike the man."
+
+"Now, now, now, my dear, don't you scold me, an old fellow who has to
+play the part of father to you and your brother on this voyage.  It was
+a pity perhaps, but I was obliged.  But there, there, it's all over
+now."
+
+"Hope it be," grumbled a voice behind me, and I turned sharply to see
+that Hampton was close alongside.  "Yes, sir," he said again, "I hope it
+be, 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 my
+shoulder, to see that the officers were walking aft talking to Miss
+Denning.
+
+"Hard?  Did the skipper hit him hard, sir?  What says you, Barney, and
+you, Neb Dumlow?"
+
+This was to the two sailors who were generally pretty close to his
+heels, all three men being thorough messmates, and having, as I
+afterwards learned, sailed together for years.
+
+"Did he hit him hard?" said Barney, slowly, and giving his mouth a rub
+with the back of his hand.
+
+"That's what I said, messmate; don't get chewin' o' my words over five
+hundred times to show off afore our young orficer.  Did he hit him
+hard?"
+
+"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 the
+young gent straight in the face and say what you thinks."
+
+"Couldn't ha' hit him no harder," growled the great fellow in his deep
+bass voice.
+
+"Not with one hand," acquiesced Hampton; "but you needn't ha' screwed
+both 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 you
+Neb?"
+
+"Dunno," growled the man.
+
+"Then it's a good job for you as I do, mate.  Ay, the skipper did give
+Master 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 had
+scared one of the officers, and the skipper had knocked us down, why, we
+shouldn't ha' liked it--eh, mates?"
+
+"No," came in a growl.
+
+"Course not; but then we're Englishmen, and knowing as we was in the
+wrong, 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, because
+p'r'aps I'm wrong--strikes me as that chap won't forget it, and I should
+be sorry for there to be any more rows with ladies on board, 'cause they
+don'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 you
+through 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 as
+it's nice, far from it; but if a man shows fight, he soon gets too many
+for 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 Scotch
+chaps 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, `Outward
+application only,' as Mr Frewen puts on his bottles o' stuff
+sometimes."
+
+"What! bathe him with salt water?"
+
+"Yes, sir, on'y we calls it dowsin'.  Sharp and sudden like.  Furst
+dollop fails, give him another, and keep it up till he walks on deck to
+get 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 knife
+into 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, and
+then 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 place
+in the first boat."
+
+"You're too hard upon him," I said, and not liking to hear the man talk
+in this way, which sounded like an attempt to, what my father used to
+call, curry favour, I went aft to find that the invalid passenger, Mr
+John Denning, had been helped out on to the poop-deck by his sister and
+the steward, and was now having a cane-chair lashed for him close up by
+the mizzen-mast.
+
+He beckoned as he caught sight of me, just as he was being lowered into
+his place, and I went up slowly, for the captain and Mr Frewen were by
+his 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'm
+quite right, only half-suffocated by being down so long."
+
+"Very good, Mr Denning.  I only thought you might wish to avail
+yourself 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 for
+his attention.  Now I want to be alone."
+
+Mr Frewen raised his cap, and walked forward, descending to the
+main-deck, and the invalid said something angrily to his sister which
+made 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 as
+soon as I get on deck, captain, down swoops the doctor as if he were a
+vulture and I was so much carrion."
+
+"Oh, come, come, my lad, you won't talk like that when you've been on
+deck 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, come
+into my cabin and have a cigar and a chat.  You won't mind a little
+smoke, my dear?"
+
+"Oh no, Captain Berriman; not at all."
+
+"That's right.  You know where my cabin is, and don't you mind me
+calling you my dear.  I've got three girls at home as old or older than
+you, and a son as big as Mr Denning."
+
+Miss Denning smiled in his face, while I felt as if I wished he would be
+as fatherly with me.
+
+"Look here," he continued, with a twinkle of the eye.  "I've just had a
+telegram from old Neptune.  He says the gale's pretty well over, and
+he's going to give us some fine weather now.  He was obliged to blow up
+a bit because the waves were getting sulky and idle, and the winds were
+all gone to sleep."
+
+It did not seem like the same man who was so fierce with the sailor a
+short time before.
+
+"And look here, Mr Denning," he continued, turning back after taking a
+few steps toward the man at the wheel; "you're quite right, sir; pitch
+the doctor overboard, and I'll prescribe for you.  I've got a bottle or
+two of prime port wine and burgundy on board,--you understand?  And as
+soon as the weather mends you must try some fishing; I dare say I can
+fit 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 off
+Falmouth to set small trammels."
+
+"Why, you're quite a sailor, Dale," said the captain.  "All right, my
+lad, you'll do."
+
+"I like Captain Berriman, Lena," said Mr Denning, thoughtfully; "but I
+will not have that doctor always hanging about my chair."
+
+I saw Miss Denning look sadly at me and colour a little as she glanced
+back at her brother, who nodded sharply and turned to me, and changed
+the 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 his
+sallow 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 was
+insolent, wasn't he?"
+
+"Very, I believe; and Captain Berriman said he would have proper
+discipline 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 exciting
+scenes 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 like
+it, and as his sister stood with her hands resting on the back of the
+chair, balancing herself and yielding to the motion of the ship, her
+eyes brightened, and she gazed away over the foaming sea, where the sun
+had come through the clouds, and made the spray sparkle like diamonds as
+the waves curled over and broke.
+
+They neither of them spoke to me, and I walked slowly away to see that
+the captain had raised his hand.
+
+"You can spend a little time with the sick passenger, Dale," he said; "I
+mean 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 as
+we drew near he changed the conversation.
+
+"Look here, Dale," he said; "you'd better go down and pull your messmate
+out of his bunk by the hind leg.  Time he was on deck now.  And look
+here, go and see how that Mr Preddle is.  He's keeping below, too, when
+a touch of this brisk breeze would set him up.  Go down, and tell him
+the 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 sister
+looked troubled.  But it was only a momentary glance, and a minute or
+two 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 help
+smiling, and I knocked again.
+
+"Come in," I heard in quite a squeak; and then as I opened the door--"Is
+that Doctor Frewen?"
+
+"No, sir," I replied.  "I've come to ask you to get up and come on
+deck."
+
+"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 an
+hour or two on deck would do you good."
+
+"Too ill, too much prostrated," sighed the great fellow, who lay, as I
+thought, like a sick elephant, when he had dropped back on to the
+pillow.
+
+"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 Miss
+Denning?"
+
+"Yes," I said, looking at him wonderingly, for he appeared to be so
+excited.  "Oh yes; he's sitting up there, looking at the sea, and his
+sister'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 so
+awkward 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'm
+not doing what I ought about those fish.  I will go and see to them.  So
+much time and expense was devoted to--oh, my gracious!"
+
+I tried to save him, but he was too heavy, and we went down together
+with 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 Burgh
+Castle gave a lurch, and bang he went up against the bulk-head, and then
+on 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't
+quite got my sea-legs yet, as you sailors call it.  That's better.  Now
+if you wouldn't mind, Mr Dale."
+
+I didn't mind, of course, and I helped him all I could, thinking all the
+while he was like a big fat boy we used to have at school, only Mr
+Preddle was nearly three times the size.  And all the time, though he
+must have felt very faint and poorly, he kept a good face upon his
+troubles, 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't
+think about the ship rolling, you will soon be better."
+
+"Yes," he said; "I believe I should if I only could keep from thinking
+about the ship rolling.  But it won't let me."  This was while he was
+rubbing his big, round, smooth face, which looked as good-natured as
+possible, though the smile upon it was only forced.
+
+"Oh, but you'll soon get over it," I cried.  "I'll stop and help you
+up."
+
+"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 the
+bulwarks, 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 get
+splashed a bit; but you'll soon learn not to mind that.  I've often been
+drenched 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 me
+with 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 I
+couldn'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 Preddle
+held 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 you
+hadn'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 his
+smooth cheeks and chin, while he carefully combed and brushed his hair
+as he stood in his trousers and shirt, and then opened a little box and
+took 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, would
+you?"
+
+"Mind what, sir?"
+
+"Showing me how to tie a sailor's knot.  I never could manage it
+properly."
+
+I showed him, and then he put on a white waistcoat and a blue serge
+jacket, like that worn by a yachting-man, buttoned up tightly, and
+looked at me again.
+
+"It's very kind of you to help me," he said; "but do you think it's fine
+enough for a straw hat?"
+
+I shook my head as I pictured his round, plump, white face under the
+straight brim, and thought how comic it would look.
+
+"I should wear that," I said, pointing to a yachtsman's blue woollen
+peaked 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 had
+so much experience of the sea.  But it isn't quite so becoming as the
+straw, is it?"
+
+I stared at him wonderingly as I thought how vain he must be; but I said
+it 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 a
+lot 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 me
+a 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 he
+told me he was ready, and we went out to go on deck: but he declined to
+go 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 he
+had gone many steps, he altered his mind.
+
+"I do feel better, Mr Dale," he said, with a half-laugh, "and I think I
+will go up and pay my respects to the captain and--and the other
+passengers," and then, talking eagerly to me about his fish, and
+carefully preserving his balance, we went up on the poop-deck, with the
+ship gliding along swiftly and more easily.
+
+The captain saw us, and came to meet him along with Mr Brymer, the
+first mate, and both shook hands warmly.
+
+"Glad, to see you on deck, sir.  There, you've got over your bit of
+trouble.  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 widely
+apart, I following behind with Mr Brymer.
+
+It seemed to me then that Mr Preddle was managing so as to get up to
+where Mr Denning sat with his sister, and the next minute they were
+abreast of them, and the captain said in his bluff way--
+
+"There, Mr Denning, another of your fellow-passengers has found out the
+advantage of coming on deck."
+
+"Yes," said Mr Preddle, hastily, as he took off his cap to Miss
+Denning, and then bowed to her brother.  "So fresh and bright after the
+clo--clo--clo--Oh dear me!"
+
+I was obliged to laugh, and though Mr Denning looked angry, I saw Miss
+Denning turn away to hide a smile, for the captain and Mr Brymer
+laughed as merrily as I did.  And no wonder, for just as Mr Preddle was
+bowing and smiling and talking hurriedly, the ship gave another sudden
+lurch; he made a wild grasp at the captain, missed him; another at Mr
+Denning's chair; and then sat down involuntarily on the deck, to look up
+ruefully 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 the
+first mate helped our stout passenger to rise.
+
+"No, not at all, thanks; sadly awkward though at first," he said, rather
+piteously.  "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 Miss
+Denning, 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 very
+awkwardly before walking away with me, and as I helped him down the
+ladder, 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 very
+rude, but every one meets with these accidents at sea."
+
+I fancied he muttered something about "disgraced," but he was very
+silent, and hardly noticed the men who touched their caps to him as we
+went forward, where he stayed with the fish for a few minutes, and
+lifted out a couple which lay floating wrong side up, with a tiny
+landing-net; and then walked back without me towards his cabin.  I let
+him get nearly to the companion-way, and then ran after him with my face
+burning.
+
+"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 I
+started and looked round, for some one clapped me on the shoulder.
+
+"You and Mr Preddle seem to be getting capital friends, Dale; how smart
+he had made himself look!"
+
+"Yes, sir," I said; "but he had quite an accident on deck," and I looked
+half-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 looked
+rather pleased.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+The next morning broke bright and glorious.  We were right away in the
+open sea now, going south before a brisk north-west breeze, which was
+just enough to make the water dance and glitter in the sunshine, as the
+Burgh Castle with a full press of sail careened gently over.  While
+feeling fresh and eager, I thought how delightful the ocean looked, and
+was eager to see what the tropic waters would have to show.
+
+"Here, Dale," said the captain, "this sort of thing won't do.  Where's
+your 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 of
+an 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 screwed
+up, only half seen in his bunk.
+
+"I don't care.  Let him send if he dares.  I can't get up.  I'll
+complain to the owners.  It's a cruel shame, and it's a wonder I haven't
+died, left neglected down here."
+
+"That you haven't been," I cried; "why, I've regularly nursed you, and
+the steward couldn't have been kinder."
+
+"Who said he could?" cried Walters, with plenty of animation now.  "But
+where's the doctor?  What's a doctor carried on a ship for if he isn't
+to 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're
+only qualmy now.  Here, this place does smell stuffy.  I'll open the
+window."
+
+"That you won't; I don't want to catch a bad cold.  Wish I hadn't come
+to 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 not
+going 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 some
+tea?"
+
+"No, I couldn't touch it, and he wouldn't make it if you did.  This
+ain'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 that
+if he roused himself up he'd be better, "if you don't jump into your
+trousers 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 had
+in your life."
+
+"Not you.  Come, get up, or the skipper will send down two fellows to
+fetch 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 really
+will 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, I
+caught hold of him by his leg, and with one good tug had him out on the
+floor of the narrow cabin, kicking and struggling to get from beneath
+the clothes.  As soon as he was free he flew at me, hitting out
+fiercely, while I only closed with him to keep him from hurting.
+
+Then for about a minute we had a combined wrestle and fight about the
+cabin, 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 you
+dress 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 his
+breath, and at a moment when he thought I was quite off my guard, he
+raised his chest so as to make a bow of his spine, and giving a sudden
+quick 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 his
+face grew blacker with fury, while mine was puckered up by mirth, for I
+was thoroughly enjoying the fun of the thing, and not in the least
+alarmed by his threats.
+
+"You beast!" he snarled.  "Only wait till my turn comes, and you shall
+have it for this."
+
+"Not I, my lad," I cried merrily.  "You'll be as pleased as can be
+to-morrow, and thank me for doing you so much good.  Why, Walters, old
+chap, you're growing stronger every minute.  I thought you were so faint
+you couldn't move."
+
+"So I am, and you're suffocating me by sitting on my chest, you cowardly
+wretch."
+
+"Not I.  It makes the bellows work better," I cried, as I bumped gently
+up and down.  "Good for you after lying there so long.  Ready for
+another try?"
+
+I gave so heavy a bump that he yelled out, but I only laughed, for every
+doubt of his condition had passed away, as he proved to me in our
+struggle 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 nip
+your ribs twice as hard."
+
+"You wait till I get up."
+
+"You're not going to get up," I said, "till you promise to behave
+yourself."
+
+"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 subsided
+again, and lay panting and glaring at me fiercely.
+
+"There, let's have no more nonsense," I said at last; "don't be so
+silly.  I only did it all in fun to get you to make an effort.  Will you
+get up quietly and shake hands?"
+
+"No!" he roared, and he gave such a jerk that I had hard work to keep my
+seat, 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 saw
+his malignant look, I began to feel uncomfortable, and to wish that I
+had 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 not
+afraid.  There, get up and dress at once, and don't make an idiot of
+yourself."
+
+As I spoke I gathered myself together, and with one effort I sprang to
+my feet, being quite on my guard, but expecting the greater part of what
+he had said was talk, and that he would not dress himself.  But to my
+astonishment 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, if
+the door had not suddenly darkened and a voice which I recognised as Mr
+Brymer's exclaimed--
+
+"Hullo! what's all this?"
+
+My rising anger was checked on the instant as Walters started back, and
+the 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 dragging
+me 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 to
+coax him first, but he wouldn't stir.  Then I did pull him out, but he's
+been 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 fellow
+out 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 I
+am, 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 a
+little 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 strong
+healthy lad like you, who has been to sea for eighteen months, to lay up
+like 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 a
+bucket 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 seem
+to me like being weak."
+
+"Weak?  Pish!  You did quite right, Dale.  I'm sympathetic enough with
+any poor fellow who is really bad, but if there is anything that raises
+my dander it's a cowardly pitiful fellow who gives up for nothing.  Look
+here, sir, if you're not on deck in a quarter of an hour, I shall
+suggest strong measures to the captain in answer to his order to come
+down 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, or
+you'll wish yourself on shore."
+
+They both left the cabin, and I only made poor Walters more bitter
+against 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.  "I
+shan't forget this."
+
+"All right," I replied, and I left him to himself to cool down; but
+feeling sorry for him, and thinking that I had been unfeeling, I hurried
+off to the cook, who was pretending to be very busy in the galley, and
+who 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, I
+changed my tone and slipped a shilling in his hand.
+
+"Look here," I cried; "Mr Walters has been very queer and he's now
+getting 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; but
+to talk about beef-tea just when the butcher's shop round the corner's
+shut 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 from
+that Irish stoo."
+
+A lid was lifted off, and a pleasant savoury steam arose as a basinful
+of good soup was ladled out, strained into another, and then the man
+turned 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 on
+my 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 doing
+anything, everyone is on the way to meet you.  It was so then.  I was
+carefully balancing the steaming basin so as not to spill any of its
+contents on the white deck, as the ship rose and fell, when I came upon
+the 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 to
+slop 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 men
+who were generally near him, Barney Blane and Dumlow, were showing all
+their teeth as they indulged in hard grins; and then I was close upon
+the cabin-door, but started and stopped short as I heard a cough, and
+looking 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 dived
+in through the door and made my way to the cabin, where I could hear
+that 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, but
+went 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 will
+slop 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 held
+it 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 was
+necessary, I backed away and went up on deck, from whence I saw my
+messmate come out of the cabin about ten minutes after, and as the
+captain 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 last
+drop.
+
+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 was
+leaving the cabin, but he took care not to come near me, and I went on
+with my work.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+Down south we sailed as swiftly as favouring gales and plenty of sail
+could take us, and in course of time we had passed below the Azores, and
+every one on board was waking up to the fact that we were getting into
+latitudes 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 been
+impossible to conceive.
+
+There were troubles, of course, and I used to think that the captain was
+unnecessarily severe on Jarette and several of the other men; but I set
+it down to a desire to preserve good discipline, and of course I felt
+that he must know best how to manage his crew.
+
+The passengers passed the greater part of their time on deck, coming up
+early to bathe in the bright sunshine which made the metal look too hot
+to touch, and the tar to glisten in little beads all along beneath the
+ropes and about the seams of the deck, and they stayed late at night in
+the brilliant moonlight, till I used to think that our voyage was going
+to 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 had
+plenty to do, but even in their strictest moments the officers were
+pleasant to me, and I thought, thanks to the breaking in I had had with
+my father on his yacht, going to sea in a big clipper ship one of the
+most delightful of lives.
+
+But there was some bitter in it.  Walters and I never grew to be warm
+friends, though I did my best.  He did not get on with the officers
+either, but used to seize every opportunity to get away and talk to some
+of the sailors, particularly with the Frenchman Jarette, who was in
+trouble with the captain just after our starting, but who, thanks to the
+severe treatment he had received, now proved to be one of the smartest
+of the crew.
+
+He spoke English as well as I did, but if ever I drew near when Walters
+had gone to lean over the bulwarks and talk to him, I could hear that it
+was in French--bad French, spoken very slowly on Walters' part, and he
+used to have to make Jarette say what he had to say two or three times
+over before he could quite make it out.
+
+"No business of mine," I thought.  "I might do the same and practise up
+my French," which needed it badly enough, for I had pretty well
+forgotten all I had learned.
+
+Things were not quite happy either on deck.  I did not thoroughly
+understand why, and attributed it to Mr Denning's ill-temper,
+consequent upon his being unwell, for he was haughty and distant with
+Mr Frewen whenever he tried to be friendly, and I used to set it down
+to 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 so
+whenever the big stout fellow approached him and his sister and tried to
+enter into conversation.
+
+Mr Preddle used to complain to me about it when I went with him to see
+to the aerating and giving fresh water to the fish, which needed a great
+deal of attention, and in spite of all our care would insist in turning
+wrong side up, to paddle about slowly and helplessly for a while, and
+then make a vigorous effort and swim naturally.
+
+But the next minute they were back down and white up, and so they would
+go on till they were too weak to move, and a few minutes after they
+would die.
+
+"Yes, it's sad business, Alison Dale," Mr Preddle would say with a
+sigh, as he lifted a little trout out of one tray, or a tiny salmon from
+another.  "I'm afraid that I shall not have many left by the time I
+arrive 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 a
+locked-up box under one of the water-troughs, and to my surprise I saw
+that 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 frozen
+over, 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 were
+putting their mouths nearly out of the water, and opening and shutting
+them.
+
+"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 began
+puffing away till the water boiled and bubbled and was covered with
+foam, while after the first few puffs the fish swam about more
+vigorously and left the surface.
+
+"There, you see," he said, "there is plenty of air now," and he served
+the other troughs the same.  "Now, look here, Alison Dale," he said, as
+he replaced the bellows, and locked the box, "I'll leave the key behind
+this trough, and if you would not mind, I should be greatly obliged if
+you would give the fish a little air now and then just to help me, for I
+should dearly like to keep the poor things alive."
+
+"Oh yes," I said, "I'll do it whenever I have a chance, but I don't
+quite understand; I thought fish breathed water."
+
+"With air in it.  If there is no air to mingle with the water, the fish
+soon 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 at
+soda-water, for instance, how full of gas that is, and how the tiny
+beads come bubbling out as soon as the pressure is removed.  Now, if I
+only had a few fish in these troughs, there would be plenty of air for
+them 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 comic
+to be blowing the water with bellows instead of the fire, and if Walters
+catches 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 that
+I 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 at
+him, 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 to
+us this morning when Mr Denning spoke to me.  Did you hear what he
+said?"
+
+"No, I was too far off," I replied; "but he seemed to be speaking
+snappishly."
+
+"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, and
+talking 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, poor
+fellow."
+
+He stood with the little landing-net in his hand, gazing down into the
+trough nearest to us as if watching the little trout; but his thoughts
+were, 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 part
+watching his charge, and thinking how thoroughly man had imitated the
+shape 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 knew
+it 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 low
+tone, and in French.  But I caught just the last words which were
+uttered 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 Preddle
+still watching the fish.
+
+"`But take care, my friend, take care.'  That's what he said," I thought
+to myself; "I know French enough for that.  Take care of what?  And why
+does he call Walters `my friend'?  He's only a common sailor, and a
+midshipman even in a merchantman oughtn't to be friends in that way with
+the men."
+
+Then I laughed silently to myself as I thought of how fond I was of
+leaning over the bulwarks and talking to old Bob Hampton when he had the
+watch, 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 to
+myself.
+
+"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 a
+brown study, and began wondering at Mr Preddle's curious ways, and
+thinking what a pity it was that a gentleman like Mr Denning, who was
+on a voyage for the sake of his health, should take such a dislike to
+Mr Frewen and Mr Preddle too.  It hardly seemed to be like
+irritability, for after all he was as merry and friendly with the
+officers as he was with me.  I never went near him without his beckoning
+to me to come to his side, and both he and his sister were quite
+affectionate 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 began
+to think about Walters and the French sailor and the other sailors, of
+those who seemed to form one party all to themselves, and of the others
+who kept more along with Bob Hampton and his two friends, who had sailed
+together for so many years.
+
+"There, what does it matter?"  I said to myself, as I roused myself from
+my musings.  "Walters doesn't like Bob Hampton because Bob laughed at
+him, and that's why he hangs toward Jarette; pities him, perhaps,
+because they both got into trouble with the officers, and birds of a
+feather flock together."
+
+These were all dreamy thoughts, like clouds in my mind.  I could not
+understand 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 about
+hearing Jarette and Walters talking together.  Perhaps it came to mind
+once or twice afterwards, but it made no impression then, however much I
+may have thought about it afterwards.  For then I was trying to learn my
+duties, studying up a little navigation, helping Mr Preddle with his
+fish that were to stock the New Zealand rivers with trout, and attending
+to Mr Denning.  I suppose it was attending upon him, but to me it was
+all one jolly time of amusement, during which the poor fellow seemed to
+forget all about his bad health, and became as interested as a boy with
+our various bits of sport.
+
+Now in a fast steamer there is not much done, for I suppose that quick
+rush of the vessel, as it ploughs its way through the sea, startles the
+fish away to right and left, and then when they might be swimming
+quietly after the first rush, the tremendous beating up of the water by
+the whirling screw sends them off again, and makes the water so foamy
+that 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 water
+is not so disturbed; and soon after the weather had settled down, and
+was day by day growing warmer, so that the awning was rigged up over the
+poop, and our fishing began.
+
+"Oh yes," Captain Berriman said, "fish away, sir, and the more fresh
+fish 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 Denning
+glanced 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.  "I
+often wonder why the owners have boys on board.  Better have young
+Walters, 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 boat
+down, and a man overboard gets left a long way behind when a ship is in
+full sail."
+
+He walked away, and looking as eager as I did, Mr Denning began about a
+fishing-line, while his sister looked bright and happy to see her
+brother so much interested in the plans he had in view.
+
+"I suppose there are plenty of fishing-lines on board," he said.  "Let's
+get 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 where
+the 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 about
+any 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 then
+asked 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 catch
+any."
+
+I did not think Mr Preddle was likely to have lines, so I did not ask
+him, but thought I would go and ask every man I met, when I caught sight
+of 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 up
+t'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, for
+somehow I did not like him; but feeling that Mr Denning would be
+disappointed if none were found, I asked where the man was, and found
+that he was down in the forecastle asleep, for he had been in one of the
+night watches.
+
+It was so dark there, that for a few moments I could not make out which
+of the sleeping men lying there was the one I sought.  They were all
+breathing heavily, and at first going down out of the bright sunshine
+the faces all looked alike; but after getting a little more accustomed
+to the gloom, I saw a hand just where the faint rays came down through a
+little sky-light, and on one of the fingers there was a silver ring.
+Thinking that the wearer might possibly be the Frenchman, I went farther
+and looked a little more closely, and saw that I was right, for though I
+could not have been sure that the ring on the hand proved this to be the
+man 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 by
+the 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 to
+his meaning then--"wake up.  I'm sorry I roused you, but we want a
+fishing-line, and Bob Hampton says you have some."
+
+"What--to fish!  No, you wish to speak.  Hist!  I--ah, I see now," he
+cried 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 large
+square 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 no
+more of the Frenchman's mistake.
+
+There the cook readily furnished me with a sharp knife and some tough
+rind 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 at
+them."
+
+"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 salt
+water?"
+
+I had not thought of that, and I returned aft, passing Mr Frewen and
+Mr Preddle, both of whom looked disturbed, and then I reached the spot
+where I had left Mr Denning and his sister.  He was looking angry, and
+Miss 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 noticed
+that anything was wrong, though I felt sure that the doctor and Mr
+Preddle had been there in my absence.
+
+"You can take them back," said Mr Denning, shortly, "I shall not fish
+to-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 a
+try."
+
+I saw Miss Denning lay her hand upon his arm, but took no notice, for I
+knelt down on the deck directly, cut a bait ready--a long strip of the
+bacon rind--stuck the point of the large sharp hook through one end as
+if I were going to fish for mackerel at home, and then after unwinding
+some of the line, to which a heavy leaden sinker was attached, I was
+about to throw the bait over the stern.
+
+"But that piece of lead will be too heavy," cried Mr Denning, now full
+of 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 so
+fast.  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 were
+near but the man at the wheel, who had his back to us, and I let about
+fifty yards of the stout line run out before I checked it and placed it
+in 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 would
+cut your hand."
+
+He smiled as if he doubted me, and to guard against his letting go, I
+unwound the whole of the remaining line and laid it out in rings before
+fastening the winder tightly beneath the bulwark, so that even if the
+line were all run out the fish would be checked and caught.
+
+Just then Walters came sauntering up, and I could not help thinking that
+from his size and our uniform being the same, how easily we might be
+taken one for the other in the gloom of the forecastle.
+
+Mr Denning turned and looked at him for a moment, and then back to
+watch 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 to
+damp our proceedings.
+
+"Here, I know what's the matter," he said suddenly, taking a couple of
+steps 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 of
+the rings up with one of his feet.  Then to Mr Denning--"It isn't as if
+I'd got on nailed boots.  Here, let me pull in your bait and pat a
+proper one on.  I've caught lots of fish.  He doesn't know anything
+about it."
+
+"Thank you," said Mr Denning, coldly, "when I require your help, I will
+ask for it.  Ah!"
+
+He uttered a sharp ejaculation, as there came a sudden fierce tug at the
+line which dragged his hands right out to the full length of his arms
+and brought his chest heavily against his side.
+
+"Hooray! you've got him," cried Walters, "and a big one too.  Hold
+fast!"
+
+It was as if Mr Denning was playing at the old forfeit game of the
+Rules of Contrary, for he let go.  The line rushed out, and the next
+moment the rings in which Walters had stepped tightened round his legs
+just as he was changing his position, and with so heavy a drag that the
+lad lost his balance and came down heavily upon the deck, which his head
+struck with a sharp rap.
+
+"That was your doing!" he shouted, as I rushed at him where he was
+struggling to free himself, for the line kept on tightening round him
+from 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 his
+head struck the deck again.
+
+By that time I had hold of the line, and, thinking no more of Walters, I
+tried to hold the prize, but was fain to call excitedly upon Mr Denning
+to help me.
+
+He seized the line too, and for the next five minutes the fish was
+tearing about here and there in the water far below where we stood, and
+jerking our arms and shoulders till they ached.  Now it would go off at
+right angles, now directly in the opposite direction.
+
+Then slacking the line for a few moments it shot right away aft, jerking
+the line so heavily that it was dragged through our hands.  The next
+moment we saw what looked like a huge bar of blue and silver shoot right
+out of the water and come down with a heavy splash.
+
+"Gone!"  I said with a groan, for there were no more fierce tugs, and as
+I 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 out
+his 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 strong
+in the water.  But he has not broken your line, has he?"
+
+"I'm afraid so," I replied, as I hauled away till the lead rattled
+against the ship's side.  Then another haul or two brought the hook over
+the rail, for the line was not broken, but the stout wire hook had
+straightened with the weight of the fish, and had been drawn back out of
+the creature's jaws.
+
+By this time Walters had pretty well cleared himself from the line
+tangled about his leg, and he stood looking on and scowling at me in
+turn as I removed the straightened hook, and put on another from the
+spare ones with which Jarette had furnished me.  This I baited as before
+and threw over, the line running out rapidly till about the same length
+was out; and Mr Denning took hold again, the red spots in his cheeks
+showing how thoroughly he was interested in the sport.
+
+"Better luck to you this time," said the captain, and he nodded and
+walked away; but Walters stayed, saying nothing, but leaning against the
+rail, and looking on in a sulky, ill-used way at me and my every action
+as I attended on Mr Denning.
+
+"We shall never get to be friends," I thought.  "He always looks as if
+he 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 away
+half the excitement, and I get so little in my life.  Eh, Lena?"
+
+Miss Denning smiled at him half-pityingly, and his face looked very
+gentle now as he smiled back at her.  Then all his attention was
+directed 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 not
+so strong as I used to be."
+
+"I'll catch hold directly you tell me," I replied; "but perhaps it will
+be a small one this time."
+
+I turned to arrange the spare line once more so that it would run out
+easily, and Miss Denning went closer to her brother, while I became
+aware now of the fact that Walters was watching me in a sour, sneering
+way.
+
+"What's the matter?"  I said.
+
+"Oh, go on," he whispered; "make much of it.  You did that on purpose
+just 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 the
+favourite, 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 so
+thoroughly disagreeable, so determined to look at everything from a
+wrong point of view, and then I laughed, for it seemed to be utterly
+absurd that he should misconstrue even that look, for he exclaimed
+viciously--
+
+"That's right, grin away, my lad; but the day may come when you'll laugh
+the wrong side of your mouth."
+
+"Why, what a chap you are, Nic!"  I whispered.  "I never saw such a
+fellow.  Come, let's be friends; I'm sure I want to."
+
+"And I don't, with a miserable sneak who is always trying to undermine
+me with people."
+
+"Under-grandmother you," I said in a low voice, so that Miss Denning
+should not hear.  "Don't talk such stuff."
+
+"Go on.  Insult me as much as you like," he whispered back: "I shan't
+say anything.  You're setting everybody against me, so that instead of
+being friends, as a young officer should with his equals, I'm obliged to
+go and talk to the men."
+
+I could not help laughing again at his mock-tragic and absurd way of
+taking things, and as I honestly felt that if matters were unpleasant it
+was all his own fault, he leaned toward me now with his eyes half shut
+and 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 Walters
+again quite unintentionally by swinging one arm across his chest in my
+hurry and excitement to get to Mr Denning's help; and as I reached over
+the rail to get hold of the line, I felt sure that my messmate would
+think that I struck him.  For the moment I felt vexed and sorry, then I
+could not help smiling to think how comic it was that I should keep on
+upsetting him.  Then I forgot all about it in the excitement of righting
+the 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 to
+run, 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, and
+we let the line run, after I had placed one foot upon it to hold it down
+on the deck and check its race.
+
+Away went the fish, with ring after ring working off beneath my foot
+till 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 quite
+stopped the running.
+
+And now the fish began to rush in another direction, giving us an
+opportunity to haul in some of the line; but we soon had to let it go
+again; and every time I glanced at Walters, all hot, excited, and eager
+as 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 the
+captain, Mr Brymer, and Mr Frewen had all come up on seeing that a
+fish had been hooked, and the former said sharply--
+
+"Come, Walters, don't stand there with your hands in your pockets and
+let Dale do all the work."
+
+And again I upset my messmate as if it were a fatality, for I cried
+out--
+
+"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 back
+as if the thin hemp were red-hot.
+
+Then amidst plenty of excitement and some of the crew coming aft, I
+helped Mr Denning haul and haul till the fish was gradually drawn so
+close in that we could see its failing efforts to regain its freedom.
+Apparently it was nearly five feet long, and its sides flashed in the
+clear water where it was not foaming with the lashing of the captive's
+vigorous 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 at
+Miss 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 so
+exhausted that it had ceased struggling, and allowed itself to be
+dragged along in the wake of the ship, merely giving a flap with its
+tail 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 certainly
+break it away, and that we should lose it.
+
+To save us from such a catastrophe, I unfastened the other end of the
+line, made a running noose round the tight line beneath Mr Denning's
+hands, 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 little
+twitching and shaking, with the lookers-on making remarks which only
+fidgeted me instead of helping, I managed to make the noose glide over
+the slippery body.
+
+"Now!" cried Mr Frewen, who was as interested as the rest; but before
+the word was well uttered, I had given the line a sharp snatch just as
+the running noose was in the narrow part before where the tail fin
+curved out above and below like a new moon.
+
+This meant a double hold, for the noose tightened, and now in spite of a
+fresh set of furious struggles the fish was steadily hauled out of the
+water, and we nearly had it up to the poop-rail, when the hook was torn
+out of its holding, and the fish hung down quivering and flapping from
+the 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 it
+began to belabour heavily, while we gazed excitedly at the beautiful
+creature glistening in its splendid coat of many colours, which flashed
+gold, silver, orange, scarlet, and metallic blue and green at every
+quivering blow.
+
+"What is it?" said Mr Denning eagerly, and I remember thinking how
+animated and well he looked that day.
+
+"Well," said the captain, "many years as I've sailed these seas, I
+hardly know what to say.  It's something like a dolphin, but it's more
+like 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 mackerel
+family, by its head and the great crescent moon tail."
+
+"Yes, and the short fins on front, top, and bottom.  Never mind, it
+looks 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 sister
+to 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 his
+head.
+
+"Poor chap," he said, with a sigh.  "Here, Dale, Walters, carry the fish
+to the cook; Hampton--Dumlow, swabs and a bucket."
+
+"Keep tight hold," I cried to my companion, who was holding the head of
+the fish by a loop of yarn passed through its gills, while I carried it
+by 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, and
+waggled its tail so sharply that it flung off my grasp, and once more I
+offended Walters, for the fish fell across his feet.
+
+"There!" he cried, "you can't deny that.  You did it on purpose.  A
+filthy, slimy thing!"
+
+As he stood there with both his hands clenched I thought he was going to
+strike me; but even if he had it would have made no difference, I should
+have been obliged to laugh, and laugh I did, till as I was wiping my
+eyes I found that Jarette the French sailor was close up and looking at
+me keenly.
+
+"Here, Barney Blane," I said, "take hold."
+
+The man grinned and came and helped me bear it away to the cook, after
+which I put away the tackle, hanging it to dry before giving it back to
+its owner.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINE.
+
+All at once, just as our life at sea was as calm and peaceful as could
+be, Captain Berriman grew quite queer in his manner.  He was pleasant
+enough to the passengers, and I never had an unkind word from him, but
+he was most tyrannical to a number of the men, ordering them about,
+making them set fresh sail, take it down, and altering his orders
+half-a-dozen times over, till the men used to go about muttering, and
+more than once I heard words spoken about him that were startling, to
+say the least.
+
+One evening when it was very dark, the moon not having risen, I was
+looking over the side and down into the calm, black water which was as
+full of tiny specks of light as the sky above me, and every now and then
+these little glittering points beneath the surface would be driven here
+and there as if a fish had swum sharply by.  It was all so beautiful, to
+watch point after point gliding about lower and lower till all was jet
+black, that I had forgotten everything, heard nothing, till all at once
+just behind me I heard Mr Brymer say--
+
+"Of course it is very unpleasant for me.  I'm afraid the men will not
+stand 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 and
+over-anxiety about the ship."
+
+"But he is getting worse; and twice over to-day I felt as if I ought to
+shut him up in his cabin and take charge altogether."
+
+"No, I should not do that," said Mr Frewen, "so long as nothing serious
+goes wrong.  If he really gets too bad, I suppose I must help you by
+justifying your proceedings in superseding him."
+
+"For the owners' sake, of course."
+
+"Of course.  It is a very serious position for us both.  But there, he
+may be better to-morrow.  If not, we must hope for the improvement when
+we 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 and
+stood 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 seen
+that 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 what
+you have heard," said Mr Brymer, "you may make a great deal of
+mischief."
+
+"I am not likely to talk about it to anybody unless it be to Mr
+Denning," I said, feeling a little hurt.
+
+"Then pray don't mention it to him.  It would only make him and his
+sister uneasy," cried Mr Frewen, quickly.
+
+"I'm afraid they've seen enough for themselves," said Mr Brymer.  "Look
+here, youngster, I shall speak plainly to you, because you are a
+sensible lad.  If you spoke about what we have said, and it reached
+Captain Berriman's ear now he is in that excitable state, he would
+immediately think I was conspiring against him, go frantic, and there
+might 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 the
+way in which young Walters is going on.  It is not becoming for a
+midshipman 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 fellow
+Hampton, and the two men with him."
+
+"Oh yes; I have talked to them a good deal," I said: "but it was only
+when we were on the watch, and I wanted them to tell me something about
+the sea."
+
+"Ah, well, be careful, my lad.  Here, shake hands.  I'm not cross with
+you, 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 a
+wise head, my lad."
+
+They walked on, and disappeared in the darkness directly, while I stood
+with my back to the bulwarks and my hands in my pockets, thinking about
+what they had said, and recalling the little things I had thought
+nothing of at the time, but which came back now looking to be big
+things.  Yes, I remembered the captain had certainly been rather strange
+in his manner sometimes.  Why, of course, Mr Denning had said to his
+sister that the captain need not be so disagreeable to the men.
+
+I was just wondering what would happen, and then thinking that it would
+not make much difference if Mr Brymer were captain, and that it would
+be better perhaps for Captain Berriman to lie by and be attended by Mr
+Frewen, 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 quite
+startled, for the sound was repeated, and I knew now that it was some
+one whispering.  Then, as I stood quite still in the darkness, with the
+glow coming from the cabin-windows and from the binnacle-light, there
+was a faint rushing up above, and a little off to my left, and directly
+after I knew what it was,--somebody's feet on the ratlines coming down
+from the main-top.
+
+There was no sail being made or reduced, and it seemed strange for any
+one to be up there, and it had just struck me that perhaps it was
+Captain Berriman, who had seen Mr Brymer and Mr Frewen talking
+together and had gone up to listen, when, so close to me that I wondered
+I was not seen, somebody stepped down on to the top of the bulwarks, and
+then swung himself softly on to the deck; then crouching down close
+under the side, he crept forward swiftly and was gone.
+
+"That couldn't have been the captain," I thought; "the step was too
+light.  It was some one quite active."
+
+I was thinking of going forward to try and make out, when there was
+another rustling noise above, which recalled the whispering that had
+passed out of my mind for the moment; then the rustling continued, and
+some one else came down, stepped lightly on the deck, and stood
+perfectly 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 aft
+not very far from where I stood, and a few moments later I saw who it
+was, for his figure came between my eyes and the glow from the
+cabin-windows.
+
+"Why, it was Walters," I said to myself, and then I began to wonder more
+and more what it all meant.  I ran it over in my mind, but I could not
+think of any one at all likely to be Walters' companion at night in the
+main-top; in fact, I could not think of any one at all likely to climb
+up so high, or even half-way up the shrouds.
+
+"It couldn't have been a cabin passenger," I thought, "for he went
+forward; 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 a
+cat."
+
+I waited a bit; and then went slowly right forward and stood for a time
+with 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, or
+another vessel run into us.  Then setting my face aft, I went back along
+the starboard side, and made my way, blinking like an owl after being so
+long in the darkness, into the saloon-cabin, where the passengers were
+sitting about, some reading, others working, and where on one side I
+found Mr Denning playing chess with his sister.
+
+Everything looked calm, and as if the people were happy enough, and
+never thinking it likely there could be any trouble about Captain
+Berriman or anything else.
+
+But the saloon-cabin was so warm down there in the south that I soon
+went back on deck to hang over the bulwarks for a time, and then go
+right aft to look down at the sparkling water, all ablaze now as it
+seemed to rush from both sides of the rudder, where in the daytime all
+would be white foam.
+
+I had no duty to perform that night to keep me on deck; but still I
+lingered, thinking that perhaps the cabin would be terribly hot, as it
+had been on the previous night, only I dropped off to sleep so soon that
+the heat did not trouble me.
+
+"And I shall have it all to myself to-night," I thought, "for Walters
+will have to take his turn in the watch."
+
+At last, half envying him the task of passing a good deal of the night
+on deck, I took a look round.  The saloon-lights were out, and there was
+no one there; the sailing-lights were up in their places, and the faint
+glow rose from about the binnacle, just faintly showing the steersman's
+face.  Away forward I could hear the low murmur of conversation where
+the watch were on duty, and now, for the first time, I yawned, and some
+one 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 your
+bunk?"
+
+"Just going, sir," I said, for it was the first mate, Mr Brymer; and
+now I hurried down, threw off my clothes, and in a very few minutes I
+was sound asleep.
+
+I suppose it was the heat, for I don't believe that it had anything to
+do with the coming danger, but at any rate I slept badly that night--an
+uneasy, troubled kind of sleep, such as I should have expected to have
+if some one was to come and call me about two bells.
+
+It must have been about that time that I was lying more asleep than
+awake, but sufficiently conscious to spring up in my berth and say quite
+aloud--
+
+"Yes; what is it?"
+
+There was no reply, though I could have declared that some one called
+me.  But though there was no reply, I could hear voices.  Some one was
+giving orders in a sharp, angry voice; and directly after, I could hear
+a 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 the
+captain had found out about the conversation which had taken place, and
+had now taken matters into his hands in no mild fashion.  Mr Brymer was
+the last man I saw on deck, and without doubt that must be he.
+
+I lay there, with the perspiration oozing out of every pore, and
+listened for the next sounds; but all was still for a few moments.  Then
+there were evidently people running about on deck, and a chill of horror
+ran 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 was
+right down in the trough of the sea, and swaying and rolling in a way
+that was startling.  Fully convinced now that we had gone on a rock or a
+sandbank--being ready to imagine anything in my excitement--I rolled out
+of my berth and began to hurry on some clothes.
+
+I never dressed more quickly in my life, for as I hastily slipped on my
+things, there was the sharp report of a gun or pistol, and a loud crash
+as 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 of
+struggling, loud and angry voices, then cries for help; and I made for
+the deck as quickly as I could, to find all in darkness.  But men were
+running here and there, a sharp voice was giving orders, and then I saw
+the 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 and
+made 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 struck
+now made a dash at me, and I ducked down, leaped sidewise, and with my
+heart 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 gone
+mad, and as I ran and heard the steps behind me, fear lent me great
+speed.  Other people had been shot or cut down, and something terrible
+was going on.  So I ran for my life to take refuge with the crew in the
+forecastle; but as I reached it, there was struggling and fighting going
+on 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 was
+another 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 comes
+one."
+
+This told me that there were enemies in front, and I was ready to dart
+anywhere to avoid whoever tried to stop me.
+
+That there was danger I soon found, for struggling, and oaths, and
+curses saluted my ears again as I reached the ladder and ran up on to
+the 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 certain
+that in another minute I should be found, I passed my hand upward,
+searched about, and found that which I sought, the mizzen-shrouds.  The
+next 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 the
+deck, clinging there in the darkness, and listening to the efforts
+made--evidently by three or four men--beneath to find out where I could
+be gone.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TEN.
+
+As I clung there in the mizzen-shroud, afraid to stir, hardly daring to
+breathe lest I should be heard, and puzzled beyond measure as to what it
+could all mean, but feeling all the same certain that something terrible
+had happened, and that it was no shipwreck, there was a tremendous
+kicking and banging at one of the cabin-doors, and up through the
+sky-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, and
+there was a flash of a pistol, the loud report, and a few moments after
+the smell of the powder rose to my nostrils.
+
+"Jarette," I said to myself, as I recognised the half-French sailor's
+voice, and then I felt sure that it was Mr Frewen who had shouted from
+one of the cabins where he must be locked in.
+
+"Then it must be a mutiny," I thought, and such a cold paralysing chill
+ran through me that I felt as if I should drop down on deck.  For the
+recollection of all I had read of such affairs taking place in bygone
+times flashed through my brain--of officers murdered in cold blood,
+ships carried off by the crew to unknown islands, and--yes--I was an
+officer, young as I might be, and if the mutineers caught me they would
+murder me, as perhaps they had already murdered Captain Berriman and Mr
+Brymer.
+
+I felt giddy then, and the wonder has always been to me that I did not
+let go and fall.  But my fingers were well hooked on to the ropes, and
+there I hung listening, as after pretty well scouring the deck the men
+below 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 a
+peculiar accent which sounded to me almost ferocious, as I hung there
+feeling 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 try
+and see whether he was watching me and taking aim, a curious creeping
+sensation 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 my
+ear, and for the minute, feeling certain that he knew where I was, I
+drew myself up ready to drop down.  But still I hesitated, though I felt
+perfectly certain he was looking up and pointing his pistol at me.
+
+There was an interval of perfect silence then, save that a murmur came
+from below, and this encouraged me, for I felt that I must be invisible
+in 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 there
+spasmodically, hoping still that I was unobserved.
+
+"He's not here," said Jarette, sharply; "now then, one of you, I want a
+man 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 out
+as one to be trusted, while the sound of his voice made it appear that
+every one would be against us.
+
+But though these thoughts flashed through my mind, I was listening all
+the time intently to what went on below, striving as I was to grasp the
+real state of affairs.
+
+"Here you are then, Bob Hampton.  Behold you, my friend, though it's so
+dark I can't see you," said Jarette, and I heard a low chuckling noise
+which 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," said
+Jarette, "for this is not a funny time, when men are working with their
+necks in the hang-dog noose.  Now, look here, my friend, I did not ask
+you to join us, because I did not trust you; but you have joined us to
+save your skin; so you had better work for us well, or--there, I will
+not say ugly things.  You are a good sailor, Bob Hampton, and know your
+work, and it would be a pity if you were to be knocked overboard and
+drowned."
+
+"Horrid pity, messmet."
+
+"Captain, if you please, Bob Hampton, and your friend if you are
+faithful.  That will do.  Now go to the wheel, and send the ship on her
+voyage south.  She is rolling in the trough of the sea."
+
+"Right!" said Bob.  "'Spose, captain, you won't be so particklar; man
+may light his pipe while he is at the wheel."
+
+"Oh yes.  Smoke and be comfortable; but you will mind how you steer, for
+I shall be a hard severe man.  You understand, extremement severe."
+
+"Course you will," said Bob, coolly; "skippers must be.  Don't matter to
+me, 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 the
+forksle.  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.  `Wheer
+you sails,' say they, `we sails.'  So I thought I'd put in a word, as
+you wants trusty men."
+
+"I can choose my crew, Bob Hampton," said the Frenchman, in a peculiar
+tone of voice.  "Too much talk is only good for parrot birds.  Go you
+and steer."
+
+"Right you are, cap'n," said Bob, and I heard him go aft, but could not
+see him till I wrenched my head round, and could then dimly see
+something 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 a
+strange creaking sound and the sails filling and flapping about with
+strange flutterings and whimperings; but in a few minutes there was a
+perceptible change, the ship's head swinging round, and I knew that we
+were once more gliding swiftly through the water.
+
+That there was a group of men below me I felt absolutely certain, though
+I could see nobody; and at last, when I had come to the conclusion that
+I 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 get
+on deck, shoot at once.  If they are killed, their blood be on their own
+heads.  Where's young Mr Walters?"
+
+"Why, you left him on guard with the others at the cabin-door," said a
+man surlily.
+
+"Fetch him here: I did," said Jarette, and I felt then that I was going
+down on the heads of the men below.  But I made one more desperate
+effort, as I heard the soft footsteps moving off in different
+directions; and then almost without a sound I got my arm round the
+outside shroud, then one leg round,--how I can hardly tell you now, I
+was so exhausted,--and the next minute I had relieved my muscles of the
+strain, and was standing there with my feet on the ratlines, my arms
+thrust right through and folded round one of the inner ropes, and my
+head thrust through as well; safe, I felt, even if I lost my senses and
+fainted away.
+
+Fortunately for me, the ship was heeling over now in the opposite
+direction, so that my position was easier, and as I half lay, half clung
+there, the painful stress on mind and body grew lighter--at least the
+bodily stress did, and I began to think more clearly.
+
+It was horrible.  The ship then had been seized by the crew, headed by
+Jarette.  Some of the men had resisted, and were prisoners in the
+forecastle; 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 the
+knowledge that my brother midshipman was in the mutiny, and keeping
+guard over the officers and passengers.  And he was a gentleman's son.
+Here then was the explanation of his being so friendly with Jarette, and
+that was why he and Jarette had been up aloft in the dark.
+
+I shivered at the thought.  But the next moment I was seeing something
+else clearly, and I guessed at two things which afterwards I found to be
+correct.  Jarette had traded upon Walters' discontent, and won him over
+with, no doubt, great promises, because he would be useful; and of
+course I saw it plainly now it had been necessary to fasten the
+cabin-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 fasten
+their doors?  No one more likely than the lad who had the run of the
+cabins and saloon.
+
+"No, I won't believe it," I thought the next moment.  "Nic Walters
+couldn'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 set
+at the companion and over the sky-lights.
+
+There appeared to be no way but to go up aloft higher, crawl along some
+stay, 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 get
+down 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 there
+was 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 have
+taken 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 the
+mizzen-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 in
+comparative safety, not having been heard.
+
+I had hardly reached my hiding-place, when I heard one of the men below
+me say--
+
+"Here they come," and directly after I could see ascend to the
+poop-deck, by the light of three lanterns the men carried, a party of
+about fourteen, one of whom was Jarette, another Nic Walters, and the
+rest were sailors, with the two rough fellows, Dumlow and Blane, firmly
+bound with stout line, in their midst.
+
+They were pushed and dragged up to the foot of the mizzen-mast, where
+Jarette seated himself in one of the deck chairs, and Walters, with a
+pistol in his hand and another in his belt, stood by the Frenchman's
+side, resting one foot upon the seat of the chair, as if on terms of the
+greatest intimacy with its occupant.
+
+"Bring 'em forward," said Jarette, and the two men were thrust to the
+front, Dumlow growling like some strange animal, and Blane trying to
+strike at his guards with his elbows.
+
+"Steady there," shouted Jarette.
+
+"Steady it is," growled Dumlow.  "Look here, you Jarette, if you'll just
+have these ropes undone on the starboard side to let one o' my fins at
+liberty 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 a
+pair 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 English
+sailor."
+
+My head, at the risk of my white face being seen, was thrust over the
+side of the top.
+
+"Look here, you two, you are brought before me, the captain of this
+ship, 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 cut
+loose and forgive you for giving us so much trouble and knocking your
+mates 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 life
+and a share in our prize, but you will not take them, so we shall have
+to 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 make
+these 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 as
+I wondered whether the two brave fellows would prove staunch, and if
+they 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 who
+approached 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 be
+such 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't
+I better keep her off a pynte or two?"
+
+"Yes," shouted Jarette.
+
+"Well, I'm blessed," growled Dumlow.  Then aloud--"Hi!  Bob, lad, what's
+to 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 like
+hooroar."
+
+"And you'll join us too, Barney?" said Jarette.
+
+"I does same as my two mates," said Blane.  "I arn't going to be pitched
+overboard if they arn't.  Share and share alike, says I.  Fair play's my
+motto, and no favour.  Here, cast off all these here lashins.  What
+d'yer want to tie a fellow up so tight for?"
+
+"Take off the ropes," said Jarette, in a voice full of triumph, and I
+could hear the rustling and rattling noise made as the lines were
+untied, 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 strange
+feeling of despair came over me.  Walters, Bob Hampton, Dumlow, and
+Blane 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 the
+prisoners in the cabin.
+
+But how?
+
+I lay listening.  The men were talking loudly, and I soon made out that
+drink was going round; but all was still as death now in the saloon and
+cabins.  Their occupants were evidently waiting to see what would be
+done, and listening to the proceedings on deck.
+
+"How can I get to them?--How can I get to them?"  I kept on saying to
+myself.
+
+The darkness would favour me if I crept down, but the places were so
+guarded that there was not the most remote chance of my getting past the
+sentries.
+
+I felt more despondent than ever, as I lay listening to the faint
+creaking of the yards when they yielded gently to the wind.  There was
+no chance whatever of my joining my friends, and I was about to resign
+myself to my fate, when I had a bright flash of hope.  I could see my
+way through the darkness.  There was light ahead--mental light--and I
+determined to dare the peril and act at once, if I could; if not, as
+soon as the men below had dispersed.
+
+Unfortunately I had to wait some time and listen, hardly daring to stir
+for fear of being heard or seen, for there were three lanterns stood
+about the deck, shedding their feeble light around, and now and then
+looking brighter, and showing me the faces of the mutineers as they
+opened the lantern-doors to light their pipes.
+
+Jarette was talking quickly to a group of the men about him, but I
+hardly heard what he said, my attention being fixed upon my plan of
+escape, till I heard Jarette say--
+
+"Wait till daylight then, my lads, and we'll soon have them all out of
+there."
+
+"All out of there," could only mean the people out of the cabin.  Never
+mind, they should have me out to, for my mind was made up, and I was
+only waiting my chance.
+
+Then it came, for the lanterns were picked up, and two of them were
+carried down to the main-deck, while I could see that Walters picked up
+the other and walked aft with Jarette, the light showing me two men, one
+on each side of the saloon sky-lights, as Jarette stopped to give them
+some orders in a low tone, standing back from the light as if expecting
+a shot from below.
+
+Then, as I watched them, feeling all the while as if I should like to be
+exactly over Walters' head and let myself fall right upon him, they went
+on to where Bob Hampton stood at the wheel, while I scanned eagerly the
+long boom of the mizzen-spanker, the great fore and aft canvas running
+off astern and towering up till it was all in darkness, for the
+lantern-light was only a poor gleam.  Then Jarette began talking to Bob
+Hampton, but I could not and did not want to hear what the traitorous
+wretch said, feeling mad against him, and vexed with myself for ever
+having been at all friendly with the scoundrel.  My attention was
+directed to the great boom of the mizzen-spanker and the stern-rail,
+which I could just faintly see as Walters turned the lantern here and
+there.
+
+"Oh, if I only ever have the chance!"  I muttered, as for a moment I
+thought of my companion, and though he was triumphant and I in so
+perilous a position, I would not have changed places, I told myself, for
+worlds.
+
+I saw all I could, and then waited impatiently for what was to come
+next.
+
+I soon knew, for Jarette and Walters came back, and passing the men on
+guard, descended to the main-deck and went forward, leaving all in
+darkness.
+
+"Now for it," I muttered, and with my heart beating heavily, I thrust my
+hand into my pocket.
+
+All right, my clasp-knife was there, and rising cautiously I stopped to
+think.  Then satisfying myself that my recollections were correct, I
+began to feel about cautiously, as I now stood up, close to where the
+top-mast joined the mizzen, and was at first disappointed, but directly
+after my heart gave a throb of satisfaction, for my hand came in contact
+with that which I sought, the thin strong line that ran up from the deck
+right to the mizzen-truck, passed through it over a wheel, and came down
+again to the deck.
+
+Opening my knife, I began to cut through the ascending line, and found
+it so hard and tough that the knife had hard work to get through.  This
+was satisfactory, for it was evidently new and strong.
+
+Then leaving one end hanging, I fastened the lower one to the first rope
+I could feel, so that it should not fall to the deck.  Then I began to
+haul in the uncut portion, and found it came easily enough, but making
+every now and then a faint creaking noise as the wheel in the truck spun
+round.
+
+I turned cold at this, for though it was very high up, I was afraid the
+sound would take the attention of the men on deck.
+
+But they paid no heed, and I hauled away till I felt sure that I must
+have at least forty or fifty yards of the line--quite as much as I
+wanted; and then I used the knife again, and after replacing it, wound
+the line into a skein from elbow to hand, ending by hanging it round my
+neck 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 to
+save it from falling, and this I now did.
+
+The next proceeding was, I knew, perilous, but I was desperate, and I
+did 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 going
+overboard.  But I was young, strong, and active, and giving myself no
+time to think, I felt in the darkness for the crutch at the thick end of
+the 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 down
+till I stood upon it, and then taking well hold with hands and knees, I
+began to creep softly up and along that diagonally stretched yard higher
+and 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 it
+was not easy; still I climbed on up that round perilous slope, feeling
+that 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 I
+felt sure Bob Hampton must hear, for there he was below me leaning over
+the wheel, and his head visible in the binnacle-light.
+
+But he did not hear, and I crept on and upward on my chest, nipping the
+yard well with my knees, and clinging with my hands.  It was hard and
+awkward work, for I had to pass the blocks and ropes which hoisted it
+up, and it swung inboard and out as the wind pressed upon the great
+bellying canvas, curving down below me to the great boom which ran out
+and 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 the
+end with my hands, and grasping the top corner of the great sail edged
+with stout rope.
+
+"Now Bob Hampton will hear me," I thought, and I stopped to think what I
+should 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 it
+securely round the top of the yard before letting the coils slide down
+inside the hollow curve of the sail, knowing that they would come apart
+as they glided down the stiff strong canvas.  This done, I hesitated for
+a few moments before trusting myself to descend; but drawing a long
+breath at last, I took a good grip of the line with my left hand, of the
+rope-edge of the sail with the other, and began to slide down, keeping
+my chest as near as I could to the canvas.
+
+This was terrible at first, for the upper part of the sail was a long
+way on toward being perpendicular, and I had to cling tightly to save
+myself from coming down with a run; but every foot after the first ten
+grew easier, so that I lay at last well on the great curve, and glided
+down almost in silence, only having to grip rope and line hard enough to
+keep a little check upon my descent.  I followed the edge of the sail
+right away out over the sea, to where it was secured to the large
+horizontal projecting boom, and here my feet rested as I held on and
+looked inboard from where I insecurely stood, faintly making out the
+figure 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, unless
+he was asleep--though he never would own to it in after days.
+
+A doubly dangerous position I seemed to be in, though nothing to a
+sailor; still, in spite of my desperation, I felt nervous and strange as
+I now seated myself astride of the great boom riding up and down, and
+hauling up the line to find how much there was free.
+
+Plenty to use double; and reaching up as high as I could, I once more
+cut it off, doubled it, and then hitched in along the boom till I was
+pretty 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 determined
+to get down to this boom and then slide down the line to the stern
+cabin-windows, through one of which I hoped to be able to creep and join
+my friends.
+
+Still the task was not easy, and I hesitated as I held on and looked
+down, for all was perfectly dark--so dark that I could not see whether
+the lights were open or closed; and if I slid down and found them
+closed, and could not make any one understand my position, I was
+doubtful as to whether I should be able to climb back.  In that case, I
+should 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 finally
+saved by shouting for help till I was drawn up a prisoner, having run
+all these risks for nothing.
+
+For a full ten minutes I was in despair.  Then my courage returned, and
+I prepared to descend.
+
+But there was another unfortunate matter.  The pressure on the sail
+curved the boom well to starboard, so that at times it ran out in a way
+that 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, the
+boom 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 being
+able to climb back to the boom if I failed to get in, and to make a way
+back to safety I now hauled up my double line, and proceeded to tie
+knots all down it at intervals of about a foot, so as to have something
+better 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 over
+the boom, I leaned forward, drew my leg off from where I had been
+sitting, and the next minute I was hanging from the great rounded yard,
+and turning slowly round and round over the swirling water which rushed
+under on either side of the deeply-hidden rudder.
+
+The distance I had to lower myself was not great, and finding now the
+value of the knots, and trying to give myself courage by saying that it
+was an easy job after all, I checked myself abreast of a window, but
+soon made out that it was closed, for I was not two feet away, and
+brought myself closer, and touched it by giving a kick against the
+stern.  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 had
+to wait again and again, for the turning round motion kept on slowly, so
+that for the greater part of the time I was looking right away from the
+windows.  In addition, there was the swaying movement of the great boom
+from 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 I
+could not reach the windows, so I was rapidly beginning to find that
+what had promised to be the easiest part of my task was proving itself
+to be the hardest, when, probably from a turn of the wheel, the ship
+made quite a plunge.  The big sail with its boom swung heavily, and of
+course communicated its motion to me, so that as the cord turned in its
+horribly giddy way, I first rode from side to side, and then by degrees
+to and fro, with the result that when nearest, I made a dash with one
+hand to tap on the window opposite to me; but being unable to govern the
+force exercised, my hand went right through the pane, and the glass fell
+tinkling to the floor within.
+
+The perspiration stood out upon my face as I heard above me Bob
+Hampton's voice cry--
+
+"Hullo!  What's that?"
+
+Almost at the same moment the cabin-window was opened, I had a faint
+glimpse of a face looking as if out of black mist, and Mr Frewen's
+voice said softly--
+
+"Quick, some one; a knife."
+
+"He's going to cut the rope," I thought, and I tried to shout, but it
+was like being in a nightmare: my tongue felt paralysed, and as I hung
+there clinging wildly to the rope I heard voices on deck.
+
+"What is it?  Trying to get out?" some one cried, and Bob Hampton said
+in answer--
+
+"Dunno!  Breaking glass."
+
+"Where?  The cabin-windows?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+But while this was going on, some one leaned out of the window, and the
+rope was seized.  Then I felt it jar as if a knife-blade was being used
+upon it, and this as I had turned round, and my back was toward the
+window.
+
+Then my voice came back with the power to speak, and in a quick whisper
+I 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 into
+the water; but at the same moment I felt my jacket seized by two strong
+hands, and I was drawn close in to the stern of the ship, and held there
+fast.
+
+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 hot
+breath against my cheek, there was a glow of light overhead, and Jarette
+cried--
+
+"Here, cut this line."
+
+Then the rope jarred heavily and was jerked.  The next instant it gave
+way, and the strain I had maintained upon it was gone.  I felt myself
+drop, but it was only an inch or two, for I was held tightly and drawn
+right into the cabin, where I crouched, listening to the altercation
+above my head, every word coming plainly to my ears and those of Mr
+Frewen, for of course it was he who had seized me.
+
+Jarette was raging furiously at some one, whom he was accusing of
+helping 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 it
+is."
+
+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," cried
+Jarette.  "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.  What
+yer 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 Hampton
+continued--
+
+"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 they
+chucked it up from the cabin-window."
+
+"It was not one of them," said Jarette, with a peculiar intonation in
+his voice.  "I'm not afraid of that."
+
+"Strikes me," growled Bob, "if yer wants to know my 'pinion, as it must
+have been some one who was up aloft."
+
+I gave a jump.
+
+"Hah!" cried Jarette, "whoever it was you lads chased.  I know: it was
+that 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 one
+else took his trick at the wheel.  I want a sleep."
+
+"If you play false to me, Bob Hampton," came in tones which made me
+shiver, "you'll have a sleep that will last you for always.  Do you
+hear?--toujours!"
+
+"Two jours, that's two days, arn't it, skipper?"
+
+"No," hissed the man fiercely; "for ever.  Here, Brown, bring an axe and
+a lantern.  Stand it there."
+
+We heard steps overhead, and a light gleamed down from the lantern
+placed upon the stern-rails.
+
+"Now," said Jarette, "be always ready to bring that axe down upon the
+head 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 the
+face just over me, and it was lit from the outside; while farther back I
+could dimly make out other faces which were shadowy, and did not appear
+to be connected with bodies.
+
+I knew directly after that it was not from the lantern placed on the
+stern-rail, but from the pale grey glare in the east, for I had reached
+my 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 the
+deck, and as I rose, Mr Frewen caught my hand.
+
+"My dear lad," he whispered, "I thought you were gone.  Thank God! thank
+God!"
+
+"Isn't it horrible?"  I whispered, though there was no necessity for
+restraining 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 all
+mastered by treachery.  Some traitor came amongst us, and when the
+attack began and the ship was seized, we were all fastened in our
+cabins."
+
+"Some traitor!"  I said, turning cold.  "Yes, and they thought it must
+have been you.  I heard some one accuse you in the dark, just after I
+had broken out of my cabin."
+
+I was silent for a few moments, as I thought of whom the traitor must
+have been, though even to defend myself I could not speak out and accuse
+Walters.
+
+"Who was it said I did it?"  I whispered at last.
+
+"I am not sure.  Everything has been so dark and confused; I fancied for
+the moment that it was Mr Denning."
+
+"I don't believe it was," I said stoutly.  "He would not think I could
+be such a miserable, contemptible wretch."
+
+"But you were not with us, Dale, and people are ready enough to accuse
+at a time like that."
+
+"Mr Denning did not accuse him," said a weak voice, and there close by
+us stood Mr Denning himself, looking almost ghastly in the pale morning
+light which stole into the cabin.  "Alison Dale could not be such a
+scoundrel."
+
+"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 a
+double-barrelled gun.  "I shan't defend myself.  If I had been the
+traitor, 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 tell
+all that I knew of the attack, and as I spoke I could not help noticing
+how distant Mr Frewen and Mr Denning seemed, and I thought that now we
+were in such trouble they would perhaps become friends.
+
+I had another surprise before I had told all about my escape, for from
+out of one of the cabins, looking horrible with his head tied up by a
+stained handkerchief, Mr Brymer appeared, and I saw that he was
+evidently weak and faint from his wound.
+
+"Can you tell us anything about who is at the head of the mutiny?" he
+asked.  "I was cut down, and could hardly understand anything in the
+darkness, 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--down
+in 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 different
+stamp."
+
+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 for
+the hot indignation I felt.
+
+"Poor boy!" groaned Mr Brymer.  "I never liked him, but it is horrible
+for him to have come to such an end as this."
+
+"Yes!"  I said bitterly, as I found my tongue; "horrible for him to have
+come 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 doubt
+about the catastrophe.  What is to be done?"
+
+"Barricade the companion-way," said Mr Frewen, "and shoot down every
+ruffian who tries to enter.  There is a lady on board, and we must
+defend her with our lives."
+
+I saw Mr Denning dart an angry look at the young doctor, whose pale
+face had lighted up so that he looked eager and animated.
+
+"What do you say, Mr Brymer?" said Mr Denning, turning from the
+doctor.
+
+"The same as Mr Frewen," was the reply.  "Doctor, you'll have to patch
+me up so that I can fight a bit."
+
+"Your spirit will do more for you than I can, sir," was the reply.  "I
+am 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 first
+thing is to pile up all the chests and boxes we have at command in the
+companion-way, so as to keep out the ruffians.  They will get at the
+drink, and then stop at nothing.  I'm afraid I cannot lift, but I can
+fire a pistol or a gun."
+
+"And I cannot lift," said Mr Denning, with his eyes flashing, "but I
+can fire with this and take good aim.  I brought it to shoot birds on
+the voyage.  It will be gaol-birds now!"
+
+Just then there was a stir and movement on deck, and the men gathered in
+that saloon made a rush for the door with such fierce determination that
+my heart gave a leap, and I felt that I was about to see blood shed, as
+I had often read of it in books.  But this was no romance.
+
+There were quick whispers, and as it rapidly grew lighter I saw Mr
+Denning stand right in the centre with the mate and Mr Frewen, all
+armed with guns ready to fire upon any one who appeared; but the alarm
+passed off, and Mr Denning being left on guard, the others all set to
+work carrying chests and portmanteaus from the different cabins, so many
+being available that they were used as so many bricks, and carefully
+built up from floor to ceiling, but with openings left in through which
+the defenders of the saloon could fire when the attack was made.
+
+I worked eagerly with all the rest till the big entry was completely
+filled up, Mr Frewen taking the lead, and lifting and packing in the
+chests, till the solid wall was formed--one so well bonded together, as
+a bricklayer would call it, that it seemed to me that it would require a
+battering-ram to force a way through.
+
+As I walked away, hurrying eagerly first into one cabin and then
+another, in search of trunks and portmanteaus that would fit into the
+various openings, I suddenly found myself face to face with Miss
+Denning, whose pallid countenance lit-up on seeing me, and she held out
+her 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 she
+shook her head.
+
+"Don't--don't speak to me like that," she cried.  "I'm not a child.  Be
+frank 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 of
+firearms, and we've got right on our side, and I hope we shall give the
+scoundrels 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 they
+call a mutiny?  I thought all such things were over now."
+
+"So did I, Miss Denning," I said; "but that's what it is.  I never
+thought of it before, but I suppose we must have a very valuable cargo
+on 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 has
+tempted the scoundrels.  But don't you be frightened.  Mr Frewen and
+the 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 and
+fight for us," she said, with a quiet satisfied nod of the head, and I
+winced as I thought about Walters; but she did not notice it, and went
+on, "You had a very narrow escape, did you not?"
+
+"Oh, I had to run and dodge about in the dark, and then came down a
+rope," I replied; "but that was nothing much."  And as I spoke I could
+see that she was hardly paying any attention to my words, but watching
+the 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 not
+listen to me and stay here."
+
+"No," I replied, "how could he as an English gentleman at a time like
+this!"
+
+She gave me a quick, half-resentful look; but her face lit-up directly
+and she smiled.
+
+"I suppose you are right," she said with a sigh.  "It is so hard to be a
+woman, and not be able to help.  I should not mind so much if I could be
+busy."
+
+"But there is nothing to do now, Miss Denning," I said,--"that is, for
+you.  There, I must go now."
+
+"Tell me though--my brother ordered me to stay here in the cabin--tell
+me--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 my
+brother says."
+
+"And I must go out in the saloon and help.  When all is safe I shall see
+you again."
+
+"When all is safe," she whispered despondently.
+
+"Yes, and it is going to be.  Oh, it will be all right.  May I take
+this?"
+
+I pointed to a chest, and she tried to say yes, but only gave a nod; and
+shouldering the little box, I hurried with it to find that it was not
+wanted, for Mr Frewen was just forcing one in between the top of the
+pile and the ceiling, by standing upon a box which Mr Preddle was
+holding steady.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
+
+"Oh dear me--dear me, Alison Dale," said Mr Preddle, rising up from his
+stooping position very slowly and wiping his broad fat face, which was
+covered with drops of perspiration, "this is a very sad business, isn't
+it?"
+
+"Horrible!"  I said, "but it will all come right."  He laid his hand
+upon 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 terribly
+perplexed way.
+
+"Oh yes, I think so," I said; "Mr Denning and Mr Frewen will give the
+rascals a good peppering and bring them to their senses."
+
+"And so will I!" he cried excitedly.  "I never tried to fight seriously
+since I left school, but I don't see why I shouldn't be able to if I
+tried,--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 shall
+try."
+
+"I won't laugh at you, Mr Preddle," I said; "indeed you have more cause
+to laugh at me when I say that, boy as I am, I mean to fight and try to
+defend Miss Denning."
+
+He caught hold of my hand, held it in his left, and brought his big soft
+right down into it with a sounding slap, and then squeezed my fingers as
+hard as he could.
+
+"That you will, Alison.  You're a brave lad, I know.  We'll all try and
+fight like men against the ruffians.  Like lions, eh, Dale?  Like
+lions."
+
+"To be sure, sir," I said; "but hadn't we better go back into the
+saloon?"
+
+"Yes, yes, directly," he said hastily, and I saw him turn very red in
+the face.  "I suppose the mutineers know that we have a very valuable
+cargo?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I expect that's it," I replied.  "But they're not going to
+have 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 my
+consignment of salmon and trout.  Do you think the scoundrels would let
+me 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 was
+something else that I wanted to say to you.  Dear me, what a memory I
+have!  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 she
+is 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 did
+not mention your name.  But we must go back now, sir, and see if we are
+wanted."
+
+"Of course.  Come along," said Mr Preddle, hurriedly; and we went into
+the saloon, where I found the captain standing by the table in the
+middle, 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, and
+he looked up, nodded at us, and said--
+
+"Two more.  There, boy, you'll have to try and fight with the rest of
+us."
+
+"I'll try, sir," I said, and I looked at him wonderingly, for I had been
+under the impression that he was unwell in the cabin; I had forgotten
+the fact that he too had been on deck and received several severe
+injuries 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 when
+I came back I found that my cabin-door was fastened up.  Was that your
+doing?"
+
+"No, sir," I replied.  "Certainly not."
+
+"That's right," he said, looking at me searchingly.  "I went back on
+deck to make some inquiries, and when I reached the men's quarters, I
+was attacked.  But I should like to clear that matter up.  The steward
+swears 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 a
+pause, "He is a prisoner then?"
+
+"Yes, sir, we suppose so," replied Mr Brymer, and I heard the captain
+groan, while a hot feeling of indignation rose in my breast.
+
+"Poor Walters!" and all that pity and sympathy for the ill-conditioned
+cowardly young wretch.  I felt that I must speak out and tell all that I
+knew, but somehow I could not; and to this day I have never been able to
+settle in my own mind whether I was right or wrong.
+
+"Well," said the captain at last, "we have no time to waste upon
+sympathy.  I am sorry to say, gentlemen, that I fear I can do little in
+this terrible emergency.  You have decided to defend yourselves, and,
+God helping us we may get back our positions in the ship, but it can
+only be by making a stout defence, and waiting for an opportunity to
+surprise the scoundrels at some weak moment, say when they have been for
+a long time at the spirits on board."
+
+"To be sure," said Mr Frewen.  "There is no cause for despair with such
+a 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 round
+to 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 are
+useless."  Captain Berriman was silent.
+
+"Stop a moment!" cried Mr Frewen; and he ran into his cabin, to return
+with a revolver which he threw on the table.  "Useless," he said.  "The
+case of cartridges gone.  Here, Mr Denning, see to your gun,--see what
+cartridges you have."
+
+Mr Denning threw open the breech of his double-barrelled gun, examined
+the two cartridges, and closed the breech again.
+
+"All right!" he said, and then he reeled and would have fallen if Mr
+Preddle had not caught him.
+
+"Don't!" he cried, pettishly.  "I mean, thank you.  It was a horrible
+thought.  I saw some one come out of my cabin last evening, I'm sure
+now.  I thought then it was fancy.  Some one has been--to steal--the
+case of cartridges I brought."
+
+He walked feebly but quickly to his cabin, shut the door after him, and
+then Mr Preddle went to his cabin, to come back directly, shaking his
+head.
+
+"Some one has taken all mine but one," he said.  "The lid is off the
+box, and this is the only one left."
+
+"But your gun is loaded?"
+
+"Yes, there are two in that," replied Mr Preddle, "and I hope Mr
+Denning will be more fortunate in his search."
+
+At that moment Mr Denning made his appearance, and from his aspect we
+all thought that his supply had been taken too, but his face lit-up as
+he exclaimed--
+
+"They could not find them.  The cartridge-box was at the bottom of the
+locker."
+
+"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 afraid
+those of yours would not fit."
+
+"Fit?  No!" cried Mr Frewen, impatiently.  "They would be absolutely
+useless."
+
+"And of course we could not load in the old-fashioned way if we took out
+the powder," said Mr Preddle.
+
+The doctor turned away, and I saw him look anxiously toward the
+barricade he had so carefully built up.  Then gravely--
+
+"We have the charges in our guns, gentlemen; when they are expended we
+must 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 our
+passenger 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 of
+life 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 to
+give in.  The ammunition and provisions are on board the ship, and when
+a besieged garrison runs short, it makes sallies to obtain fresh
+supplies.  But we have not arrived at that starvation point yet.  Before
+then the ship may be under the rule of Captain Berriman once again."
+
+"Hist!"  I cried, in an excited whisper, and I pointed up at the
+sky-light, across which a shadow lay, cast by the newly-risen sun which
+had flooded the cabin with gold.
+
+"Listening, eh?" said Mr Brymer, and stepping softly on one side, he
+took 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, "a
+criminal running away from an empty gun!"
+
+"A lesson for us in being cautious in making our plans," observed Mr
+Frewen.  "Now, Captain Berriman, will you give us our orders?"
+
+"My first idea is, gentlemen, that one of you stand on guard there by
+the door, and, if the opportunity offers, he is to shoot down that
+scoundrel Jarette.  They're coming.  Now, on guard."
+
+For as he spoke there were voices heard approaching and the trampling of
+feet.  Directly after guns were seized, and the occupants of the cabin
+stood ready, for the door was unfastened, and an effort made to thrust
+it open.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
+
+The result of that thrust was that the door was opened some little
+distance, and then stopped by part of the pile of chests and other
+luggage formed into a barricade.
+
+There was a dead silence in the saloon as the deep voice of a man was
+heard speaking in a subdued tone to those with him; and pointing to the
+sky-light, Mr Frewen stepped back from the defenders of the barricade
+so 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 speaking
+angrily to some one without.
+
+Again there was silence for a few moments, and then Jarette cried, "Now
+then; 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 is
+now master of this ship, and that no harm will be done to any one if you
+all 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 which
+made me writhe as I looked from one to the other, wondering whether they
+recognised 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 a
+title.  And look here, are you making this announcement of your own free
+will, or are you forced by that contemptible mongrel knave to deliver
+his 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 Captain
+Jarette, sir, and this is my good ship, these are my good brave men.
+Brave enfans--do you hear, bons enfans.  This lad is my young
+lieutenant, who, like the rest, was sick of the vagaries of such a
+tyrannical 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 teeth
+sharply."
+
+"You, Walters," cried the captain, "listen, boy--why are you with these
+men?  Are you a prisoner?"
+
+There was silence for a space before Walters said sharply, as if some
+one 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 the
+captain, 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 tone
+Jarette said--
+
+"Why don't you answer the good kind captain, Lieutenant Walters?"
+
+I started at this, and my lips parted to give utterance to the
+ejaculation, "Oh!" as I felt I was grasping the reason of my messmate's
+conduct.  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 our
+ship.  Do you hear--our ship?  He was sick of your bullying and
+domineering, just as we all were.  I had only to ask the lads if they
+were not tired of being slaves, to have them join me at once.  And now
+you've often talked to me; let me talk to you for your good.  No more
+bad language, please, unless you want to go overboard to join those
+fools who showed fight last night.  Be civil, and you shall be decently
+treated, 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 those
+passengers think they can do any good by resisting.  We don't want to
+make any of you bleed.  What have you been doing to the door to keep it
+from 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 a
+few pounds of powder up against it and blow it in."
+
+"Come and touch the door," cried the captain, sternly, "and we'll blow
+your brains out."
+
+"What?" cried Jarette, mockingly.  "You blow my brains out, fool!--what
+with?"
+
+"This!" said Mr Denning, sharply, and he thrust the barrel of the
+double gun so quickly through one of the openings left, and also through
+the narrow slit formed by the partly opened door, that there was the
+sound of men scuffling back, and a heavy fall, followed by a roar of
+laughter.
+
+We knew the next moment who had fallen, for Jarette's voice came to us
+in an angry snarl.
+
+"You grinning idiots," he cried, "take that!"
+
+As he spoke there was the sharp report of a pistol, and a fearful
+shriek, 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 the
+doctor out and send him down."
+
+A minute later, after we had listened to the meaning noise growing
+fainter, Jarette spoke again.
+
+"There, Berriman," he said, "that's the stuff I'm made of, so no more
+nonsense; open the door and come out."
+
+"Come and open it yourself, you half-French poodle hound," cried the
+captain, "and I'll show you what stuff I'm made of, and save you the
+trouble of going through a trial before reaching the hangman."
+
+"You bragging idiot," cried Jarette, fiercely, "open the door, or I'll
+serve you as we served your miserable Brymer.  Do you want to go
+overboard to join him?"
+
+"No; Captain Berriman prefers to stay on board to see me pay you back in
+your 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 for
+only 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 I
+am 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 for
+that miserable, treacherous boy.  No, he will not open the door for you
+and your pack to come in and wreck and rob.  This is our stronghold till
+some ship heaves in sight, and you and your gang are put in irons to
+await your fate.  I give you all fair warning," he cried, raising his
+voice so that every one present might hear.  "If you wish to escape
+being shot down, keep away from that door-way; for by all that is holy
+we 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 Berriman
+turned to Mr Frewen.
+
+"Try and make more of an opening," he said.  "We must have full play for
+the 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, he
+can tell the others when to fire."
+
+"Ah! but that will require care," said the captain, quickly; "the shot
+must not be at the powder, or we shall be blown up.  Look here, Mr
+Denning, if you will lend me your gun I think I can pick off the first
+scoundrel who comes to lay the powder.  Perhaps another will come, but
+if he is dropped they will not try again."
+
+"I can shoot them," said Mr Denning, quietly.  "I do not like to take
+life, but I feel that I must fire now."
+
+"Then keep your gun, sir," said Captain Berriman; "you need not
+hesitate, for it is a good deed to rid the earth of such wretches as
+these, 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 he
+could get a better aim and command the outer portion of the door, though
+it 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 value
+to 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 before
+the men.  You shall lay the train."
+
+"I?  Lay the powder?" cried Walters, so excitedly that the men burst
+into a roar of laughter.
+
+"Bah!  Don't show the white feather, boy.  It must be done.  What?  You
+won't?"
+
+"No," said Walters, quickly.  "They've got a spite against me, and will
+shoot 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 Walters
+here how brave lads fight."
+
+We listened full of excitement for the next moment, as every one watched
+Mr Denning standing there close to the opening in the barricade, his
+arms and the gun invisible as he reached through toward the saloon-door.
+But there was perfect silence, not a movement to be heard, as Jarette
+burst 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's
+over 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 wet
+in, 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 know
+no 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 a
+train."
+
+"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 there
+pestle in my face, 'cause it might go off."
+
+"Yes, and it will go off," cried Jarette.  "I mean to be obeyed by this
+crew, as I've just shown you."
+
+"Nay, but don't poke pestles in my face; 'cause it make me hit out, and
+when I hits out I hurts.  You ask some one else."
+
+"Bah!" ejaculated Jarette; and the word sounded like the short, sharp
+bark 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 you
+what 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 now
+sprinkling handfuls of powder up to it."
+
+"You come away," said the captain.  "Quick, man!  Here, every one lie
+down at the far end of the saloon."
+
+I was one of the first to run; but I came back with a can of water, and
+held 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, and
+then an idea struck me.  I had often seen my father's gun cleaned, and
+when the barrels were detached from the stack, taken them up to look
+through 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 the
+same, 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, Mr
+Denning."
+
+That gentleman altered his position a little, so that I could reach
+through the opening and let the ends of the barrels rest upon the deck,
+close to the powder, which I could just see scattered about the
+flooring.
+
+Directly after, I had raised my can and was carefully trickling the
+water down through one of the barrels with such good effect that the
+explosive grains were either saturated or borne away.
+
+I had been sending the little stream through for some moments before it
+was seen, and the first intimation we had of the mutineers noticing our
+defence was the explosion of a pistol, and simultaneously a dull,
+cracking sound as a bullet passed through the door and was buried in the
+trunk 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 precious
+drops away which might mean life.  But I laughed directly after, as I
+recalled the fact that we had only to drop a bucket out of the
+stern-windows and haul up as much salt water as we liked.
+
+Mr Frewen must have been thinking the same thing, for directly after he
+and 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 the
+next attempt to lay powder.
+
+"No need to pour away the precious drops now," said Mr Frewen.  "But we
+must 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 of
+Mr Denning's piece, followed directly after by a second shot, and the
+rush 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.  "I
+could not see any one, only that a bag of powder was being thrust along
+the deck with a hand-spike, and I fired at where I thought a man might
+be."
+
+"And hit him, seemingly," said Mr Frewen.  "Now then, we must down with
+some of these trunks."
+
+They were seized directly, and pulled away, so that had we liked we
+could have opened the door widely; and Mr Denning now took up his
+position here, while Mr Frewen and Mr Preddle stood ready each with
+their guns, which had not yet been discharged, while I and Mr Brymer
+were in charge of the two buckets of water.
+
+There was now plenty of room for any one to look round the edge of the
+door and make an observation; and though our position was a good deal
+weakened, this was to some extent counterbalanced by the chests and
+trunks being built across as a breastwork, behind which the guns were
+stationed, 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 with
+moist powder, and that two powder-bags lay in patches of wet, while all
+round was rapidly drying up.  There were the mutineers, standing in a
+group, every man armed, though some only bad knives and hatchets.  By
+their side, as if in command, stood Walters, with two pistols in his
+belt, looking like a pirate in a penny picture; and they were all
+staring at the cabin-door; but I looked in vain for the leader of the
+mutiny.
+
+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 with
+a hook."
+
+"No; but I could easily run out and pick them up."
+
+"No; never mind," said the captain; "the water would run up through them
+like 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 perilous
+condition, for I could not help thinking what a conceited fool Walters
+looked.  He seemed to me like a big school-boy playing at being a
+buccaneer; and the feeling was strong upon me that I should like to go
+out and punch his head till it was soft enough for some common-sense to
+get in.
+
+Then the reality, the stern, horrible reality, of all that was before me
+came with terrible force; for as I scanned the rapidly drying deck, all
+strewed and splotched with trampled wet powder, I saw one great patch
+that did not seem to dry up at all, and the next moment I grasped what
+it was, and shuddered, for it was blood.
+
+And then I felt that in spite of the absurdity of the appearance of
+Walters and some of the men, we poor creatures, shut up there in that
+saloon-cabin, with ladies depending upon us for protection, were face to
+face with death; for when weak, thoughtless men were once committed to
+an enterprise and led away, there would be no bounds to the excesses
+they 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 to
+report the next movement on the part of our enemies.  My eyes felt a
+little dim, too, as I looked round vainly in search of Jarette, who must
+be, 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 deck
+where the men were watching the door; and I was just thinking that if we
+all 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 scattered
+and 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 could
+and I would lick Walters."
+
+My fingers itched to get at him as I thought all this, and the blood
+flushed 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 they
+don't frighten me.  You daren't fire them, and you showed what a coward
+you were when you were told to lay the powder here and--Hallo!"
+
+The current of my thoughts was changed on the instant as something came
+down very softly from above--something soft and grey-looking hanging
+from a string.  There was not a sound, but I grasped directly what it
+meant.
+
+Some one had gone softly up on to the poop-deck, and was standing just
+over my head, letting down this something by a string, so that it should
+lie gently close up to the door.
+
+I could not look right up and see, but I knew as well as could be that
+it 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 touched
+the deck-planks, when it was swung gently to and fro till it would just
+touch the door.  Then the string was dropped; and it had all been so
+well 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 in
+the plan that I could not withdraw my eyes from the slit, but stood
+watching to see what would come next.
+
+I was not kept waiting many moments before there was a thick black
+shower of dust scattered down from above, and I knew that Jarette must
+be throwing down powder, so as to form a train.  And this he did
+cleverly enough, so that the deck was thick with powder, close up to the
+bag, and then the train grew thinner, and I felt that he would have to
+come down on the lower deck to finish his task.
+
+Almost as I thought this, I saw a shadow, just the head and shoulders of
+a man, cast by the sun upon the deck, and I knew that our enemy was
+going to descend by the starboard ladder, and pass round to where he
+could 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 eye
+on 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.  And
+all the while, though the firing of that bag of powder would mean
+destruction, possibly death to some of us, I did not--mind, I who write
+you this am not boasting, but setting down the simple facts--I did not,
+I repeat, feel in the slightest decree alarmed, but so full of
+confidence, that it was like participating in some capital trick which
+was 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 by
+Walters, all draw back to some distance farther, while Jarette said
+something to him, I don't know what, but I think it was insulting, and
+laughed.
+
+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 my
+hand, 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 a
+flash, 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 the
+main-mast, and then the white vapour shut off everything, so that I
+reached out unseen, hooked the powder-bag, and after two or three tries
+drew it in, and shut the door close.
+
+"What is it?" cried Mr Frewen, excitedly; "are they coming?"  There was
+no time to answer.  I leaped over the breastwork with the powder-bag in
+my hand, meaning to run to the stern-window and throw it out, but I
+thought it might be useful, and I rushed into Mr Preddle's room to
+stand holding it behind me as there came a loud hiss and rush, and the
+saloon began to fill with smoke.
+
+As soon as the danger was over I went out, leaving the powder upon Mr
+Preddle's cot, and told them why I had rushed by.
+
+"Oh, come, that's better," said the captain; "we thought you were
+showing 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 have
+been a pity to have thrown the stuff overboard, we might have wanted it
+to send back with our compliments, eh?  Leaden ones.  What is it,
+Brymer?"
+
+"Hist!  Jarette is outside, looking astonished that the powder has not
+done any damage."
+
+"And he'll be trying it again," said Mr Frewen, who, after a few words
+with the captain, took his gun, placed a chair on the saloon-table, and
+then mounted upon it, thus bringing his head well up in the sky-light
+and above the level of the deck, so that he could watch Jarette's
+motions if he attempted the same plan.
+
+In addition, after glancing astern to see whether he was out of the
+steersman's sight, he wrenched open the window a little more, pushed out
+the barrel of his gun, and stood there waiting.
+
+He was not kept long before he saw the man come on deck bearing a
+heavier bag of powder, and he was in the act of sitting down in one of
+the cane seats near the rail to tie on a piece of string, when, with all
+the caution of some wild bird, he looked sharply round for danger.
+
+In an instant he had caught sight of the barrel of the gun thrust
+through the window, and making a bound he reached the ladder, and swung
+himself down upon the main-deck, where he stood with the powder-bag in
+his hand, as if hesitating as to what he should do.
+
+The men were watching him, and he knew it.  They must have noticed his
+ignoble retreat, and here was the way to redeem his character.
+
+This he did by coming straight to the cabin-door, and depositing the bag
+there, opening it, and throwing out several handfuls of powder to help
+form the train; but just at that moment the door was snatched open, and
+a gun thrust out so suddenly that it struck the mutinous leader on the
+side, and he leaped back, lost his balance, and fell heavily upon his
+back, 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 was
+a burst of flame from the deck, a heavy rushing sound,--and the mutineer
+disappeared in a dense white cloud of smoke, out of which he staggered
+back to his followers, panting, startled, but, with the exception of a
+little singeing, unhurt.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
+
+"Why didn't you aim straight, man?--why didn't you aim straight?" cried
+Captain 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 frighten
+such a man as that."
+
+"No; but the idea of being shot at, and the explosion of that loose
+powder about his ears has startled him, and he'll be careful about
+coming 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 for
+fear 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, for
+when the door was open I was down on my knees ready by Mr Frewen's
+legs, and as he thrust the barrels of his gun against Jarette's side, I
+snatched at the bag and drew it in.
+
+"Take my place, Mr Preddle," said Mr Denning to him, "I must go back
+to our cabin and speak to my sister.  She will be terribly alarmed by
+the 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 the
+stout passenger.  "Thank you; my piece is loaded."
+
+He was very red in the face as he stepped into Mr Denning's place by
+the door, which was now carefully watched in expectation of another
+attempt to blow it open.
+
+But the minutes glided on, and all grew quiet forward to our great
+surprise; but we soon knew why, for a man came along bearing some
+biscuit and cold pork in one hand, a bowl of steaming coffee in the
+other, and it was evident that he was taking the man at the wheel some
+breakfast from the meal of which the crew were partaking.
+
+"A good example, captain," said Mr Frewen.  "I can keep on guard here
+while you people all have some refreshment.  They must need it, for I'm
+sure I do."
+
+I offered to take Mr Frewen's place, but he would not hear of it, and
+matters were compromised by my taking him his breakfast, when some
+provisions had hastily been placed on the saloon-table; and carrying
+mine with me, together with a box for our table, dragged down close to
+the 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 Miss
+Denning was to attend upon her brother and Mr Brymer, for whom, in his
+wounded state, she seemed to be full of sympathy.  Then after attending
+upon him, she flitted to the captain's side, while from time to time Mr
+Frewen looked on, and appeared to be wishing that he too was wounded so
+as 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 go
+to your place by your brother, and have something to eat yourself."
+
+"Oh, but I can have something at any time, Captain Berriman, when you
+are all busy protecting us."
+
+"No," cried Captain Berriman, "not another mouthful."  And he spoke so
+emphatically, that Miss Denning glanced at her brother, and then at a
+nod went and sat down.
+
+I noticed that in spite of our position, everybody was making an effort
+to treat the trouble coolly; even Mr Frewen smiled at me, after
+glancing 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 night
+isn't the sort of thing to make one want his breakfast."
+
+"Don't despair, my lad, it will come all right.  Why, they must have
+given us nearly all the powder in those two bags you brought in, and if
+they don't mind, you and I will make a contrivance to hoist them with
+their 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 our
+seeking, it is our duty to see that it is the blood of the villains who
+have 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 be
+merciful to them who would blow us up with gunpowder.  Why, they
+wouldn'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 believe
+that my eyes twinkled mischievously at being able to confute him.
+
+"No, Dale," he said, "I couldn't.  Doctors have spent all their time
+learning how to save life, and it would have been such a cold-blooded
+act."
+
+"But if you had shot him, sir, the mutiny would have been at an end."
+
+"Unless your messmate, Walters, had constituted himself captain, and
+carried on the war."
+
+"He!"  I cried contemptuously.  "Why, I'd go and fetch him out by one
+ear the same as a dog or a pig out of a drove.  I believe, sir, that he
+is a regular coward and sneak."
+
+"Ah, well, we shall see," replied Mr Frewen, "but I suppose that I
+really 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 to
+punish."
+
+"But look here, Mr Frewen," I said, "isn't it all a mad and stupid
+thing for that man to do?"
+
+"Worse than mad, my boy, for what can they do if they keep us down, and
+carry this vessel into port, which I doubt their ability to do?"
+
+"Oh, they can do that," I said quickly.  "Bob Hampton is such a capital
+sailor."
+
+"A capital scoundrel," he cried hotly, "and if I have a chance I'll
+pitch 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 down
+to pick him up, and go in it myself.  There, as you say, it is a mad
+thing for the men to have done.  It shows how a whole party can be
+carried away by the specious arguments of one scoundrel.  However, we
+know our duty, my lad; and that is to re-take the ship, place the worst
+of the men in irons, and make the others navigate the vessel, unless you
+advocate our hanging the worst of them instead of putting them in
+irons."
+
+"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 at
+his 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, Mr
+Brymer is making signs for us to be quiet.  The captain is going to
+speak."
+
+I looked quickly at the table, and saw that Captain Berriman was
+standing just below the sky-light, when all at once there was a violent
+crashing of glass, and I saw pistols held down through the light, while
+almost at the same moment I heard a rustling noise outside, and leaped
+up.
+
+"Look out, Mr Frewen," I whispered; "powder again!"
+
+For the rustling noise had been made by Jarette, who had crept along
+unnoticed till he could plant a powder-bag, and as I glanced out I saw
+that he was rapidly laying a train by drawing a second bag of powder
+after him as he stepped rapidly back towards another man who was
+carrying a lighted lanthorn--lighted, I felt sure, though in the
+brilliant 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 having
+our 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 narrow
+space 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 the
+door 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 in
+the act of passing through a little way, so as to lean out and once more
+snatch the powder-bag in out of danger when I saw that Jarette had
+snatched the candle out of the lantern held ready for him, and applied
+the light to the train.
+
+Mr Frewen saw it too, and dragged me back, and in one and the same
+effort threw me and himself over the barricade.  I should more correctly
+have said, let himself, as he held me, fall backward over the wall of
+chests into the cabin.
+
+It all took place almost as quick as thought, for as we fell heavily
+upon the saloon-floor, there was a terrific flash, a roar, and I was
+conscious of being driven right into the great cabin, buried beneath a
+weight which caused me intense pain, and then all was blank.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
+
+I could not have been insensible many moments, for I was conscious of
+shouting and trampling, of a thick black smoke which made it seem like
+night, of voices giving orders, and Jarette yelling to his men now in
+French, now in English, and all the time there was a crushing weight
+across my legs and chest.
+
+Then there were a couple of shots fired, and the shutting and banging of
+doors; some one shrieked, and a man was thrown back over the mass which
+held me down.
+
+After that I must have been insensible again, for the next thing I
+remember is hearing a groan, and directly after the voices of men
+talking 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 out
+through 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 low
+growl.
+
+"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.  I
+couldn'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 were
+carrying, and if it was a doctor I felt that it must be Mr Frewen; but
+what it all meant, or why I was lying there, I could not tell in the
+least.
+
+There was half-darkness then for a little while, then light--then
+darkness again, and some one was leaning over me.
+
+"Steady, lad," was growled, and I knew it was Bob Hampton again, and I
+tried 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 words
+bounded painfully sharp upon my ears.
+
+"Got him?"
+
+"Ay, ay."
+
+"Heave then, together.  No, hold hard; the corner of that portmanter's
+over his hind leg.  That's it; hyste it away."
+
+I felt myself laid down while something was done close to me, and then I
+was lifted once more and carried out into the warm sunshine, and laid
+upon the hot boards of the deck.
+
+"Poor laddie," growled Bob Hampton, "he's got it badly.  Rum world this
+here, 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 stuff
+enough in him to make a full-sized sailor yet, and he's far too good to
+be chucked over to the sharkses."
+
+"But Barney Blane said he was dead."
+
+"Don't you take no notice o' what Barney Blane says, skipper," cried
+Dumlow.  "He dunno chalk from cheese best o' times, and I know he can't
+tell a dead man from mutton."
+
+"Hear, hear, mate!" cried Bob Hampton.  "Haw, haw, haw; we'll chuck the
+boy overboard if you like, capt'n; but there's a kick in one of his hind
+legs, an' I see him wink and waggle one ear."
+
+"Let him lie there a bit till I come round," cried Jarette.  "You go on
+and 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, and
+pour 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 we
+don'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 my
+forehead, while, though I could neither move nor speak, I heard
+Jarette's voice giving orders apparently ever so far away.
+
+"Look sharp, lads," said Bob Hampton, "or Frog-soup 'll be back and
+bully us."
+
+"Must give the jollop purser a drop more," said Dumlow.  "Here, he arn't
+dead neither; takes the water down as free as if it were grog.  They'll
+come right agen, won't they?"
+
+"Ay, to be sure," said Bob Hampton.  "Now then, heave ahead afore he
+comes.  Rum games these here, messmets."
+
+"Rum arn't the right word," said Dumlow, and then all was perfectly
+still again, and I lay there wondering what was the matter, and why I
+couldn't think as I should, and make out why I was lying there on my
+back in the hot sun listening to a low moaning sound, and some one close
+to my ear talking in a muttering tone.
+
+Then there was silence again for I don't know how long: before there was
+another 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 that
+people were coming near me, and stopped talking together.
+
+I must have grown a little more sensible then, for I recognised the
+voices as some one gave me a rude thrust with the foot.
+
+"This boy's dead enough," and the words sounded so sharp and cruel that
+they 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, my
+full 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 something
+within me which had been stopped up, for as the arm was allowed to drop
+heavily back, and Walters said callously--"Yes; he's dead enough," I
+shouted as loudly as I could--"No, I'm not!" and opened my eyes to stare
+up at the group on deck.
+
+There was a hearty burst of laughter at this, and I suppose it was
+partly directed at Walters, who sprang up as sharply as if I had bitten
+him, 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 to
+kick me, but Jarette laid a hand upon his shoulder.
+
+"Let him be," he said shortly.  "Look here, young Dale, where are you
+hurt?"
+
+"I suppose I'm not hurt at all," I said, speaking with a good deal of
+pain; "if I say I am, he'll tell you I'm shamming."
+
+"Never mind him, boy," said Jarette, "listen to me.  Look here, the
+game's up with the officers, and they're either my prisoners or as good
+as dead, so there's nothing more for you to do.  Now, I suppose you
+don'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 you
+can 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 offer
+you good terms; will you join us?"
+
+"You don't want midshipmen," I said, as I tried to think hard as to what
+I ought to do under the circumstances.
+
+"How do you know, boy?  Join us, and serve under me.  It will only be
+like going on again with your old messmate here, and I dare say I can
+promote 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, and
+turning my head with difficulty, there was Bob Hampton looking quite
+frank and honest, and as if there was not such a thing as a mutineer on
+the face of the earth.
+
+"Why?  What for?"  I cried, with a catching of the breath which made me
+raise my hand to my breast.
+
+"'Cause we're all so jolly together now, sir.  You'll like it same as me
+and 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've
+got some broken ribs."
+
+"Good!  We will," cried Jarette, but to my astonishment Walters suddenly
+roared 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 him
+full in the face, for the pain I suffered and his words roused up in me
+a furious burst of temper.
+
+"Traitor! sham!"  I cried.  "You ought to be hung for turning against
+your 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 you
+get your deserts, you miserable hound!"  I cried.  "No, I'm not fit to
+be trusted, Jarette," I cried, now quite beside myself with rage and
+pain; "and don't let that miserable cur come near me, or I shall try to
+do him some mischief."
+
+"Do you hear, lieutenant?" said Jarette, with a sneering laugh.  "Why
+don't you go and serve him out for threatening you?  He's about helpless
+if his ribs are broken, and couldn't hurt you back."
+
+"I'm not going to meddle with the miserable, sneaking cur," he said
+contemptuously.  "And you needn't banter me; I've saved you from being
+cheated by him."
+
+"Oh, I don't know," said Jarette, gazing at Walters through his
+half-closed lids; "I dare say it was all talk, for he wouldn't have
+dared to play tricks.  But I say, lieutenant, he has got a stouter heart
+than you have.  He'd be too much for you."
+
+Walters gave him a malicious look, full of angry spite, and as Jarette
+saw it, there was a complete change in the man.  His eyes flashed, his
+form seemed to dilate, and he looked taller, while I now realised how it
+was that he had gained so much ascendancy over the men, making them
+follow and trust him with powers which would possibly land them all in
+gaol, if no worse fate were in store.
+
+He and Walters were close to me, and I heard what could not have reached
+the 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.  Recollect
+you've committed yourself so deeply that you are mine now; and
+recollect, 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's
+enough.  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 the
+key.  There, youngster," he continued to me, "I'm sending the doctor
+with you to set you right."
+
+I nodded, and then had hard work to keep from shrieking out as two men
+lifted me and carried me through the companion into the shattered
+saloon, and then into the cabin on the left, laying me down pretty
+gently in the cot.
+
+It seemed quite natural to me that I should be brought there, though it
+was unintentional on Jarette's part, for the cabin I was in was that
+apportioned to Mr Frewen, who was now carried in and laid upon a rug
+which covered a portion of the floor.
+
+"Cheer up, Mr Dale, sir," said Dumlow, bluffly, for he was one of the
+men who had helped to carry in Mr Frewen.  "They won't starve yer.  If
+they do I'll bring you some o' my wittles and drink."
+
+"Look here, Dumlow," I said, "where are the officers and the
+passengers?"
+
+"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 a
+crack in you somewheres."
+
+The men all laughed and went out, and shut from my sight the shattered
+side, and confusion of chests and boxes lying in the saloon.  Then I
+heard the door fastened, and I made an effort and looked over the side
+of the cot, groaning the while with the pain it gave me, down at poor
+Mr Frewen, who lay there quite insensible, and I said to myself
+bitterly--
+
+"Very kind of them to send me a doctor; why, I shall have to doctor
+him."
+
+Then for the first time I saw that he was bleeding a little from one
+side of his head, and this roused me so that I forgot a good deal of my
+pain; and after feeling my chest and side a little to try and make out
+where my ribs were broken, and without success, I managed to crawl out
+of 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 my
+suffering 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 leaned
+over, turned his head a little more on one side, and found that the hair
+was 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 wound
+bathed and strapped up, and I was about to proceed to do it, when
+another thought occurred to me.
+
+It was this:--
+
+The bleeding had pretty well stopped, and would, I felt sure, quite stop
+in a few minutes, so perhaps I should not be acting wisely if I
+disturbed the injury then, for it might be better if I tried to bring
+him to his senses, and then he would advise me what to do, and how to do
+it.
+
+I believe I was in great pain then, but I forgot it for the moment as I
+looked round and I saw that there was water there, and sponges and
+towels were close at hand, so without farther hesitation I poured out
+some of the water into a little basin, and taking a sponge, well bathed
+his face, after opening the window, for the cabin was suffocating.
+
+I bathed and bathed, and changed the water so as to get it a little
+cooler, though the rapid evaporation helped me most, and at last, to my
+great delight, his eyelids began to quiver, and finally he lay there
+staring 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 the
+matter?--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 face
+eagerly.  "Don't you remember?"
+
+"Yes," he cried eagerly.  "I threw myself back over the barricade with
+you."
+
+"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 what
+happened.  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 the
+explosion, 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 them
+talk 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 not
+been 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 so
+bad 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 about
+them?"
+
+I shook my head.
+
+"Didn't you see anything to suggest that any one was killed and--and
+thrown overboard?"
+
+"No, Mr Frewen."
+
+"Go out then and make inquiries, my good lad," he said piteously; "this
+suspense 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 were
+three gentle taps on the wooden partition just opposite to where I was
+kneeling.
+
+"Then there is some one else a prisoner," he cried.  "Quick, speak to
+him."
+
+"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 gentle
+taps 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 had
+responded in the same way, there was one single one given which I also
+answered.
+
+"That only stands for some one being there," said Mr Frewen, with a
+sigh; "we have no code arranged by which we could communicate."
+
+"Oh yes, we have," I said, with a laugh, and, after breaking my
+thumb-nail, I managed to open out a gimlet fitted in the back of my
+knife, 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 been
+very satisfactory to look at when I received the knife as a present; but
+I often had come to the conclusion that the knife would have been better
+with two more blades instead.  But now its time had come, and with a
+feeling of being able to triumph over a difficulty, I stepped to the
+bulk-head, feeling rather giddy and strange in the head, but this passed
+off in the excitement, as I rapidly stuck in the point of the gimlet and
+began to bore.
+
+The bulk-head was composed of three-quarter inch board, but I kept on
+boring and boring without apparently getting through, and I drew out the
+gimlet at last, after boring in as far as I could, and stood looking at
+the position in dismay.
+
+Just then came a fresh tapping, to which I responded, and then as I
+listened to the hollow sound I knew what had been wrong.  I had been
+boring through the board just where it was backed by one of the uprights
+which gave strength to the bulk-head.
+
+The next minute I had bored a hole right through, and on withdrawing the
+gimlet I could see daylight.
+
+"Who's that?"  I whispered, with my lips to the tiny hole, and placing
+my 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 in
+their cabins."
+
+"But the passengers; ask him about the passengers," whispered Mr
+Frewen.
+
+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 felt
+sure in prayer.
+
+"Yes?"  I whispered back, as Mr Preddle said something which sounded
+all 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 have
+done 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 words
+sounded so buzzy, was that a lot of little bits of wood were sticking up
+through the hole left by the gimlet.  And so it proved, for after a
+little cutting all the words sounded clearly enough, and he promised to
+wait till I had attended to Mr Frewen's injuries before asking any more
+questions.
+
+"Yes," he said, "I'll wait; but when one is in prison, and can talk to
+the 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 name
+pronounced 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 body
+just then, and Mr Preddle irritated me; he did seem so girlish and
+weak.
+
+"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 do
+something to it; I shall be better and stronger, and I want all my
+strength now."
+
+"To help get back the ship?"  I said.
+
+"Yes, of course.  Now then, my lad," he continued, "you must think that
+you 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, and
+strapping."
+
+I went to the drawer, and there, neatly arranged, were the articles he
+had 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 damage
+is done."
+
+"But I'm afraid--"
+
+"What?"
+
+"Of hurting you."
+
+"Then set that aside, boy," he said, smiling.  "A surgeon must take all
+the care he can, but he must not be afraid of hurting his patient.  Go
+on."
+
+It was not quite my first surgical experiment, for I had bound up cut
+fingers before then, and once roughly tended to the broken arm of a
+school-fellow, who had fallen in climbing a tree, though my attention
+merely consisted in laying the arm straight and bandaging it with a
+woollen comforter, while the doctor was fetched; but all the same I felt
+very hot, nervous, and uncomfortable, as, in following out Mr Frewen's
+instructions, I cut away the hair, bathed the place, and told him
+exactly what I saw, horrible as it was.
+
+"Pooh!" he said, with a little laugh.  "A mere scratch.  Why, if it were
+a patient I was attending--you, for instance--I should say you were
+making 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 been
+driven against my head like a square shot.  Well, there's one comfort,
+the skull isn't cracked.  Now cut some strips of that plaister, and
+place them across and across."
+
+I followed out his instructions, and ended by laying some lint over the
+wound and securing all with a neatly sewn on bandage.
+
+He turned very pale twice over as I was busy, and, in obedience to a
+whisper, 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 rather
+hard lines, as you lads would call it, for a doctor to have to take his
+own stuff; but you see I have a nasty crack, and if I had not been a
+particularly thick-headed sort of fellow, I'm afraid I should not have
+wanted another."
+
+"What is that you have taken?"  I asked.  "Only ammonia--sal volatile--a
+capital stimulus when faintness comes on.  There, I'm better now, and I
+dare 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, had
+been 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 those
+circumstances.  There, I'm better now.  Help me to sit up."  I helped
+him, and he turned ghastly.
+
+"Feel faint, sir?"  I said.
+
+"Horrible, Dale, but I will master it.  This is no time for giving way
+like a young lady in a hot room.  There, that's better.  Nothing like
+making a fight for it.  Come."
+
+"Oh no; I'm not very much hurt, sir," I cried.  "Wait till you are
+easier."
+
+"Come closer," he said firmly.  "Off with your jacket, and open the neck
+of your shirt."
+
+I obeyed him unwillingly, and making another determined effort to master
+the faintness from which he suffered, he carefully examined my chest and
+side, giving me such intense pain the while that I too felt sick, and
+would gladly have prescribed for myself a draught of the medicine he had
+taken.
+
+"There," he cried at last, "that's perfectly satisfactory.  No ribs
+broken, 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 have
+some 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 we
+can do for other people."
+
+"Yes, and about re-taking the ship," I said excitedly, though I could
+not then see the slightest chance of success.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
+
+Mr Frewen and I were both too weak and faint from the terrible shock we
+had had, to do anything that day but lie back and rest, my place being
+chosen close to the hole I had bored, so that I could be ready to answer
+Mr Preddle's questions, which were constantly coming, and to listen to
+his lamentations about his fish--about the trouble he had taken, the
+water which must be drying--till, as I lay back there with my ear close
+to a second hole which I had bored lower down, every now and then from
+pain, heat, and the consequent faintness, I kept on dropping into a
+curious half-dreamy state, in which I seemed to be watching Mr
+Preddle's fish swimming about with their fat little mouths gasping at
+the surface of the water, and all looking as if they were so many
+hundreds 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 go
+right off to sleep--a sleep without any dreams--and keep asleep till my
+side had left off aching.  But it was no use to wish, for though Mr
+Frewen was sleeping, so sure as I nearly dropped off, Mr Preddle would
+put his lips to the hole I had made for my own torture, and whisper
+something.
+
+"Dale, I've been thinking that if Mr Frewen could seize the man who
+opens your door and attends upon you, and hold him while you ran out and
+opened mine, you and I could then go and open two more cabins, and so
+on, and then we could seize the ship."
+
+"Yes," I said heavily, and there was a pause.  Then just as I was
+dropping off to sleep again--"Dale!"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"We ought to do it when it is dark.  I'm quite strong, and not hurt a
+bit.  Do you think Mr Frewen is well enough?"
+
+"Oh yes!"  I said drowsily, though all the time I knew he was not, but I
+couldn't help it.
+
+"Then I think we ought to try to-night.  But what is your opinion of Mr
+John 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 might
+be useful, and I think he is brave.  A man who is in bad health is
+frequently irritable, and if we have to fight, as I suppose we very
+likely shall have to, his irritability would be of great advantage to
+us, because it would be vented upon our enemies."
+
+That's as far as I can remember what he said, for nature would bear no
+more, and I was fast asleep with a murmuring sound close to my ear
+shaping my dreams, which lasted till there was a rattling sound at the
+door, which as I started up was flung open, and two men brought in what
+was 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, it
+would not have tempted Mr Frewen or me.  The fresh water was all we
+cared 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 heard
+them go into the next, and as we sat listening, we could hear almost
+every word that was said, for Mr Preddle questioned the men sharply,
+but obtained no answer, the door being roughly closed just in the middle
+of one of his speeches.  Then as we sat listening we could hear the men
+go from cabin to cabin down one side of the saloon and back along the
+other.
+
+After this we began to talk in a whisper about our future prospects, and
+our plans were soon made--to wit, that as soon as Mr Frewen felt
+himself strong enough to act, an attempt should be made to evade the
+vigilance of the men on guard, and communicate with the captain or Mr
+Brymer, and then try to make some plan.
+
+"There don't seem to be much chance," I said, rather dolefully, for I
+was in a good deal of pain.
+
+"You never know what is going to happen, my lad," said Mr Frewen.  "As
+for me, I feel quite cheerful about our prospects.  These men never can
+get on without quarrelling, and if they are divided, then is our
+chance."
+
+"But suppose they do not quarrel, and are not divided?"  I said.
+
+"Don't suppose impossibilities, Dale.  I've been at sea long enough to
+understand a little about sailors.  This man Jarette has won their ear
+for the time, but he will soon begin to behave tyrannically to them, and
+then they will be as ready to rebel against him as they were against
+Captain Berriman.  We have to wait for that moment, and take advantage
+of it if we can."
+
+But three days glided on without our having a chance of knowing what was
+going 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 good
+deal of singing and shouting--strong indications of drinking going on.
+Mr Frewen was far better, and my pains had passed into an unpleasant
+stiffness; otherwise, I was all right.
+
+As for Mr Preddle, he would sit against the bulk-head and bemoan his
+fate as long as he could get a listener, and half his discourse would be
+about his fish, the other about the unfortunate passengers.
+
+I had cut a way through into his cabin by boring a great many holes, and
+then joining them with my knife, so that I could pass it through for him
+to try if he could communicate with the cabin further on.  But that
+proved 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 of
+the men, and watched the horizon in the hope of seeing a ship to which
+we could signal, but nothing came in sight.
+
+The fourth night had arrived, and now Mr Frewen had made up his mind
+that our plan ought to be to work at a board in the bulk-head till we
+could get enough loose to draw a piece out; and then, after getting into
+Mr 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 was
+broached to him, and he declared it to be too good for there to be any
+failure.
+
+"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 our
+friends; then wait till the mutineers are all quiet below, and fasten
+the hatches tight down upon them.  Alison Dale, my dear boy, we shall
+re-take the ship, save the ladies, and I shall, after all, get across
+with 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 said
+all this, and I could see that his eyes were sparkling with pleasure at
+the thought of the great success that was coming.
+
+"It is very easy in theory, Preddle," said Mr Frewen, "but I don't know
+that it is going to turn out so satisfactory in practice."
+
+"Oh, my dear Frewen, don't throw cold water on the plan, pray," he
+cried.
+
+"Not a drop," said Mr Frewen.
+
+"And you will try?"
+
+"Oh yes; anything that promises success in any shape.  We cannot sit
+still.  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 bottles
+belonging to Mr Frewen's store across the little opening, and took down
+another bottle to remove the stopper and begin sniffing at it as there
+was a sudden rattling at the door, which was thrown open, and Jarette
+entered.  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 I
+fixed him with my eye, but he seemed in no wise abashed, looking boldly
+back at me, and giving me quite a friendly nod.
+
+"Treacherous brute!"  I muttered, and turned away to find Jarette
+looking 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 to
+come under my flag?"
+
+"Prison flag!" said Mr Frewen, contemptuously.
+
+"Oh no, my good friend; in my little kingdom I am going to found.  What
+do you say to a lovely spice island, all sunshine and flowers, where I
+can start a new civilisation?  I offer you a fine position there as the
+only 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 for
+you now you're sore; but you'll come round, and the sooner you do the
+more comfortable you'll be.  It must come to that.  You'll have no other
+chance."
+
+"We shall see," said Mr Frewen, coldly.
+
+Jarette looked at him sharply, and then all about the narrow cabin
+before fixing his eyes again upon my fellow-prisoner.
+
+"Look here," he said, in a sharp, fierce way.  "You're thinking of
+escaping--listen to this, boy," he added, turning sharply to me, "it
+will 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 for
+you.  If you tried to break out I have men on the watch whose orders are
+to shoot down any one who tries to get away, and that shooting down
+means pitching overboard afterwards.  It would save me a great deal of
+trouble, 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 would
+hurt my feelings to have to set you afloat in an open boat with those
+brute 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 in
+which to keep his fish."
+
+He backed out of the cabin, and the door was closed, while as we
+listened we heard the party move on to Mr Preddle's cabin.
+
+I could not resist the temptation of listening, and as I was standing
+close 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 I
+nodded to him as much as to say "I will," and listened.
+
+I could not see through, for Mr Preddle had done as I had--drawn
+something before his side of the opening, which was so small and in such
+a dark part of the cabin, that unless searched for it was not likely to
+be 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-dozen
+this morning with that string ladle of yours."
+
+"The little net?" cried Mr Preddle, eagerly.  "That was very good of
+you.  How do they all seem?"
+
+"As if they wanted their master to come and feed them.  They all swam up
+to 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 so
+much in the damp that you couldn't hear 'em."
+
+The men laughed, and Mr Preddle joined in, but in a feeble forced way
+as 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've
+thrown over these people here, whom I have been obliged to shut up for
+violence.  Cast in your lot with us, and there you are, quite free; and
+I'll--come, I'll make you naturalist to my expedition, and one of the
+chief men of my island."
+
+"Naturalist to your expedition?" faltered Mr Preddle, wondering at the
+language used by a man whom he had heretofore looked upon as a common
+sailor, perfectly uneducated, and ready for any amount of violence and
+rapine,--"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 nature
+at 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 cannot
+do 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, and
+to 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 wish
+me to, even to save them."
+
+"You will not?"
+
+"No, sir, no."
+
+"Idiot!" cried Jarette, sharply, and directly after the door was banged
+and fastened.
+
+"My fish--my fish--my poor little fish!" muttered Mr Preddle; "but I
+couldn't, even to save them."
+
+Then there was silence, and I softly recovered the little hole and
+looked 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 Jarette
+went 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, one
+of which I was sure was Captain Berriman's.  We could not hear what was
+said, 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, a
+piercing shriek, and a heavy fall.
+
+Then for a few moments there was silence, but a quick muttering of
+voices followed, and then a door was banged.
+
+A few moments later as I stood there panting, and with the perspiration
+standing 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, whose
+face 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; "speak
+out."
+
+"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 way
+of escape?"
+
+And all this while the angry muttering and talking went on, Mr Denning
+evidently bitterly upbraiding Jarette, and the latter mockingly defiant,
+and uttering what sounded like contemptuous retorts.  Then a door was
+banged again loudly, and we stood listening, Mr Frewen with his
+forehead resting against the panel and his hands clenched, while his
+face was all drawn into puckers and wrinkles as if he was suffering the
+most intense agony.
+
+And as we listened, I, horror-stricken, and in the full belief that poor
+Miss Denning had been shot, perhaps in trying to save her brother, a
+couple more of the cabin-doors were opened and closed; then there was a
+good deal of talking and the giving of orders.  At last, when we felt
+that Jarette and his men were going forward once again to their quarters
+in the forecastle, leaving us in horrible suspense, a heavy step
+approached our door, which was opened, and Hampton appeared.
+
+"Who was that shot?" cried Mr Frewen, rushing at the man and seizing
+him 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 business
+is 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 as
+Jarette approached, "Here's the captain, ask him."
+
+Mr Frewen did not ask, but darted to one of the little drawers with
+which his cabin was fitted, took out a case and a packet of surgical
+necessaries packed all ready for emergencies, and turned back to the
+door.
+
+"Here, where are you going, youngster?" cried Hampton, who was looking
+in 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 a
+look from his leader he had barred the way with his sturdy arms.
+
+The next moment we were standing in the torn and blackened saloon, with
+Mr Frewen looking round wildly from door to door, seeking the one
+through which he was to go.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINETEEN.
+
+"Here, this way," said Jarette, fiercely, "and now you'll see that I'm
+not a man to be played with.  I'm captain here now, and it's obey me
+or--"
+
+He snatched a pistol from his breast and held it menacingly toward
+Frewen, who flashed out at him--
+
+"Put that thing away, madman, and show me my patient.  Which cabin is
+it?"
+
+"That one," said Jarette, surlily.  Then showing his teeth, he said in a
+peculiar tone of voice--"They say it's kill or cure with your set; let
+it 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, and
+the man drew back while Frewen brushed by the scoundrel who held it
+open, and entered quickly, I following ready to do everything I could to
+help.
+
+I entered that cabin fully expecting to see Miss Denning lying bleeding
+on the floor, and I am sure that this was Mr Frewen's impression; but
+to the surprise of both it was a totally different person, for there lay
+the captain in one corner, his head slightly raised, staring at us
+wildly as he held one hand pressed to his shoulder, and his eyes were so
+fixed 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, and
+then he smiled at me.
+
+I darted a look full of horror and sympathy at him, and then closed the
+door, while as I turned I saw that the woodwork side of the cabin was
+marked by a bullet, for so I took it to be, which had splintered the
+board all round a good-sized hole.
+
+Mr Frewen went down on one knee by the captain, and took the hand which
+rested on his shoulder, pressed it, and then began to examine the
+injury.
+
+"Come and help me, Dale," he said; "we must get him in a different
+position."
+
+"Perhaps--I can help," said the captain faintly.  "The scoundrel shot
+me."
+
+"Don't try to talk," said Mr Frewen, quickly.  "Wait till I have
+bandaged the wound."
+
+But as he spoke I noticed how he watched Captain Berriman, and seemed to
+take special heed of him as he whispered the above words evidently with
+pain.
+
+"Is it very bad, doctor?" he whispered now after Mr Frewen had been
+busy about his breast, and shoulder for a few minutes.  "You can tell
+me, I can bear it."
+
+"Bad enough, but not so bad as it might have been if it had gone an inch
+lower.  But keep quiet, talking will only distress you, and tend to make
+you 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, carefully
+bandaged and apparently suffering less.
+
+"He came in--"
+
+"Hush! don't tell me; I know--as he did to us with inviting
+propositions.  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 there
+afterwards and struck Mr Denning.  Not hurt, but his sister shrieked on
+hearing 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 this
+miserable state of affairs.  Mr Denning should be ready to help us if
+called upon."
+
+There was a gentle tapping on the partition at this, and I was on my way
+to the bulk-head to reply, when the cabin-door was opened and Jarette
+came inside.
+
+"Come, doctor, you must be done if you can find all that time for
+talking.  Can you save him?"
+
+"I am trying, sir, if only to be prepared to have a witness against you
+when 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 officer
+and pressed his hand.  Then in a whisper--"Cheer up!  Perhaps we shall
+re-take the ship after all."
+
+Then I followed the doctor, and a minute later we were once more under
+lock and key, while as I crossed the saloon I saw that a couple of men
+were pacing up and down, pistol in hand.
+
+I made a remark about this, and then I spoke about the way in which the
+powder 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 is
+being taken--across for blasting purposes in New Zealand.  Jarette, I
+suppose, helped with the lading, and knew where it was stowed.  That
+accounts for its being brought out so soon."
+
+"Pity we can't give them a dose of it," I said, "so as to frighten them
+into better order.  Just fancy, Mr Frewen, dropping a bagful into the
+forecastle with a fuse attached and lit; how they would run for the
+hatch, and before they could reach it--bang!"
+
+"Yes, with that part of the deck blown up and a dozen or so of wretched
+mutilated creatures lying about shrieking for help.  Well, Dale, I dare
+say there is one of the bags somewhere about the cabins, but I don't
+think 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.  We
+must 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 own
+troubles, 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 certainly
+did seem to understand them almost as well as I did myself.  Ah, I'd
+give almost anything to be out there attending to the poor little
+things, but I could not go at the cost that was proposed."
+
+He sighed very deeply, drew back, and the little hole was darkened
+directly after, for Mr Preddle had lain down to meditate upon the
+sufferings of his fish, and when I peeped through at him a few minutes
+later 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 him
+to help when all is ready."
+
+I nodded, for I thought so too, and after listening for a few moments at
+the door, we came to the conclusion that there was nothing to mind about
+the sentries, so we proceeded to make our examination of our prison in a
+more 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 the
+sentries; but of course I was checked by the knowledge that by making a
+hole through which I could watch them I was providing one by which they
+could watch us.
+
+The cabins on either side of the saloon were only so many portions of
+the ship boarded off, and provided with doors, so that a couple of
+carpenters would have had little difficulty in clearing away the
+partition and making one long opening, but we had no tools, and the
+slightest noise would have drawn attention to our acts; and these ideas
+would, we knew, govern our actions in all we did.
+
+Our idea was of course to get a board out between the doctor's cabin and
+Mr Preddle's, and if possible one at the darkest portion of the place
+close up to the ship's side; but examine as we would, there did not
+appear 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 last
+with a sigh, "unless we patiently cut a way through with your knife; one
+cutting, while the other keeps on throwing the chips out of the window
+so that they cannot be seen."
+
+"But we shall make a big hole," I objected, "and the first time that
+Jarette 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 from
+top 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 saws
+and 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 a
+mahogany case in which, lying on blue velvet, were some of the things I
+had named--knives, and a couple of saws, beside other instruments whose
+purpose I did not grasp.
+
+"We draw the line at choppers, Dale," he said, smiling; "and I suppose I
+ought not to devote my choice instruments to such a duty, but I think
+these will do."
+
+"Splendidly!"  I cried in delight, as I quite gloated over the bright
+steel saw.  "Why, with one of those I can get a whole board out in an
+hour 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 will
+be a very much longer task than you think, because we shall have to work
+so slowly."
+
+"Wait till night!"  I cried impatiently.
+
+He nodded, and the dreary, slow way in which the rest of that day passed
+was terrible.  It was as if the sun would never set; but Mr Frewen was
+right.  There were two interruptions to expect--the coming of the man
+who would bring us our evening meal, a sort of tea-dinner-supper, and
+possibly a visit from Jarette to fetch Mr Frewen to see the captain.
+
+The man came with our comfortless, unsatisfactory meal, at which I
+grumbled, but which Mr Frewen said was far better than ordinary prison
+fare; and just at dark, as he had suggested, we were startled by the
+sudden rattling at the fastening of our door.
+
+Then Jarette appeared, and signed imperiously to Mr Frewen to follow
+him.
+
+My companion frowned, but he rose and followed; not to obey Jarette, as
+he afterwards said, but to go and attend upon the captain.
+
+I rose to go too; but as I reached the door, Jarette rudely thrust me
+back, so that I staggered to the cabin-window.
+
+"Non!" he ejaculated sharply; and the door was banged to and fastened
+before I had recovered from my surprise.
+
+"Never mind," I said to myself; "wait a bit," as I bit my lips and stood
+with clenched fists, thinking in my annoyance how much I should like to
+use them.
+
+But I consoled myself by going to Mr Frewen's drawer and opening the
+case and looking at the bright steel saws, and then talking in a whisper
+to Mr Preddle, who came to the little opening to know whether anything
+was the matter.
+
+I did not tell him about the saws after I had said that Mr Frewen had
+been fetched, but thought I would leave that for my companion to do, and
+then waited till he came; but he was so long that I began to be afraid
+he had been placed in another cabin, the mutineer chief having suddenly
+become suspicious of our hatching a conspiracy to escape.
+
+He came at last, though, to my very great relief, and told me that he
+thought Jarette, in spite of his display of bravado and carelessness,
+was alarmed about Captain Berriman's state, and afraid that he would
+die.
+
+"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 impose
+upon our new captain by assuming to be very much concerned about poor
+Berriman's state; but I had another reason as well.  I wanted to try and
+have a few words with the Dennings, whom I could hear in the next
+cabin."
+
+"Yes; and did you?"  I asked eagerly.
+
+"No, I was too closely watched.  I could have whispered to them through
+the hole made by the bullet; but Jarette was at the door all the time
+that he was not in the cabin watching me, and I could not say anything
+aloud 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 be
+conversational, Dale," he replied; and soon after, as it was now getting
+late, and from the sounds we heard forward it was evident that the crew
+were enjoying themselves, Mr Frewen proposed that we should make our
+first start at cutting the board.
+
+Word was passed through the opening to Mr Preddle, who was all
+eagerness to begin, and asked for one of the little saws, so that he
+might work at the top of the board while we cut at the bottom; but Mr
+Frewen promptly decided that one of the instruments would make quite
+enough noise, and told him that he must understand that our task was one
+probably of days, for everything must be done slowly and carefully, and
+in a way that would leave no traces behind.
+
+"Very well," said Mr Preddle, almost petulantly, "you know best; but I
+am very, very anxious to get out of this wretched cabin."
+
+"So are we," said Mr Frewen.  "Help us, then, by keeping guard by your
+door, and at the slightest sound outside giving us the alarm."
+
+"Yes, yes; of course," he said eagerly; and directly after, in the
+darkness, I heard Mr Frewen open the drawer and the instrument-case, to
+take out the little saw which might open our prison, and cut a way into
+another 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 way
+across 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 splay
+the board if I can, so that it will fit better when we put it back--if
+we get one out.  Hush!--don't talk."
+
+I stood close by him, ready to help in any way he required, and expected
+that when he grew tired he would ask me to take his place, so that no
+time might be lost.
+
+We had one advantage that I have not mentioned, and it was this.  We
+were of course locked in, but there was a bolt on the door, so that we
+could secure ourselves on the inside from any sudden interruption; and
+by keeping the door fastened, there would be time to hide the saw and
+brush away the dust before any one who came was admitted.
+
+My position was facing the little round window of the cabin as Mr
+Frewen made the first start toward obtaining our freedom; and as the saw
+began to bite at the wood with a sound like that which would be made by
+a gnawing mouse, I stood gazing out at the beauty of the grand tropic
+night.  It was very dark, but it was a transparent darkness, with the
+sky within reach of my vision thickly spangled with stars, which were so
+brightly reflected in the calm sea through which we were gliding gently,
+that there were moments when I could hardly tell where the sky ended and
+the sea began.
+
+Then faintly and steadily rasp, rasp, rasp went the saw, with so little
+noise that it did not seem likely that any one out in the saloon would
+hear it; and though at the first cut or two my heart began to beat with
+dread, a few minutes later it was throbbing with exultation.
+
+For every gnaw of that little keen-toothed instrument sent a thrill of
+hope through me; and I did not stop to consider what we were to do, or
+what were our probabilities of success when we reached the saloon, for
+it 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, but
+very surely, I knew; and I was just going to whisper to Mr Frewen, and
+ask him whether he would like me to take a turn, when the sawing
+stopped.
+
+"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 at
+this better than you."
+
+Then he began again, and I gazed through the cabin-window, and listened
+both to his working on the thick board, and for any sound which might
+indicate that a sentry had taken alarm.
+
+But all was silent; and comforting myself with the belief that if the
+noise was heard it might be taken for the gnawing of a rat, I listened
+and watched the stars.
+
+At last I was in such a state of nervous excitement that I was on the
+point of begging my companion, to let me take a turn, when from being so
+intensely hot I suddenly turned speechless and cold.  For it suddenly
+occurred to me that the stars were blotted out, and that the night was
+blacker.
+
+"A cloud," I said to myself at first, but even as I thought that, I felt
+that it could not be; and at last I was lifting my hand to touch Mr
+Frewen, and draw his attention to the strange phenomenon, when the
+sawing suddenly ceased.  My companion drew a long breath; and at the
+same moment, as I felt drawn toward the window by some strange
+attraction, to try and make out why it was so dark, there was the sound
+of 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.  I
+heard Mr Frewen give a sudden start and his elbow jar against the
+partition, but he too was silent, save that I could hear his hurried
+breathing.
+
+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't
+want 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; "you
+have come to spy upon us!"
+
+"Wheer's my lantern, then?  Man can't spy a night like this, when it's
+as 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 de
+do.'"
+
+"Don't trust him, Mr Frewen, he's a traitor," I whispered; only Hampton
+evidently heard.
+
+"Come, I like that, Mr Dale, sir.  But I say, how could you be so
+easily took in?  Theer was nothing else for a man to do but to go with
+the bad beggars, and when I seemed to jyne 'em, why of course Neb Dumlow
+and old Barney joined at once."
+
+"Bob!"  I ejaculated, as a feeling of delight sent a flush of blood to
+my cheeks, and I felt hot and excited once more, "you don't mean to say
+that--"
+
+"But I just do, sir.  'Tarn't likely I should run all this risk if I
+didn't mean it."
+
+"You hear, Mr Frewen," I whispered.
+
+"Yes, but--"
+
+"Look here," said Bob Hampton, angrily, "am I to creep in and stuff
+something into your mouth, Mr Dale, sir?  You don't know how sounds run
+on 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 to
+lay my hand upon the man's shoulder.
+
+"True as gorspel, sir; and ready along with Neb Dumlow and Barney Blane
+to pitch old Frenchy overboard, or drown him in a water-cask, if you say
+the word, or Mr Frewen either, though I'd rayther take it from you, my
+lad, as you're one of the officers of the Burgh Castle and it'd come
+better 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 strong
+in the arms, but you can't hang by them as long as you can stand on your
+legs, 'less you're born a monkey, which I warn't.  You see there's no
+board nor nothing to get a foot on, and I knows without trying that I
+couldn't get through that window."
+
+"How can we help him, Dale?" whispered Mr Frewen.  "I suppose we must
+trust him?"
+
+"Trust him?  Yes, of course.  Stop a moment.  Yes, I know."  Then
+thrusting my arms out--"Hold hard a minute, Bob," I whispered.  "Let me
+get 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 bight
+like 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 by
+which he was swinging, got hold of the dripping end and passed it to Mr
+Frewen, letting the rest fall back like a big loop, but not so quietly
+as I could have wished.  Then we hauled in slowly, till after a little
+management we had the bight so exactly adjusted that Bob Hampton's feet
+rested upon it while we held the rope tight.
+
+"Hah!" he whispered, with his face close to the cabin-window, "that
+rests my flippers.  Mind, I'm going to ease off a bit now, but if you
+two 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 trust
+me and my mates."
+
+"I will, Bob, and I'm sure Mr Frewen will, but we couldn't help
+thinking you were a traitor."
+
+"Course you couldn't, lad.  On'y nat'ral.  But you see now as it was
+on'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 mouth
+I'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 all
+right."
+
+"Right it is then," said Bob Hampton, with a satisfied grunt, "on'y
+let's speak gently."
+
+"Can you help us to escape, Bob?"  I whispered.  "Can't we re-take the
+ship?"
+
+"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, along
+with the passengers, is prisoners, and Frenchy Jarette's skipper of the
+Burgh Castle, with that there rat of a 'prentice or middy, or whatever
+he 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't
+know.  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 found
+out, he'd cut the rope and send me adrift as soon as look at me, and
+that would be a pity, 'cause if there's one man as I do respeck and like
+it'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 heard
+steps overhead as if two people were walking along the deck, and
+directly after I could make out voices in eager conversation fairly loud
+for a few moments, and then they died away, and I knew by the sounds
+that the speakers had gone right aft.  Then Jarette's voice was heard
+making inquiries of the man at the wheel, to whom he stopped talking for
+a few minutes, which seemed to extend into an age of anxiety to me who
+listened so anxiously and in such dread lest the scoundrel should return
+and lean over the bulwark, or run his hand along, feel the rope, and so
+discover poor Hampton.  Then I felt sure that he would have no
+hesitation in cutting him adrift, and that meant death to a brave and
+true man.
+
+I felt a horrible pang of dread at these thoughts, and softly thrusting
+out my hand, I felt for and gripped Bob Hampton's great paw as it held
+on to the rope, and then whispering to Mr Frewen to do the same, I took
+tightly hold of the man's wrist with some idea of saving him if the
+scoundrel on deck should hear, and cut the rope.
+
+The next minute, to my horror, as with one hand grasping the rope and
+the other Bob Hampton's arm, Mr Frewen and I stood face to face close
+to the cabin-window, we heard the voices on deck come nearer, then stop
+just overhead, and as far as I could judge, the speaker stood leaning
+against 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; "and
+I am so anxious about my young lieutenant.  It would grieve me to death
+to see him hung for a pirate."
+
+"I wish you would talk common-sense, Jarette, and not be so fond of
+chaffing 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 have
+been in a tremble ever since?"
+
+"No, you don't," said Walters, sharply.  "I'm sure I've done everything
+I can."
+
+"My faith, yes; we will say it is so," said Jarette, with another
+sneering laugh.  "It is wonderful how nervous men are who have their
+necks in the noose--boys too."
+
+At that moment we felt Hampton softly loosen his hold of the rope with
+one hand, and pass it and his arm in at the window so as to get a grip
+inside, for evidently he expected that the rope would be discovered and
+cut.  Though even then, unless Jarette were willing to save him, it
+would only be prolonging his existence for a few minutes, since it would
+have been impossible for us to draw so bulky a man through the circular
+hole which lit and ventilated Mr Frewen's cabin.
+
+But he was safe for the time, come what might, and we remained there
+listening to the conversation overhead, gathering that there was very
+little friendship existing between Walters and his new captain, who let
+us know that he was in great perplexity about his prisoners, and
+certainly not in the mind then to end their lives.  What might happen
+afterwards we could not say.
+
+At last, after some minutes that felt like hours, they went on and down
+the ladder to the lower deck.
+
+"Phew!" panted Bob Hampton.  "Oh, my lad, my lad, why didn't you whistle
+a 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 'em
+talking, and they'd ha' gone.  Hold me tight, please, for I'm 'bout
+spent."
+
+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 I
+possibly could, and felt how absurd my advice was to a man in such a
+position.
+
+"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 rope
+again."
+
+"Dale, could we get the rope round his waist, and hold him?" whispered
+Mr Frewen.
+
+"Here! hist! quick!" came through the opening where Mr Preddle was
+listening 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 moment
+down 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 will
+save you."
+
+"Ay, lad," he said dolefully, "I'll hold on as long as I can; but if you
+two are going to save me, you'll have to be very smart about it, I'm
+afraid."
+
+"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've
+pushed 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's
+wrist, 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 with
+the leather-covered flask so sharply, that I knocked it out of Mr
+Preddle's hand, and it fell with a bang on the floor, upon which the
+spirit began to gurgle out.
+
+Bob Hampton groaned, and I felt that all was over; but hanging on to the
+rope I bent down, and guided by the sound seized the flask, gave it a
+shake, which told me that there was yet a good deal inside, and the next
+moment I was holding it to the poor fellow's lips, and listening to the
+gurgling 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 quite
+upright, and he drew his lips away.
+
+"Now, Hampton," whispered Mr Frewen, "hold on for a little till the
+spirit begins to stimulate you."
+
+"It's begun a'ready, doctor," was the answer.  "It's put new life into
+me, 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 and
+throat were quite dry, and there I stood hanging on to the rope, till in
+a 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's
+teaching that made me so quick, as, leaving Mr Frewen to hold up the
+bight, I seized the end, passed it round the man's chest, and made it
+fast, 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 was
+being drawn through our hands.  But we kept our touch of it, so that if
+he fell we could still let it glide till he reached the water, and then
+hold on till a boat was lowered to save him.  Up he went, breathing very
+hard, higher and higher, with a loud, rustling noise.  Then he stopped a
+little, and we tightened our hold, for we thought he was gone; but he
+struggled on again, up and up, and at last hung quite still, and now we
+felt that it was all over, for he was exhausted.  I listened for the
+horrible splash, but it did not come, for he began again, and we heard
+one of his hands give a sharp smack.
+
+"What's that?" whispered Mr Preddle through the opening, but neither of
+us replied.
+
+We could not, though we knew that Bob Hampton must have loosened his
+grip of the rope with one hand to make a dash at the top of the
+bulwarks.  Then there came a faint scraping sound, and I turned giddy
+from the cessation of the intense drag upon my brain.  For I knew that
+the poor fellow had reached the deck.  In proof thereof the rope was
+shaken sharply, and then jerked out of our hands.  A faint scraping
+sound followed, and I knew it was being drawn up.
+
+I heard no more till Mr Frewen spoke to me; his voice sounding strange
+through 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 little
+of 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 up
+safely?"
+
+"Yes, quite safely."
+
+Just then there was a sharp rattling of the door, and it was thrown
+open, while I closed my lids, so dazzling did the light of the lanterns
+which were held up above the heads of Jarette and Walters seem to my
+aching eyes.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
+
+"Here, what's all this noise about?" cried Jarette, roughly; and his
+words gave me intense relief, for I knew that he must be in ignorance of
+all 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 in
+this stifling cabin."
+
+"Humph!  My faith, yes.  One is enough.  Make him well, and he shall
+have 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; but
+directly after feeling quite in dismay, for it struck me that if I were
+not taken away, Mr Frewen might be, and then all our proposed plans
+would be upset.
+
+I opened my eyes with quite a start just then, for to my great delight a
+gruff 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 a
+snarl.
+
+"All right, skipper--cap'n, I mean; all right."
+
+"Yes, it's all right," I said to myself, with a sigh of relief, as I
+closed my eyes again and lay quite still, listening to what passed.
+
+"Well," said Jarette, "what are you going to do?  Oh, that is some stuff
+you are going to give him."
+
+"Yes, you need not wait," said Mr Frewen, quietly.  "But you had better
+leave me a light."
+
+"What for?  Set the ship on fire?"
+
+"If I wanted to set the ship on fire, I have plenty of matches," said
+Mr Frewen.
+
+His imitation of the renegade Frenchman's pronunciation of the word
+"ship" was almost involuntary, and he told me afterwards how he
+regretted making such a slip, for Jarette winced and darted a malignant
+look at him which was not pleasant to see.
+
+He did not speak again, but stood looking on while Mr Frewen held some
+water to my lips, and bathed my temples, both of which proceedings were
+quite needless, for I was quite recovered now from my faintness, and he
+ended by helping me to lie down in the cot.
+
+Upon seeing this, Jarette said something shortly to his followers and
+they drew back, the door was closed, and we were in total darkness once
+again.
+
+"And all that trouble, care, and suffering for nothing, Dale," said Mr
+Frewen, dolefully.
+
+"For nothing?"  I said, sitting up.  "Do you call it nothing to have
+found out that we have three strong men on the other side ready to fight
+for us?  I don't."
+
+"I had forgotten that for the moment," said my companion.  "Yes, that is
+worth all our trouble; but I'm afraid poor Hampton will not venture to
+communicate with us again, so what do you say to beginning our sawing
+business once more?"
+
+"Oh no: not to-night!"  I said.  "Perhaps Bob Hampton will be able to
+propose 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 come
+again."
+
+"I hope he will, my lad."
+
+"Oh, he will; and you see if he does not tell us to wait until he and
+Neb Dumlow are on guard.  They'll get us out and then help us to open
+the cabins one by one."
+
+"Nothing like being sanguine, my lad," he said; "but there, it's getting
+very late.  Let's sleep now."
+
+I did not feel at all disposed to obey, and lay still, watching the
+stars through the open cabin-window, thinking over the events of the
+earlier part of the night, till the stars were blotted out, and I was as
+fast asleep as Mr Frewen, or our fellow-prisoner in the next cabin, who
+breathed 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 the
+next, for the sun was high when I opened my eyes again, and the sea
+looked 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 I
+had not better follow his example, when I started up and gave my head a
+thump against the top of the cot, for something suddenly appeared at the
+round opening of the cabin-window, and for a moment I thought it was a
+bird.  The next I was out of my cot and close to the window, waiting for
+an 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 over
+the bulwarks listening, and that the bait at the end of the thin line
+hanging 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 was
+successful, for one of my hands flew out, and I caught hold of and
+dragged the bait in, cut the line with my pocket-knife, and saw it
+snatched up out of sight directly.
+
+I made some slight noise in starting back, and Mr Frewen rose quickly
+to 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 of
+canvas, and tied round with spun-yarn.
+
+"Let down to the cabin-window," I whispered, full of excitement, for the
+packet 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 yarn
+and open the parcel; but I thrust it beneath the blanket on the cot, and
+went to the cabin-door to listen.
+
+All was silent there, and though I listened for a few minutes, there did
+not 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, and
+offered 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 our
+treasure, which was turned out of the canvas the next minute, and proved
+to be the weapons named, a pair that I remembered to have seen in
+Captain 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 these
+are stern times, Dale, and we must not be squeamish now."
+
+After a few moments' consideration, it was decided to hide one pistol at
+the foot of the cot, and the other beneath a quantity of drugs in the
+big medicine-chest which stood in one corner of the cabin.
+
+"Hah!" said my companion, smiling for the first time for days.  "I begin
+to feel a little more hopeful now, Dale.  You and I are going to take
+the ship yet.  That was Hampton's work, of course?"
+
+"Sure to be," I said, and we now began to turn over every plan we could
+think of for getting our freedom.
+
+"I want to do it if I can, my lad, without shedding blood, unless one
+could 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 time
+to time by Jarette or one of his men, but always with a strong guard
+outside, in which I noted Blane and Dumlow, but they were not allowed to
+enter the cabin or hold any communication with us, for they had not
+originally been of the mutineer party, and Jarette evidently mistrusted
+them still.
+
+I was anxious and excited for fear that orders should come for me to
+occupy another cabin, but none came, and no more orders for Mr Frewen
+to see the captain.  Toward evening a strong wind arose, which kept
+Jarette'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 going
+to have a rough night."
+
+His words proved true, for now as the ship rose and fell creaking and
+groaning, and the wind swished through the rigging, I could begin to
+realise how horrible it was to be shut below there in the darkness, for
+if those now in command of the vessel proved wanting at some particular
+crisis of the storm, our fate was sealed.  They might try to save
+themselves in the boats, but they would not stop for us.
+
+"What are you thinking about?" said Mr Frewen, suddenly, some time
+after dark.
+
+I started, for we had been silent for some time, listening to the hiss
+and roar of the waves, and the rough blows given from time to time as
+some heavy sea struck us and then rushed by.  And now that Mr Frewen
+did speak it was quite aloud, for there was no need for whispering.
+
+"I was thinking about what Captain Berriman and Mr Brymer must feel," I
+said.
+
+"About the management of the ship?  Yes, poor fellows, and both
+suffering too.  You see that scoundrel has let the whole day pass by
+without letting me go and attend the captain.  You are right, Dale, they
+must 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 a
+good seaworthy ship, Mr Frewen?"
+
+"I think so.  I hope so," he replied.  "The owners stand high for their
+character.  I wish the crew were as good as the ship.  Dale, do you
+think 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 should
+not have their help," I protested.
+
+"But this seems such a chance, my lad, with all that noise, and I want
+to 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 closed
+tightly to keep out the spray, since more than once a great wave had
+struck against it with a heavy thud that evening, and we did not want a
+wet cabin to add to our other miseries.
+
+I swung open the round iron frame, and gazed at the furious sea, all
+covered with its white foam, but there was nothing visible for a time.
+Then all at once something swung by as the ship rose after careening
+over and literally rolling in the hollow between two great waves.
+
+It was momentary, and like a faint shadow, but directly after, with the
+swing 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 of
+Bob Hampton's work, and reaching out as far as I could get my arm, I
+gazed straight before me, trying vainly to make out what it was in the
+darkness.
+
+"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 string
+again, and then hastily closed the window--just in time too, for a wave
+broke 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 canvas
+in which it had been wrapped so securely that though the woollen bag in
+which pistol and cartridges lay was quite damp, as far as I could tell
+they 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 material
+gets thoroughly soaked it swells and tightens, till it is a long way on
+toward being waterproof; and after carefully feeling the weapon, and
+examining it in every way we could in the darkness, Mr Frewen expressed
+his 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 the
+door, where nothing was to be heard but the creaking of the ship's
+timbers as she laboured on, sounding to me as if at any moment she might
+come to pieces, my fellow-prisoner tapped softly at the partition, and
+placing his lips to the opening, called softly upon Mr Preddle.
+
+This had to be repeated several times without effect, and it was not
+until I had taken Mr Frewen's place and jerked a little empty phial
+bottle through, so that it fell upon him where he was sleeping, that Mr
+Preddle 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 the
+waves 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 all
+the 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 pistol
+for you ready for when we try to escape."
+
+"Oh dear! oh dear!" he sighed.  "We shall never try to escape.  We're
+shut 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 they
+seem 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 was
+said as the pistol was passed through by Mr Frewen.
+
+"Take it, and be careful.  When it is light, you had better make sure
+that there is no moisture in the chambers."
+
+"But when are we going to try and do something?" said Mr Preddle, in
+quite an ill-used tone.  "I thought you were going to saw out one of
+these 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 for
+checking him, and lay down at the side of the cabin, while I glided into
+the 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 the
+waves and wind covering any sounds we made, when the door was thrown
+open, and Jarette and two men stood in the entrance, holding up lanterns
+which 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 that
+we were not taking advantage of the storm to try and escape, while Mr
+Frewen 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 and
+fastened, and we were once more in darkness, listening to the labouring
+of the ship as she rose and fell, plunging every now and then head-first
+into some great wave which broke over her and deluged the decks.
+
+The faint streak of light disappeared from under the door-way, and we
+breathed freely again as there were heavy steps overhead, and I could
+tell that in all probability Jarette and the others had gone to join the
+man--or men--at the wheel.
+
+"I don't envy that madman his position, Dale," said Mr Frewen.  "His
+mind must be in a pleasant state of anxiety, what with the management of
+the ship in a storm, his doubts about his prisoners, and the pleasant
+little 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's
+back 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 I
+found that I had been deceived, for Jarette had evidently come back to
+spy upon and trap us; for, with my breath held in my excitement, I could
+hear the rustle of a hand upon the outside of the door, and then a faint
+clicking and rustling sound, as if the fastenings were being softly
+withdrawn.
+
+"Oh, how I should like to give him a topper!"  I thought, as I rose upon
+my 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 then
+we should be masters of the ship, for the men would give in if they had
+no leader."
+
+People's minds have a way of running in the same groove when there is
+anything very particular to be done, and it was so here, for Mr Frewen
+was thinking, as he told me afterwards, exactly as I did.
+
+But now I could hear nothing but the creaking of the ship and the roar
+of the storm, and I was not sure whether the door had been opened or
+not.  Suppose it had been, I thought, and Jarette was going to do some
+mischief in the darkness!
+
+It was a horrible thought, one which made the perspiration stand upon my
+forehead, and begin to tickle the sides of my nose, as I listened
+intently 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 tremendous
+rush and noise.
+
+That was what our visitors had been waiting for.  The door had only been
+unfastened.  It was now opened with a quick dash, so that the noise it
+would make might be covered by the storm.
+
+Yes; I could mentally see it all now, though everything was black as
+ink.  Jarette was standing in the door-way in his oilskins, for I could
+hear the crackling sound they made as the noise from the deck and the
+hiss of the wind came plainer, and then too, drip, drip,--in those
+moments I could hear the water falling from the coat on to the
+cabin-floor.
+
+It was all in so many moments.  He seemed to be listening either for any
+sound we might make, or for what was passing on deck; and then as he
+took 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 had
+seized and was about to murder poor Mr Frewen.
+
+My hand went to the foot of the cot, and I was dragging out the revolver
+hidden 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 look
+here.  There'll never be a better chance.  Here's an old bosun's
+whistle; stuff it in yer pocket, and don't blow it till the right
+moment.  When you do, blow hard, and me, Barney, and Neb Dumlow's with
+you."
+
+"But--"
+
+"Butter be hanged, doctor.  You've got three pistols, and the door's
+open.  You let out the mate, Mr Denning, and Mr Fishmonger; wait till
+you think the moment's right, and then down on old Frenchy; whistle
+hard, and then we'll all make a rush for the others, and drive 'em chock
+into the forksle, or overboard if they don't mind.  Off!"
+
+"One moment, Hampton;" but there was a sharp rustling of oilskins, and
+the man had hurried through the saloon and out on deck, where Jarette's
+voice 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 in
+that black darkness with my heart beating painfully, waiting for Mr
+Frewen to speak, and face to face with the thought that in a few minutes
+I 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 me
+by his silence.
+
+But it could not have been a minute, though in my excitement it seemed
+to 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 that
+you 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 heart
+went in leaps and bounds.  Frightened?  Yes, I was: horribly; and if
+under similar circumstances any boy or man tells you he was not, don't
+believe him.  I wouldn't.  I know I was all of a tremble, but I never
+felt for a moment that I was going to shrink as I listened to Mr Frewen
+giving Mr Preddle instructions about the revolver.
+
+"No, no," I heard him say, "don't stop to re-charge.  If it will not go
+off, 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 stood
+listening, wondering whether there was a sentry, but all was still, and
+concluding that all hands were on deck, Mr Frewen unfastened Mr
+Preddle's door in the black darkness.  He came out, and his door was
+also closed again.
+
+"Follow!"
+
+We went after Mr Frewen, and he stopped at a cabin-door on the opposite
+side, 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 many
+are 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 come
+easy."
+
+All this was in a whisper, and then we followed Mr Frewen to the
+shattered entrance of the saloon, and stood there looking forward, but
+seeing very little, though a white peculiar gleam came off the sea, and
+a couple of lanterns swung forward, by the side of one of which we made
+out 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 him
+there; and once get him down, we can beat back the others.  I'll make
+sure for you."
+
+Just as he spoke all doubt was at an end, for we heard Jarette shout an
+order 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 we
+shrank back into the companion-way, and went forward.
+
+"Bah!  We've let our chance go," whispered Mr Frewen, and then we stood
+fast, 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 I
+heard Mr Frewen draw his breath with a soft hissing sound, as if he now
+grasped the fact that a better chance was to be afforded to us of
+mastering the leader of the mutineers, who came right to the shattered
+entrance, and appeared to be about to enter, but stopped short listening
+for a sound, but for a few seconds there was none.  Then all at once in
+a muffled way we heard Mr John Denning say a few words in an angry
+impatient tone, for the wind had lulled for a few moments.  Then there
+came the low murmur of Miss Denning's voice, and directly after the
+whistling of the wind again.
+
+Jarette was not two yards from us, and if he had taken another step, I
+had made up my mind to fling myself upon him and cling with all my might
+to his legs, while the others seized him by the throat and arms.  I say
+this, for we compared notes afterwards.
+
+It was not to be, for he came no farther; but apparently satisfied that
+all was right, he turned sharply and went forward, and we could from
+time to time make out his voice among the others as he gave orders to
+the men.
+
+"Another opportunity gone," said Mr Frewen.  "We ought to have leaped
+upon 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, I
+suppose?"
+
+"Oh no; of course not."
+
+"Then I should place the door of one of the cabins wide open, and prop
+it.  Then as soon as we have mastered and disarmed him, bundle him
+inside 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 against
+it, 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 the
+ship laboured terribly, the sea being now terrific; but, as Mr Brymer
+whispered, everything possible had been done, and she was under
+close-reefed storm canvas.
+
+"I couldn't have done better myself there, but the men at the wheel are
+steering very wildly."
+
+There was silence again, and as I listened for a voice, the lanterns
+forward swung to and fro, and so much water came aboard that I fully
+expected to see them extinguished, when all forward would have been in
+darkness.
+
+"Is he never coming again?" whispered Mr Frewen at last.
+
+"Oh yes, he'll come," said Mr Brymer.  "They've got the grog forward
+there, 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 as
+well."
+
+"Yes, quite right," replied Mr Frewen, and we waited still, with the
+wind shrieking amongst the cordage, and the night appearing blacker than
+ever.
+
+Thud!  Plash!
+
+A heavy wave had struck the bows, and the spray came hissing and rushing
+along 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, for
+I was trying to hear what Mr Brymer whispered to the doctor, who did
+not hear the remark, and said--
+
+"What?"
+
+"I say that was bad steering, and if I were in command, there would be a
+row."
+
+Thud!  Splash!
+
+This time the water must have curled over in a perfect deluge, for we
+could hear it hiss and roar amongst the cordage on the leeward side, and
+stream out of the scuppers.
+
+"That must fetch him up if he is below," whispered Mr Brymer, and sure
+enough the next moment we heard his voice shouting furiously at the men
+at 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 of
+the figure in oilskins, as, balancing itself as well as it could, it
+made for the ladder on the starboard side; but just then the ship gave a
+tremendous lurch, and our enemy missed the ladder, nearly fell, but
+saved 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 beneath
+his oilskin.  Then his hands were bandaged behind his back, his legs
+treated to bonds, and he was dragged into the cabin, while we stood
+panting over him.
+
+"Look here," said Mr Frewen then, in a hoarse voice; "we are going to
+lock you in this cabin, but mind, we're all armed--feel that!--it is the
+point of a revolver--and I swear to you by all that is holy, if you make
+a sound I'll shoot you as I would a dog."
+
+He made a curious, half-choking sound, and we drew back out of the cabin
+and 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 upon
+them, 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.  Then
+fire if there is the least resistance, close with them, and let's get
+them 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 be
+like sheep."
+
+I could not help hoping that they would turn out to be like sheep, and
+leave it to us to play the sheep-dog with them.
+
+"Now then, one more word," said the mate.  "It would have been better to
+divide, 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.  Creep
+forward 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, and
+with our pistols ready we crept forward with no little difficulty toward
+where the lanterns swung, keeping together, and moving slowly so as to
+keep our feet.  Before we were half-way toward the bows we could see a
+dull light glowing from the forecastle-hatch, and a couple of dark
+figures standing in front of it, so that their oilskin-covered bodies
+stood out big and grotesque.
+
+That was our goal, I felt, and I knew that if we made a bold rush those
+two could easily be driven down, while I hoped that the others would be
+too much cowed to fight.
+
+Mr Frewen and the mate were first, Mr Preddle and I behind, and I was
+just thinking that it was nearly time for the whistle to be blown and
+the rush made, while I thought, too, how easy it would be to make a
+mistake and injure a friend with our pistols, when the ship gave such a
+lurch that we all went heavily against the bulwarks, to which we clung
+to save ourselves from a heavy fall, then bang, _splash_, rose a wave
+over the bows, and a voice which came from one of the figures by the
+light from the hatch yelled forth a torrent of oaths as he asked what
+the men were doing at the wheel.
+
+I turned cold all down my back without the help of the spray, for it was
+Jarette's voice we heard, and we had bagged the wrong fox!
+
+For a moment we clung together there in the darkness as the ship hung
+over to port; then, as she righted herself, Mr Frewen, feeling
+desperate, and that we could not now go back to our place, clapped the
+boatswain's whistle to his lips; it sounded shrilly above that which we
+could hear in the rigging, and we made our rush.
+
+Describe what followed!  How?  I remember the rush; feeling mad and
+desperate, and hearing, as we closed with half-a-dozen men, a couple of
+shots fired quickly one after the other.  Then I was in the middle of a
+savage wrestling match, in which men were striking blows with all their
+might, and a voice was yelling order after order in French, while we
+were getting, I felt, the worst of it.
+
+I had seized a man, who whisked me off my legs and whirled me round, but
+I stuck to him till he flung me heavily on the deck, and then I wound my
+arms round his legs so firmly that as the ship lurched again he fell and
+rolled over with me into the scuppers, where he roared at me to let go
+before he used his knife.
+
+I need not add that he did not say use his knife, for his language was
+far stronger, and he made a horrible reference to my throat.  But I was
+wound up then; the fighting instinct had been roused, and holding on
+more 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 and
+my two friends, and just then Jarette yelled in French, and directly
+after in English--
+
+"Heave them overboard if they don't give in!"--when rush! crack! two men
+who had been forward sprung at the Frenchman, who went down heavily, but
+rose on one arm, and as I clung to the man in the scuppers I could see
+the chief mutineer clearly.  For he was between me and the light, and I
+started as there were two loud pistol reports, a shriek, and a man fell
+with a thud; but the next instant I saw some one spring at Jarette as he
+was going to fire, and strike with all his force, with the result that
+he fell backward down the hatch.
+
+Then another man was beaten below, and again another, and then the hatch
+was clapped down and held by Mr Preddle, while another man was dragged
+along 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 as
+the 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 I
+clung to was just jerking himself clear.  Then he came down upon me with
+a groan as Bob Hampton struck at him, and, half-insensible, he too was
+dragged 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 a
+faint view of Mr Frewen and Hampton rushing forward and bringing back a
+couple more men with pistols held to their heads.  I saw that, for the
+light from the swinging lanterns gleamed upon the barrels.
+
+These two men were thrown down, and one more shot came crashing up, but
+without 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 then
+kicking 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 man
+and two more."
+
+"Pistols!" cried Mr Frewen, loudly, and then as there was a sharp
+clicking 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 no
+pistols!"
+
+Two shots hardly heard in the roar of the storm were fired over the
+heads of the men who were about to rush forward; but if the reports were
+faint in the din, the flashes were bright and clear, and in place of
+charging at us they hung back, and we were upon them in an instant.  I
+say we, for somehow or other I did as the others did, and the men gave
+in directly and were marched to the hatch, below which jarette could be
+heard raving at his fellow-prisoners.
+
+"Now," cried Mr Brymer, "you know me, my lads; I never say things I
+don't mean.  The moment that hatch is opened, you jump down.  If you
+hesitate 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 return
+to my duty."
+
+"We don't want you, dog!" cried Mr Frewen.
+
+"Down with you!" roared Mr Brymer, as the hatch flew up, and there was
+a flash and report, which the man waited for, and then leaped.
+
+"Down with you!" cried Mr Brymer again, but the other two men
+hesitated, and were hanging back.  The next moment they went down
+headlong, impelled as they were by Bob Hampton and Dumlow.
+
+"There," cried Bob Hampton, as we all stood there breathless with
+excitement, and quite forgetful of the storm raging round us, "if
+anybody 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 his
+hands to them, and for a few minutes there was a general hand-shaking
+all round.
+
+"But we're forgetting the men at the wheel," said Mr Frewen.  "How many
+are 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 should
+finish 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 wheel
+while the gents does Barney.  Hit him, gents, or shoot him somewhere low
+down, for he desarves it; all I wonder now is as he did not split all
+about it to old Frenchy."
+
+"We could all deal with him," said Mr Frewen.  "You two men come with
+us, and you, Dale, keep guard here with Mr Preddle.  A shout will bring
+us 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 Mr
+Brymer and the doctor thrust fresh cartridges into their pistols, "the
+skipper--I mean Frenchy--sends Barney aft to speak to the men at the
+wheel, for they were steering anyhow, and he knowed as this game was
+going 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 went
+aft, followed by the sailor.  "Only a couple of them to tackle."
+
+"I makes three of 'em, sir," said Hampton, "so don't you make no
+mistake.  Barney will be as nasty as nasty at seeing hisself the wrong
+side, 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 his
+knee.
+
+"Yes, that we have, Bob," I cried, "and he is quite safe."
+
+"Then I scuses you all for laughing, gentlemen; though it did seem
+rather a rum thing to me for you to be a-busting out in a loud grin at a
+serus time like this.  I see now.  You met him then?"
+
+"Yes, we met him," replied Mr Frewen, leading the way up the ladder to
+the 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 more
+fighting; and look here, Hampton, we want their help to navigate the
+ship."
+
+"I know, sir," growled the old sailor, and stepping to the front he
+walked straight to where the two men still kept to their posts at the
+wheel, knowing as they did that to leave it meant throwing the ship into
+the trough of the sea to be deluged by every wave.
+
+"Game's up, my lads!" shouted Hampton.  "Orficers has got the upper hand
+on us with loaded pistols, and you've got to knuckle down same as we
+have, and return to your dooty."
+
+"All right, messmate," said one of the men, shouting back so as to make
+his voice heard, "I don't mind; on'y what about Frenchy?"
+
+"Ay, what about Frenchy?" cried the other.  "We don't want him to come
+cussin' us and saying it's all t'other way on."
+
+"Frenchy's down in the fork'sle, with the hatch over him, and two men
+with 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 going
+to return to dooty or make a fight on it?  Just say sharp, 'cause we're
+in a hurry."
+
+"Oh, we don't want to fight," said the first speaker, "and we didn't
+want 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 that
+way.  And now look here, you, jest recklect all this; you've both got
+your necks in nooses, and Mr Brymer here's got hold o' the other ends
+of the ropes, so as he can pull 'em any time he likes, and he will too
+if 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, your
+conduct may--I say may, mind--be looked over."
+
+"Oh, my mate and I'll stick to it, sir," said the spokesman of the two
+men.  "Frenchy was all talk about our being orficers and gentlemen if we
+rose again Captain Berriman, but as soon as we did rose he pumps hisself
+up, 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 got
+our necks in the nooses, why arn't Bob Hampton and Neb Dumlow?"
+
+"'Cause we never shoved 'em in, my lad," said Bob Hampton, with a
+chuckle.  "It was all a paddy till we could get the genle-men out to
+make a fight on it.  That's so, arn't it, gents?"
+
+"Yes, my lads, Hampton, Dumlow, and Blane have been fighting for us all
+through."
+
+"Oh, that's it, is it?" said the man.  "Very well.  Anything for a quiet
+life, 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 easing
+her off another point or two now and then."
+
+"Ay; don't keep running her nose into all the big waves, mateys," cried
+Hampton; 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 into
+the black place, and to the door of the cabin, through which we could
+hear a growling sound.
+
+By this time Bob Hampton had been made fully aware of the strange state
+of affairs, and was indulging in several hearty chuckles at his
+messmate's expense.  And now as I began to unfasten the door, he said
+quickly--
+
+"I'd be a bit on my guard, gentlemen, for Barney 'll be a bit nasty at
+all this here, and p'r'aps show fight, and when he do he hits hard.  Did
+you 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 the
+knots.  Frenchy's under hatches, and things is all right again."
+
+"Goroo, goroo!" gurgled poor Blane, and knowing exactly what was the
+matter, 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 its
+great stopper.
+
+"Ah!" he roared out, after taking a long free breath.  "That was your
+game, 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 a
+mistake in the darkness.  We were lying in wait for Jarette, and took
+you for him."
+
+"No, you didn't," cried Barney, fiercely, "or you'd have pitched me
+overboard--you on'y wait till I get my hands loose."
+
+"Don't be a fool, messmate!" growled Bob Hampton; "you hears what the
+gentleman 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 man
+as 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 been
+able hardly to breathe."
+
+"It was all a mistake, my lad," said Mr Frewen; "but we've re-taken the
+ship."
+
+"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 you
+all 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 there
+was games, I can tell you.  Old Frenchy was chucking bullets about
+anyhow, and 'stead o' being here in this here cabin with me untying
+these here knots, you might ha' been yonder with a hole or two through
+your 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 fust
+began, and I can't forget it.  I'm English, I am, and I arn't going to
+sit down and be kicked by a Frenchman, 'tarn't likely."
+
+"No, matey, it arn't.  But lookye here.  He's forrard and down in the
+forksle, 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 wanted
+to 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 I
+don't seem to have got no hands.  It was orfle lying here, and one
+corner o' that rug as you stuffed into my mouth got a bit o' the way
+down my throat, and kep' on tickling me till I wanted to cough, and
+couldn't.  Say, Bob Hampton, mate, air you going to untie them knots and
+cast 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 got
+no hands, no arms, nor anything else, but a head."
+
+"There you are, matey," cried Bob Hampton.  "Did you tie them ropes, Mr
+Brymer, sir?  They was tight 'uns."
+
+"No; it was Mr Dale here."
+
+"Oh, him!" growled Bob Hampton.  "Well, they was done in a second-hand
+sort 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 say
+they 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 Mr
+Denning."
+
+"Yes, get a lantern," said Mr Brymer; "stop, I'll come with you and
+stay with Mr Preddle and Dumlow; we mustn't have the scoundrels break
+loose.  Ha!  What's that?"
+
+The mate asked the question, but we all knew what it was, and started
+forward at once, for it was the report of a pistol, plainly heard in a
+lulling of the wind.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
+
+It was alarming, but on reaching the hatch over the forecastle there was
+not much wrong.  A desperate attempt had been made to break out, and in
+the midst of the effort Mr Preddle had fired his pistol, sending the
+ball splintering through the woodwork, and this had the effect of
+damping the ardour of the men below for the time.  But we did not leave
+the hatch till it had been made more secure, and then leaving Mr Brymer
+to strengthen the guard as arranged, we hurried back to relieve the
+anxiety of Mr Denning and his sister, and of Captain Berriman, who must
+all of them be in agony.
+
+I felt that we ought to have gone to them sooner, but I did not see how
+we could have acted differently; and eager now to bear the news of the
+change in the state of affairs, I trotted back with the lantern as fast
+as I could over the streaming deck, and found Barney sitting down and
+rubbing his legs.
+
+"Circ'lation's a-coming back, youngster," he said.  "I say, did you kill
+that young Walters?"
+
+"Walters!"  I cried.  "I'd forgotten all about him.  I didn't see or
+hear anything of him."
+
+"Dessay not, sir.  He'd get out of the way while the row was on.  Maybe
+he'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 me
+overboard."
+
+"Coming round, mate?" said Bob Hampton.
+
+"Ay, my lad, I've got one arm and a bit o' one leg back, and toothers is
+coming back slowly like, but it's rum work feeling nothing but head and
+body, and your arms and legs all gone dead at first, and then you begins
+to know as they arn't been cut off and chucked away, and they're still
+there.  They was just like sleeves and stockings stuffed with sorduss,
+and people making cushions of 'em and sticking the pins in as hard as
+ever they can."
+
+"I'm so sorry, Barney," I said.
+
+"Ay, lad, I s'pose you are, and seeing as you thinked it was old
+Frenchy, I don't wonder as you tied them there knots as hard as ever you
+could.  But what I do wonder at is, that the line didn't cut my legs
+right off.  Shows as my muscles must be made of real good stuff, and
+when I've done rubbing 'em back into shape, I s'pose they'll come all
+right once more; but I should have liked to be in the fun."
+
+"Get your pincushions all right, messmate," said Bob Hampton, slapping
+Barney on the back, "and don't growl; the game's on'y just begun, and
+you 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 the
+Burgh Castle and calling hisself skipper, old Frenchy's the sort o' man
+to 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 yourself
+made sore.  Frenchy won't forget us for gammoning him, and pretending to
+be 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 to
+do 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, but
+he rose up on one arm as the door was thrown open and the light of the
+lantern 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 Captain
+Berriman sank back half-fainting, but he re-opened his eyes and clung to
+the 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 captain
+lay 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 the
+forecastle, sir."
+
+"Oh, if I only had strength!" said the captain.  "Doctor, you have half
+cured me with this news; can't you give anything to set me up for an
+hour or two?"
+
+"Nothing," said Mr Frewen, sadly.  "I can only tell you that you must
+be patient.  You must lie here and give your orders.  We will execute
+them as far as we can."
+
+"And we are in a bad storm.  There must be danger on that side too, but
+I can do nothing."
+
+"Mr Brymer will do his best, and there are three of the best seamen to
+help."
+
+"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 sham
+Abram a bit.  Now I do call that 'ere hard, arter me and Dumlow and
+Barney 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 not
+fear 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's
+going 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.  Tell
+Brymer--"
+
+"I shall tell Mr Brymer nothing," said Mr Frewen firmly.  "You shall
+give him your orders instead.  You can be at peace now, sir, so lie
+still patiently, and believe that everything possible will be done to
+preserve order and save the ship."
+
+"Yes; thank you," said the captain, whose lip was quivering.  "I know I
+must be patient.  There, I'll try and do what I have not done these many
+hours,--go to sleep.  But bring me some news sometimes, Dale, my lad, I
+shall be so anxious to know."
+
+I promised him, and then we hurried out, for from time to time there was
+an anxious whispering going on in the next cabin, which appealed
+strongly to Mr Frewen and to me.
+
+He pointed to the door as soon as we were outside, and his voice sounded
+very 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 take
+the lead.  "You and Mr Denning were on friendly terms.  He would rather
+receive the good news from you.  In with you quick, and tell him that if
+he feels strong enough, I--that is, Mr Brymer would be glad if he would
+come 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 effective
+there as a strong man."
+
+"Better," growled Bob, "for he understands fire-arm tools, and knows how
+to 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 fell
+upon his face, where he stood before his sister with a tiny revolver in
+his hand, while the other was behind him holding the poor girl whom he
+was ready, poor weak creature that he was, to defend as long as he had
+life.
+
+They had been so long in darkness that the light of the lantern, feeble
+as 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 mastered
+the mutineers."
+
+"Ah!"
+
+I started forward at that cry--a long, low, pitiful cry--uttered by Miss
+Denning; and I heard Mr Frewen's step behind me as I dropped the
+lantern and tried to catch the poor girl.  For the good news, after the
+long and terrible strain, was more than she could bear.  I knew
+afterwards that she had acted like a heroine all through the fearful
+excitement, and had worked hard to comfort and sustain her brother;
+while now that the tension was removed, she reeled and would have fallen
+in spite of my effort.  But as the lantern fell, and we were in
+darkness, I felt some one brush by me, and I knew by the sound that she
+had 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 heard
+him fumbling about and trying to strike a match, but for several minutes
+there was nothing but a phosphorescent streak made on the boards of the
+partition.
+
+"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 of
+flame, and I saw Mr Frewen holding poor Miss Denning in his arms, ready
+to 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 for
+anxiety now, except from the storm.  Will you see to your sister, and
+bathe 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 the
+cabin, 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 cold
+reception of a man who had been risking his life to save him and his
+sister.
+
+My feelings changed though the next moment, for to my astonishment Mr
+Denning 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 we
+have suffered, my poor sister and I!"
+
+"Yes, yes, it has been horrible," I said, trying to comfort him, for his
+illness 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 has
+behaved like a hero."
+
+"Yes; and--and I'm afraid I spoke very sharply to him, but I could not
+help it, Dale."
+
+"Well, you weren't very warm to him," I said; "and he does deserve
+something."
+
+"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 miserably
+uncomfortable, 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're
+short-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's
+shoulder; when to my horror she left him, and with a cry flung her arms
+about my neck and kissed me.
+
+"Oh, Alison Dale," she cried warmly, "bless you, and thank you!  You
+have always been like a dear good brother to us both, ever since we have
+been on board."
+
+"He has--he has," cried Mr Denning warmly, and he looked as pleased as
+could be at his sister's behaviour; while as for me, I would have given
+anything to be outside the cabin.  For to a lad of my age, being thanked
+for what I had done was painful in the extreme; and in a hurried way I
+hastened to tell them my message, and briefly about how we had found
+friends in the mutineers' ranks, and then of our attack and success.
+
+But my stay was brief.  We had so far mastered one enemy, but were
+suffering 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 a
+very serious way.
+
+On reaching the deck, along which I had to guide myself by holding on by
+the side, and catching at rope and belaying-pin, I found that the sea
+had risen higher, and the wind was rushing through the rigging with
+almost 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 the
+swaying lantern, and Mr Brymer was with him.
+
+"Ah, Dale," he cried, "I'm glad you've come.  I want you to stay on
+guard 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.  I
+should like to do more, but it is terrible work now, short-handed as we
+are; and we must run on in this blind fashion, for I have no idea where
+we are."
+
+Just at that moment there was a tremendous crack overhead, followed by a
+snapping as of pistol-shots; for one of the sails had got loose, and was
+now being torn into ribbons, which snapped and cracked like so many
+cart-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 take
+it as a signal that you want help, both of you; and then of course we
+shall come to your help.  But what about Mr Denning?"
+
+As he spoke, the invalid came struggling along by the bulwarks, and I
+ran to help him to where he could stand in shelter.
+
+"Glad to see you, Mr Denning.  Ah, that's right.  Rather a small
+pistol, 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, but
+we 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, with
+the 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 the
+darkness 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 his
+lips to my ear.  Then with a start, as he turned his head and looked
+forward--"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 for
+help."
+
+"It is what Mr Brymer and I heard several times before," said Mr
+Preddle excitedly.  "He thought it must be one of the mutineers who had
+escaped aloft at first, afraid to stir to come down."
+
+"I don't think it could be that," I said.  "It didn't sound like being
+up aloft."
+
+"So he said.  Then he thought--"
+
+"There it is again," cried Mr Denning and I heard, above the shrieking
+of the wind and the hissing spray, a despairing kind of wail, as if some
+one called for help.
+
+"Why, it's forward somewhere," I said, with a curious shudder running
+through me which was not caused by the wind and spray.
+
+"Yes, that's what Mr Brymer said; but he went and searched all about
+forward."
+
+"Then it must be one of the men below--one who is wounded," I said.  "Do
+you 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 the
+present."
+
+"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 felt
+sure that some one had crept overboard, and down to what he called the
+stays under the bowsprit."
+
+"When the attack was made?"  I cried.  "Yes, that must be it.  There it
+goes again.  That was certainly `Help!'"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"He must be afraid of falling.  Why, the vessel keeps on driving into
+these 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 has
+fastened it round him, we must haul him on board, even if he is another
+enemy.  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, as
+the ship rose and fell in her wild race onward through the dense
+blackness ahead, there was the murmur of a voice and a loud movement
+below the hatch we were guarding.
+
+Then distinctly heard came the words--
+
+"Give me room then," and this was followed by a crashing sound, and a
+jar 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 said
+excitedly.  And almost as I spoke there was another dull blow, and this
+was followed by a cheer.
+
+"What are you going to do?"  I cried, as Mr Preddle held on with one
+hand, and presented his revolver at the door of the hatchway.
+
+A flash and a dull report served for my answer then; and as the bullet
+crashed through the woodwork, there was a yell, a dull sound as of a
+fall, 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 bullets
+striking the wood, and saw two or three splitting the thick wood at the
+top of the hatchway.  But we stood back too much for either of them to
+touch us, as we listened, trying to distinguish the words said, as we
+pictured, no doubt pretty accurately, what was going on in the
+forecastle; for a dull groaning told only too plainly that Mr Preddle's
+shot had taken effect.
+
+What I pictured was the men lifting their bleeding companion forward to
+one of the bunks, while others were talking and raging furiously about
+the shot.
+
+I shuddered, and yet I felt excited, and that it was a necessity.  And
+just then I made out Jarette's voice shouting at the men, and giving
+some 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," he
+cried, "I've just shot one of the men."
+
+For there were Mr Frewen, the mate, and Barney Blane, all panting and
+eager 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.  But
+there must be no hesitation; our lives and that of Miss Denning depend
+upon 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 saw
+that the chambers of his revolver were exposed, and that he was
+thrusting 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 say
+in my ear--
+
+"Disappynted again, sir.  I did think I was to have a go at Frenchy
+now."
+
+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 on
+below, 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 churned
+up by the ship as she plunged on and on, looking as if she were moment
+by moment going to split upon what might have been one huge black rock
+right ahead.
+
+I changed my position, and got to the other side of the bowsprit to hold
+on and look over there, but still I could see nothing, and though I
+shouted again and again there was no reply.
+
+"Nobody could possibly be hanging on there," I thought, as I tried to
+pierce the mist of spray; and I felt that if low down on the stays, he
+would be dipped at every plunge, and drowned in a few minutes, and if
+higher, to a certainty, unless lashed to the ropes, be washed off.
+
+I stayed some minutes, hailing again and again, with my voice carried
+forward 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 either
+washed 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, and
+then 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 you
+fired that shot."
+
+"Yes; and it makes me feel better satisfied, for the mutineers are such
+brutes--such savage brutes."
+
+"There!"  I cried; "do you hear?" for once more the cry for help came so
+piteous, faint, and despairing that it seemed to go through me from head
+to heel in one long, continuous shudder.
+
+"If it hadn't been for what we heard just now," said Mr Preddle just
+then, "I should have been ready to think it was something uncanny--
+something ghostly; but," he added hastily, as Mr Denning turned a
+mocking 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 do
+anything.  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 so
+that I feel hardened against them.  It must be a wounded man."
+
+"Why," I cried, as a flash of mental light just then illumined my thick
+brain, "I know!"
+
+I was so excited by my discovery, which was one of those simple finds
+that the wonder was it had not been thought of at once, I could hardly
+contain 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 of
+his 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 the
+hatch 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 no
+right to leave my post without orders; so I re-hung the lantern, and
+then, after listening and convincing myself that there was no
+threatening sound coming from below, I shouted to my companions what I
+was going to do, and then staggered forward to the carefully battened
+down hatch, beneath which the great rusty chain cable was lying in a
+heap.
+
+I listened, and my heart sank with disappointment, for the wind was
+shrieking 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 wave
+struck 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 sheltered
+me a little, and as the hissing splash of the water ceased, I fancied I
+heard a faint clink of one of the links of the great chain below, while
+the moment after came more plainly than I had heard it before a
+smothered, 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 there
+was 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 for
+me impatiently.
+
+"It's all right," I said; "there's some one in the cable-tier a
+prisoner, 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 the
+signal ought to be given by firing a pistol, Neb Dumlow appeared in the
+feeble glow shed by the lantern, coming out of the black darkness in a
+peculiarly 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 of
+that watch, the two gentlemen giving place to me, even if they did
+oppose some of my ideas.  "Go and tell Mr Brymer to come here."
+
+"Ay, ay!" growled the great ugly fellow--uglier now in the darkness than
+he had ever looked before--and he turned and trotted aft, to return in a
+few minutes bearing a lantern, and in company with the mate and Mr
+Frewen.
+
+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 our
+lads, and a friend.  Quick, Dumlow, and have off that hatch."
+
+In another moment or two the sailor was on his knees dragging off the
+piece of tarpaulin which had been fastened down over the top, probably
+when the storm began, and directly after the hatch was lifted off, and
+the lantern held down to throw its light upon a ghastly face, which was
+raised to us as a couple of hands grasped the combings around the
+opening.  I was so astounded that I could not speak, only listen, as
+Dumlow 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 fear
+from you.  Take one arm, Dumlow," and seizing the other himself, they
+hoisted Walters quickly out of the little compartment and set him on his
+feet; but his legs gave way, and he dropped on the deck and lay upon his
+back.
+
+At that moment sounds came up from the hatch, which suggested the
+possibility of the mutineers breaking through the heavy bulk-head and
+making their way on deck that way, so before aught else was done, the
+hatch was securely fastened down again.
+
+While that was in progress, but feeling wroth all the time, I bent down
+over the poor, miserable-looking wretch, whose eyes were following every
+movement I made, and recalling the shot I had heard fired, I at once
+came to the conclusion that he was hurt.
+
+"Here," I said roughly, "where are you wounded, so that I can tell Mr
+Frewen?"
+
+"I'm--I'm--"
+
+"Well, where?"  I said, still very roughly, for the sight of the
+treacherous young wretch made a hot feeling of rage against him rise in
+my 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?  `Wretch
+Jarette!'  Do you mean your captain, my worthy young lieutenant?"
+
+Walters' eyes gave a roll and then closed as he lay there; but they
+opened again directly, for Mr Brymer gave him an angry thrust--a
+thrust, 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 bent
+down.
+
+"Says as you're to stow him in prison, sir, and not let the skipper see
+him."
+
+"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 the
+lad was.
+
+"Suffering from exhaustion and want of air."
+
+"Then he must have a rest," cried Mr Brymer.  "Now, sir, can you get up
+and walk?"
+
+"No," said Mr Frewen, decisively.
+
+"Lift him up, Dumlow," said Mr Brymer, "and bring him aft to one of the
+cabins.  Will you see to him, Mr Frewen?"
+
+The doctor nodded, and I felt as if I wanted to go; but my duty was
+there, and I had to stay.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
+
+That storm showed no signs though of abating, and we watched on through
+the night, constantly on the strain, attacked as we were by alarms from
+below, and the furious assault of the winds and waves.  Several times
+over during the night, when I was suffering from the cold, and faint
+with hunger and exhaustion, a horrible chilly feeling of despair came
+creeping over me.  I began thinking of home and those there who would be
+heart-broken if I was lost; but always at these worst times something
+seemed to happen that took me out of myself, giving me work so
+particular to do that all my energies were directed to that duty, and in
+consequence I forgot my own troubles.
+
+Twice over, when Mr Brymer came with one or other of the men, Mr
+Denning expressed a wish to be relieved, and I had to take his arm and
+help him along under the shelter of the bulwarks to the saloon and the
+cabin where his sister was waiting anxiously for news, and as we
+struggled 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 rested
+for 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 ship
+could have kept on long like this without sinking."
+
+I laughed.
+
+"Why, she's a splendid boat," I said, "and quite strong, and so long as
+we'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 course
+I've never been out in a storm on the ocean before, but I've been in
+some big ones off the coast round Ireland, where we were always in
+danger 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 the
+more, but the water is soft, and we go through it or ride over it
+somehow."
+
+"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 frightened
+several times to-night, but I'm more afraid of Jarette and his gang than
+I am of the sea."
+
+"You have no sister on board," he said.  "No bitter regrets for letting
+her come into such danger."
+
+"No," I said, rather chokingly; "but I've got people at home, and it
+would be very horrid to think I should never see them again."
+
+"Let's go on," he said laconically, and I helped him along, choosing the
+easiest moments till we were in shelter, and then without leaving hold
+of me he whispered--
+
+"Make the best of things to her."
+
+There was a lamp burning in the cabin as we entered, and Miss Denning
+sprang to our side.
+
+"Oh, John," she cried piteously, "this will be death to you, drenched
+with the cold sea!  Pray, pray, stay in shelter now."
+
+"Nonsense!" he cried; "it does me good, and it's grandly exciting to
+fight the storm like this.  How are you, little one?  Ah, don't touch
+me, 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 the
+pirates safely in prison, and as soon as the storm's over all will be
+right 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, "only
+have their sails blown away, and sometimes lose a spar, or get a boat
+torn 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 liked
+him so well before, never having seen his true nature and affection for
+his sister.
+
+"Now then, Mr Dale and I have to go back on duty to shoot mutineers and
+pirates, and you are to lie down and trust in our all taking care of
+you.  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 danger
+is over, and you will not hinder me from doing my duty like a man, even
+if I am a weak one."
+
+She held his hand to her cheek, and smiling at me, spoke quite
+cheerfully.
+
+"Come back in about an hour," she said, "and I will have coffee made
+with 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 not
+reached the broken companion-way before a door on our right opened, a
+light was thrown across us, and I felt Mr Denning's arm twitch.  For it
+was 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 he
+was outside he carefully locked it.
+
+"Not much need for it," he said to us quietly, "for the little wretch is
+very weak still.  Nice sort of characters you choose for your
+companions, Dale," he continued.  "How do we know that you have not been
+contaminated, 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 went
+forward again, and had nearly reached the forecastle-hatch, when,
+sounding very feeble and strange, there was the report of a pistol, and
+we 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 long
+whoever wielded it must make a way through.
+
+Mr Brymer glanced round at us as we came up, and I saw the barrel of
+his 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 trying
+to 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, and
+then 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 any
+cost we will keep the upper hand now."
+
+No one spoke, and I could not help shivering as I saw the stern looks of
+the men by me, even Mr Preddle's round smooth face looking fierce and
+determined.
+
+Mr Frewen was the first to open his lips.
+
+"It is a bitter necessity," he said; "those men must be kept down, but I
+am obliged to speak now.  Brymer, I am a surgeon, and there are at least
+two wounded men there below, perhaps more.  It is necessary for me to go
+down."
+
+"It is impossible, Mr Frewen.  If I give orders for that hatch to be
+opened, there will be a rush, and even if we remain masters and beat
+them down, it can only be at the cost of wounding more, perhaps causing
+death."
+
+"Why not make a truce with them?"
+
+"With the men it would be easy enough, but not with their leader, a
+scoundrel who feels that he is fighting with penal servitude before him,
+perhaps the halter!  But, Mr Frewen, these are no times for being
+humane.  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 no
+rush."
+
+"I think differently, sir," said Mr Brymer, coldly.
+
+"I agree with Mr Brymer, sir," said Mr Denning, "that it would be
+madness."
+
+"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.  "I
+don't like men to suffer, but I won't give my vote for you to go down
+into 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 said
+sturdily.  "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 give
+in."
+
+"Thank you, Frewen," cried Mr Brymer, holding out his hand, which the
+doctor took frankly.  "I am sorry to go against you, but you are too
+valuable to us here.  I am sure that if I let you go down, they would
+not let you come up gain.  Jarette is fox enough to know how your
+absence would weaken us, and then there is the captain; I place his life
+as of more value than that of a mutinous crew."
+
+"I'm convinced," said Mr Frewen.  "My desire was to stay, but as a
+surgeon I couldn't stand still, knowing that my help was wanted down
+there."
+
+"You doctors are so greedy," cried Mr Preddle.  "You have two patients
+as it is, and if we're going, on like this I'm afraid you'll soon have
+some more."
+
+"Yes," said the doctor, turning to Mr Denning, "I shall have another
+one.  Forgive me for speaking, Mr Denning, but I think you ought to go
+back to your cabin now and remove your wet things."
+
+"You mean well, sir," said Mr Denning, courteously, "but I am wanted
+here."
+
+"Not now, sir," said the mate.  "I think we can manage, and if you would
+hold yourself in readiness to turn out if we raise an alarm that would
+be enough."
+
+"I am here, and I have faced so much of the storm and trouble that I
+will see it through now."
+
+No one attempted to argue with him, and the watch was resumed, with the
+ship tearing through the water before the storm, for short-handed as we
+were, Mr Brymer shrank from attempting to alter her course, or riding
+head to wind.
+
+From time to time there was a stir below, and voices rose angrily, but
+we could always hear Jarette's shrill utterances, and he generally
+seemed to calm the men down, or to master them, with the result that the
+angry sounds ceased and gave place to a low murmuring as if some plan
+were being discussed.  After this had been going on some time, on one
+occasion Mr Brymer, who had been aft at the wheel with Bob Hampton and
+had returned in time to hear the talking, shook his head and said to Mr
+Frewen--
+
+"That sounds bad.  They're hatching a new plot against us.  It is like
+having your ship on fire somewhere amongst the cargo in a place where
+you cannot reach.  It goes on smouldering day after day, and you are in
+the full expectation of its breaking out.  You don't know when, but you
+are 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 in
+my head that I could not work out, and while I was trying I had another
+idea.  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 the
+rascal, and that puzzled me.
+
+It was very close to daylight; and cold, low-spirited, and miserable, I
+was beginning to think that between the storm and the men below, the
+poor old Burgh Castle must come to grief, when Bob Hampton came up
+glistening 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 the
+latter did not turn his head, and once more we began fighting our way
+back, with the ship seeming at times quite to dance on the tops of the
+waves.
+
+But we reached the shelter in safety, and as soon as we were under cover
+I felt sure that the wind was not so fierce, and said so.
+
+"I could not tell any difference," said Mr Denning, sadly, as we went
+right aft, to find the captain's cabin, right in the stern--the one
+through whose window I had climbed after my hazardous descent from the
+rigging--looking bright and cheerful, and hot coffee waiting for us, in
+company with sweet smiles and cheering words.
+
+It was wonderful.  One minute I had been ready to give up and think that
+all was over; the next, as the hot drink sent a glow through me, I was
+ready to smile back at Miss Denning, and join her in persuading her
+brother to go to his cabin and change; while the very next minute Mr
+Brymer came down with a large bottle, and after hastily swallowing a cup
+of the coffee, he begged for a bottleful to carry up to the men at the
+wheel.
+
+"Is the storm still so bad, Mr Brymer?" asked Miss Denning, as the mate
+was about to hurry back on deck.
+
+"No," he said emphatically.  "It's one of those gales which blow in a
+circle, and we're passing through it.  The glass is rising, and in less
+than an hour I think it will begin to lull."  This was joyful news, and
+I 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 her
+quite 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 strange
+jealous hatred and dislike there was burning within him as he caught my
+arm, and held it tightly.
+
+"Help me quickly!" he whispered.  "Take me back before my weakness
+masters me, and I break down."
+
+"But if you are so weak?"  I said anxiously.  "Take me forward!" he
+whispered 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 with
+the ship heeling over, and the spray flying as it did; but I felt
+hardened to it now, and the darkness did not appear so terrible, nor the
+danger so great, with the warm glow I felt spreading through me.  Then I
+looked at my companion quite wonderingly, as I could just see his pale
+thin 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 the
+change 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 coming
+rapidly.  But just then we reached the watch, and to my surprise Mr
+Denning said as well as the rushing wind would let him--
+
+"Mr Frewen, Mr Preddle, my sister has hot coffee ready, and will be
+glad 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 though
+there was a momentary cessation in the shrieking of the wind, he spoke
+as if Mr Denning were by the wheel; and there was no doubt now--we
+could not see it, nor were we likely to, through the mist and spray, but
+the sun was rising, and ten minutes after I was gazing at the sea, which
+was 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 beginning
+to 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 when
+I put my hands up to feel if my ears was cut off.  Strikes me as they
+would ha' gone if they hadn't been tied down with the flaps of this here
+sou'-wester."
+
+"Yes, it's getting lighter fast," cried Mr Denning.  "But how rough the
+sea is!"
+
+"Ay, sir, she be a bit tossy like," said Bob; "but this here's nothing
+to 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 the
+board, and your fore-mast cut off at the top-mast-head, and your mizzen
+splintered into matchwood?  Why, my lad, this arn't been nothing.  And
+look yonder, there's the sun a-coming out, leastwise it's making the
+clouds look red-like.  We're coming out of it well.  Why, you ought to
+be 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 and
+shiny now; "they arn't turned out a werry good lot, but then arter all
+they might ha' been worse.  You see it's just like having so much soup
+as the cook's made for you, and all as good as can be, till the cook's
+mate 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 the
+pot.  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 in
+which Mr Frewen had gone.
+
+"_Tlat_!" went Bob Hampton's lips in a loud smack.  "Glad when they
+gents come back, for I want some o' your young lady's hot coffee, bless
+her! to take the taste o' the hyle out o' my mouth."
+
+"You shall have it soon, Hampton, my good brave fellow," cried Mr
+Denning, and I saw the weak tears in his eyes, "and you tell my sister
+that she is to find my little silver flask, and give you some brandy in
+your 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.  How
+could it be a werry bad 'un when you have the luck to be shipped aboard
+a craft with a angel aboard?  A angel, that's what I says, and Neb
+Dumlow and Barney says the same.  We all said it arter the mutiny had
+begun, and that if we didn't get the best of old Frenchy somehow we'd
+eat our heads.--Lie down, will yer?" he roared, as he gave the side of
+the hatch so fierce a kick that I thought his heavy boot would have gone
+through.
+
+There was a heavy rustling sound, and the grumbling of voices plainly
+heard now, for the wind was rapidly falling.
+
+"That was French Jarette a-listening, sir, for a penny-piece," whispered
+Bob, for it was growing possible to whisper now.  "Strikes me we arn't
+done with him yet, and if I might adwise, I should say as Mr Frewen
+ought to be sent down below with some of his doctor's stuff to pyson
+that chap like you would a rat, for there'll never be no peace while
+he's aboard.  Hah!" he continued, smacking his lips.  "There's your
+sort; here's Mr Preddle coming back with his face shining and smelling
+o' hot coffee like a flower-garding."
+
+Mr Denning turned round sharply, but checked himself as he saw that Mr
+Frewen was coming too.
+
+"Looks like my turn now."
+
+"Miss Denning is waiting to give you some coffee, Mr Hampton," said the
+naturalist.
+
+"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 rose
+and 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, "and
+smooth water, with nothing but a long heavy swell before night.  I think
+we may all congratulate ourselves upon what we have done, for we've
+saved 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 can
+devote all our attention to him.  I think I can relieve two of you
+gentlemen 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 in
+readiness for a call.  Hah! that's grand; what should we do without the
+sun?"
+
+For as he was speaking, a bright gleam suddenly shot almost level across
+the spray, which still flew over the waves, and made it flash like a
+rainbow.  It did more, for it sent light and joy into our breasts as Mr
+Preddle and Mr Denning went aft, meeting Bob Hampton with some boards,
+a saw, hammer, and nails with which he was soon busily at work
+strengthening the sides and top of the hatch, nailing down board after
+board, and only leaving one small opening in case communication should
+be needed with the prisoners below, who, saving for the light filtering
+through a small sky-light, and also through the ventilator, were in the
+dark.
+
+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 on
+account of the closely-packed-in heavy cargo, much of which consisted,
+as I said, of machinery--agricultural implements and the like--for the
+Antipodes.  Then arrangements were made as to the men being fed with
+biscuit and water, just sufficient for keeping them alive, and this
+starvation policy it was considered would be the means of setting the
+mutineers thoroughly against their leader, with the probable result that
+they would open up negotiations, and end by binding Jarette hand and
+foot and delivering him up.  After that, as many as the captain thought
+could be trusted might be released to assist in navigating the ship, and
+the rest could be kept in prison.
+
+Mr Brymer was quite right about the weather; we sailed right through
+the circular storm, and long before sunset of what proved to be a very
+hot day, the ship was gently gliding up one side of a long wave, and
+after pausing for a moment on the top, gliding down the other, so that
+it was hard to imagine that we had just passed through so terrible a
+storm.
+
+That evening I asked Mr Frewen to take me with him when he went into
+Mr Preddle's cabin to see Walters, and this resulted in his leaving me
+behind to sit down by where my brother midshipman lay, looking white, or
+rather grey as ashes.
+
+I found him very stubbornly silent with the doctor, who did not seem to
+think him very bad; and to all the sharp appeals to him to try and sit
+up, or explain his symptoms, he only gave vent to a piteous kind of
+groan which worried me a good deal, for I could not help thinking that
+Mr Frewen was hard, and to put it plainly, rather brutal, to one who
+had evidently gone through a great deal of suffering, and was now
+completely prostrate.
+
+But certainly it had been rather tantalising, for to everything there
+was 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 I
+can."
+
+"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 the
+lad's eyelids gently enough.
+
+"Oh!" came more loudly than ever, as Mr Frewen looked closely into
+first one and then the other eye.
+
+Another moan and groan came fast one after the other, sometimes loud and
+sometimes piteous in the extreme, making me shiver again as I imagined
+all kinds of horrors.
+
+At first Mr Frewen was very gentle in his examination; but as Walters
+kept on groaning, the doctor seemed to lose patience, and in feeling the
+patient'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-edges
+grate together from a fracture.
+
+But the doctor let my messmate's head sink down again, quickly too, for
+Walters uttered a thrilling moan and let his face hang down away from
+the doctor, looking so ghastly and strange that I was more horrified
+than ever in the dim cabin-light.
+
+I looked anxiously at the doctor, silently asking him what was the
+matter; but he only gave me a short nod of the head, and once more
+directed his attention to Walters, who lay breathing slowly in a catchy,
+spasmodic fashion, and I was almost about to question Mr Frewen, but he
+once more bent over the prisoner patient, listening to his breathing.
+
+I saw him frown and then lay his hand upon Walters' side, and then I
+started, for there came so piteous a groan that I was sure the ribs must
+have been crushed, and I felt angry with him for not being more
+sympathetic.
+
+"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 to
+jump 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 invalid
+showing so much dislike to him now.
+
+"Yes, he's very bad," said Mr Frewen at last, "I shall have to get
+ready a mixture for him--something pretty strong too."
+
+I was looking anxiously in his eyes as he said this, and then we both
+looked 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, even
+if they are distasteful; and where you disguise their taste with syrups
+and 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 how
+the other prisoners are getting on.  I'm afraid that I am badly wanted
+there."
+
+He stood looking down at the patient with his brow knit, and I noticed a
+fidgety 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 not
+require 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 kept
+fast, 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 let
+you out in a quarter of an hour."
+
+He closed and locked the cabin door sharply, and I stood there thinking
+what I should say to my old messmate, and feeling how awkward it was now
+he was in trouble.  For he lay there half turned away with his eyes
+closed, and I heard him moan piteously again while I waited to hear Mr
+Frewen's departing step.
+
+But it did not come for a few moments.  Then I heard him go into the
+adjoining cabin, and the opening of his medicine-chest quite plainly.
+
+"I don't believe he wants medicine," I thought.  "He must be suffering
+from some internal injury."  Though as to what part of his body the
+injury might be in, I had not the slightest idea.
+
+There was a loud clink of bottle or glass, and then quite plainly came
+the setting down of something hard upon a shelf, the sound coming
+plainly through the opening we had so laboriously made when Mr Preddle
+was 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 being
+thrust into a bottle, and the doctor went out of his cabin, shut the
+door sharply, and went off, while it was like an electric shock through
+me, and I stared wildly, for Walters started up, and in a vicious angry
+voice 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 when
+you were so bad."
+
+"No, you didn't," he cried, with a vicious snarl.  "You stopped to play
+the 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 my
+temper was rising against him and against myself, for I felt that I had
+been imposed upon, and horribly weak and stupid in my sympathy for one
+who 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, and
+I'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 read
+him, and I understood now why Mr Frewen was so indifferent instead of
+being 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 turned
+up his eyes till only the whites showed, making him look so ghastly in
+the 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 sure
+that the doctor had gone, and thought himself quite alone.
+
+"Get up," I said again, "and leave off this miserable shamming.  There's
+nothing the matter with you at all."
+
+He groaned again, and it made me feel so angry at the thought of his
+believing that he could impose upon me again, that I raised my right
+foot, 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 that
+way!"
+
+"Oh, you coward, you coward!" he moaned.
+
+"No, it's you who are the coward, shamming being injured.  Will you get
+up?"
+
+"What," he snarled, changing his manner again, "to fight with a
+miserable coward who is armed?"
+
+"I'm not armed now," I cried, snatching the revolver I carried from my
+belt, and laying it on Mr Preddle's chest.  "Get up, you miserable,
+cowardly, treacherous, shamming impostor!  I'll give you some physic
+which 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 a
+rush 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, and
+writhing now with bodily as well as mental pain, he came at me looking
+almost diabolical.
+
+I forgot everything the next moment--the nearness of the dangerously
+wounded captain, and the alarm that would be felt by Miss Denning, and
+with fists feeling like solid bone I sprang at him in turn.  For I was
+in a strange state of exaltation.  My nerves had been stirred by the
+excitement of the past days.  I had been horribly imposed upon, and in
+place of my pity I now felt something very near akin to hate for my
+treacherous messmate, whom I had been ready, to forgive everything.  I
+felt as if the most delightful thing in life would be to thrash him till
+he was in such a condition that he would be obliged to have the doctor
+to see to him and put him right--if he did not half-kill me instead, for
+he 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, but
+straight-out shots right at his face, chest, anywhere I could see a
+chance to hit, though in the majority of cases I missed him, and
+received 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 not
+idle, for I kept on taunting and gibing at him, asking if that one did
+not make him groan and this one did not need the doctor, while all the
+time he was perfectly silent, save that as he glared at me and fought
+savagely 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 I
+was ready to keep on till I dropped.
+
+Blows fell fast enough on both, and then we closed and wrestled and went
+down.
+
+Then we were up, and crashing against the bulk-head on one side, then on
+the other.  Then I sent him staggering against the door; and _en
+revanche_, as he recovered himself and came on again, he sent me heavily
+against the ship's side, where the back of my head gave a sounding rap
+close to the little circular window.
+
+Of course it was a matter of a very few minutes.  Boy human nature could
+not stand a prolongation of such a fierce struggle, even if our muscles
+were tense as so much elastic wood.  And how that time passed I can
+hardly tell.  I was conscious of seeing sparks, and then of Walters'
+eyes and gleaming teeth which were very hard to my knuckles.  So was his
+head, and the boards, and cabin-floor; but I fought on, and wrestled and
+went down, and got up again, and the fighting was soon in perfect
+silence as far as our lips were concerned, till after one desperate
+round--the last--I struck out so fiercely with my left, adding to it the
+whole weight of my body, that Walters fell back over the chest in one
+corner, his head struck the bulk-head with a sounding bang, and he went
+down in a sitting position, but in an instant sprang up again, grinding
+his teeth.
+
+The cabin was nearly dark now and my fists were up for the renewal of
+the contest, for Walters seemed to be about to spring at me; but he drew
+back, and as quickly as I could grasp what it meant, I heard almost
+simultaneously the clicking of my pistol-lock, the report, and the crash
+caused by the sudden wrenching open of the cabin-door.
+
+"Hurt?" cried Mr Brymer, as I staggered back, conscious of a sharp
+stinging pain at the side of my head; and as he spoke he sprang at
+Walters, 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, I
+think so," for my fingers were wet with blood.
+
+"You cowardly, treacherous hound!" cried the mate, with his foot upon
+Walters' breast.
+
+"I--oh don't!--help!--I was only defending myself from Dale.  I'm weak
+and hurt, and--"
+
+"A cowardly, malingering liar!" cried Mr Frewen, hotly.  "He tried to
+make me believe he was very bad, groaning and wincing, and thinking he
+had 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 of
+sickness.  "He was shamming; I found him out, and we quarrelled and
+fought, and as soon as he was beaten he caught up the pistol and fired
+at me."
+
+"It's all a lie!" shouted Walters, fiercely.  "I was so weak and ill
+that I--"
+
+"Jumped up well as I was, and called Mr Frewen a brute and a beast as
+soon as he was out of hearing."
+
+"And the pistol cocked itself, jumped up into his hand, and then went
+off and wounded Dale.  Is it much, doctor?" said Mr Brymer.
+
+"No, only his ear cut, fortunately," said Mr Frewen, holding a
+handkerchief to my head.  "An inch more and our amiable, treacherous
+young 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 Miss
+Denning that there's no cause for alarm.  Lock up the wild beast,
+Brymer!  I thought he was a little weak and wanted feeding up.  Leave
+him to me, and I'll feed him down."
+
+Mr Brymer gave a sharp look round, and then closed the door and locked
+it, while following Mr Frewen into the next cabin, he put a few
+stitches 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 it
+look very bad?"
+
+"Not half so bad as it will to-morrow," said Mr Frewen, coolly.  "You
+had a tidy fight then, you two?"
+
+"Oh yes; don't talk about it, please, sir.  He made me feel so wild
+after I found out that he was only shamming."
+
+"Humph!  Well, don't let Miss Denning see you.  If you had been knocked
+about like this in a struggle with those scoundrels under the hatch you
+would have won her sympathy; but a lad who goes and indulges in
+fisticuffs till his face looks like a muffin which has tumbled into the
+slop-basin, can't show himself in ladies' society till he has grown
+well."
+
+"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 help
+you out of your difficulty," he continued quietly.
+
+"Yes," I said.  "What?"
+
+"You must wait till we have another fight with the men forward, and then
+if you get knocked about, all those bruises will go to the same
+account."
+
+I was busily bathing my face and hands as he spoke, and then, as I began
+dabbing myself gently with a towel, there was an alarm from forward
+which suggested that, though I was getting stiffer and more sore every
+moment, the time had already come for the doctor's remedy to be put in
+force, for there was a pistol-shot followed by several more, and a loud
+shouting which sounded like cries for help.
+
+It was a wonderful change from the previous night as we hurried along
+the deck to join our friends.  The ship rode on an even keel, the night
+was glorious with stars, and the lanterns shone bright and clear where
+they 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 the
+side.
+
+We could see the group about the hatch standing a little back, for in
+spite of our defences, the mutineers were making a desperate effort to
+escape, and were keeping up a steady fire through the top and sides to
+cover the work of one of their number, who was chopping away at the door
+to hack out the fastening.
+
+As we reached them, Mr Brymer was ready revolver in hand, hesitating as
+to whether he should fire, for he was husbanding his ammunition, the
+supply being far from abundant.
+
+"It's getting warm, doctor," he said as we came up.  "What is to be
+done?  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 of
+the powder and cartridges while I was busy over the other portions of
+the cargo, and he is too weak to be questioned.  You joined the mutiny
+for 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 a
+mite; 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 deal
+of what was going on."
+
+"Yes, sir, heaps; I kep' my eyes open."
+
+"Well, tell me this--what about the powder and weapons?  What do you
+know about them?"
+
+"I'll tell you, sir," said Bob; "but, begging your pardon, hadn't you
+better 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 get
+these?"
+
+"Outer the hold, sir, where they stowed 'em close alongside o' the
+blasting-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 could
+out 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 the
+fellows were always smoking.  I got down to 'em at night when the storm
+was coming, as you know, and when you want more, there they are,--yer
+pistols and guns too."
+
+"Oh, that puts quite a different complexion upon our position, Mr
+Denning.  We can fire as much as we like," cried the mate.  "But one
+word more, Hampton.  What about the mutineers?  Have they a very large
+supply of ammunition?"
+
+"Well, sir, that I can't say.  I know Jarette always kep' his pockets
+jam-full, but I don't know nothing about the others."
+
+The chopping was still going on while this discussion took place, and
+shot after shot was fired, evidently in a blind fashion, as if the man
+who used the revolver was unable to take an aim at any one, and merely
+fired to keep us away from the hatch; but now all at once we were
+startled by a sharp jingling of glass, and the violent swinging of one
+of 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 Mr
+Preddle.
+
+"Look here, Brymer," whispered Mr Frewen, speaking now after carefully
+watching the dimly-seen hatch for some minutes, "it strikes me that if
+you let them go on firing for a little longer they will be forced to
+surrender."
+
+"For want of ammunition?" said the mate.
+
+"No; for want of air.  That ventilator will not carry off the foul gas
+from the firing."
+
+"But the holes they are making will," said the mate.  "If it were not so
+dark you would see that the smoke is curling out from several little
+holes."
+
+Mr Frewen took a step forward; there was a sharp report, and he
+staggered back.  "Flit?" cried Mr Preddle, excitedly.  "Yes, but not
+hurt," replied Mr Frewen.  "The bullet struck my collar, and it was
+like 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 the
+other; and as I was lowering mine down, I heard a shot, and a whizz like
+a bee flying over my head.
+
+"Quite time that was done," said the mate, as the two lighted lanterns
+were taken by Bob and carried to the galley.  But the door was fast, and
+it was not until after a good deal of dragging and wrenching that it was
+pulled 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.  "Throw
+something over the lights."
+
+"Done it, sir," cried Bob, as the door yielded, and I stepped forward to
+get the lanterns in, when, as Bob opened the door widely, and the light
+flashed in, he uttered a yell, and nearly dropped the lanterns, for
+there before us in the corner of the galley stood, or lay back, a
+ghastly-looking figure which at first sight seemed to me like the body
+of one of the mutineers who had been shot.  But as I stood trembling and
+holding up one light, the white face moved and the eyes blinked.
+
+"What's the matter?" cried Mr Brymer, loudly.  "Go and see, Mr
+Frewen."
+
+The doctor took a few steps and joined us, saw the figure, and said
+sharply--"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 you
+a light."
+
+The lanterns were thrust in, the door shut, and we hurried back,
+discussing our discovery, but this was checked by the firing from the
+hatch, while the blows from an axe threatened to make short work of the
+door and the boards that had been nailed across.
+
+"What's to be done?" said Mr Preddle, mildly.  "Hadn't you better speak
+to them, Mr Brymer?"
+
+"I feel as if I can only speak by deputy," he replied, and he raised his
+pistol,--"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 as
+we are."
+
+Mr Frewen went round to the bow-side of the hatch, and shouted loudly
+to 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 these
+boards."
+
+Mr Brymer could not help laughing aloud, and a pistol was fired in his
+direction.
+
+"Stop that!" shouted Mr Frewen.  "Look here, my men, if you hand out
+your weapons through the top of the hatch, and promise not to attempt to
+escape, food and water shall be passed down, and you shall receive fair
+treatment till we get into port."
+
+"Do you hear, my lads?" cried Jarette, loudly.  "And when we get in port
+they'll hand us over as prisoners.  What do you--there, I'll say it for
+you," he continued hastily.  "No, no, no!  And now listen to me, all you
+who can hear.  You can't sail into port without us, and you are only
+proposing a truce because you are growing frightened."
+
+"Indeed!" said Mr Frewen, coolly.
+
+"Yes, indeed, doctor.  I know your voice.  Now you take my advice--you
+and those two passengers.  Get back to your cabins, and perhaps I'll
+forgive you.  We can come on deck now whenever we like, and we're
+masters here.  If you don't do as I say, look out, for I warn you I can
+cover all of you with my pistol, and if I couldn't I'd sink the ship
+before 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 you
+surrender?"
+
+"Silence below there!" shouted Jarette.  "I'll give him his answer.
+There!"
+
+He fired, evidently aiming in the direction of Mr Frewen's voice, for
+the bullet whizzed over the doctor's head; when, without waiting for
+orders, Mr Preddle fired back, and his shot was followed by a sharp
+ejaculation, suggesting that some one had been hit; but directly after
+we heard a little talking, and several shots were fired at us, but
+without effect.
+
+"There," said Mr Brymer, "we have done our duty by them, we must now do
+it by ourselves."
+
+"If we could only master that one man," said Mr Frewen in the little
+council of war which followed, "we could manage."
+
+"Hadn't you better order the hose to be laid on, Mr Brymer, sir," said
+Bob 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 the
+doctor 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 a
+wopses' nest squib to bring 'em to their senses."
+
+"Out of their senses, man!" cried Mr Frewen, impatiently.  "It means
+death, 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 it
+now.  They're desprit; Jarette's worked 'em up; and they've got the
+judge to face if we take 'em into port.  Strikes me it's our lives or
+theirn; but you knows best.  I was thinking about the young lady."
+
+Just then the chopping began again, and Mr Brymer raised his pistol and
+fired.
+
+The chopping ceased, and there was a burst of loud talking.  Then all
+was 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 of
+affairs.  It was found that he had been forced by Jarette's threats to
+work for the mutineers, and if they had gained the upper hand he would
+no doubt have sided with them again; but now he seemed to return gladly
+to his regular duties, and he was as energetic as possible in preparing
+breakfast, waiting on Miss Denning and her brother, and when he was not
+cooking, making himself generally useful, as the advertisements say,
+about the cabins, especially that of the captain, to whom, unasked, he
+began to act as nurse.
+
+That morning, by Mr Brymer's orders, he filled a number of bottles with
+fresh water, and got ready a quantity of biscuits, which he was told to
+bear to the mutineers.
+
+"But I dursen't, sir," he said.  "That Jarette would swear I was a
+traitor as soon as he heard my voice, and shoot me same as he did poor
+Phipps."
+
+"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 does
+lots of things when a pistol's held to your head as you wouldn't do
+other times."
+
+"Bring the biscuit and water," said Mr Frewen, "and I'll speak to the
+men.  They will not use pistols when they know food is going to be given
+to 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 Mr
+Frewen's words, which proved quite correct, till we had passed down all
+that we had taken, the men eagerly thrusting up their hands and seizing
+bottle and biscuit.
+
+Then as the last bottle of water was handed through the opening Bob
+Hampton 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 away
+and fell back in my fright, for quick as lightning the scoundrel thrust
+out a pistol and fired at me, the flash being so close that I felt sure
+for the moment that I was hit.  In fact I was stunned, but it was from
+the 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 the
+back of my head.
+
+"Hurt?  Yes, of course I am," I cried, angrily; but I laughed it off the
+next minute, for I was afraid that they would think it cowardly of me
+for 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 tarpaulin
+was drawn over the top of the hatch, but it had not been there a minute
+before a knife-blade was passed through it, and a good-sized piece cut
+out.
+
+Then a board was thrown on, but it was only tossed away, and shot after
+shot was fired, evidently, from the good aim taken, by some one who
+could see the people on deck.
+
+Nothing more was done then, for the mutineers made no further attempt to
+escape; and in wonderful contrast to what we had gone through, it now
+fell perfectly calm, with the sun blazing down upon us and the heat
+intense.
+
+Short-handed though we were, matters fell back into the old ship
+routine, with the exception that the watches kept were against something
+more 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 up
+between Mr Frewen and the Dennings, though Mr Denning always appeared
+to be rather cold and strange during the short time they were together
+at meals.  These the cook served up regularly for the officers,
+passengers, and men, the two who were at the wheel having settled down
+in their places with Hampton and his two companions, and had even gone
+so far as to offer to fight upon our side.
+
+They sent the message by Bob Hampton, and he bore it to Mr Brymer, but
+said to me afterwards with a good deal of screwing up of his honest
+wrinkled countenance--
+
+"Mr Brymer can do as he likes, of course, Mr Dale, but I should just
+trust them two chaps as far as I could see 'em."
+
+"They'll be all right while we have the upper hand, Bob," I said, "and
+go 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 that
+hatch while I'm on deck."
+
+"Do you think we can trust the cook, Bob?"  I said in a low voice, for
+we were not far from the galley, which was smoking away as methodically
+as 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 so
+scared that he goes and shuts hisself up and drinks hisself into a state
+o' muddle so as not to know what's going on.  Why, if one's got to be
+drowned, one wants to make a bit of a fight for it.  Never say die, my
+lad.  Life in a mussel, you know.  Oh, there's no harm in old
+bile-the-pot, only I shouldn't like to depend on him in a row, though he
+could do us a lot o' good."
+
+"How?"  I said, laughing, as I thought of Bob's low estimate of his
+fighting 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 I
+must.  Don't walk too near the wild beasts' cage, my lad, I'm going
+aft."
+
+He went steadily aft to mount the poop-deck, while being near the galley
+I strolled towards it to have a few words with the man of suet, and as
+he welcomed me with a simple placid smile, I felt that Bob Hampton's
+estimate of his character was pretty correct, and that it would be bad
+policy 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.  Let
+me give you one."
+
+"No, not now," I said, though I felt tempted to say yes.  "Did you take
+Mr 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 the
+matter 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 his
+head.
+
+"They can't hear you," I said, "and even if they could they can't get at
+you."
+
+"I don't know, sir," he whispered; "that Jarette's got ears such as no
+man before ever had.  I've often thought it isn't hearing he has, but a
+kind of knowing."
+
+"Oh, he's knowing enough!"  I said, laughing.
+
+"I don't mean that, Mr Dale," he whispered.  "I mean there's something
+uncanny about him, as the Scotch people say, and he can tell what you
+are 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, I
+shouldn't rest till he was put in a boat and sent off to shift for
+himself."
+
+"You think he's dangerous then?"
+
+"Ah, that he is, sir; and if he isn't hatching out something row to
+surprise you all, I don't know mutton from beef."
+
+I looked sharply at the cook, for his words chimed in with a kind of
+fancy I had that the people in the forecastle were not so silent for
+nothing.
+
+"Ah, well," I said, "I dare say we shall be ready for him if he does try
+to 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 never
+forgets anything, and never forgives anybody.  I wouldn't say a word
+against him for worlds."
+
+"I don't ask you to," I said; "I only asked you why Mr Walters was shut
+up in the cable-tier?"
+
+"Jarette don't like him, sir.  He found him very useful for stealing
+pistols and cartridges, and fastening people in the cabins, but once he
+got all he wanted, though he made a fuss with him and encouraged him to
+strut about, and called him his lieutenant, he used to be always looking
+at him ugly-like, and I got to think that before long there would be a
+row."
+
+"And there was?"
+
+"Oh yes, sir, a terrible row.  You see Mr Walters couldn't forget that
+he had been an officer, and Jarette couldn't forget he had been a
+fore-mast man, and feel jealous of Mr Walters, who used to make-believe
+amongst the men that he was the real captain of the ship, and that
+everything depended upon him.  So at last there was a terrible row about
+something in the navigation, and Mr Walters told Jarette that he didn't
+know anything about it.  Then the Frenchman hit him, kind of boxed his
+ears, and Mr Walters whips out a pistol.  That was enough.  Jarette
+whistled up the men, who none of 'em liked Mr Walters, and before he
+knew where he was, they had him on his back with his pistol gone and him
+helpless.  He made a bit of a fuss, and threatened to have Jarette
+punished if he did not give it up, and then the skipper pointed the
+pistol at him, and told the men who were holding Mr Walters down to
+hang back as far as they could while he shot the prisoner.  That was
+enough.  The poor boy began to holloa out and beg for mercy, and Jarette
+set 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't
+let him turn his head, while Jarette whispered something to some of the
+men, who went forward, and I saw them stoop down, but I didn't know what
+they were doing there even when they came back, and at a word four of
+them 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 I
+thought 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 and
+struggles, 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 a
+little farther out of the door-way here to listen for the splash.  But
+there came a shriek and a loud slap down of a lid, and then I opened my
+eyes and saw the men all laughing, and found what they had done.  For
+they had given the poor fellow a few swings to make him believe he was
+going over, and then all at once took a few steps and shot him down feet
+first 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 by
+Walters' prison, and feeling sorry for him till I passed my hand over my
+face.
+
+That night passed quietly enough, and a soft breeze rose to send us
+gently through the water, Mr Brymer giving his instructions to the men
+at the wheel as to the course they were to steer, though I had not the
+least 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, and
+leaving us once more rocking gently upon the smooth ocean.
+
+We were all in better spirits though, thanks to the cook and the few
+hours of rest every one had managed to snatch.  Mr Frewen gave us the
+news, too, that the captain was decidedly better, and that Miss Denning
+was 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 deck
+very 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 in
+the captain's cabin resting; but all came back with the same story, one
+which relieved me, for I was startled, thinking that the party were all
+smothered by being shut down in the cabin place in such hot weather.
+
+Dumlow, Blane, and Bob Hampton all said that the men were sleeping, and
+that they thought they had been at the drink.
+
+Mr Brymer crept close up in his turn, listened for some time, and
+confirmed the men's statement.
+
+"Getting ready for a fresh attack," he said.  "I'll have a talk to the
+captain as to what is to be done."
+
+He placed another trusty man on duty, ready to give the alarm if the
+mutineers woke and tried to break out, and then proposed that we should
+all 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 him
+good mentally, to feel that he has some interest in the management of
+the 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 every
+opportunity 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 to
+whisper to him--
+
+"I shall hang back till you come to the door, and signal to me that Miss
+Denning has gone.  She mustn't see me like this."
+
+He smiled, and I went forward to where Mr Preddle was making himself
+very hot by using the bellows to aerate the water.
+
+"Yes--yes, of course," he said.  "I'll come."  And hastily putting on
+the light flannel jacket he had removed, he followed me toward the
+saloon.
+
+"They will not make a rush and get out while we are away, will they?" he
+said, 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 fed
+this morning?"
+
+"Why, you talk as if they were wild beasts in a cage, Mr Preddle," I
+said merrily.
+
+"So they are," he cried,--"worse.  I feel sometimes as if I could kill
+them all."
+
+"Gone to her own cabin, Dale," said Mr Frewen, meeting us at the
+saloon-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, as
+we entered the far cabin, where the mate was seated by Captain
+Berriman'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, as
+we stood about with the door well open, the place of course being very
+small.
+
+"Now, sir," said Mr Brymer, firmly, "you know how we stand.  I'm
+horribly averse to taking life, but things cannot go on as they are."
+
+"No," said the captain, in a voice hardly above a whisper.  "You must
+act now, and firmly, before there is loss of life on our side."
+
+"That means then," said Mr Frewen, "shooting down every man who attacks
+us."
+
+"Of course," said a low, firm voice, and I started to see that Mr
+Denning was standing outside.
+
+"My practice is always to save life if I can, Mr Denning," said the
+doctor, sadly.  "Are you not too hard and revengeful?"
+
+"Neither, sir," replied Mr Denning, sternly.  "If I were alone I would
+say nothing, but I have my sister to protect, and I say that at any cost
+these ruffians must not leave that place alive."
+
+There was so absolute a silence in the captain's cabin, that we all
+heard distinctly a piteous sigh from that which Mr Denning had just
+left.
+
+"Yes, Mr Denning is quite right," said Mr Preddle, in his
+highly-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 out
+without a qualm."
+
+"You hear, Mr Frewen," said the mate; "I am forced by circumstances to
+take very strong measures."
+
+"That may mean the death of several of those misguided men?" said Mr
+Frewen, excitedly.
+
+"I fear so, sir.  But Captain Berriman agrees with me that it is our
+duty, 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 the
+vessel."
+
+"But can we not keep the men down until you are able to run into some
+port?"
+
+"When we have run into the region of calms.  No, sir, even if we had
+favourable winds we are horribly short-handed, and I should not dare to
+make 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 feeble
+voice; "those scoundrels are certain to make a desperate effort to break
+out before many hours have passed, and if they do, I fear that you
+gentlemen 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 the
+captain.
+
+"Nor I, gentlemen," cried Mr Brymer, warmly.  "You have to a man--and
+boy," 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 would
+shrink 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 stern
+measures 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 of
+us 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 judge
+condemning a man to death.
+
+"Time is flying, gentlemen," said the mate.  "We must act, and the
+captain 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 our
+country."
+
+"Yes," said Mr Frewen, solemnly, "and to our God."
+
+"Amen," said Mr Denning, softly; and he walked into the cabin, and laid
+his hand upon that of Captain Berriman, both men gazing into each
+other's eyes as if in their feeble state they might soon be called upon
+to answer the question what they had done with the talents committed to
+their charge.
+
+Perhaps I was very weak then, and I ought to have been stronger and more
+manly; but my eyes grew very dim, and for some minutes I could not see
+what 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 he
+stood gazing straight before him and through the cabin-window at the
+glittering sea, while I could hardly hear a breath.  Then he went
+on--"Heaven knows," he said, "that I would not shrink from my duty; and
+Mr Denning may rest assured, that if it comes to the worst, I will give
+my 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 life
+and 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, I
+say, from shedding blood; but if the stern necessity comes, I will
+strike 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 that
+there can be no doubt of one thing: if we can shoot down--wounded, I
+hope--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, whose
+aim is to separate Jarette from his followers, living, and to make him
+prisoner.  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 is
+killing me."
+
+"Then I will speak out, captain," said Mr Frewen, warmly.  "I did mean
+to ask you all to wait, and have confidence in me sufficient to let me
+have forty-eight hours for my trial without divulging what I intended to
+do."
+
+"The times are too desperate, Mr Frewen," said the mate.  "Don't ask
+that of us."
+
+"No; I say I will speak, but I ask you not to look upon the attempt as
+childish or absurd until it has been tried."
+
+He paused, and seeing how faint and hot the captain looked, bade me step
+back, and push the saloon-light farther open.
+
+I did so, and returned nervous and excited, in dread lest I should miss
+a 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 act
+which 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 fresh
+supply of food and water must be given to those men.  They cannot be
+starved to death."
+
+"No, of course not," said Mr Brymer, excitedly.
+
+"Then you grasp of course what I propose doing.  I shall drug that food
+with one of the powerful extracts which I have in my medicine-chest.  It
+will be passed down to the men, who will be almost voracious, and then
+we shall have to wait until it has taken effect, open the hatch, secure
+Jarette, and separate the others into, say, three parties--one in the
+cable-tier, the other in the forecastle, the last in the hold or one of
+the 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 held
+out 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 moment
+there was a sharp crack which seemed to have come from somewhere in the
+saloon.
+
+
+
+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 nearer
+than the forecastle-hatch in one direction, and on the other as I ran up
+the ladder there was the man at the wheel, one of the men we had
+secured, while the other was seated on the bulwark talking to him and
+smoking.
+
+"What could it have been?"  I thought, for a shiver of dread had run
+through me, a dread that some one had been listening, and overheard the
+doctor's words.
+
+But the next moment I laughed, and went back to those who were examining
+the various cabins.
+
+"All right," I said, pointing upwards, "that was it; I did not properly
+fasten up that sky-light, and it fell down."
+
+It was exactly as I said, for there was the window I had stuck open shut
+closely 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 the
+wheel."
+
+The next minute we were all in consultation again.  I say we, for I was
+quite made one of them, young as I was.  Then the matter was thoroughly
+discussed, for Mr Frewen's plan proved to be not so easy on
+consideration 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 of
+giving it to them?"
+
+"I thought dissolved in water," replied Mr Frewen.
+
+"Two objections to that," said Mr Denning; "the stuff would make it
+taste, and in all probability some of the men would not take it."
+
+"I'll answer for it that Jarette would not touch water," cried Mr
+Brymer, "so that plan will not do.  You can't give it to him with
+biscuits.  Yes, what's the matter?" he cried, for there was a loud
+rapping at the entrance to the saloon.
+
+"Beg pardon, sir," said Bob Hampton's voice, "here's a deppytation from
+the 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've
+on'y had some water and biscuit for twenty-four hours, and that if you
+don't send 'em some grub, they'll set fire to the ship, for they'd
+sooner be roasted than starved."
+
+"All right, Hampton; go back and tell them that we will see what can be
+done, but that if they fire another shot they shall not have a biscuit."
+
+"Right, sir," growled Hampton, and he turned upon his heel and went
+back, 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 will
+partake.  Why not have some coffee made for them?"
+
+"Half of them wouldn't touch it," said Captain Berriman.  "I'd suggest
+grog, but they have spirits no doubt, and they want food."
+
+There was a dead silence, and then feeling nervous, and as if I was
+certain 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 amongst
+the Australian meat, captain?"
+
+"Yes, plenty."
+
+"That will do then, only it must be done with a certain amount of
+cunning, or they may have suspicions.  Depend upon it, if I am seen in
+it 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 the
+store and open them.  Then Dale here shall take them to the cook; the
+excuse 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 sure
+that they were all right."
+
+"Well?"
+
+"You can give me the stuff--laudanum, or whatever it is--to mix with the
+contents of one tin, which Dale can take to the cook, and tell him to
+warm up and reduce with hot water, while he reserves the other for our
+table."
+
+"But why give him two?" said the doctor.
+
+"Because I want to avert suspicion in every way.  The cook has been
+mixed up with the men, and he shut himself up as you know in dread of
+our 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 and
+one 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, and
+we don't want to be hoist with our own petard."
+
+"Hang it, no!" cried Mr Brymer.  "All right then, we will not eat the
+soup."
+
+"But why shouldn't I take my drug--it will only be a small portion of a
+white powder--and drop it into the soup when it is ready?"
+
+"Because there would certainly be some hitch in the proceedings to
+hinder you getting it in.  Besides, we don't want the cook to be in the
+secret."
+
+"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 one
+minute; how many men are there in the forecastle?--because I must reckon
+accordingly."
+
+"Say sixteen.  You must give them a pretty good dose."
+
+"Yes; but not strong enough to be risky," said Mr Frewen; and he signed
+to me to go with him to his cabin, where he opened his medicine-chest,
+and after a little thought, carefully weighed out, from a stoppered
+bottle, an absurdly small portion of a whitish powder and placed it in a
+square of white paper.
+
+"There," he said, "take that to Mr Brymer, and tell him to give it a
+good stir round, or we shall be killing some of the scoundrels, and
+letting others off scot free."
+
+"Yes," I said, looking with no little interest at the powder which he
+had turned out of the tiny scales he had used.  "The cook is sure to
+stir it well too.  But, Mr Frewen, will that little pinch or two of
+stuff 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 for
+some hours."
+
+"Ugh!"  I ejaculated, as I took the little packet and thrust it into my
+pocket.  "I hope, if ever you give me any physic, you'll be careful not
+to give me any out of the wrong bottle."
+
+"I'll take care," he said.  "Mind you warn Mr Brymer to be very careful
+too."
+
+I nodded and went out of the cabin, took a turn along the deck to see
+that the men were keeping watch by the forecastle-hatch, and then turned
+in at the galley to say a word or two to the cook, asking him what we
+were to have for our dinner.  I went straight back to where Mr Brymer
+was down in the captain's store-room with a lantern, by whose light I
+could see before me two of the large well-known drum-shaped tins of
+portable 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 yellow
+label.  You see I shall put the stuff in the yellow labelled tin."
+
+"Yes, I see," I replied; and he opened the packet, shook out the
+contents, so that it lay spread on the top of the brown-looking gluey
+meat essence, and then stirred it well round with a knife, till it could
+not help being well mixed.
+
+"There, we must chance that," he whispered, "but it seems a very small
+dose."
+
+"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 blue
+for us; but you don't catch me touching it."
+
+"Nor me, Dale," he said, with a nod.  "And look here, I shan't open
+this, but here's a big tin of kangaroo-tail; give him that too for
+warming 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 I
+felt exceedingly nervous.  "I was asking you just now what was for
+dinner.  Here you are--kangaroo-tail for our dinner, and that soup in
+the blue tin; and you're to put plenty of water to this other one, and
+make a half-bucket-full of soup for the men in the forecastle.  How soon
+will 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 are
+going bad."
+
+"Yes; I've had some I was glad to pitch overboard, sir, and if I had my
+way I'd make the folks as sells such rubbish for poor sailors eat it
+themselves."
+
+"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 been
+relieved from taking his trick at the wheel.  "Oh!--didn't know you were
+here, 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, passing
+the man who had been sitting aft talking to the steersman.
+
+I reported the progress of what I had done to Mr Brymer, and then
+waited 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 serve
+out 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 and
+cruel, but I cannot show myself in the matter.  They might turn
+suspicious.  Some one in authority must go, and it is a work of sheer
+necessity.  You will have to go, Dale."
+
+"Yes, sir, I'll go," I said firmly.  "I don't like it, but I know it is
+right."
+
+"Go on then, my lad, and carry it through for all our sakes.  Be careful
+that 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 was
+about to speak to Dumlow, who was on the watch, when a voice came out of
+the hatchway sounding smothered but unmistakable as Jarette's.
+
+"Now then, you sirs.  Are there to be any rations served out, or are we
+to set fire to the ship?"
+
+"Can't you wait a few minutes?"  I said, trying to speak coolly as I saw
+the two men who had been by the wheel smoking their pipes near the
+galley 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 an
+hour."
+
+"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 whose
+tones plainly enough told of eager expectation, for they had been pretty
+well starved since they had been shut down in the cabin.
+
+Dumlow fetched the bag of biscuits, and with the men watching me I
+prepared 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 see
+that my friends were, like the men hard by, watching me, and Barney
+Blane right aft at the wheel.  "Look here, below there," I said, trying
+to keep my voice steady, for I felt horribly nervous, and could not help
+thinking that if anything went wrong the mutineers would visit what had
+been done on me.
+
+"Look here, you, I'm going to serve out biscuits and soup.  I shall hand
+the tins down through the hole in the hatch.  Fair play.  No pistols
+now."
+
+"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 of
+steaming, fragrant-smelling soup, and the man who had been by the wheel
+came behind him carrying a dozen tin mugs whose handles were strung on a
+piece of rope.
+
+"Here we are!"  I said, strung up now to get the miserable business over
+as quickly as I could, and just then the cook set the bucket down on the
+deck, and began to stir it with a big iron ladle.
+
+"Lot o' preserved vegetables and herbs and all in it, sir," he
+exclaimed.  "If I don't stir they'll go to the bottom."
+
+"Oh, keep stirring!"  I said huskily, as I took a tin, made Dumlow lay
+some biscuits on the wooden boarding over the hatch, and I held the tin
+ready while the cook filled it from the ladle.
+
+The next minute, with my hand trembling, I handed the first tin and a
+biscuit down, for both to be snatched from me.  Then I shivered and felt
+that 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, and
+dried herbs in it," said the cook.
+
+Then there was a peculiar noise below, slightly suggestive of pigs, and
+a voice said--
+
+"Jolly hot, but--suss!--good--capital!"
+
+"Here, look sharp, skipper, make haste!  Here, I'm first," and a dozen
+other expressions greeted my ear, as, gaining courage, I had a second
+one filled and passed it down, leaving it to Dumlow now to hand down the
+biscuits, while as every portion was served there were grunts of
+satisfaction, and the cook smiled and looked as proud as could be.
+
+"Here you, cookie, _bon chef_," cried Jarette; "I'll promote you as soon
+as I come to my rights.  Ladle away."
+
+The cook did ladle away, and I handed the tins, moved by a kind of
+frenzy, so eager was I to get the horrible task over, while my heart
+beat furiously.  I shivered as I heard the men below laughing and
+talking, as they praised the cook's performance, little imagining the
+hand I had had in the preparation.  But I thought of how horrible it
+would be if the drug proved too strong for some of the men, or if others
+got more than their share through its settling down, and in spite of the
+vigorous use the cook made of his ladle as we neared the bottom, I felt
+worse and worse, feeling as I did at last, that we were sending down to
+some of the men that which might prove to be their death.
+
+"That's all!" shouted the cook at last, giving the upturned tin bucket a
+loud banging with his ladle, and a loud murmur of disappointment came up
+through the opening.
+
+"Be good boys, then, and I'll make you another lot to-morrow.  Why, Mr
+Dale, sir," he said, turning to me, "it has made you hot; your face is
+all 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 notice
+I 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 the
+doctor--"Oh, Mr Frewen, I feel as if I had been committing a dozen
+murders.  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 to
+me as soon as he was gone; for he was about to join the men on the watch
+by the forecastle-hatch, so as to be ready to take action as soon as
+possible 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 in
+small 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 supply
+of spirits and tobacco below, it is possible that they may retard the
+action."
+
+"Well," said Mr Brymer, "be ready to come well-armed when I give the
+signal--two whistles, mind.  I shall call upon you the moment I fancy it
+can be done.  Hist!--the men."
+
+For the two sailors whom we had made prisoners through their being at
+the wheel had been apportioned the duty of taking the steward's place,
+that poor fellow having without doubt gone overboard on the night of the
+rising; and as Mr Brymer left the cabin, these two quickly and roughly
+prepared the table for our mid-day meal, went forward, and brought back
+a tureen of soup, with a kind of ragout of the kangaroo's tail from the
+tin.
+
+The dinner was just ready, when there was a noise from forward; and we
+hurried to the door-way, but it was only to hear a roaring chorus rise
+from the forecastle-hatchway.
+
+"They have begun at the spirits," said Mr Frewen.  And then telling the
+two 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: and
+we can tell by the cessation of the noise they are making when the time
+for 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 will
+take her in some dinner."
+
+"You had better keep up appearances, so that the men may not notice
+anything.  Mr Preddle, help the soup."
+
+I shuddered, and every one turned pale.
+
+"Oh, there is no risk," said the mate quickly.  "But here, make the
+plates and spoons look as if they had been used, and then throw all the
+soup out of the stern-window."
+
+I brightened a little at hearing this, for the possibility of the cook
+having made a mistake was always before my eyes.  So after satisfying
+ourselves that the men were not likely to return yet, I was one of the
+busiest in dirtying the plates and spoons, and ended by emptying the
+soup from the window with a feeling of the most intense relief.
+
+"Will it send the fishes to sleep, Mr Frewen?"  I whispered, as I
+placed 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 Mr
+Brymer had been down once more as far as the forecastle, we all began to
+partake of the savoury Australian dish the cook had prepared, with an
+abundance of rich gravy, and the whole surrounded by a thick wall of
+beautifully cooked white rice.
+
+Though our meals had been rough and unsatisfactory for many hours, every
+one began his dinner with manifest distaste, for it was impossible to
+avoid thinking of what had been done; but after a portion had been taken
+into the cabin by Mr Denning for his sister, and a little of the gravy
+and rice to the captain by the doctor's orders, first one made a little
+pretence of eating by nibbling at his biscuit, then another tasted the
+savoury-looking dish and commented upon it, and a minute later, as a
+jovial chorus came rolling out of the forecastle-hatch, Mr Frewen began
+to eat.
+
+"Come, Dale," he said, "have some dinner, and forget all that.  It was
+your duty, my lad."
+
+"Yes; I will try," I said; and making an effort, I mastered my
+disinclination 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 my
+returning appetite.
+
+The result was that Mr Brymer and Mr Denning fell to, and we were
+all--perhaps in a forced manner, to encourage each other--loud in our
+praises 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 pretty
+freely."
+
+"No, sir," I said.  "I was thinking how tantalising it must be to hear
+this 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 to
+take him some?"
+
+"Yes, I do, sir," I said quickly.  "I don't like him, or defend him, but
+I'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, and
+well filled a plate, which I bore to the cabin in which Walters was
+prisoned, 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 I
+repeated 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 my
+bruised and disfigured features.  His face expanded in an unpleasantly
+triumphant grin.
+
+"Oh, all right," I said, setting the plate and biscuit down on the
+locker, 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, which
+did 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 the
+door, 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 while
+to the men, who were singing uproariously.
+
+"Your prescription seems to agree with them, Mr Frewen," said the mate
+significantly, 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 your
+pockets, and we'll keep watch and listen to the effects of the drug
+while the men have their meal.  Dale, my lad, take Blane at the wheel a
+portion, while I send the others to have theirs."
+
+I hastily obeyed, taking a pretty good ration for Barney Blane, who must
+have been having pretty good sniffs of the savoury food to slacken his
+appetite, 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 the
+binnacle, 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, and
+drink 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 so
+merry."
+
+"No, sir, they won't.  It's unlimited grog, for they've got plenty down
+below; 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 coming
+over 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 cook
+in the galley, and got it done."
+
+"The more for you then," I said, trying to laugh, but feeling very
+serious indeed.
+
+They entered on tip-toe as if afraid of disturbing the captain and Miss
+Denning, and directly after were eating ravenously at the remainder of
+the meal.
+
+It was a lovely day, and I could not help thinking what a pity it was
+that Miss Denning should not be on deck watching the blue sea and the
+silvery, fleecy clouds.  Every now and then some fish sprang out of the
+clear water as if disturbed by the Burgh Castle's prow as she glided
+along due south almost upon an even keel.  One moment I felt disposed to
+suggest to Mr Denning that he should bring her out to where the sails
+cast a shade, but the singing of the men in the forecastle and the
+anxious looks of Mr Brymer and the gentlemen with him reminded me of
+the serious business in hand.
+
+The cook was busy in his galley, and the two men were lolling about
+talking to him now and then, and occasionally glancing aft, waiting for
+Bob Hampton and Dumlow to finish before going aft to clear away, and
+fetch the things to the galley, where they would get hot water to wash
+up.
+
+How beautiful and calm and peaceful it all seemed!  The ocean looked so
+lovely, and I felt so happy and so much at peace that it seemed a pity
+for me to have that pistol stuck in my belt, for it was in my way as I
+laid my arms on the bulwarks and my breast against them to listen to the
+singing of the mutineers.  For they were not shouting now.  Their voices
+sounded pleasant and sweet, though I could not make out the words, which
+came softer and softer, and then there was the chorus almost as soft.  I
+knew why this was.  The drug was beginning to take effect, and I felt
+that before long their voices would be quite hushed.  They would be
+asleep, and I did not mind it now.  It was all my exaggerated fancy, I
+felt, for it would do them good, and bring them to their senses to find
+themselves separated and away from the influence of Jarette.
+
+I turned to look toward the forecastle, near which Mr Frewen was
+standing with Mr Brymer, and they were evidently listening attentively,
+while Mr Preddle and Mr Denning were close up to the bulwarks on the
+starboard side, I being to port.
+
+After a time Mr Frewen approached me, and I began to think that he was
+a very much taller man than I had been in the habit of supposing, and
+his face was bigger too.  It looked larger round than Mr Preddle's and
+there was a peculiar, light, rainbow-like look around it as if I was
+gazing at him through a spy-glass.
+
+Then I started, for though he was a long way off he took hold of my
+shoulder with an arm like a telescope, and shook me.
+
+"What's the matter, Dale?" he said.  "Don't look like that, my lad.  Not
+well?"
+
+"Not well?"  I said, or rather it was as if somebody a long way off said
+so.  "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 over
+the blue sea, and away into the fleecy clouds, and as I made an effort
+to get rid of the clutch upon my shoulder, he said, or somebody else
+said--
+
+"Great heavens! what does this mean?"
+
+I distinctly heard Mr Frewen say that, and wondered what he meant.  For
+it did seem absurd that he should come slowly up to me till his eyes
+were looking close into mine, and then gradually shrink away again till
+he was right off on the other side of the ship, and then over the
+bulwarks and away at sea, till he was no higher than my finger before he
+came back again.
+
+But though he appeared to be so distant, I could hear him breathing hard
+all the time.
+
+I was so disgusted that I determined to take no notice of him, and
+looked instead at the two sailors by the galley.  One of them was
+laughing and the other staring at me very hard.  Then he began behaving
+in 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 think
+it was Mr Brymer who spoke then, but his voice sounded too as if he
+were 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 a
+tub, and leaned his head back against the bulwarks for the soft breeze
+to play through his hair; and very pleasant and dreamy and restful it
+all was for him, whoever he was, while I listened, too, to what was
+going on.
+
+A great deal appeared to be going on about me just then, and I quite
+enjoyed it, and somehow it was as if everything was surrounded by
+beautiful colours.  Mr Brymer came and went just as if I were seeing
+him through a cut-glass decanter-stopper, but he was not half so
+striking as Mr Preddle, who came and stood over me looking gigantic,
+but his face and even his clothes were prismatic.  So was the air, which
+now began to descend rapidly, as if it were some brilliant waterfall
+coming 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 the
+sailor who had sat talking to the steersman who answered, and soon after
+I heard the chair squeak very loudly, as big Mr Preddle, looking as
+large as an elephant now, sat down by the boy on the tub, and leaned his
+head back against the bulwarks.
+
+He talked to him about the fish, and said that the hot weather did not
+agree with them, and that he was afraid that kangaroo-tail was too rich
+a dish to agree with them, for it was indigestible, and made people
+drowsy.
+
+The boy did not make any answer, but sat staring at Mr Preddle
+sidewise, wondering why the big stout naturalist also should keep on
+going and coming in that telescopic fashion, which was so puzzling to me
+as well as to that boy, who was, however, exceedingly stupid, for he did
+not say a word, but only stared with his mouth half open.
+
+Then I was listening to Mr Brymer, who was talking anxiously to the
+doctor, as they stood watching the forecastle-hatch, from which came a
+deliciously sweet chorus, and I knew why it sounded so pleasant--it was
+because the men were so far away in the bows, for the Burgh Castle grew
+longer 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 still
+close to me.
+
+"Well, my lad, how are you?" said Mr Frewen just then; but the boy
+leaning back against the bulwark only stared at him, and I felt ready to
+kick him for being so rude, and then I wanted to punch Mr Preddle, for
+he 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 boy
+on 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 lad
+fought against him angrily, and then I knew I was that boy staring hard
+at the doctor, and then at Mr Denning, who came along the deck from the
+companion-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 be
+miles away, but so gently and easily that it was like something in a
+dream.  Mr Brymer went after him, and the cook and the two men stood
+watching them till they disappeared through the saloon entrance, while
+the men in the forecastle kept on singing a chorus, sounding now loud
+and now soft, just as one hears the music of a great organ when the
+performer 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 come
+back with the doctor, and directly after, though he seemed to be still a
+long 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 at
+him vacantly, and then I felt quite pleased, for Bob Hampton was there
+along with Neb Dumlow.
+
+"It is all going to be right now," I thought, though I did not know that
+anything was wrong, and I felt as if I was just dropping off into a
+delicious 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 the
+wheel, for I can't--can't--can't--can't--Here, hold up Neb, lad; don't
+lurch about like that."
+
+"I'm a-going down, matey, I'm a-going down," growled Dumlow, and I saw
+him sink on the deck.
+
+"You scoundrels, you've been at the rum!" cried Mr Brymer, and he drew
+his pistol, but only gave a stagger, and caught about in the air to try
+and save himself from falling.  "Help--Frewen--something--give me
+something," he panted, and Mr Frewen came to him, feeling his way with
+his 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, and
+I heard him whisper the one word--"Treachery."
+
+"I knew it!" cried the mate, fiercely, and cocking his pistol he
+staggered for a moment just as I saw Bob Hampton sink down on the deck
+holding his head.
+
+Directly after, as Mr Frewen stood swaying to and fro, the mate rushed
+to where the cook and the two men stood by the galley-door.
+
+The two sailors shrank away to right and left, while Mr Brymer seized
+the cook and dragged him away, forcing him down upon his knees, holding
+him by the collar with one hand, and swaying to and fro as he said
+thickly--
+
+"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 to
+and fro over the cook, who as he knelt clasped his hands in agony, and I
+heard him say something very indistinctly, for he was sobbing about his
+wife and child.
+
+Then there was a loud bang as the pistol fell, and directly after I saw
+Mr Brymer glide down as it were on to the deck, and roll over toward
+where Mr Frewen already lay--though I had not seen him fall--with his
+arms 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 Mr
+Brymer was gesticulating with his pistol, it did not alarm me, for it
+was all something interesting going on before me just as if it were part
+of a dream which would all dissolve away directly, and then I should
+wake up and think of it no more.
+
+I think my eyes must have been closing then, but they opened widely
+again, and at one glance I saw my companions perfectly motionless from
+where I sat back against the bulwark, and heard Mr Preddle snoring
+heavily by my side.  For the cook exclaimed passionately--
+
+"I swear, if it was the last word I had to titter, I've done nothing!  I
+never 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 rang
+in my ears as if it was being shouted by some tremendous voice, for my
+senses were at that moment abnormally clear.  "Not I, my lad.  I was up
+yonder, when I saw Brymer and the rest of 'em get together to have what
+old Frenchy calls a parley, and they hadn't been there long, leaving me
+wondering what game was up, and what they were going to do about the
+lads down below, when I see the sky-light opened a bit.  So of course I
+crep' 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 stuff
+to send all the lads to sleep, and then they were going to open the
+hatch and shove Jarette by himself, and the others some in the
+cable-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, and
+so they settled it.
+
+"`Two can play at that game,' I says, and I listened till they spoke so
+low that I opened the light a bit wider, and it slipped out of my hands
+and 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 back
+again.  I thought perhaps they'd give it up then, but I kep' my eyes
+open, and bimeby I sees my nipper here come to you with three tins, and
+he tells you what to do with them.
+
+"`All right,' I says, `I can see through that dodge,' so I lays low and
+waits my chance, empties the tin of soup you'd put aside into a pan, and
+then 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 put
+it 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 dose
+now, but I should like t'others to have a taste;' and to make sure as
+they did, I takes the tin as you'd got the lumps o' meat in, pours out
+all the pieces and fills it up from the tin they'd doctored, and filled
+it 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 your
+coming 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 are
+you 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 to
+cheer.
+
+"I shall wake up from this dream directly," I remember thinking, but I
+did not, for all was black, and I was in the deepest sleep that I ever
+had in my long life.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.
+
+Hot!  So hot that I could hardly breathe, and so dark that I could not
+see across the cabin.  My head ached, and I was terribly sleepy, with a
+heavy, unsatisfied drowsiness, which kept me from stirring, though I
+longed to get out of my cot and go and open the window, and at the same
+time have a good drink from the water-bottle.
+
+I was lying on my brick, and there was the impression upon me that I had
+been having bad dreams, during the passing of which I had been in great
+trouble of some kind, but what that trouble was I could not tell; and as
+soon as I tried to think, my brain felt as if it was hot and dry, and
+rolling slowly from side to side of my skull.
+
+I was very uncomfortable and moved a little, but it made my head throb
+so that I was glad to lie still again and wait till the throbbing grew
+less violent.
+
+"It all comes of sleeping in a cabin in these hot latitudes with the
+window closed.  Mr Frewen ought to know better," I thought, "being a
+doctor.  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 get
+up and open the window, but still feeling no more ready to cool the
+stifling air of the cabin.
+
+"What makes men snore so?"  I thought then, and began to wonder how it
+was that so gentlemanly a man as the doctor should make such a noise in
+his 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 till
+he woke in the morning.  Now his breathing was what doctors call
+stertorous, heavy and oppressed.
+
+"Oh, how I wish he would wake up and open the window!"  I thought; but
+he did not wake up nor cease breathing so heavily, and I lay thinking
+about coming to bed on the previous night.  That is to say, I lay trying
+to think about coming to bed, for I could not recall anything.  I had
+some dreamy notion of its having been my watch; but whether I had taken
+it, or whether it was yet to come and some one was due to rouse me up
+soon, I could not tell.
+
+"It's all due to having such a headache," I thought, "and of course
+through 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 confused
+manner.  I could hear the sounds on deck, and feel that the ship was
+careening 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 voice
+saying angrily--
+
+"Well, what is it?"
+
+I knew the voice from its rough harsh tones, and I lay waiting for some
+one to answer, but there was no reply, and all was blacker and hotter
+than ever, when there came the peculiar smacking noise of one passing
+his 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 settling
+himself 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 have
+been, or I should have heard.
+
+"Mussy me, what a head I've got!" muttered the voice.  "Did the gents
+give us some rum?"
+
+There was a pause.
+
+"Must ha' done, but I don't recklect.  Why, it must ha' been a whole
+lot."
+
+My head must have been growing less confused, for now I began to be
+puzzled about how it was that Bob Hampton was sleeping in our cabin
+instead of just under shelter with the others at the entrance of the
+saloon.  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 back
+into 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 hot
+closeness of the place.  This roused me, and I lay thinking how strange
+it was that he should be just as much indisposed as I was to move.  But
+he was a fore-mast man and I was an officer, so I had only to speak to
+be obeyed, and after making two or three efforts which only resulted in
+a 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 had
+risen 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 this
+arn'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; do
+open 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't
+werry 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 with
+my fingers, for eyes aren't no good here."
+
+"Well," I said, for there was a good deal of rustling, "what can you
+feel?"
+
+"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 could
+play 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 noise
+which I had first heard recommenced.
+
+"Oh, there's no gammon 'bout that, my lad.  That there's Neb Dumlow.  If
+ever you're anywheres and hears a sound like a vessel blowing off her
+steam under water, all snort and bubble, you may take your oath it's Neb
+Dumlow.  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, that
+want'll be your master.  I dunno, my lad; arn't dead and buried, are
+we?"
+
+"Don't talk nonsense," I said peevishly.  "Look here,--were you on the
+middle 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 the
+dark, and it's 'bout the solidest, thickest darkness I ever found myself
+in.  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 Bob
+Hampton 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 got
+hold 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 where
+here is."
+
+There was the sound of some one feeling about, and I fancied I could
+hear some one else breathing, but I was not sure, and I listened
+patiently for what Neb Dumlow was going to say.  But Bob Hampton was the
+first 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 for
+us 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 to
+ask 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 old
+Barney?"
+
+"Here, messmate."
+
+"Oh, come then, I might be right, on'y you see we've got Mr Dale with
+us."
+
+"Look here, what are you fogging about?  Why don't you say what yer
+mean, my lad?  Now then, out with it.  Where are we?--'cause Mr Dale
+wants 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.  But
+stop 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, as
+I wonder I could ha' been such a fool, and I'm sorry as Mr Dale don't
+know better."
+
+"Then where are we, Dumlow?"  I said hastily; "for I don't know any
+better."
+
+"Then you ought to, sir; you a orficer and brought up proper.  I wonder
+at you a-leading men into trouble, and there'll be an awful row when old
+Brymer finds us out."
+
+"He's got it, sir," said Bob Hampton.  "It's what I thought, and it's a
+rum 'un."
+
+"Then, where are we?"  I said pettishly; for my head kept on feeling as
+if it was spinning round.
+
+"Why, sir," said Dumlow; "we're down in the hold among them sperrit
+casks 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 your
+shaving-water, sir."
+
+The tapping was repeated, and sounded some little distance off.
+
+"Answer them, whoever it is, Bob," I said; for this seemed to be
+something, 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, as
+I struggled vainly to get beyond what seemed to be a black curtain
+hanging 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 it
+don't.  No; we arn't had no drink.  We shouldn't with all that there
+trouble a-hanging over us."
+
+"Yes, Bob," I said eagerly, for he had touched a chord which set me
+thinking--I mean trying to think; "that trouble hanging over us.  There
+was some trouble, wasn't there?"
+
+"Oh yes, sir; we was in a lot o' trouble about something, but blest if I
+know 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 Burgh
+Castle still, arn't we?"
+
+"I don't know," I began.  "Yes, of course we are, and we must be down in
+the hold.  It's coming now, I think.  Why did we come down here?  Surely
+one 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 describe
+it--there was the thick feeling of something having happened; but
+strange as it may seem, neither I nor the men could make anything out
+about 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 seems
+so horrible to be here like this in black darkness, and not know how or
+why."
+
+"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 trick
+at the wheel and box the compass with any on yer.  Wheel--wheel," he
+added, 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 a
+plate o' wittles, and you says, says you--"
+
+"Oh!"  I cried excitedly.
+
+"No, you didn't, sir, beggin' your parding; you says something about
+could 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 it
+was very good."
+
+"Oh!"  I cried again, as I pressed my temples with my hands, for I could
+see a faint gleam of light peeping through into my head, or so it
+seemed; but it kept on dying out again, and I was blank of memory again
+as 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 cutting
+through 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 he
+come out of his cabin.  `She's dying,' he says, and you and me got up
+and sat down again feeling as silly as two booby birds."
+
+"Here, you don't know what you're talking about, messmate," said Bob
+Hampton.
+
+"Yes, he does," I cried excitedly, for a greater light seemed to have
+now flashed into my brain.  "You did go into the saloon to have--Oh, Bob
+Hampton, 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; I
+mean 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 Bob
+Hampton 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 must
+now; it was a plan to give the mutineers stuff to send them all to
+sleep, and it was changed and given to us instead."
+
+"Beg pardon, sir," said Bob Hampton; "but hadn't you better lie down and
+go 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 the
+tins."
+
+"Now, do lie down, sir; it's o' no use for you to go on worrying
+yourself about tins."
+
+"I tell you I can see it all now, man," I cried angrily.  "We took the
+stuff, 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 can
+think.  We were all confused through taking Mr Frewen's stuff."
+
+"I never took none o' the doctor's stuff," growled Dumlow.  "And I don't
+never 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'm
+a-beginning to see now.  Mr Dale's right.  If he warn't, how could we
+be shut up down here with our heads as thick as if we'd been having 'em
+stuffed?  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 the
+sooner 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 I
+was beginning to think I'd got crazed, and been shut up for being
+violent.  That's a comfort anyhow, for I don't hold with a man going off
+his head."
+
+"Then it's all right, messmate?" growled Dumlow.
+
+"Right as it can be in a place like this, matey.  Yer can't breathe, nor
+you can't see, and--well now, that's queer.  You seem to ha' set my head
+working again, Mr Dale, sir; and I recklect sittin' in the s'loon
+eating our dinner arter you gents had done, and then coming over all
+pleasant and comfble like, and then I don't seem to 'member no more till
+I woke up down here."
+
+"And that knocking we heard must be some of the others," I cried
+excitedly.
+
+"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 no
+room 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 a
+fellow.  I meant with my understanding."
+
+"Don't.  Don't get arguing together," I cried impatiently.  "It is
+suffocating down here.  I want to understand how we are placed, and I
+can't quite make it out yet."
+
+"Well, sir, p'r'aps I can help you a bit," said Bob.  "Seems to me as
+they pulled up a hatch and pitched us in, and then battened it down
+again."
+
+"And where are our friends?"
+
+"Why, they'd shove 'em where we shoved they, down in the forksle, I
+should 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 the
+s'loon, and it's come back like sort o' bells ringing in my ear, and Mr
+Denning saying she's dying.  Oh yes, I recklect that, and the doctor
+coming.  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' to
+sing songs, and listen to moosic, and couldn't sing; but it was all
+silver 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 to
+know; 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 close
+at 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 on
+it."
+
+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 hear
+one 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 up
+the idea; and I was going to add something, when there came to us
+plainly enough the sound of feet passing somewhere overhead, and
+directly 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 the
+throbbing gradually died away we could feel that the effort to think was
+easier, while our thoughts were clearer, and before long we began to
+feel about so as to learn what kind of place we were in, and made out
+that it was an oblong kind of space between cases, and with barrels
+underneath, 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 the
+tappings we gave from time to time, a fact which made my heart sink
+rather low.  For I knew that there must be some reason for this, and I
+was trying to puzzle it out, when Barney Blane said suddenly--
+
+"Say, messmates, arn't it 'bout time as some 'un came round to feed the
+crew?"
+
+"Ay," said Bob, "and the sooner they do it the better.  I'm getting wild
+for want o' somethin' to stow in my hold.  They've got to bring
+something too, or I'll soon let 'em know."
+
+"Know what, Bob?"  I said anxiously, for the man's voice sounded fierce
+and strange.
+
+"Why, sir, they threatened us as to what they'd do; fired it right into
+my ear, Jarette did.  He says to me he says, `If yer don't soon let us
+out, I'll set fire to the ship.'"
+
+"Yes, I know he did," I said.
+
+"That's 'robborative evidence, messmates, when yer orficer says you're
+right.  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 us
+somewhere so as we can breathe, I'll set the blessed old Burgh Castle
+alight 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'lar
+fierce 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 break
+out."
+
+"Well, you are a rum 'un, Bob," said Barney.  "Why, you're not going to
+turn 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 it
+from a quid, and while a man could get at a bit o' oak or an old shoe he
+wouldn'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 hungry
+just 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 going
+to do?"
+
+"Try and feel about, Bob, to find where the hatch is.  We must get some
+air 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 about
+overhead; while being able to think pretty clearly now, I came to the
+conclusion 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 airless
+and 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 'paulins
+is nailed over 'em.  I'll soon have some fresh air in."  And before I
+could 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 Spanish
+spring-knife through between two of the cross-hatches, and was cutting
+through it.
+
+"There!" he said, as a gleam of light struck through, so brilliant that
+I knew it must be broad daylight; and even that ray sent a thrill of
+hope through me, for it seemed to bring me nearer to the living world
+after 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 the
+tarpaulin's made the hatch hot."
+
+"Then the lubbers are all having a caulk," growled Dumlow.  "Tell him to
+have another cut, sir, and a good long 'un this time."
+
+I hesitated for a few moments, shrinking from doing anything to let the
+enemy know that we were trying to get out; but the heat was so terrible
+that I was obliged to give the order at last.
+
+"Cut, Bob," I whispered, and there was a low buzz of satisfaction as the
+knife ripped through the tarred canvas, and we could see a long streak
+of 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 short
+distance from the others appeared, while directly after, without waiting
+for orders, Bob lengthened the first cut he had made till it equalled
+the 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 and
+push it up?"
+
+"No, not yet.  If we do that it ought to be after dark.  But I don't
+think there will be any chance, for they are sure to be well fastened
+down.  Listen again.  There must be some one on deck."
+
+"Yes, sir, for sartain, but they'll be up at the other end.  Dessay
+they'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 was
+walking 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 it
+might be, he was returning and would pass by us again.
+
+This happened, and I feared that he would notice the cuts in the
+tarpaulin, but he went on, the footsteps grew fainter, and I fancied
+that I heard them continue on the ladder as the man ascended to the
+poop-deck.
+
+"Could you tell who that was, Bob?"  I said.
+
+"Ay, sir.  No mistaking that pair o' legs.  They don't go like an
+Englishman's would.  That was old Jarette."
+
+I set my teeth hard, and almost writhed at the feeling of impotence
+which troubled me.  To have been so near success, and then for that
+scoundrel, who had promised to work faithfully for us if he were
+forgiven, to have played the spy, and contrived after hearing our plot
+to change the contents of the tins.  For it was all clear enough now in
+my 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," I
+said to myself, but felt how absurd it was to murmur now that the
+mischief was done.
+
+The heat seemed a little less intense now, but it was so terrible that
+the throbbing in my head commenced again, and I was ready to order an
+attempt to be made to force up one side of the hatch, when there was a
+whisper.
+
+"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 they
+want 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 another
+sound, 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 a
+tarpaulin--"
+
+"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 words
+down like that he might just as well be whistlin' a hornpipe for all you
+can tell who it is.  But if I was put upon my oath afore a judge I
+should 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 would
+ha' been all right, but one can't quite believe in a cook being your
+friend at any time.  After what has taken place just lately I should say
+he was the worsest enemy we ever had."
+
+"No, no," I cried eagerly, "the man could not help it.  He was innocent
+enough.  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 and
+have us all up on deck again.  Good luck to him.  I hope he'll look
+sharp about it."
+
+"Hist!  What's that?"
+
+It was the three knocks again plainly heard from forward somewhere, and
+plain proof that we had other friends who would gladly join us in a
+combination against our common enemy.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.
+
+We answered the knocks, which were repeated, and we soon found that we
+could signal to or talk to our friends forward, for we had pretty well
+made out now which was fore and which aft, though it was evidently a
+dead calm again, and the ship was rolling slowly from side to side.
+
+But though we could signal and converse, there was no code for the
+signals, and our conversation was in an unknown tongue.
+
+I suppose it was the heat, or the fact that I had gone through so
+terrible an experience from the narcotic, which made me feel so
+intensely irritable, for after our knocking and tapping had gone on for
+some time, I exclaimed--
+
+"I wish to goodness they wouldn't.  What is the good of their keeping on
+doing 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 to
+them."
+
+"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 and
+things."
+
+"No, sir; but praps we might manage to creep along over 'em.  One on us
+ought 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, old
+man, and let's set my fingers and thumbs to work to try whether they can
+see 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, specially
+if you get a storm or two to shake it together.  You may pack it and jam
+it as much as you like when you're in dock, but it's sure to settle a
+bit, and leave some room up at the top.  I'm going to try whether there
+arn't some o' that room here."
+
+We waited almost breathlessly, and listened to our fellow-prisoner as he
+rustled 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 knocking
+came, 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's
+the darkness as confooses a man.  It's like being in a thick fog and
+having 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," grumbled
+Dumlow.
+
+"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 I
+started 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 and
+smooth as butter, on'y Neb let out at me."
+
+There was a pause, and we could hear Bob grunting as he felt about in
+the other direction, sending joy into all our hearts directly, just as
+the tapping began again.
+
+"It's just as I said, Mr Dale, sir," he whispered.  "The knocking comes
+along over the cargo here, and there is just room for a man to creep
+along."
+
+"Hush! let me answer the knocking first," I whispered.
+
+"Never mind the knocking, sir; let's get to 'em 'fore we misses the
+chance.  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 mahogany
+down."
+
+"And yer can't crawl so well if yer goes with it up."
+
+"You had better crawl, Dumlow," I whispered; "but try and go straight
+toward where the knocking came from."
+
+"He'll be 'bliged to, sir.  No doubt about that, 'cause there arn't no
+other 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 I
+could see nothing with our eyes, yet we could mentally picture the great
+slow-moving sailor crawling into an aperture between the beams and the
+heterogeneous stowing of bales and boxes, casks and crates of all kinds
+of goods en route for our destination.
+
+Now we knew that his head and chest were in, for his voice came in a
+half-smothered tone.
+
+"Deal hotter in here, messmate.  Just take hold o' my hind legs, as if
+they was part of a wheelbarrow, and give 'em a lift and a shove at the
+same 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 of
+a pull here.  That's yer sort."
+
+"I can't get you up no farder, messmate," said Bob.  "Yes, I can, if you
+clap your foots together.  I'll plant my hands again 'em, and ram yer
+along that way.  Ready?"
+
+"Ay, ready," came in smothered tones.
+
+"There you goes then," growled Bob.  "Now another.  I'll shove yer feet
+with 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 the
+rest hisself."
+
+We crouched there just under the streaks of light which came down from
+the cuts, listening for a good ten minutes to the scuffling, scrambling
+noise made by the big sailor, but they all sounded close to us, as if he
+was not making much way; but I concluded that this was because the
+opening conducted the sound so well, and in hopeful anticipation I saw
+the brave fellow going on and on along the top of the cargo till he
+reached the forecastle bulk-head, upon which our friends must have
+tapped their signals.  Then we should be able to arrange a plan of
+co-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 loud
+talking, and above it the voice of Jarette.
+
+"Have it off, my lads.  Only one, my braves.  And below there, be quiet
+all of you.  Make a movement, and I'll shoot you down like dogs."
+
+Those were terrible moments.  The sudden glare of light by the removal
+of the hatch dazzled us, a couple of pistols were thrust down, and a
+bucket of water was lowered.  Then some biscuits were thrown to us, as
+if we were the dogs of which Jarette had spoken; and I crouched there
+motionless, 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 and
+afterwards said to me, that it would have been like telling Jarette that
+we had a chance of getting out.
+
+But before the hatch was rattled on again, and hammered down into its
+place, 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 the
+fact that it had evidently been made by the removal of a number of
+cases, probably hoisted out by Jarette's men.
+
+I did not breathe freely again till the hatch was replaced, but I did
+then, from the fact that the strain was taken off my mind, and the hatch
+had been off long enough for the foul hot air below to rise, and be
+replaced by fresh.
+
+To my great delight the tarpaulin was not put down over the opening, and
+consequently there were a few vivid pencils of light to brighten our
+prison.
+
+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 was
+big 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 things
+keeps you from getting back, sir."
+
+The perspiration began to stand out on my forehead, and a strange
+feeling of horror came over me as I thought of the man's position, and
+of what might happen if he could not get back; while just as thoughts of
+suffocation ensuing came rushing through my mind, the object of my
+thoughts 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 be
+suffocated."
+
+"Yah! not you; wiggle yourself back, matey."
+
+"There arn't no wiggle left in me, lad, and it's so hot that I can't
+breathe."
+
+"Have another try," whispered Barney.
+
+We heard a rustling, struggling sound as if some one was striving hard
+to get forward or back, but without result, and then the voice came more
+husky 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-swelling
+up 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, of
+course I knew what was going on, and could estimate the difficulties of
+the position.  Dumlow's two messmates, in their efforts to help him,
+were making his position more perilous, for they were forcing their
+heads and shoulders into the opening, and stopping off what little air
+could get to him.
+
+There was another groan.
+
+"Don't make a row, lad, we're doing our best," came in a distant voice
+which 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 and
+dragging sounds, which as they were kept up were accompanied and
+followed 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 Bob
+round 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 I
+was on my back with two men--it felt like three--upon me, and I dare not
+call out in my horror and pain, but had to lie there listening to
+passing footsteps overhead until they had gone, and then to my greater
+horror 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 head
+come 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 all
+out."
+
+"No, he arn't all right," growled Bob, who was feeling about in the
+dark.  "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 right
+over 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 of
+satisfaction in hearing him speak again.  "I began to think I was a
+goner."
+
+"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 began
+to 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 like
+that, 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 them
+he growled out--
+
+"Oh yes, we know you're there.  Look here, Mr Dale, sir.  I'm two sizes
+smaller than Neb; I'm going to have a try."
+
+"No, you'd better not, Bob," I whispered.  "Let's wait and try to break
+through 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 silly
+as 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 conceit
+out 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 Bob
+Hampton, 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 there
+was the old scuffling noise, and I could mentally see Bob Hampton
+shuffling in the opening above the cases, and soon after there was a
+grunting 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.  "You
+kicked 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 Bob
+Hampton was back and lying along the casks.
+
+"Couldn't you get any farther?"  I said, feeling greatly relieved at his
+return.
+
+"No, sir.  Neb's two sizes too large for the place, and I'm one size.  I
+got 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 air
+there was."
+
+"And precious little too.  I could ha' swallowed bucketsful more if I'd
+had it."
+
+"Lor'! what a fuss you two chaps make," said Barney.  "I knowed that's
+how it would be.  There, shut your eyes, both on you, and see yer father
+do 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 him
+go, 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?" said
+Bob Hampton.  "I'm strange and hungry yet."
+
+In my excitement I had forgotten all about the food, and giving the
+word, we squatted down round the bucket of water to nibble our biscuits
+and have a good drink from time to time; and in spite of the heat and
+closeness of our prison, that was one of the most enjoyable meals I ever
+ate.
+
+We had just finished when we heard Jarette and his followers talking
+above us, and the subject of their discourse, as far as I could make it
+out, 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 the
+way."
+
+Then there was a good deal of thumping and stamping about, and I fancied
+that they were going to open the hatch again.
+
+Under these circumstances I did not let Barney, who was thoroughly eager
+to 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 as
+it 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' left
+one or two lots for us."
+
+"What do you mean?"  I said.
+
+"Why, sir, here's where there was a whole lot o' cases o' champagne
+stored, 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 werry
+good stuff, ain't it?"
+
+"What, champagne, Bob?  I don't know.  They say it is, but I never
+tasted 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 the
+truth."
+
+"Well, I can't say as ever I did taste champagne," said Barney, "but
+I'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't
+so 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.  Shall
+I start?"
+
+"Yes," I replied, and without a moment's pause he rose, thrust his head
+and shoulders into the hole, and as he drew himself in, he began to
+whistle.
+
+"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 Bob
+Hampton.  "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 we
+did."
+
+"Nay, not he.  Why, he have though!"
+
+For the whistling went on, just a softened hissing, and it was evident
+that Barney had got some distance in.  What was more was that he was
+still progressing.
+
+"He's going to do it, Bob!"  I cried excitedly.
+
+"Getting a bit farder, sir, that's all," replied Bob.  "But what I wants
+to 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 hitch
+a line round one of his fins?"
+
+"Which line would you use, messmate?" said Bob dryly.  "The old 'un or
+the noo 'un?"
+
+"Eh?  Which on 'em?"
+
+"Ay.  Why, there arn't no line down here, is there?  What yer talking
+about?"
+
+"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 he
+will 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, and
+half in alarm, half hopeful that he would find a way through to where
+our companions were imprisoned, I strained my ears longingly for some
+suggestion of how far Barney could be.  All at once the sound
+recommenced, stopped, began again, and then much nearer than I had
+expected there came a struggling and panting, which made my blood run
+cold.
+
+"He's hitched," muttered Bob Hampton, and then in quite a low voice he
+cried 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 to
+be 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 a
+position that wanting help he was beyond the reach of those who were
+eager 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 had
+been 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 creep
+forward to render aid; but when I got there in that confined place, what
+would my strength be toward getting the poor fellow back?  All I could
+do would be to creep along to him and say a few words of encouragement
+to incite him to make a fresh effort or two to struggle free, and if
+that failed, stay beside him and talk of hope while the men gave the
+alarm, and help was brought to take off the hatches right along, and
+drag 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 come
+for me to make an effort to save him, and mastering the horrible
+sensation of shrinking cowardice that came over me, I drew a long, deep
+breath, and seized Bob Hampton to draw him aside.
+
+"What's wrong, my lad?  What is it?" he said, almost surlily.  "It arn't
+my fault; I'd go in to pull him back, but I shouldn't get in fur 'fore I
+was 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 was
+stuck too.  Then what would you do 'bout pulling us out all three?"
+
+"Nothing," I said, desperately.  "You must not either of you go.  The
+time has come for me to try and save him myself."
+
+Bob Hampton laid a hand upon my shoulder to stop me; but I thrust him
+back and was half into the opening when the rustling sound within
+increased.
+
+"I'm coming, Blane," I said, in a loud whisper.
+
+"No, no; don't you come," he whispered back.  "I'm coming out, and there
+arn't room for two."
+
+I stopped in astonishment, for I had pictured him to be hopelessly fixed
+and unable to move; and not only did the rustling continue, and he
+seemed to be approaching, but he said he was coming out.
+
+"Rather an awkward kind o' place, sir," he said, and his voice was
+carried along toward me, so that it sounded as if he were whispering
+close to my ear.  "One feels like a rat going down a pump to make a meal
+off 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 fast
+now."
+
+And he did come on so fast that in less than a minute, as I waited
+motionless, and with one hand extended to touch his feet when they came
+into 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 I
+could, 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 I
+could 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 should
+ha' 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, and
+I 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 out
+face forrard, as you see."
+
+"I am thankful," I murmured.
+
+"Well, if you come to that, sir, I liked it better when I'd got face
+outwards; 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, just
+like a blue-bottle shut in a big book, and come out next year flat and
+dry."
+
+"Why, you must be a thin 'un, Barney," growled Bob.  "You'd better leave
+the sea, and take to being first-class messenger to go up and down
+steam-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 terrible
+accident rapidly passed away.
+
+"Tell you what, sir?"
+
+"Is it hopeless?  Is there no chance of getting to the forecastle
+bulk-head that way?"
+
+"Well, sir, I can't say only that you know how far Neb Dumlow got, and
+then how Bob Hampton got a little farther."
+
+"Didn't," growled Dumlow.
+
+"Now what's the good o' you talking, messmate? because he did, just a
+bit farther," said Barney, in a tone full of protest.  "You may just as
+well 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, it
+were pretty easy, and I got along fast, though of course it's all ups
+and 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, and
+nigher the beams, till it got too stiff for me, and I give it up; for I
+knowed 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 if
+I'd tried ever so hard, 'cause the cargo's jammed up so close to the
+roof; but a small sort o' man might do it, or p'r'aps I might if old
+Frenchy 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 a
+regular pipe or a passage, 'cause it arn't.  It's all in and out, and
+over chests and cases and things as don't fit together, or has got
+settled down; and you have to feel all this as you go, and trust to the
+tips of your fingers for leading of you right.  It arn't as if there was
+any light, you see; 'cause their ain't enough to show a mouse the way to
+the inside of a Dutch cheese."
+
+"Then if any one got along there far enough, he would come to the
+forecastle bulk-head?"  I said eagerly.
+
+"Well, that I can't say, sir; 'cause, you see, he might find he had to
+creep 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," I
+cried excitedly.  "The distance must be very small."
+
+"O' course, sir."
+
+"But one moment, Barney.  Could any of the cargo be pushed out of the
+way, so as to make more room?"
+
+"No, sir, for sartain, 'cause it's all wedged together, and there's
+nowhere 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 of
+good, 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 we
+did not answer.
+
+"Give 'em the sigginals, Bob," said Dumlow, gruffly.
+
+The tapping was answered--three taps together, two, then one, and in all
+manner of variations; till the others stopped, and so did we, and there
+was silence till Bob spoke.
+
+"That's all very pretty," he said; "but, you see, it don't lead to
+nothing.  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 you
+don't know what they mean, or what you mean, or where you are.  I wish
+we 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 to
+feel that you can communicate with your friends when you like.  We might
+contrive 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 a
+skelington," said Bob, "and then have another try."
+
+"All right, messmate, I'm willin'," said Barney, with a sigh.  "I don't
+like 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 small
+enough."
+
+"No, Barney," I said firmly; "there's no need.  I'm small enough
+already; and if you'll follow me for company as far as you can, and to
+help me if possible, I will go myself.  I said when you were in there
+I'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.  "You
+won't want any telling which way to go, for there is only one way for
+you to get along, as you'll soon find out."
+
+I started, and soon felt that I must be past where the two men had found
+it so tight a fit, though I had had no difficulty in getting along
+whatever, and gaining courage from the excitement, I crawled forward
+over the tops of rough packing-cases and between others, finding the
+passage uneven, and with a different level every minute.  Now there
+would be plenty of room; but a foot or two farther I had to crawl over a
+case that came so close to a beam arching over from side to side of the
+ship that I began wondering how my companion had passed in, and as soon
+as I was through and into the wider space beyond, I stopped with my head
+turned 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 do
+it again."
+
+I listened to his efforts, and could make out that he was getting
+through inch by inch, and he kept on commenting upon his progress the
+while.
+
+"Good job as one's bones give a bit, sir," he was saying, when the
+knocking ahead came clearly, and seemed not so very far away.  "Give 'em
+an 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 my
+annoyance this only drew forth fresh knockings in various ways--two
+knocks together, then two more very quickly--a regular rat-rat--and then
+all kinds of variations, to which I replied as well as I could, and then
+left off in a pet.
+
+"Who's going to keep on doing that?"  I cried angrily.  "They must
+wait."
+
+"Yes," growled Barney; "I'd go on, sir.  That arn't doing nobody no
+good."
+
+The consequence was that I went forward slowly, with an accompaniment of
+taps, which kept irritating me in that hot, stifling passage--no, it is
+not fair to call such a place a passage, seeing that it was merely an
+opening formed by the settling down of the packages, or their opening
+out from the rolling of the ship in the storm.
+
+I was passing along one of these latter portions with great care when a
+cold chill ran through me, for the thought came--suppose the ship heels
+over 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 I
+was 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 it
+projected and scratched my face.  Here I paused to listen to Barney
+panting and grunting as he struggled along.
+
+"Mustn't make quite so much noise, sir," he whispered; "or some 'un
+uppards 'll be hearing of us."
+
+He was more careful, and I once more went crawling laboriously, and
+finding on the whole so little room that I began to think I must have
+gone much farther than Barney had been before.  And there was a strange
+thing connected with that creep over and amongst the cargo.  Time seemed
+to be indefinitely prolonged.  I could fancy one moment that I had been
+crawling and crawling for hours, and going a tremendous distance, while
+the next my idea was that I had hardly moved and not been there a
+minute.  Every now and then, in spite of setting my teeth hard, and even
+biting my tongue, that horrible feeling of fright came back; and I have
+often asked myself since whether I was an awful coward.  But I never
+could give a fair judgment, for I have thought that most people would
+have felt the same, whether they were lads or grown men, and certainly
+my three companions in talking it over said it upset them more than
+going in for a real fight.
+
+It was curious, too, how busy one's brain was when I could keep from
+thinking of being smothered or crushed, or so fixed in that I could not
+get out.  For then I began to think about moles burrowing underground,
+and worms in their holes, and rabbits and mice; and on one of these
+occasions I started and wondered at the peculiarity of the coincidence,
+for I suddenly became aware of a peculiar, half-musky smell, and then
+there was a scuffling, squealing sound which sent a shudder through me.
+
+"Hear the rats, sir?" whispered Barney; but I was so upset that I
+couldn'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't
+there 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 whisper
+back as we're all right.  Sound travels easy."
+
+I found that I could readily turn, and I did as he proposed that I
+should, hearing my voice sound so smothered that it startled me again.
+But the tapping was resumed; and answering it again, I turned and went
+on once more in silence till all at once my way was stopped by a crate
+which 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 there
+warn't a way.  It weer too tight for me; but you can try if you can't
+get 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 had
+done enough; but I plucked up my courage, and began feeling about to
+make the discovery that while one end of the crate was closed solidly
+against the next package, the other end did not touch.
+
+"There's a way here," I said to my companion, who was sitting up behind
+me, 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 small
+for me, arn't it?"
+
+"Yes, far too small," I said.  "I don't think I could get along.  Is it
+any 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 'll
+go, the rest on you'll follow if you wiggles yerself well.  Don't you
+get 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 get
+it over."
+
+I did not need his words, for I was already trying to get round that
+great crate.  It was, I felt, an impossible job, for I had to pass round
+one angle, and the heat as I wedged myself in became insufferable.  But
+I forced myself along inch by inch till I could get my arms round the
+end, where to my great joy I found that I could get hold of the bars of
+the crate, the straw with which its contents were packed yielding enough
+to allow my fingers to obtain a firm grip, and with this purchase I
+pulled and pulled, getting myself farther and farther till I was part of
+the way past the angle; then more and more, till my hips checked the way
+for 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 the
+impossible, and I made up my mind to go back; but at the first movement
+I 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 I
+should be stuck beyond the hope of extrication.
+
+I felt faint with the heat and horror, then a peculiar giddiness came
+over me; I saw lights dancing before my eyes, and my senses were fast
+going, when, sounding quite cool and unconcerned, Barney's voice came to
+me, 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 courage
+once 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 three
+inches along the end of the great crate.
+
+"That wins it, sir," whispered Barney, and feeling desperate I tried
+again and again, the bars giving me so much assistance that I got on and
+on till I was lyings as I said, edgewise along the end, with my back
+against a large wooden case.
+
+Then I stopped, panting with my exertion, the perspiration streaming
+from 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 my
+breath 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 action
+elongated 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 chest
+followed, and to my horror I realised that the passage narrowed
+downwards, and my weight had carried me lower, so that now at last I
+felt that I was hopelessly wedged in.
+
+For some moments the horror of my position rendered me helpless.  I
+could not struggle, but lay as if paralysed till Barney roused me by
+whispering in his cheery way--
+
+"Takin' a rest again, my lad?"
+
+"No, no," I panted in a hopeless tone of voice; "I'm fast, Barney; I
+can'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 you
+try, sir.  Take it coolly, sir, then wait your time, and you'll work
+yourself 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 leg
+and one arm, and somehow managed to drag myself higher, so that I did
+not feel so much oppression at my chest.  Another inch or two made me
+wonder why I had been so much alarmed, and in another minute I had
+passed the great crate, and found more room between the cargo and the
+beams overhead.
+
+But I hesitated to go farther in that horrible darkness, dreading some
+fresh complication, and feeling that now I had reached a part where I
+could hear, it would be wise to go back and accept my fate of a
+prisoner, and see what Jarette would do, when all at once the tapping,
+which had been unheard for some time, recommenced, and apparently so
+close, 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 narrow
+perpendicular crevice, but flat on my chest, between the cargo and the
+deck, and in less than a minute my hand touched an upright piece? of
+roughly-sawn wood.  Then another and another, and passing my hand
+between them I felt board, while the next instant there was a dull jar
+as if some one on the other side struck the board I touched, and gave
+three taps.  I answered directly with my knuckles, and a strange feeling
+of emotion made my heart palpitate as a voice came through the narrow
+opening between the boards.
+
+"Is any one there?"
+
+I placed my mouth as close to the crevice as I could in my constrained
+position, 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 were
+confirmed.  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 others
+must join us here."
+
+I must have made his heart sink in despair the next minute, when I told
+him that it was impossible, and said how I had had to struggle to get to
+him.
+
+"Then either you or we must get out, and the party that gets on deck
+must help the other.  Wait a minute."
+
+I waited, and heard the sound of boring, and a few minutes later, as I
+kept a hand upon the board, I felt the point of a knife or gimlet
+working its way through.
+
+After it was withdrawn conversation became more easy, and I had a few
+words 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 how
+that they had been literally thrown down there, as they supposed, for
+they had come-to very much as we had, to find themselves lying helpless
+on the floor.
+
+We had reached this point when Barney's voice came, and it sounded
+anxious.
+
+"Better come now, Mr Dale, sir," he whispered.  "We can get along here
+again."
+
+"Yes, I'll come soon," I whispered back, for to a certain extent I
+forgot my troubles in the satisfaction of having been able to reach my
+friends.
+
+"Better come now, sir.  They're getting scared behind yonder, and seems
+to 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 spoke
+through the tiny hole.
+
+"Yes, go back directly," he said.  "Come again in a few hours' time, the
+air will be better again then, and we will cut this hole big enough for
+you to come through."
+
+I could have wished it to have been made bigger then, so that I could
+get to my friends, but I knew it would be like forsaking the men I had
+left, so after promising to return soon--thinking nothing now of the
+difficulty 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 I
+thought 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 so
+bad, I reached the crate, changed from the horizontal to the
+perpendicular 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 the
+crate, made my way to the end round the corner, and reached the place
+where Barney was anxiously waiting, and then paused for a few moments to
+rest, ready to wonder at the ease with which I had returned.  I said
+something of the kind to Barney, and he laughed.
+
+"Oh yes, sir," he said.  "It's like going aloft when you're young.  I
+remember the first time I went up to the main-topgallant mast-head, I
+said to myself, `On'y let me once get down safe, and you'll never ketch
+me up here again;' while now one goes up and does what one has to do
+without 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 the
+galley.  But they won't hear us, sir; let's get back to where we can
+have 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 no
+first 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 I
+mustn't get jammed anywhere 'cause of you."
+
+He went on, and as I followed I could not help thinking about how
+terrible it would be if he did get fast, and more than once a curious
+sensation ran through me as he struggled on.  But we had no mishap, and
+at 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 make
+anything out of it?"
+
+"Yes, Bob, I reached the forecastle."
+
+"You did, lad!  Well done you!  I allus thought you'd do something some
+day."
+
+Then I told them both of all that had passed, as I lay there in that
+hot, dark, stifling hole, thinking though all the while how delightfully
+fresh and light it was.  When I had finished, Bob rubbed his ear, and
+growled 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 the
+hold 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 getting
+smothered 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't
+pay for the trouble, sir.  We must do something better than that.  What
+do you say, Neb?"
+
+"I says as I arn't going to squeedge my carcadge into that hole again if
+I knows it, messmate."
+
+"And you, Barney?"
+
+Barney Blane uttered a low deep snore.  Worn-out by his exertions, he
+had lain down on his back and gone to sleep at once, and ten minutes
+later the hot vitiated air had produced such an effect upon me that I
+was just as fast, and dreaming of bright sunshine and lovely tropic
+lands, till I was aroused by strange noise, and a sharp angry voice
+cried--
+
+"Now then, all!  _Vite_! _vite_!  Tumble up."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.
+
+I was so confused by being awakened suddenly from a deep sleep, and by
+the light of a lantern flashing in my eyes, that for a few minutes I
+moved about quite mechanically, getting out of the way of my companions
+in misfortune, as first Barney, and then Neb Dumlow, obeyed and climbed
+out on deck.
+
+"Now then, look sharp," cried the same voice, "don't keep us here all
+night."
+
+"You go next, my lad," growled Bob, "and I'll give you a hyste.  Take
+hold o' the combings and give me one leg."
+
+I obeyed, in a sleepy stupid way--in fact, if I had been told to jump
+overboard I think I should have done so then--and as I grasped the
+combings Bob Hampton seized the leg I lifted as if I had been going to
+mount a horse, and jerked me right up to where I was seized by a couple
+of men, thrown down, and then dragged along the deck to the open
+gangway, where, as I awoke to the fact that there was the black sea all
+gleaming with yellow scintillations, I suddenly made a desperate effort
+to 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 wrists
+the while; and speechless now in my horror, I felt that the next moment
+I should be plunged into the black water to drown.
+
+Those were terrible moments, but they only were those brief spaces of
+time, for just as I felt that all was over, the man who had just spoken
+shouted--"Below there!  Now then, together, mate," and they stooped as
+low 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 a
+few 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 a
+thwart, still half-stunned and confused, but sensible enough to
+understand the words uttered about me, and to see the dull yellow light
+of the lanterns held by the gangway lighting up a number of
+drink-flushed faces.
+
+"I don't want chucking down, I tell you," growled Bob Hampton.  "Give's
+a hold of a rope and I'll drop down."
+
+"Yes, you pig," snarled Jarette, for I knew it was he now who gave
+orders, and now came full into sight, with the lights showing: his
+evil-looking face.  "It's rope you want, is it?  Hah, for two sous I'd
+have one round your neck and run you up to the yard-arm.  Treacherous
+lying dog."
+
+Bob Hampton was a big heavy man, but as quickly and actively as a boy he
+swung himself clear of the men who held him, and lowered himself down.
+
+"Stand clear," he shouted, and the next moment he had dropped down into
+the boat.
+
+"Was you talking 'bout the rope for yourself, Frenchy?--because they
+keep that round the yard-arm for thieves and pirates, not for honest
+men."
+
+"Pig--cochon!" yelled Jarette, and there was a flash of light and a
+sharp report as he fired a pistol to hit the sailor, or perhaps only to
+frighten us, for no harm was done.
+
+"Silence, man, don't exasperate him," whispered a voice from close by
+where I sat, and I knew that if I raised my hand I could have touched
+Mr Frewen.
+
+"All right, sir," growled Bob, and Jarette spoke now.
+
+"Below there," he cried.  "I'm behaving better to you than you all
+deserve.  Some men would have pitched you all overboard to drown.  Now
+then, listen you, Captain Berriman; you can row west and get into the
+line 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's
+none of my doing, I can't help that.  Now then, push off before I alter
+my mind and have a bag of ballast pitched through the bottom of the
+boat.  Off with you.  Fasten up that gangway, my lads."
+
+"No, no, stop," cried Mr Frewen, excitedly.  "We are not all here," and
+I glanced round, but it was too dark to make anything out below where
+the 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, which
+was followed a minute later by a sharp shrill cry, which went through
+me, and then there was a series of frantic shrieks, which seemed to
+pierce the dark night air.  We could hear a scuffling too, and appeal
+after appeal approaching the side from somewhere aft.
+
+"Silence!" snapped out Jarette, and a sharp smack was followed by a low
+moan.
+
+Then in loud hysterical tones, as if a hoarse frantic woman were
+appealing, 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 of
+his sight?  Over with him, lads.  No, no, not there.  Over with him
+here."
+
+"Help!  Mercy, pray! help! help!" came with frantic shrieks, for the
+poor fellow evidently did not know of the boat over the side.  He felt
+that he was going to his death, and then he was evidently clinging to
+something, for there was a pause, and in a hoarse yell we heard him
+cry--
+
+"Don't kill me, Jarette, and I'll tell you where the money-chests are
+stowed."
+
+"You?  Why, I know.  Over with him!" cried Jarette, and then, uttering
+shrieks that horrified us, we saw Walters for a moment above the
+bulwarks in the full light of the lanterns, and then he was pitched
+outwards, 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 being
+given.
+
+"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 the
+boat's side, and Dumlow growled out--
+
+"I got him."
+
+Then came a splashing and a repetition of the cry for help, but this
+time from the bottom of the boat.
+
+"What has he done wrong?" said Bob Hampton.  "Want us to chuck you in
+again?"
+
+"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'll
+want."
+
+"Oh, only wait!" cried Walters, rising up to his knees.
+
+"Wait," snarled Jarette.  "Yes, you cur, I will with one of the
+shot-guns if you ever come near my ship again.  And you, Berriman, and
+you, 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 sink
+you, so be out of sight by daylight.  Now push off before you get
+something thrown over to go through the bottom of the boat."
+
+There was a low whispering close by me, and then I could just make out
+the 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 health
+is such that he must have medical attendance."
+
+"Oh, I see," cried Jarette, with a sneering laugh.  "You are afraid of
+missing your job.  There, cure the captain.  One patient is enough in an
+open 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 kill
+the patient to keep him with you, exposed in an open boat.  No, Monsieur
+le docteur, I am too wise--too much of the fox, le renard--to be trapped
+like that.  Push off."
+
+"No, no, sir," cried Mr Frewen; "for mercy's sake, sir, let Mr Denning
+and 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.  I
+only say, for mercy's sake let that poor suffering invalid and his
+sister 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 doubt
+maliciously, but the lights were behind him and at his side, so that his
+features were in the dark, and as I looked up I could not help thinking
+how 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, and
+waited for him to speak.
+
+Mr Frewen waited too, but he remained silent, only making a slight
+movement as if to pass one arm over the bulwarks, though from where I
+sat 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 the
+doctor.
+
+"Mr Jarette."
+
+"Captain Jarette, doctor.  There, you see what a merciful man I am.  You
+do not know that I have been taking aim at you right between the eyes
+for the last five minutes, and could at any moment have sent a bullet
+through your head."
+
+"Yes, sir," said the doctor, calmly; "yes, Captain Jarette, I knew that
+you 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 doing
+my 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 row
+and take this mad fellow away, before I am tempted to shoot him."
+
+Bob Hampton uttered a low growling sound as he sought in the darkness
+for the boat-hook, stood up, and began to thrust the boat from the
+ship's side.
+
+"No; stop," cried Mr Frewen, fiercely, "we cannot desert the Dennings
+like 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 rowed
+but dragged slowly there by Bob Hampton, who kept hooking on by the main
+and mizzen-chains.
+
+"Keep off!" roared Jarette fiercely.  "Do you hear?  Keep off, or I
+fire."
+
+But Bob Hampton paid no heed to his orders till the boat was beneath one
+of the round cabin-windows, and then he thrust the boat about six feet
+from 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 was
+thrown over the side, and fell with a loud splash between us and the
+ship, 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 hole
+through the bottom of the boat, perhaps killed one of its occupants at
+the 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.  For
+heaven'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 heavier
+splash, making the phosphorescent water flash and sparkle, so that I
+could see the light dancing in the darkness for far enough down.
+
+Jarette's savage design was again frustrated, and in spite of our
+terrible 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.  Captain
+Berriman, 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 up
+something else to throw over."
+
+"I should not be a man, sir, if I ordered the men in cold blood to leave
+you and your sister," said Mr Brymer huskily.
+
+"But you are risking other lives.  Mr Frewen," cried the young man, "I
+wish 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," he
+replied.  "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 have
+been very brave, and done everything they could; tell them to go now; it
+is 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 over
+me, and everything was in the most unstudied way, or I should not have
+said it at all.
+
+The words were not without their effect, for they stung Walters to the
+quick.  The moment before he had been lying shivering in the bottom of
+the 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 a
+beast, 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 Mr
+Brymer, 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, he
+leaped over the side into the black water.
+
+But not to drown, for the scintillations of the tiny creatures disturbed
+by his plunge showed exactly where he was, and Bob Hampton only had to
+lower the boat-hook and thrust it right down as a wild cry came from the
+cabin overhead.  The next minute he had caught the wretched,
+half-distraught fellow, and dragged him to the surface, where Neb Dumlow
+seized him and snatched him over the side to let him fall into the
+bottom 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 savage
+burst of rage from Jarette, who fired at us unmistakably this time, and
+a 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 to
+our agony."
+
+"No," cried Mr Frewen, "I will not give up.  Brymer--my lads, you will
+fol--"
+
+"Hush," said Mr Brymer, as there was another flash and a report from
+Jarette's pistol.  "Of course we will follow, but not now.  It would be
+madness.  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 men
+to help me board this ship."
+
+"You are not in command here, sir," said Mr Brymer sternly.  "Take your
+place.  Now, my lads, oars, and give way."
+
+There was another shot from the deck, and one of the men uttered an
+exclamation as the blades were thrust over the side, dipped, and seemed
+to lift golden water at every stroke.
+
+"Good-bye, and God bless you!" came from the cabin-window, and directly
+after the same words were spoken by Miss Denning, and I heard Mr Frewen
+utter 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 the
+water, our boat must have been invisible, though that bullet was
+sufficiently well aimed to strike the side of the boat with a sharp
+crack.
+
+"That will do.  In oars!" cried Mr Brymer, when we were about a hundred
+yards away.
+
+"How can you be such a coward?"  I heard Mr Frewen whisper
+passionately.
+
+"No coward, sir," replied the mate.  "I am ready to risk my life in
+trying, as is my duty, to save those two passengers from harm, but it
+must be done with guile.  It is madness for unarmed men to try and climb
+up 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 what
+I was saying.  I was half mad."
+
+"My dear fellow, I know," was the mate's reply in the same tone.  "I'm
+not 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; a
+ship may heave in sight; or we may board and surprise them, and if we
+do, may I be forgiven, but I'll crush the life out of that wretch as I
+would 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 bestirring
+himself.  "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 the
+bottom 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?  What
+are you doing?"
+
+"Holding my neckerchief against his side to stop the bleeding," I said
+in a low voice.
+
+"Hah!"
+
+It was only like a loud expiration of the breath, as Mr Frewen knelt
+down beside me, and cutting away Walters' jacket he quickly examined the
+wound by touch, and I then heard him tear my neckerchief and then one of
+his 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 round
+his chest."
+
+I obeyed, and there was dead silence in the boat as the doctor busied
+himself 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 of
+the ribs.  It is nearly out on the other side; I could feel it, but it
+must stay till daylight.  That's it.--I've plugged the wound.  He cannot
+bleed now.  Thank you, Dale."
+
+"What for, sir?"  I said innocently enough.
+
+He did not answer, but busied himself laying Walters down, and then the
+lad 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 speaking
+out 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 hear
+you 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 tied
+a bit o' line round the place.  You can give me a pill or a shedlicks
+powder or something o' that kind to-morrow if you like."
+
+"Hold your tongue, Neb, and let the doctor tie you up," growled Bob
+Hampton.  "What's the use of being so jolly independent?  Don't you take
+no notice o' what he says, sir.  Dessay he's got a reeg'lar hole in
+him."
+
+"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 knobs
+on it, and it stopped the bleeding fine."
+
+"Difficult work here, Dale," Mr Frewen whispered to me.  "One need have
+well-educated fingers--what surgeons call the _tactus eruditus_--to work
+like this in the dark."
+
+"Terrible," I replied, and I noticed how his voice trembled.  For he
+seemed to me to be doing everything he could to keep himself from
+dwelling 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, feeling
+amused in spite of our terrible position.
+
+"Course I did," growled the man.  "I've been telled as there's nothing a
+doctor likes better than to have a chance o' chopping off a man's legs
+or wings, and I don't mean to go hoppin' about on one leg and a timber
+toe, 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 said
+honour bright."
+
+"Well then, honour bright.  There, I am not going to do any more to you
+now; 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?" for
+I had grasped his arm.
+
+"I want you to tell me about Walters," I whispered.  "Feel his pulse
+first."
+
+He turned from me and bent down over my messmate, who lay in the bottom
+of the boat perfectly motionless.
+
+I could not see what he did, but listened attentively, not for the sake
+of hearing his movements, but so as to hear a sigh or moan from that
+unhappy 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 at
+the idea of one whom I had known vigorous and strong so short a time
+before, lying there at my feet, robbed of the power of making any
+reparation for the crime he had so weakly committed, and with no chance
+for repentance.
+
+"I--I say, he is not dead, is he?"
+
+I spoke fiercely, for Mr Frewen had not replied; and now I caught and
+held on by his hand.
+
+He quite started, and turned upon me.
+
+"I--I beg your pardon, Dale," he cried.  "I was thinking of something
+else--of those on board that unfortunate ship.  It seems so cowardly to
+leave them to their fate."
+
+"How could we help it, Mr Frewen?  What could we do?  But tell me about
+Walters."
+
+"Yes," he said, drawing a long breath, as if he were making an effort to
+keep his mind fixed upon the present--"yes, I'll tell you."
+
+"Then he is dead?"  I whispered, with a shudder; and as I looked down
+into the bottom of the boat, where all was perfectly black, I seemed to
+see the white face of the lad quite plainly, with his fixed eyes gazing
+straight at me, full of appeal, and as if asking forgiveness for the
+past.
+
+"No, not dead, Dale," said Mr Frewen in a low voice.  "Be quiet.  Don't
+talk about it.  We have quite enough to depress us without that.  I can
+say 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 against
+him, my lad."
+
+"But if he dies?"  I exclaimed in horror.
+
+"Well?" said Mr Frewen bitterly.  "If he were a man, I should say it
+were the best thing that could happen.  He has as a young officer
+hopelessly dishonoured himself.  He can only be looked upon as a
+criminal."
+
+I could not argue with him, and relapsed into silence, thinking the
+while of the horror of my messmate's condition, and asking myself
+whether it would not have been possible for him to redeem the past, and
+grow up into a straightforward, honourable man.
+
+It was a hard matter to mentally discuss, but as I sat in the darkness
+that night, with hardly a word spoken by my companions, I forgot all
+Walters' bitterness and dislike, and only thought of his being young and
+strong like myself; and that he had those at home who would be
+heart-broken if they heard of his death, and would feel his disgrace as
+bitterly 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 of
+mad folly.  He was won over by that brute of a Frenchman, who, now that
+he has obtained all he wants, throws over the tool he used, and ends by
+shooting him.  Poor fellow! how could he be such a fool?"
+
+I sat on, thinking how bitterly he would have repented his folly, and
+how his last days must have been spent in the keenest of regret.  And it
+was in this spirit that I bent down over him, to thrust my hand in his
+breast 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 position
+here, for those two people being left on the ship, at the mercy of those
+scoundrels."
+
+His whole manner changed as he said this, and his voice sounded full of
+fierce 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 his
+life?"
+
+"For him to be punished by the law?"
+
+"I was not thinking of that," I said hastily.  "I mean, that you will do
+all you can to cure him, Mr Frewen?"
+
+"Why, of course, my lad--of course.  Am I not a doctor?  I am neither
+prosecutor nor judge.  You have curious ideas about my profession."
+
+"I could not help it, Mr Frewen," I pleaded.  "It is only that I am so
+anxious 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 to
+live and be sorry for all this.  I believe, after what has taken place
+to-night, he would be only too glad to come over to our side, and fight
+for us."
+
+"Perhaps so, if he were well enough; but who would ever dream of
+trusting him again?"
+
+I was silent, thinking as I was how terrible was the slip my messmate
+had made, and seeing now clearly how it must take years for him to climb
+back to the position he held when we left the London Docks.
+
+"There," said Mr Frewen at last, "you need not be afraid, Dale.  I
+shall treat him as I would any other patient.  A medical man has but one
+aim when he treats a sick person, a surgeon one who is injured--to make
+the sufferer well again.  That is my duty here, and I shall do it to the
+best 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 made
+out that he rested his arm upon the side of the boat, and sat gazing at
+the dim lights which showed where the ship lay.
+
+For some time no one spoke, and we lay there gently rising and falling
+on the golden-spangled water.  There was not a breath of wind, and the
+silence was so great that any one could have imagined that the occupants
+of the boat were asleep.
+
+But no one dozed for a moment, only sat or lay there, trying to bear
+patiently their mental and bodily suffering.
+
+It was the captain who broke the silence, toward morning, by saying to
+the mate--
+
+"Have you settled what to do, Brymer?"
+
+"Yes," said the mate, starting.  "I can't quite make out how we are
+situated till daylight, but unless Jarette has taken them out, we have
+the boat's spars and sails.  You know how fast she is, and I propose, if
+we can do so, to--"
+
+He stopped short, for Walters moaned piteously till Mr Frewen bent down
+over 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 provisions
+and water, I shall keep pretty close to the ship--our ship.  I shall
+keep just out of range of a bullet, and that is all; merely hang about
+or follow her when she catches the wind, until some other vessel heaves
+in sight.  Captain Jarette is a clever, cunning man, but he has, I
+think, given us our chance, and we shall hang on to him till a chance
+comes 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 has
+over-reached himself in trying to get rid of us--hoist himself with his
+own 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 deepest
+of deep bass voices.  "We're strong enough, if you'll only give us a
+chance."
+
+"All depends on chance, my lads," said Mr Brymer.  "Let's get the
+daylight, and see what we have on board."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.
+
+That daylight seemed as if it would never come, and a more painful and
+depressing time I never spent, in spite of the glory of the starry
+heavens, 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 looking
+mere pinheads, now flashing out into soft effulgent globes, whose
+brightness reached a certain point, and then slowly died out.
+
+Every now and then too there was a disturbance some little distance
+down, as if something had suddenly passed along, and caused all the
+phosphorescent creatures to flash and sparkle, and mingle their lights
+into a pale lambent blaze, which soon passed away, leaving all still and
+calm as before, with the tiny stars gliding softly here and there.
+
+But the greater part of my attention was taken up by the lights dimly
+visible on board the ship, where I tried to picture what was going on in
+the cabin where Mr Denning and his sister were prisoned.  Jarette
+would, I know, have taken possession of the guns, but without doubt Mr
+Denning would have kept the little revolver which I knew he wore hidden
+about his person.  And, what was more, I knew that he had the stern
+courage 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 affairs
+it would produce!"
+
+"What yer talking about, Mr Dale?" said Dumlow, who was nearest to me
+of 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!  Next
+thing would have been as we should have took the ship."
+
+"And we'll do that yet somehow, Barney," I whispered, for I felt in my
+heart that Mr Frewen would not rest till some desperate effort had been
+made to save Mr and Miss Denning.
+
+Barney said he hoped we should, if it was only to give him one chance at
+Jarette.
+
+"One charnsh," growled Dumlow, whose voice sounded as if he were very
+sore indeed.  "I on'y want half a charnsh, my lad; that'll be enough for
+me.  I don't brag, but on'y give me half a charnsh, I don't care if he's
+all pistols.  I says on'y give me half a charnsh, and the side of the
+ship 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 he
+is.  Just think of it, our getting that dose as the doctor meant for
+him.  I can't get over it, and that's a fact."
+
+The night passed slowly by--so slowly that I felt we must have been
+roused up quite early, and directly after we had gone to sleep.  But at
+last the golden clouds began to appear high up in the sky, then it was
+all flecked with orange and gold, and directly after the great sun
+rolled slowly up over the ruddy water, lighting the ship where she lay
+not a quarter of a mile off, till the whole of her rigging looked as if
+the ropes were of brass, and the sails so many sheets of ruddy gold.  To
+us it seemed to give life as well as light, and instead of feeling
+despairing, and as if all was over, the brightness of that morning made
+me look eagerly at the ship, and ask myself whether the time had not
+come for us to make our dash and secure it.  For I could not see a soul
+visible at first, not even a man at the wheel.  Then my heart gave a
+throb, for I could see a white face framed in the little opening of one
+of the cabin-windows.
+
+"It's Miss Denning," I said to myself, and I waved my hand, and then
+felt 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 about
+to 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 I
+looked at the pinched, changed features of my messmate, as he lay there
+in the bottom of the boat, evidently quite insensible.
+
+"I must not move him now," said Mr Frewen gravely.  And turning to
+Dumlow he was about to offer to dress the wound better now that he could
+see, but the great fellow only laughed.
+
+"It'll do, sir," he said.  "There's nothing much the matter.  I'm not
+going to make a fuss over that.  It's just a pill as old Frenchy give
+me.  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 Frewen
+did not press for an examination, and he joined me in searching the ship
+with 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, there
+was 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 doubt
+about 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 we
+poor wretches afloat in an open boat, eight hundred or a thousand miles
+from land, were situated for water and food, and he soon satisfied
+himself that our enemy, possibly for his own sake, had been extremely
+merciful and considerate.
+
+For there were two breakers of water, a couple of kegs of biscuit, and a
+quantity of tins of provision, which had been pitched down anyhow.
+
+There was a compass too, and the regular fit out of the boat, spars and
+two 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 exaltation
+in Mr Brymer's face and tone was due to the power which Jarette had
+unwittingly placed in our leader's hands.
+
+"He never thought of it; he could not have thought of it," said Mr
+Brymer.  "Of course in a gale of wind we shall be nowhere, but if the
+weather is kindly, we can hang about the ship, or sail round her if we
+like, and so weary him out, that sooner or later our chance must come
+for surprising him."
+
+"Without any arms," said Mr Preddle, shaking his head sadly.
+
+"We must use brains instead, sir," replied Mr Brymer.  "Jarette
+mastered 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 must
+have strict discipline, please; just as if we were on board ship.  The
+first thing is to rig up a bit of an awning here astern, to shelter the
+captain and--faugh! it makes my gorge rise to see that young scoundrel
+here, but I suppose we must behave like Christians,--eh, Mr Frewen?"
+
+"You have just proved that you intended to, sir, for you were thinking
+of sheltering the lad as well as Captain Berriman, when you talked of
+the awning."
+
+"Well, yes, I confess I was, but I thought of our lad here too.  I
+suppose you will have to lie up, Dumlow?"
+
+The big fellow gave quite a start, and then turned frowning and spat in
+the 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 much
+more 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'd
+as soon have you shove me in a glass case."
+
+The bit of awning was soon rigged up, and the captain and Walters placed
+side by side.  Then the little mast was shipped forward, and the tiny
+one for the mizzen right aft; the sails hoisted ready for use, and also
+so that they might add their shade; and while this was being done, and
+the rudder hooked on as well, I saw that some of the men had come on
+deck and were leaning over the bulwarks watching us, while at the same
+time 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 will
+be disappointed.  He did not think he was arranging to have a tender to
+watch him till he loses the ship.  But now all is ready, as they say on
+board a man-of-war, we will pipe to breakfast."
+
+A tin was opened, and with bread and water served round, but nobody had
+any appetite.  I could hardly touch anything, but I had enjoyed bathing
+my face and hands in the clear, cool water, while the rough meal had
+hardly come to an end, and I had placed myself close to Walters, to see
+if 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 and
+creak, though she hardly stirred.  With us though it was different, for
+giving orders to Bob Hampton to trim the sails, Mr Brymer told me to
+take hold of the sheet of the mizzen, and he seized the rudder, so that
+the next minute we were gliding through the water.
+
+Jarette came to the side, and seemed to be staring in astonishment at
+the boot, which he evidently expected to begin sailing right away, but
+instead was aiming right for the ship, Mr Brymer steering so that we
+should pass close under the stern.
+
+"Keep farther out!" yelled Jarette, as we approached, but no notice was
+taken, 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 gleam
+on the barrel of a pistol.
+
+"Den-ning, ahoy!"  I cried again, but I must confess that the sight of
+that pistol levelled at the boat altered my voice, so that it trembled
+slightly and I gazed at it rather wildly, expecting to see a puff of
+smoke 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 a
+sharp gasp behind me, and saw that a white face was at the little round
+cabin-window we were nearing.
+
+"When we are passing," said Mr Brymer, "that is, when I say `now,' and
+begin to run off, tell Miss Denning to be of good cheer, for she and her
+brother shall not be forsaken.  We are going to keep close to the ship
+till help comes."
+
+"Keep off, you dogs," snarled Jarette; "you will have it then," and he
+fired again.
+
+I felt horribly nervous as I thought of the wounds received by Walters
+and Dumlow, but I drew my breath hard, as I stood up in the boat and
+tried not to look alarmed, though, as I waited for Mr Brymer's orders
+to speak, I knew that I must offer the most prominent object for the
+mutineer'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 of
+the oars which he had thrust over the side, and let it fall with a heavy
+splash just as the Frenchman drew trigger, and the bullet went through
+the sail.
+
+"Now," cried Mr Brymer, ramming down the tiller, and as we glided round
+the 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 knew
+you would not--"
+
+"Go," I dare say she said, but another shot prevented us from hearing
+the word, and as we sailed round the stern Jarette rushed to the other
+side, held his left hand to his mouth, and shouted--
+
+"Now off with you.  Come near this ship again and I'll sink you--I'll
+run you down."
+
+"Hi, Frenchy," roared Barney, "look out for squalls; we're coming aboard
+one night to hang you."
+
+"Silence forward!" cried Mr Brymer, and we were now leaving the ship
+fast.  "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 the
+glassy 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 the
+poop-deck hastily, and scanning the offing with a spy-glass, as if in
+search of approaching vessels or of clouds that promised wind, but
+neither came, dark night fell once more, and Mr Brymer ordered the oars
+out and we were rowed round to the other side of the ship, from which
+position we could see a light faintly shining from the little round
+cabin-window where we knew Miss Denning to be.
+
+Mr Frewen had been carefully attending Walters; Dumlow had declared he
+was "quite well, thank ye," and the captain was lying patiently waiting
+for 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 low
+voice, and at the same time treating me as one of themselves, by
+bringing me into the conversation.
+
+It was a weird experience there in the darkness, with the only sounds
+heard the shouts and songs of the ship's crew, for they were evidently
+feasting and drinking.
+
+"And thinking nothing of to-morrow," said Mr Preddle, sadly.
+
+"No, sir, and that is our opportunity," said Mr Brymer.  "Let them
+drink; they have plenty of opportunity, with the cases of wine and the
+quantity of spirits on board.  We could soon deal with them after one of
+their drinking bouts; but the mischief is that Jarette is a cool,
+calculating man, and sober to a degree.  He lets the men drink to keep
+them in a good humour, and to make them more manageable.  He touches
+very little himself."
+
+"What do you propose doing?" said Mr Frewen, suddenly.  "We must act at
+once."
+
+"Yes; I feel that, sir," replied Mr Brymer, "but can either of you
+suggest a plan?"
+
+They both answered "No."
+
+Then Mr Frewen spoke out--
+
+"There is only one plan.  We must wait till toward morning, and then
+quietly 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," I
+cried.  "Look here, wouldn't it be best for one of us to get on board in
+the dark, and try to get some guns or pistols?"
+
+"Will you go and try, Dale?" said Mr Brymer, eagerly.  "That was what I
+meant."
+
+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 I
+could get on board.  I don't mind trying, because if he heard me and
+tried to catch me, I could jump over the side, and you'd be there
+waiting to pick me up."
+
+"Of course," cried Mr Brymer.  "I know it is a great deal to ask of
+you, my lad, and I would say, do not expose yourself to much risk.  We
+should be, as you say, ready to pick you up."
+
+"I don't see why he shouldn't go," drawled Mr Preddle.  "One boy stole
+the arms and ammunition away, so it only seems right that another boy
+should 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 on
+board, I'm so fat and heavy, and, oh dear!  I'm afraid that all my poor
+fish are dead."
+
+At any other time I should have laughed, but our position was too grave
+for even a smile to come upon my face.  Instead of feeling that Mr
+Preddle was an object to excite my mirth, I felt a sensation of pity for
+the 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 have
+thrown 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 be
+on the watch.  Dale must go to-night--at once.  Who knows what
+twenty-four hours may produce?"
+
+"Exactly," said Mr Preddle.
+
+"I quite agree with you," replied the mate; "but I did not wish to urge
+the lad to attempt so forlorn a hope without giving him a little time
+for plan and preparation."
+
+"I'm ready," I said, making an effort to feel brave as we sat there in
+the darkness.  "I don't think I could do better if I thought till
+to-morrow night."
+
+"How would you manage?" said the mate.
+
+"I know," I said.  "I'm not very strong, but if you made the boat drift
+under the ship's bows, I could catch hold of and swarm up the bob-stay
+easily enough.  Nobody would see me, and if I got hold quickly, the boat
+could go on round to the stern, and if anybody was on the watch he would
+think you were trying to get to the Dennings' window."
+
+"Some one would be on the watch," said the mate; "and that some one
+would be Jarette."
+
+"And he would think as Dale says," exclaimed Mr Frewen, "that is
+certain."
+
+"Oh yes, I must go to-night," I said, with a bit of a shiver.  "It would
+be so cruel to Miss Denning to keep her in suspense, and thinking we
+were not trying to help her."
+
+A hand touched my arm, glided down to my wrist, and then a warm palm
+pressed 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 you
+can recollect this, we shall be close at hand lying across the stern
+ready to row along either side of the ship if we hear a splash.  That
+splash would of course be you leaping overboard, and you must remember
+to 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 one
+would be sure to be watching it.  I should try and find out which was
+the cabin Jarette uses, for the arms would be there, and then I should
+tie some guns--"
+
+"And cartridges," whispered Mr Preddle, excitedly.
+
+"Oh yes, I shouldn't forget them.  I'd tie 'em together and lower them
+down out of the window.  He's sure to have the captain's cabin, and the
+window 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 Jarette
+will never think anyone would go straight to his cabin, and be watching
+everywhere 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 man
+could."
+
+"He is right, Frewen," said the mate.  "Then understand this, Dale, you
+will have to act according to circumstances.  Your object is to get
+weapons, 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 down
+the rope you use.  But mind this, you are not to try and communicate
+with 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 series
+of thoughts ran through my brain, all of which were leavened by the same
+idea, that I had been playing the braggart, and offering to do things
+which I did not dare.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.
+
+"Now," whispered Mr Brymer, "utter silence, please.  Not a word must be
+spoken.  Shake hands with us all, Dale, and God bless and speed you in
+your gallant attempt."
+
+I shook hands all round, Mr Brymer whispering--
+
+"Don't talk to him, gentlemen.  Let him make his attempt on his own
+basis.  He will act according to circumstances, and will know what is
+best to do.  There, Dale.  Now off!  Go right forward into the bows, and
+send Hampton aft.  He shall put an oar over the stern and scull you
+right in under the bowsprit.  Then we shall go on round to the stern and
+wait.  If you do not hear or see us, act all the same.  It is intensely
+dark, and we shall be there.  Off!"
+
+It was like being started on a school race, and my breath came short as
+if I were running.  I crept forward as silently as possible to where Bob
+Hampton 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't
+make a sound."
+
+Then I crept right into the bows, and stood there gazing at the faint
+lights on board the ship, and trying to think of nothing but the task I
+had in hand.
+
+"I've got it to do," I said to myself, "and I will do it for Miss
+Denning's and her brother's sake."
+
+Then I shivered, but I made a fresh effort to be firm, and said half
+laughingly--but oh! what a sham it was!--"It's only like going in for a
+game 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 loaded
+again, and he couldn't hit me in the dark.--But he hit Walters and poor
+old Neb Dumlow," something within me argued.
+
+"Well," I replied to the imaginary arguer, "if my wound when it comes is
+no 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, for
+though I could not hear a splash aft nor a ripple of the sea against the
+bows, the boat rolled slightly, so that I had to spread my legs apart to
+keep my balance.
+
+Oh, how dark it was that night!  And how thankful I felt!  For saving
+that 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 against
+the hull, and give the alarm."
+
+Then I hugged myself and felt encouraged, for if I could not see the
+great ship with her towering masts, and rigging, and sails hanging,
+waiting for the breeze which must succeed the long calm, it was not
+likely that the keenest-eyed watcher would see our small boat.
+
+"But he may hear it coming," I argued.  And then.  "Not likely, for I
+can't hear a sound myself."
+
+On we went with the round dim light in the ship's side showing a little
+plainer; 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 meant
+that 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 could
+hear, though, for from where I guessed the forecastle to be came a song
+sung in a very tipsy voice as a man struck up.  It sounded dull and
+half-smothered, but I heard "Moon on the ocean," and "standing toast,"
+and "Lass that loves a sailor."  Then there was a chorus badly sung, and
+I started, for away to the right where the cabin-light was, I heard a
+sound like an angry ejaculation or an oath muttered in the stillness of
+the 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 thinking
+whether I ought not after all to take off my jacket; but I felt I was
+right in keeping it on, for my shirt-sleeves would have shown light
+perhaps if I had been anywhere near a lantern.  Then I had something
+else to think of, for looming up before me, blacker than the night, was
+the hull of the ship, and directly after, as I looked up, there, just
+dimly-seen like the faintest of shadows against the sky, was the big
+anchor beneath which we were gliding so slowly that we hardly seemed to
+stir.
+
+"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 from
+the ship's prow below the water to the bowsprit, to hold it down, flung
+up my other hand, gave the boat a good thrust with my feet as I got both
+hands well round the rope, and swung my legs up and round the stay, from
+which I hung like a monkey on a stick, my head screwed round as I tried
+to see my companions, and just dimly seeing a shadow apparently glide
+by, leaving me hanging there alone, with the water beneath me, and a
+shuddering feeling coming over me for a few moments as I thought of the
+consequences that would ensue if I let go.
+
+As I hung there from that taut rope, I felt that if I let go I should be
+plunged 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 should
+never be able to swim and overtake them, since they would make a long
+detour before reaching the stern-windows.
+
+But then I had no occasion to let go.  Why should I?  And as I climbed I
+was ready to laugh at my fears.  For I was strong for my age, and active
+enough to climb that stay, and I did; halting at last by the
+spritsail-yard to listen before mounting to the bowsprit, getting my
+feet upon the ropes beneath, and then travelling slowly sideways, till I
+was able to rest by the figure-head and look over on to the forepart of
+the dark deck.
+
+I was as silent as I possibly could be for fear of encountering a man on
+the look-out, but there was no one, and hesitating no longer, I climbed
+over and stood upon the deck, thinking how easily the rest might have
+reached it too; when there would have been a chance for us to close the
+forecastle-hatch once more.  For there it was open, a dim light rising
+from it to form a very faint halo around; and the men seemed to be all
+there, for I could hear the talking, and then an uproarious burst of
+laughter, caused by one of them beginning to sing in a drunken tone, and
+breaking down at the end of a couple of lines.
+
+There was nothing to fear there, I thought, and after listening I began
+to creep along, step by step, close to the starboard bulwark, keeping my
+hands thereon for a few paces, till becoming bolder I stepped out more,
+but stumbled directly over something big and soft, and went sprawling on
+the 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-shrouds
+were close at hand, and feeling for them I drew myself up, ascending
+higher and higher as I heard some one coming rapidly from aft till he
+was close beneath me, and catching his foot in the same obstacle as had
+thrown me, he too went down heavily, and scrambled up, cursing.
+
+My heart throbbed more heavily than before as the voice told me it was
+Jarette, though for the moment I did not grasp the fact that his fall
+had been my safety.  For naturally attributing the noise he had heard to
+the object over which he had fallen, he began to kick and abuse and call
+the obstacle, in a low tone, all the drunken idiots and dogs he could
+lay his tongue to.
+
+"And I run all these risks for such a brute as you," he snarled; "but
+wait a little, my dear friend, and you shall see."
+
+I was in hopes he was going away, but he only went to the
+forecastle-hatch, where to my horror he called down to the men carousing
+below to bring a lantern; and feeling that my only chance was to climb
+higher, I crept up step by step, ratline by ratline, till the light
+appeared and four men stumbled out on to the deck.  Then I stood still,
+hugging the ropes and looking down, certain, as everything below was so
+plain, that in a few moments I must be seen, perhaps to become a target
+for Jarette's bullets.
+
+There on the deck lay the tipsy sailor over whom I had fallen, and about
+ten feet away there was another.
+
+"Haul these brutes down below!" said Jarette, fiercely; and in a slow
+surly way first one and then the other was dragged to the hatchway and
+lowered 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 cast
+upwards, and it was with a devout feeling of thankfulness that I saw the
+man who carried the lantern follow his comrades, the last rays of the
+light falling upon Jarette's features as he stood by the hatchway.
+
+"Now then," he said savagely, "no more drinking to-night.  There'll be
+wind before morning, and you'll have to make sail."
+
+"All right, skipper," said the man with a half-laugh, and he and his
+lantern disappeared, while I clung there listening and wondering why
+Jarette did not go aft.  Could he see me?
+
+Just when I felt as if I could bear the suspense no longer, I heard him
+move off, whistling softly, and as soon as I dared I descended and
+followed, creeping along step by step, and listening with all my ears
+for 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 to
+have stopped there and to be looking over the bulwark--I merely guessed
+as much, for the sound had stopped, and of course I stopped too.
+
+To my intense satisfaction I found that I was right, for the faint
+sibillation began again, and was continued along the deck, till, as I
+followed, it paused again, grew louder, and I knew that the scoundrel
+was coming back.
+
+But he altered his mind again, turned and went aft--into the saloon, I
+thought for a few moments, for the faint whistling ceased, and then
+began again high up.
+
+There was no mistaking that.  He had mounted to the poop-deck, and was
+walking towards the wheel.  Young as I was then, I grasped the fact that
+the man was restless and worried lest some attempt should be made to
+recover the ship, and unable to trust one of his men, he was traversing
+the deck uneasily, keeping strict watch himself.
+
+This was bad for my purpose, for it was too dark to see him, and at any
+moment 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 the
+minute his steps died out I hurried to the companion-way, entered, and
+saw that there was a dim light in the captain's cabin at the end of the
+saloon.
+
+This seemed to prove that my ideas were right, and that Jarette had
+taken possession of this cabin now for his own use, and at all hazards I
+was about to hurry there, when I caught sight of another faint light on
+my 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 Denning
+was kept a prisoner.  Whether her brother was there too I could not
+tell, for there was not a sound.
+
+I hesitated and stopped, for the inclination was terribly strong upon me
+to tap and whisper a word or two about help being at hand.  It was not a
+minute, but long enough to deprive me of the chance of finding out
+whether there were arms in the cabin, for as I hesitated I heard a light
+step overhead, and knew that Jarette was returning from his uneasy
+round.
+
+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 impulse
+was to dart forward into the captain's cabin--a mad idea, for the
+chances were that Jarette would come right through the saloon and enter
+it.  So darting to the side, I felt along it in the dark for the first
+cabin-door that would yield, found one directly, and had hardly entered
+and 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 at
+one moment, as I listened by the drawn-to door, he passed within a few
+inches of where I was hiding.
+
+The next minute there was a creaking sound, and the saloon was dimly
+lit-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 a
+repetition of the creaking sound, the saloon darkened again, and as I
+listened I heard his step returning.  This time, though, he did not come
+back on my side, but on the other, stopping for a few moments evidently
+to listen at the door where his prisoners were confined.
+
+For a moment I thought he meant to go in, but I heard his footsteps
+commence again, pass on to the companion, and there they ceased.
+
+This was terrible; for aught I knew he might be standing there listening
+as 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 now
+without farther hesitation I stepped out, hurried to the cabin at the
+end, 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 the
+remains of some food upon the table; but what most delighted me was the
+sight of three guns lying on a locker near to the cabin-window, which
+was wide open, and I felt that I should only have to show myself for the
+boat to be rowed beneath.
+
+My first want was a rope or line, my next a supply of ammunition for the
+guns, and there was neither.
+
+I felt ready to stamp, with vexation, for I might easily have brought a
+line wrapped round me, but neither Mr Brymer nor the others had thought
+of this, and unless I could find a fishing-line in one of the lockers, I
+felt that I should have to go back on deck.
+
+At that moment I remembered that Captain Berriman had a number of small
+flags in one of the lockers--that beneath the window.  Four or five of
+those tied together would answer my purpose for lowering the guns, and
+if 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 the
+bottom of the great convenient store of objects not in everyday use.
+
+That got over one difficulty, but there was that of the ammunition, and
+turning to the locker on my left I looked in that, to find plenty of
+odds and ends of provisions, for it had become quite a store-room, but
+no cartridges.
+
+"Where can they be?"  I muttered, as I stood holding the locker-lid and
+gazing round the cabin for a likely spot for Jarette to have stowed them
+ready for an emergency, when I heard his step so suddenly overhead that
+I started in alarm to leave for my place of concealment, when the lid of
+the 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 the
+cabin and hide before he reached the companion-way, alarmed as he would
+be by the sound, and looking frantically round I was for leaping into
+the cot and drawing the curtains, but another thought struck me just as
+I 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 big
+enough to hold me lying upon my back with my knees drawn up, I felt that
+I had done a mad thing, for Jarette would immediately come to the
+conclusion that it was the shutting down of a locker which made the
+sound, 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 be
+suffocated if he did not find me.  That he had entered the cabin I had
+ample 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 to
+kneel 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, my
+breath was coming short and painful, and Jarette made no sign of leaving
+what promised to be my tomb.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.
+
+I bore it as long as I could, and then I was on the point of shrieking
+out and striking at the lid of the locker, when I heard a movement over
+my 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 of
+its being purer, and the horror of suffocation which had nearly driven
+me frantic was gone.
+
+I have often wondered since that he did not hear or see the movement of
+the lid, but his attention was probably taken up by something else, and
+I heard him go out into the saloon, and then on through the
+companion-way to the deck.
+
+I opened the lid a little more and peered out, breathing freely now as I
+kept the locker open with my head; and to my horror I saw that he had
+left the door wide open, so that with the lamp burning it was impossible
+for me to get out without the risk of being seen.
+
+But I felt relieved, for I could breathe freely now, and I lay still
+with the lid raised, listening for Jarette's uneasy step as he came and
+went, and thinking of how easy it was to make plans, and how difficult
+to carry them out.  I knew that if we were going to try and obtain the
+mastery once more we must act at once, for a fresh breeze would separate
+us at once, and the chance be gone.  But how could we do it without
+weapons?
+
+How I lay puzzling my brains as to where the cartridges could be!  I
+recalled how Walters had stolen them, and he must have carried them
+forward, where the main portion would be stowed somewhere; but all the
+same I felt that Jarette would, for certain, have some in this or one of
+the 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 there
+quite despondent and feeling in no hurry to stir, for it only meant
+going back to the boat to say that I had failed.
+
+There was Walters, of course, but he was insensible, and it was not
+likely that I could get any information from him.  No; the case was
+hopeless.  I had failed, and all my hopes of our gallant little party
+storming the deck and carrying all before them were crushed.
+
+By degrees, though, the mental wind changed the course of that peculiar
+weathercock, 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 actually
+into 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 of
+his pistols, seize and master Jarette.
+
+"That's it," I said to myself; "the only chance.  How could I be so
+stupid as not to think of it before?"
+
+All excitement again, I was now eager to get back to the boat, so that
+my friends might take advantage of the darkness, and carry out my plans
+before morning came.  For another night would perhaps prove to be too
+clear.
+
+I raised the lid a little higher and looked out, but the table was too
+much 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 out
+into the saloon, Jarette could not see the locker.  But all the same I
+was afraid to get out.  It was so light in the cabin, and everywhere
+else 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, and
+as soon as an opportunity offered itself, I determined to creep out, and
+at all risks draw that door to, trusting to Jarette thinking that the
+closing was caused by the motion of the ship as it gently rocked upon
+the swell.
+
+At last as I lay there, for minutes which seemed to be hours, I heard my
+enemy talking loudly, and I knew that he must be speaking to the men in
+the forecastle.
+
+That would do.  He could see nothing now, for between us there were the
+main and foremasts, and plenty besides--the galley and water-cask, and
+the long cabin-like range upon the top of which our boat had lain in the
+chocks.
+
+I crept over the side after propping up the lid, went upon hands and
+knees to the door, readied out and touched it.  That was sufficient: it
+swung upon its hinges so that Jarette could easily imagine that the
+motion of the ship had caused the change.
+
+The next minute, still keeping the locker open ready to form a retreat
+for me in case of necessity, I leaned right out as far as I could, and
+bending down, strained my eyes, trying to cut the darkness as I
+whispered sharply--
+
+"Are you there?"
+
+"Yes; got them?" came from the boat, though to me the voice came out of
+the 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 impression
+that 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 bit
+of 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 me
+more at my ease.
+
+I waited some little time, and then began to grow impatient; feeling
+sure that I had fancied his coming and taken alarm at nothing, I
+determined to lift the lid and get some fresh air, but I did not stir
+just then, only lay still, finding my position terribly irksome.  I
+could not hear well either, and at last I began to move cautiously to
+peer out, when to my horror there was a sharp blow delivered on the lid
+of the locker, and then another probably given with the butt of a
+revolver, and Jarette exclaimed fiercely--
+
+"Hang the rats!"
+
+I lay back, breathless, expecting that he would hear the dull heavy
+throb of my pulses, while I trembled violently, thinking that all was
+over, and that he was trifling with me, and knew all the while that I
+was lying there.  But by degrees I grew calmer.  There were rats enough
+in the hold.  I had heard them, and why should he not have attributed
+the slight rustling noise I made to one of the mischievous little
+animals?
+
+At last, to satisfy my doubts, I heard him come and kneel upon the
+locker 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 he
+had seen the boat he certainly would either have shouted to warn its
+occupants away, or fired at them.
+
+"He feels that he is not safe," I said to myself at last, and to my
+great relief he got down, muttering to himself, and I could tell by the
+sound that he was at the table, for I heard a clink of glass, the
+gurgling of liquor out of a bottle, and then quite plainly the noise he
+made 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 the
+lid and looking out, to find that the door had swung to as soon as he
+had 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 light
+at 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 the
+bulwark and see what was going on.
+
+There were lanterns now by the big hatch in front of the main-mast, and
+I could see quite a group of men at whom Jarette was storming.
+
+It was a curious weird-looking scene there in the darkness, for the
+men's faces stood out in the lantern-light, and in spite of their fear
+of 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 this
+night."
+
+"But there's heaps o' good stuff spoiling, skipper."
+
+"I'll spoil you, you dog," snarled Jarette, and I saw him snatch a
+lantern from one of the men and lean down, holding the light over the
+open 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 the
+open hold, while the light struck up and made his face and his actions
+plain from where I stood watching.
+
+"Once more, do you hear?  Come up and leave that spirit, or I'll fetch
+you with a bullet."
+
+"Better come up, mate," shouted one of the men.
+
+"You hold your tongue," snarled Jarette to the speaker.  "Now then, will
+you 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 no
+more 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 in
+this calm," said the man who had before spoken, and who seemed to be the
+most sensible of the group.
+
+"Then you all broke my orders," cried Jarette, hastily now, "and you
+shall all see how I punish a man for breaking my orders."
+
+I looked on as if spellbound, forgetting the boat and my mission as I
+crouched there in the dark, feeling that a tragedy was at hand, though I
+could not grasp all and divine that this was the crowning-point of the
+mutiny.
+
+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 that
+spirit-barrel, or am I to fire?"
+
+"Fire away," came up in muffled tones, but quite defiantly, and as the
+last word reached my ear there was the sharp report of the pistol, whose
+flash shone out brighter than the lantern.  Then a horrible cry came
+from below, and for a few moments I could see nothing for the smoke
+which hung in the air.  But from out of it came an excited burst of
+talking and yelling.
+
+"Stand back," roared Jarette.  "I have five more shots ready, and you
+see I can hit.  Serve the scoundrel right."
+
+"But look, look!" shouted the man who had spoken before; and as the
+smoke dispersed, I saw him pointing down into the hold, while the other
+men, 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 at
+the 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 bulwarks
+absolutely paralysed, for the man who had climbed on deck was one mass
+of blue and yellow flames, which flickered and danced from foot to
+shoulder, and in those brief moments I realised that he must have fallen
+and 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 uttered
+by the poor wretch, as he ran wildly here and there, thrilled me through
+and through.  One moment it seemed as if he were coming headlong toward
+me, and I felt that discovery was inevitable; but before he reached the
+open hold, he dashed across the deck to the starboard bulwark, turned
+and ran forward again shrieking more loudly than ever, while the rapid
+motion through the air made the flames burn more furiously, and I could
+distinctly hear them flatter and roar.
+
+His messmates, headed by Jarette, were not idle; they shouted to him to
+stop; they chased him, and some tried to cut him off here and there; but
+as if the idea of being stopped maddened him, the poor wretch shifted,
+dodged, and avoided them in the most wonderful manner, shrieking more
+wildly than ever, as a man who had been below suddenly confronted him
+with a tarpaulin to fling round him and smother the flames.
+
+At last, with the sharp tongues of fire rising above his head, he made
+one maddened rush forward, and the whole of the party in pursuit; while
+his cries, and the sight of the man dashing on like a living torch
+through the darkness of that awful night, made me long to close my eyes
+and stop my ears.  But I could not--it was impossible.  I could only
+cling helplessly to that bulwark, praying for the power to help, but
+unable to stir.
+
+It takes long to describe all this, but it was only a matter of a minute
+or two, before, with the flames rushing up to a point above his head and
+streaming behind him, he rushed for the bows.
+
+I grasped in an instant what he intended to do, and felt that at last I
+could act.  For, seeing that he meant to leap overboard, I made a start
+to 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 heavy
+thud; and before he could rise, the man with the oilskin overcoat flung
+it over him, rolled him over and over in it, and extinguished the
+flames.
+
+In the midst of the loud talking which followed, I heard Jarette's voice
+above all the rest.
+
+"It was his own fault," he cried.  "Here, carry him below.  I shall not
+take 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 held
+lanterns over him; and then, as they were all crowding down the
+hatchway, I hurried into the cabin, closed the door after me, and going
+to the window, I leaned out, and called in a whisper to Mr Brymer, but
+there was no answer.
+
+I called again and again, raising my voice till, had any one been on
+deck, there must have been an alarm raised; but still there was no reply
+from the boat, and feeling at last that my companions must have rowed
+along by the ship to try and find out what was the matter, I was about
+to go back and run along till I could hail them and implore the doctor
+to come on board to try and save the poor wretch's life, when, all at
+once, there was the faint splash of an oar, and Mr Brymer exclaimed--
+
+"Ah, at last!  I was afraid you were being hunted.  What were they
+doing?  What was the meaning of those cries, and the torches they were
+rushing about the deck with?"
+
+I explained in few words, and, saying I would fetch a rope, implored Mr
+Frewen to come up and help the poor creature.
+
+"Come?  Of course I will, Dale," he said; "but it seems curious work to
+do--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, and
+out 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 conscious
+of a dull bluish glow, which I attributed to the lights by the
+forecastle-hatch, from which I could hear a low muttering of voices
+dominated by Jarette's sharp angry snapping.
+
+Then grasping the fact that there appeared to be no one on deck, I ran
+back into the dark saloon, tapped smartly on the door of Miss Denning's
+cabin, cried, "Help coming!" and darted through the door, closing it
+after me.
+
+"Got a rope?" came from below; and my answer was to lower it down as
+quickly as I could before passing it twice round the legs of the fixed
+table.
+
+Then came a sharp whisper--
+
+"All fast?"
+
+"Yes; all right," I said; and the next moment Bob Hampton was climbing
+in.
+
+"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 Mr
+Frewen 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.  "The
+scoundrels 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 were
+going to help that poor wretch."
+
+"I can attend him as well when he is our prisoner, Dale, as if we were
+Jarette'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 Mr
+Preddle'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 a
+moment 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 the
+saloon-table, two on the other; while I could hardly believe my eyes as
+I saw flooding up from beyond the main-mast great soft waves of bluish
+fire.
+
+"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 that
+without getting much harm; and as soon as we have secured the
+scoundrels, we must try the pump and hose."
+
+We tried to go along the starboard side, but the flames came out in such
+strong 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 the
+alarm.  A quick rush, and we have them."
+
+He was half-way along the clear pathway formed along the deck between
+the flames floating up from the hold and the port bulwark, and his
+figure stood up strangely unreal against the bluish light, when there
+was a heavy report below in the hold, and a rush of flame which extended
+from side to side of the ship.  But after the report there was no roar
+or crackling sound of burning, for the blue and orange flames came
+pulsing up in great waves silent and strange, the quiet mastery they had
+attained 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 we
+only saw them for, a moment, and then they were screened from us by the
+fire, which was singularly clear from smoke, and rose steadily upward
+and away from the main-mast, whose sails hung down motionless in the
+calm.
+
+We all stood motionless, unable to grasp the extent of this new
+calamity, and listened to the yelling and shouting of the frightened
+men, who now broke loose entirely from the slight control Jarette had
+held principally by means of his revolver.  For death in a more horrible
+form threatened them than that from the pistol which had held them in
+subjugation, 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 rose
+loud and clear.
+
+"Silence--idiots--fools!" he shouted.  "It is your own doing, and now
+you 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 two
+of 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 his
+teeth, and with a very marked French accent, as he did when greatly
+excited.  "I go not to lose our great prize, for which I have fought and
+won.  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 strong
+spirits 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, drawing
+back, and leading Mr Frewen toward the companion, I being so close that
+I 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 will
+run through the cargo in all directions, the flame will glide along the
+surface, and as the spirit heats, the hold will be full of inflammable
+gas, 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 be
+reached, and then the ship will be rent open."
+
+"Great heaven!" cried Mr Frewen.
+
+"And the fire will be extinguished then.  My good sir, with a
+well-trained crew, working calmly, we might perhaps reach the powder and
+cast it overboard; but, situated as we are now, any efforts of ours
+would be worse than folly."
+
+"Then--the boat!"
+
+"Yes, but don't hurry or grow excited; the vessel may burn a day or two
+before the final calamity comes.  We have plenty of time to do our
+duty."
+
+"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 Bob
+Hampton.
+
+"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 faint
+light 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 which
+was repeated, while the doctor felt outside, and convinced himself that
+it 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," said
+Mr Frewen, and, drawing back some distance, he ran at the panel, raised
+his 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 a
+little taper in her hand, while in the bed-place lay her brother, gazing
+at us wildly, but for his countenance to change and become restful and
+calm as he saw that he was in the presence of friends.
+
+"I told you they would not desert us, Lena," he said faintly; and then
+his 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 and
+laid my hand in his, for his eyes had seemed to invite me to come to
+him.  Then, as if I had not been there, he whispered quickly to the
+invalid--
+
+"Denning, you don't like me, but we are in a perilous strait.  Believe
+me, I will do everything man can for you and your sister now.  Will you
+trust me?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Mr Frewen turned to Miss Denning, and said firmly--
+
+"Dress quickly, as if for a long journey."  She looked at him
+wonderingly.  "Yes," he said, and his voice sounded almost harsh.  "In
+five minutes or less you must both be down in the boat.  Hat, cloak,
+waterproof, and any necessary that you think may be useful.  Nothing
+more.  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 from
+the cot, and ran out with them to the stern-window, beneath which I
+could plainly see the boat now.
+
+"Mr Preddle--Dumlow," I cried, "stow these aft;" and I threw down the
+articles I had brought, and went to fetch others from the cabin, passing
+Bob Hampton and Barney, who were collecting everything they could find
+in the way of provisions, tins, bottles, bags, from the captain's
+stores, and throwing them down.
+
+By the time I was back, Miss Denning was ready, and she was about to
+help 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; we
+must not lose a moment.  Pray come."
+
+She put her hand in mine, and I led her through the saloon, now full of
+a lurid light, and into the captain's cabin, where the rope still hung
+down.
+
+"Be ready to help, Mr Preddle," I said, as I hauled it up, and handed
+the 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 the
+lockers.  "Don't you be skeart, but just you trust to me.  That's your
+sort," he cried, as he passed the rope round her, and knotted it.  "Now
+then, 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 lower
+you right enough."
+
+I could not help thinking how pretty and gentle and brave she looked as
+she left herself in Bob's hands, while he knelt on the locker, lifted
+her up, passed her out of the cabin-window, held for a moment or two by
+the knot, and then gently lowered her down.
+
+"Done lovely," said Bob.  "Better let Neb Dumlow cast off the rope, Mr
+Preddle, sir.  You can hand the lady into the starn arter-wards.  That's
+your sort, sir," as he hauled up.  "Why, some gals would ha' kicked and
+squealed and made no end o' fuss.  Want this for Mr Denning, shan't
+us?"
+
+"Yes," I said, and at that moment, supporting the poor fellow below the
+arms, Mr Frewen and the mate helped Mr Denning into the cabin, panting
+heavily even from that little exertion.
+
+"I'll be--as quick--as I can," he sighed.  "There is no hurry," said Mr
+Brymer, quietly; "we have a wall of fire between us and our enemies."
+
+"Go on heaving down that there prog, Barney," whispered Bob from behind
+his 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 that
+he could sit in the bight, and then made a hitch round his breast so as
+to secure him in case his weak hold with his hands gave way, the sailor
+kept various articles of food in tins flying down to Neb Dumlow, who
+caught them deftly and stowed them rapidly forward in the bottom of the
+boat.
+
+The next minute Mr Denning was tenderly lifted by Bob Hampton and Mr
+Frewen, and his legs were passed out from the window, the rope was
+tightened, then he swung to and fro, and a minute later Dumlow had left
+the catching and stowing to cast off the rope which was now left
+hanging, so as to afford us a ready means of retreat in case it should
+be necessary.
+
+With the help of Mr Preddle and the sailor, Mr Denning was soon lying
+back in the stern, and now the mate leaned out to give a few directions
+to Dumlow.
+
+"Have you got that painter fast to the ring-bolt so that you can cast
+off directly?"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir.  Hear the pumps going?"
+
+"Yes; go on stowing the stores sent down as well as you can.  Mr
+Preddle will help you."
+
+"There, doctor," he said the next minute, "now we can cast off at a
+moment's notice if there's danger."
+
+"From the explosion?"
+
+"It would not hurt us," said Mr Brymer, coolly, for now that Miss
+Denning and her brother were safe, he did not seem to mind.  "When the
+powder goes off it will be amidships, and strike up.  We shall only hear
+the 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 I
+think 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, my
+lad, and help me.  Hampton, Blane, get another breaker of water.  Take
+the one on the poop-deck, and lower it down over the stern."
+
+Bob Hampton grunted, and after seeing to a few more things being lowered
+into the boat, we three went quietly toward where the fire was hissing
+furiously, and a great cloud of steam rose now from the hold.  But the
+blaze was as great as ever, and as we looked, and I wondered that the
+main-mast and its sails had not caught fire, we heard the clanking of
+the pumps cease, and Jarette's voice rise above the noise and confusion.
+
+"Boats," he said laconically.  "But no hurry, my lads.  Water and stores
+in first.  We're all right for hours yet."
+
+It was curious to be there, behind the main-mast, listening to all that
+was going on forward, and yet seeing nothing for the fiery curtain at
+which we gazed, and which cast a lurid reflection on either side, and
+brightened the sea till it looked like gold.  And it appeared the more
+strange 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 uneasy
+looks, "the lads have got that breaker of fresh water down by now, so
+we'll just take the captain's little compass and chronometer, and a few
+more 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 more
+stores, blankets, and all else we could by any possibility want, till
+the 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 am
+alarmed too, knowing that at any time the deck may be rent up beneath
+our feet and the vessel sink."
+
+"Yes; it is unpleasant to think about, and there is the danger of those
+scoundrels lowering one of the boats and coming round here for stores
+that they have none of there.  Ah, there goes one of them down."
+
+For plainly enough came the chirruping of the falls as the boat was
+lowered from the davits.
+
+"Now then, down with you, Frewen.  You next, my lads; I don't think I
+can 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 in
+the boat.  Then Mr Brymer slid down, and threw the rope back through
+the cabin-window.
+
+The next minute the painter was withdrawn from the ring-bolt, and Bob
+Hampton 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 yards
+from the ship, just as a dark object came along from forward, and we saw
+that, as the mate had expected, the boat which had been lowered had come
+round to the stern-windows for the men to mount, if they could, in
+search of stores.
+
+"None too soon.  Dale," said the mate, coolly, and a deep breath of
+relief 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 burning
+ship, it seemed to me impossible that it could be long before Jarette
+and his men discovered us, and came in pursuit.  For I felt sure that
+they would give us the credit of having been beforehand with them, when
+they saw how the stores had been put under contribution; and knowing how
+much more easy it would be for them to remove the things from one boat
+to another than to obtain them from the ship, we should, if overtaken,
+be absolutely stripped.  Something to this effect I whispered to Bob
+Hampton, but he shook his head.
+
+"Not they, my lad; they're in too much of a scare.  Don't suppose
+they'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 what
+they want to do is to get some more prog, and then row off soon as they
+can."
+
+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 they
+reached the cabin-window; but how they did it at last I couldn't quite
+make out, for they were in the shadow, while all around them spread the
+lurid glare cast by the flames which rose from the burning hold.
+
+These seemed to have reached their greatest height soon after the fire
+first broke out, and directly the first cask of spirits had burst.  Then
+the fire went steadily on till it began to wane slightly, when another
+cask would explode, and flames rush up again--those great waves of fire
+which lapped and leaped, and floated up out of the hold, appearing from
+where we lay to lick the sails hanging from the fore and main-masts.
+But these never caught, the golden and bluish waves rising steadily and
+spreading to starboard and port, and every now and then sending out
+detached waves to float on the black night air for a moment or two
+before they died out.
+
+It was very terrible and yet beautiful to see the great bursts of flame
+gliding up so softly and silently, almost without a sound; there was
+every mast and stay glistening in the light, and the sails that were
+hanging from the yards transparent, or half darkened on the main and
+mizzen-masts, while those on the fore-mast beyond the fire shone like
+gold.
+
+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 with
+brilliant sparks, as I had once seen at the burning of a coal brig in
+Falmouth harbour; but they did not, and the utter stillness of the
+night, in that hot calm, which had on and off lasted for days, had so
+far saved the masts.
+
+But as I watched, I felt that their turn must come, and that sooner or
+later I should be watching them turned into pyramids--all brilliant
+glow--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 my
+expectancy a sensation of awe as the conflagration went on--this gradual
+burning of the spirits in the casks, which kept on exploding one by one
+with a singular regularity.
+
+And all the time, as I watched, there in the shadow at the stern were
+the crew, busily throwing out such stores and necessaries as they could
+find.
+
+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-like
+from the boat up toward the cabin-lights, and then one of the most
+active must have climbed.
+
+There was a great deal of shouting and talking, and the light in the
+cabin enabled us to see them going and coming to the window loaded, and
+heaving things down.
+
+By-and-by another boat came into sight, gliding along over the golden
+water, and we could see the faces of the men shining in the light as
+they gazed at the burning ship, and every now and then we could make out
+all they said, Jarette's abuse and orders being quite distinct as they
+worked more busily than ever.  But still they did not see us, though
+whenever they stirred we could plainly make out their actions, and at
+times even could distinguish the objects that were brought to the window
+and thrown down.
+
+This was more especially the case after the second boat had come from
+forward, for several more men had ascended by the rope they had lowered,
+and the second cabin-door was opened, so that both the stern-windows
+were 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, and
+then making for the windows to throw something down to their companions
+in the boats.
+
+All at once I felt a hot breath on my cheek, and then Bob Hampton's lips
+close to my ear.
+
+"They're a-getting a whole jorum o' things, my lad, as won't be much use
+to 'em.  I'd rather have a cask o' fresh water than one o' them
+boat-loads o' odds and ends."
+
+I nodded and watched for a time, and then turned to look aft at the
+faces of my companions, all intent upon the strange scene before them,
+wondering why Mr Brymer did not give orders for the men to row away
+before we were discovered.
+
+But he did not open his lips, and by degrees the reason came.  For no
+doubt 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 the
+circle of light shed by the burning ship.
+
+I can give no account of the time occupied by the various events of that
+night, for some things are strangely jumbled up in my mind consequent
+upon my excited state; but, oddly enough, others stand out bright and
+clear as if lit-up by the blaze, and there were moments when the silent
+burning and the floating away of those waves of light beyond the busy
+black and gold figures at the cabin-window seemed to be part of some
+strange dream.
+
+All at once, as the men were hurrying to and fro, one of the
+spirit-casks exploded so loudly that I saw them all dash for the
+windows.  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, and
+then the cabin-lights stood cut clear without a figure visible; a burst
+of talking, and then a roar of laughter telling that all had safely
+reached the boats.
+
+The next minute the Frenchman's voice came clearly to us as he ordered
+the men to mount again, and this was answered by a confused clamour.
+
+"You miserable gang of cowards!" shouted Jarette, sharply; and his words
+were so clear coming across the water that they might have been spoken a
+dozen yards away.
+
+"Why don't you go up yourself?" cried one of the men, evidently from the
+next 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 the
+boats, and directly after I saw a figure appear at the window of Captain
+Berriman's cabin and begin to climb in.
+
+"There he is," whispered Bob Hampton.  "Sarve him right if the boys
+rowed away and left him."
+
+I was too much interested in the scene before me to pay much heed to Bob
+Hampton's words, and sat watching Jarette, as he turned from the window
+and disappeared.  Then, directly after, I heard him shout and shout
+again, something which sounded familiar, but I could not quite make it
+out even when I heard him calling again, but nobody in the boats seemed
+to 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 he
+can't find 'em."
+
+To endorse his words Jarette appeared the next minute at the
+stern-windows and cried--
+
+"Did any of you see those passengers?"  There was of course a chorus of
+Noes, and the man ran back again shouting Mr Denning's name, and we
+could hear the banging of cabin-doors.  Then I saw the man's shadow as
+he came back into the captain's cabin to fetch the lamp, with which he
+went back, and, as I judged, ran from cabin to cabin.  The next minute
+he appeared upon the poop-deck, his figure thrown up by the light and
+plainly seen as he ran here and there, and then disappeared, to be seen
+at the stern-window.
+
+"They're nowhere about," he cried.
+
+"How rum now, aren't it?" muttered Bob Hampton.  "Now I do call that
+strange."
+
+"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 the
+boats' heads both appeared in the light, as they left the ship.
+
+"Why, we shall have to save him ourselves," I thought in horror, as
+something seemed to rise in my throat, so enraged was I with the
+cowardly crew.
+
+There was a sharp report, a wild cry, and a man who was standing upright
+in the bows of the first boat toppled over and fell into the sea with a
+splash 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 come
+back."
+
+A low murmuring sound arose, and we saw that instead of the boats going
+on forward they were returning into the shadow once again, as Jarette
+shouted 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, as
+with eager eyes I vainly searched the surface of the water, just where
+there was the plain demarcation between black shadow and the golden
+light.
+
+"The wretch!"  I thought.  "Why don't they rise against him?"  But a
+fresh current of thought arose, and in a confused way I could not help
+thinking that it was fair retaliation.  The man who had been shot and
+fell 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 in
+what he did?
+
+Then as with a strange contraction at my heart I realised the fact that
+Jarette'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 some
+good cause.
+
+By this time the boats were right under the stern, and as I watched the
+lighted-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 my
+face--"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 a
+terrific 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 the
+fire curved over in every direction, there was a terrible concussion,
+and all instantaneously a short sharp roar as of one tremendous clap of
+thunder, 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 bows
+passed under it and swept on, while I gazed in awe at the falling pieces
+of burning wood, which were for the most part quenched in the sea,
+though others floated and blazed, shedding plenty of rays of light, and
+showing two boats being rowed with all the power of their occupants
+right away from where the ship rocked slowly, half hidden by a dense
+canopy of smoke which hung overhead.
+
+The great waves of burning spirit were there no more.  It was as if they
+had suddenly been blown cut, and in their place there were volumes of
+smoke, through which, dimly-seen, were sparks and patches of smouldering
+wood.  And as the burning pieces which were floating here and there
+gradually 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 the
+sole light came from the ship--a feeble, lurid glow nearly hidden by
+steam and smoke.
+
+And now we were half-stifled by the smell of the exploded powder and the
+steam evolved when the burning fragments fell in all directions, to be
+quenched over acres of water around the ship.  It was a dank,
+hydrogenous odour, which made me hold my fingers to my nose till I
+forgot it in the interest with which I watched the ship.  For Mr Brymer
+said sadly, but in a low voice, for fear that a boat should be within
+hearing--
+
+"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 of
+spirit-blaze rose gently and silently, but little sluggish bits of fire
+burned here and there where the tar had melted, and the flame was yellow
+and the smoke black; in other places where the wood had caught there
+were vicious hissings, spittings, and cracklings, as if it were hard
+work to burn.  And so hard did it seem in some places that the scraps of
+wood gave it up as a bad job, and went out.
+
+But there was plenty of mischief still in the hold, from whence a dense
+body of smoke rose, the rolling volumes being dimly-seen by the
+reflections cast upon them, and tingeing the suffocating vapour of a
+dull red.
+
+We sat there almost in perfect silence, watching the ship for quite an
+hour; but though she was expected from moment to moment to heel over a
+little first to one side, then to the other, she still floated upon an
+even keel, and her masts with their unfilled sails retained their
+places.  But we dared go no nearer for fear of the death-agonies of the
+monster coming on, and our being sucked down into the vortex she made as
+she plunged beneath the sea which had borne her triumphantly so many
+times in the past.
+
+The desire was strong amongst us to begin talking, but Mr Brymer
+forbade a word being spoken.
+
+"Jarette may be waiting somewhere close at hand with his two boats, till
+he has seen the last of the ship.  We have had troubles enough; we do
+not want to increase them by a fresh encounter with the scoundrel."
+
+So there we sat watching, with the dull smouldering still going on in
+the hold of the ship.  Sometimes it flashed up a little, and promised to
+blaze fiercely; but it was only a spasmodic attempt, and it soon settled
+down again to the dull smouldering, with a few vicious sparks rising
+here and there to hide themselves in the dull, rolling clouds, and we
+were in momentary expectation of seeing the vapour-enshrouded masts
+begin to describe arcs in the cloud, and then slowly settle down after
+the sinking vessel.  And as I watched and calculated, I seemed to see
+the water rising slowly around the faintly-marked black hull, till it
+covered the ports, reached the deck, and then began to pour over into
+the burning hold, when of course there would be a fierce hissing, steam
+would rise in volumes, which would cover the clouds of smoke, and then
+all would be over, and we should be left on the wide ocean to try and
+fight our way to the land.
+
+How dim the sparks and tiny, darting flames grew, and how black the
+ship!  I listened for the splash of oars, and the sound of voices; but I
+heard neither for a time, and then only in faint whisperings, whose
+import I could not grasp.
+
+Then our silence was broken by a slight moaning, for the doctor had gone
+to attend Walters, where he still lay insensible; and after that I
+faintly grasped the fact that in that darkness aft Mr Frewen had been
+attending to the captain and to Mr Denning.  But I knew it all in a
+very misty way, and then I knew nothing whatever, for everything was a
+blank 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, feeling
+ashamed 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 five
+hundred yards away, with a pillar of smoke rising out of her hold, and
+the masts, yards, and sails all in their places intact.
+
+"Yes; she still floats," said Mr Brymer, quietly; "and we are going
+closer to see how she stands."
+
+"Where are Jarette and the men?"
+
+"They rowed away to the east," replied Mr Brymer, "and are quite out of
+sight."
+
+"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 roll
+up 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 the
+ship.
+
+"It is a puzzle to me that she has not gone down, Dale," said Mr
+Brymer, in a low voice.  "That explosion was enough to drive out her
+sides, as well as rip up her deck; and I am beginning to think that
+after all she may float."
+
+"But she is on fire still," I said; "and though burning slowly, the fire
+must be eating its way through the bottom."
+
+"Perhaps not, my lad," he replied.  "There was an immense amount of
+cargo 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 this
+calm.  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 fancied
+that I could detect a faint smile at the corner of his lip, and this
+touched 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, almost
+before I get to be captain.  But we won't waste time passing
+compliments.  What should you say if we find that the old ship is strong
+enough to carry us into port?"
+
+"Oh, it is impossible," I cried.
+
+"Not so impossible perhaps after all; but we are getting near, and we'll
+see."
+
+"But suppose she is so near sinking that the addition of our weight
+proves 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 the
+cabin-window, the boat shall be backed out of the way of danger, and our
+first task shall be to cut loose a couple of the life-buoys.  Then, if
+the 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 a
+horrible vortex, perhaps to be entangled in some part of the rigging,
+and never rise again; and seeing what I was thinking, Mr Brymer
+laughed.
+
+"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 Bob
+Hampton and Barney; and we made a circuit of the ship, passing from
+astern right forward, without the hull showing any damage; and though
+Mr Brymer touched her just about opposite to where the principal body
+of smoke arose, there was no perceptible heat to be felt.  Then as we
+pressed on under the bowsprit, I looked up at the bob-stay and the
+rigging about that spritsail where I had climbed; and we began to go
+back 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 under
+the 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 window
+and 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.  I
+want to see what damage there is forward, and whether we can come aboard
+and 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 wounded
+people, and a lady!  It is our duty to study them, and besides, after
+all, we may save the ship."
+
+This sent a thrill of enthusiasm through me as we passed out of the
+cabin, littered with all kinds of stores and fittings, out along the
+damaged saloon, and thence through the companion on to the deck, which
+was blackened with pieces of burnt wood, scraps of a heterogeneous kind
+that had probably been sent skyward by the explosions, to fall back
+half-charred.
+
+The smell of burnt powder now was terrible, and I could not help
+stopping.
+
+"What is it?" said Mr Brymer.
+
+"Do you think there is any more powder below?"  I said, as I thought of
+the possibility of another explosion.
+
+"Indeed I don't," said the mate, decisively.  "Not a grain.  It is all
+honest fire, my lad, smouldering away in the cargo, and waiting for a
+little encouragement in the shape of wind to burst out into an
+unconquerable blaze."
+
+We had been advancing again through the charred embers and fragments, to
+stand at last by a large ragged cavity, torn up in the deck.  The whole
+of the hatches and combings were blasted away, and a clean sweep had
+been made for fully thirty feet onward, and twenty or so across; and
+everywhere was of a blackish grey, showing the effects of the
+blasting-powder.  Still there was room enough on both sides to walk
+along by the hole; and as we looked down we could see that, in spite of
+the destruction, with one exception the great cross-beams which
+supported the deck were intact.
+
+"She will not sink, Dale," said the mate, quietly; and as a feeling of
+confidence on that question made me feel better, the fire suddenly
+flamed up in one place, burning briskly with a good deal of crackling
+and sputtering, making me feel doubtful of the ship's stability on that
+side.
+
+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 it
+had been dynamite, the explosion would have struck down, driving out the
+bottom, 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 powder
+has gone, and we have nothing to fear now but the slow working of our
+friend 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 deal
+of the cargo is highly combustible, but things will not burn quickly
+without room and plenty of air.  Fire shut in only smoulders, and eats
+its way slowly, as you see it there.  Come, I think we may hail the
+boat, 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 way
+through that?"
+
+"If it had the mast would fall; but the fire has worked forward, and, as
+far as I can see, the mast is untouched.  Run up to the main-top, it is
+clear now.  Have a look round, to see if you can make out the two boats
+with our friends."
+
+I looked at him sharply, and he laughed.  "Not afraid that the main-mast
+will give way with your weight, are you?"
+
+I felt the colour burn in my cheeks at this, for he had read my thoughts
+exactly; and without another word, I sprang to the side, climbed above
+the main-chains, and made my way upwards.  But I had not gone far
+before, as I rose higher and more over the burning hold, I became aware
+of a hot, stifling fume, and the irritating smoke which rose from
+beneath me.
+
+But I persevered, and though it increased for a time, a few feet higher
+still 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 so
+much dissipated as to trouble me very little indeed.
+
+The moment I was up I laid hold of a rope and began to look round, my
+eyes falling, naturally enough, first upon our boat lying a short
+distance away, with Mr Frewen, who had just awakened, bending over
+Walters; and I watched him anxiously, to see if I could make out how my
+messmate was.  But I was brought back from thoughts of him and his
+position by the mate's voice, as he hailed me from the deck.
+
+"Well," he said, "what can you see?"  I looked sharply round before
+answering, and there was the wide sea in all directions, glistening in
+the morning sunshine.  "Nothing," I said at last.  "Try again.  Take a
+good look round, my lad.  The boats look small in the distance.  They
+can hardly have passed out of sight."
+
+I shaded my eyes, and looked long and carefully east, west, north, and
+south, but could see nothing, and said so.
+
+"Well, that's good news; but I don't want them to see that the ship is
+still floating, and come back again.  Go up to the main-topgallant
+mast-head, and have a look from there."
+
+I mounted higher, and reached the head, to pause there and survey, but
+as far as I could see there was nothing visible.
+
+"That will do; come down," shouted Mr Brymer; and I descended as
+quickly as I could to the deck, when we took a hurried peep at the
+forecastle, to find there and in the galley plenty of traces of the
+hurried 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 our
+friends 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 think
+of the sufferings of Miss Denning and our wounded in such close
+quarters!  They must come on board while we fight the fire; and if
+matters 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 means
+of a sling, which Bob Hampton and Barney soon had rigged, Miss Denning
+and our invalids were quickly hauled on deck.  Then after the boat had
+been 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 in
+the cabin; while Mr Brymer led us forward to see if something could not
+be done to save the ship.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY TWO.
+
+Ours appeared to be a herculean task, for the fire had been burning many
+hours now, as after a little examination Mr Brymer decided that it
+would be best to attack it from the starboard side, where a bold man
+could approach the worst part and pour in water from buckets if the hose
+from the pump could not be brought to bear.
+
+As I looked down into the blackened hold, surrounded by the jagged
+planks of the deck, which had been splintered and torn in the most
+wonderful way, the place looked to me like what I had always imagined a
+volcano to be.  This was very small, of course; but there was the
+glowing centre, from which arose a column of smoke towering and curling
+up for some distance, and then spreading out like a tree.
+
+The glow of the smouldering fire could be seen, but with the sun now
+shining brilliantly its appearance was anything but terrible, the
+greater light completely dimming the lesser; but as I stepped out on to
+the beam from which the planks had been torn by the explosion, I was
+made fully aware of the danger being great, for a peculiar dizziness
+suddenly seized me, and I was caught by the collar and dragged back to
+the strip of ragged deck on the starboard side.
+
+"None o' them games, Mr Dale, sir," said a gruff voice in my ear, as I
+clung 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 to
+dive down into the hold to look for the fire."
+
+"Why, Dale!" cried Mr Brymer, hurrying up from where he had been
+forward examining the hose left by the mutineers after their feeble
+attempt to extinguish the fire, "did the fumes attack you?"
+
+"Yes," I said faintly, as I pressed my hands over my forehead; "I
+suppose it was that."
+
+"Some'at queer burning below, sir," growled Bob Hampton.
+
+"Or the gas from the combustion," said the mate, leading me a little
+more 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 and
+pass this hose along."
+
+I felt better now, and walked forward to where the pump was rigged, and
+helped to drag the hose along the narrow path beneath, the bulwarks to
+where Neb Dumlow was now stationed with the brass nozzle at the end of
+the canvas tube, and Mr Brymer instructed him how to direct the stream
+of water as soon as the pump was started.
+
+"Better let me pump, sir," he grumbled.  "I understands that a deal
+better."
+
+"I set you to this, man, because of your wound.  You are not fit to take
+your turn at the pump."
+
+"Well, I like that, sir.  It makes me mut'nous, it do.  Why, you wants
+all 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 by
+the 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, where
+the glow rises.  As he says, we want all our strength there, and you can
+serve us better here."
+
+I seized the brass nozzle and held it ready.
+
+"Be careful," cried Mr Brymer.  "Keep back so that the fumes don't
+overcome you, and call out if you want help."
+
+I nodded, and he hurried forward, while as I stood there in the hot
+sunshine waiting for the water to come, I directed the nozzle so as to
+strike one particular part of the smouldering ruins just beside where
+the 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 from
+the forward part of the deck.  But no water came, and after a minute or
+two I heard them talking loudly, and the clanking ceased.  Then came the
+splash of a bucket over the side, and though I could see nothing, I
+could picture the throwing down of that bucket, and the handing of it up
+with the sparkling of the water as it streamed back; and I knew what the
+gurgling and splashing meant, as the contents freshly drawn were poured
+into the top of the pump.
+
+Then the clanking began again, and I waited listening to the steady
+working up and down of the handles, and the strange, gasping, sucking
+sounds which rose hollowly from the piston.
+
+But still no water came, and I listened to the splash of the bucket as
+the process of filling the big barrel of the pump was repeated.  Then
+clang-clank again, with gurgling, hissing, and splashing; and I felt
+that the pump must be broken or worn-out.
+
+"They will have to take to the buckets," I said half-aloud; and in fancy
+I saw what a slow, laborious task that would be, and how hopeless it was
+to imagine that, short-handed as we were, we could cope with that
+terrible fire steadily eating its way down through the cargo, and which
+would certainly before long burst forth with uncontrollable fury.
+
+"It's all over," I said to myself; and my heart sank once more as I
+began to think that we ought before long to get back to the boat, and
+trust to it alone, for although open and comparatively frail, it would
+not have a terrible enemy on board, insidiously waiting to destroy us.
+
+"Oh, how disappointing!"  I muttered, as I passed the metal nozzle from
+my 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 ran
+through my left hand.  There was a splash, a hiss, and a cry, and Mr
+Preddle rushed back into the shelter of the main-mast, from behind which
+he 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 in
+his smooth, plump, round face.
+
+I tried to say, "I beg your pardon," but I was choking with laughter and
+could not speak.  But I could act, for I rapidly changed the nozzle back
+to my right hand, and directed it down at the spot I had selected for my
+attack, and as the clear, bright jet of water struck the smouldering
+cargo 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 a
+savage hiss, followed by a series of crackling explosions, sputtering,
+popping, and shrieking even.  For the steam began to generate and rush
+up from the hold, instantaneously changing from its natural invisibility
+to dense white clouds of vapour, which rose and spread, and grew so
+thick that I could not see where to direct the jet of water, but had to
+trust to my ear for the spot to attack.
+
+"Hurray! hurray!" came faintly from forward, where the pump clanked
+steadily; and I responded to the cheer, but my voice was stilled by the
+hissing and shrieking arising from the hold.  But I cheered again, and
+kept on, feeling quite excited, and more and more as if I were attacking
+a den of dragons, or serpents, so strangely unusual were the noises
+which followed every fresh direction of the stream.
+
+"I say, Dale, you shouldn't, you know," came from close by me, in a tone
+full of protest; and I quite started to see Mr Preddle's face looming
+out of the mist in which I was closely enveloped, and which grew more
+and 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 very
+peculiar through the hissing and shrieking of the steam.  "I am quite
+ready 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 thing
+across this dreadful gap."
+
+"I--can't talk--now," I shouted.  Then, contradicting myself,--"Going to
+help 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 other
+side of the deck, and I must have altered the direction of the jet a
+little, for a fresh series of explosions arose to prove how much more
+serious the hidden fire was than we could judge it to be from what was
+visible.
+
+Crick, crack, sputter, and then report after report, as loud as those
+made by a revolver, while each steam-shot was followed by a ball of
+white vapour which came rushing up as from the mouth of a gun.
+
+"Hurrah!" came from by the pump again, and Mr Preddle came slowly along
+to 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 there
+is 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 louder
+than ever.
+
+"I'm not so much afraid of the fire as I am of the water," cried Mr
+Preddle.  "You want to squirt me again."
+
+I couldn't say "I don't," for his words tickled and yet annoyed me, so
+that I felt that I really did want to deluge him with the water from
+head 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 the
+ship, the dense white fumes hid everything; and though Mr Preddle was
+now only about a yard away, I could not see anything but a dim, blurred
+patch; while facing me a dull, luminous disk all blurred and hidden from
+time 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 will
+not do it again."
+
+"All right," I shouted; and the next minute I felt that I was alone to
+carry 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 at
+such 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," he
+replied; 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-stoppage
+as they made a change for resting, and I kept on searching out the
+hottest places by following up the loudest hissing and sputtering of the
+water as it changed into steam, and rose and floated upward till I
+thought that if the mutineers were able to see it, they would conclude
+that 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 of
+smoke.
+
+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 body
+of fire down below; far more than I thought."
+
+"But is there any fear of our pumping too much down and sinking the ship
+after all?"
+
+Mr Brymer burst into a cheery laugh.
+
+"I don't think we should sink her by our pumping, Dale.  We should get
+tired first, I'm afraid.  Why, my good lad, I don't know whether my
+calculation is right, but I should say that half the water you send down
+there 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 hissing
+which followed became deafening.
+
+"I'm sure," shouted my companion.  "Quite below in my calculation.  You
+can keep on, can't you?"
+
+"Oh yes," I said.
+
+"That's right.  I couldn't do it better.  Go on; every drop's telling in
+extinguishing the fire, or wetting other parts of the cargo so that they
+will not burn.  But what a fiery furnace it is!  I had no idea it was so
+bad."
+
+"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 there
+that an immense body of steam must be rising, and that will help to
+extinguish the fire."
+
+"Then I am doing some good, sir?"
+
+"Good?  Yes; you are winning the fight.  I must get back now, and
+relieve 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 I
+devoted all my energy to my task, though it had become so monotonous
+that my thoughts began to stray, and I found myself wondering how
+matters were going in the cabin--whether they were very much alarmed by
+the noise of the steam, or whether they felt as confident as the mate
+did about our ultimate mastery of the fire, and how Walters and Mr
+Denning 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 aft
+and 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'll
+be a bit o' something to eat soon.  I'm growing streaky, and could eat
+anything, from biscuit up to bull-beef.  Well, what's the matter?" he
+cried, as a fiercer shrieking came along with clouds of vapour.  "That
+go in the wrong place?  Well, will that do?"
+
+He shifted the direction of the nozzle, but the noise was as bad as
+ever.
+
+"Well, you are hard to please, and you'll have to take it now as I like
+to give it you, so off you go, my lad."
+
+"All right, Bob," I replied; "I'm going," and saturated with the
+moisture of my strange vapour-bath, I went along the narrow passage by
+the bulwarks, to find to my astonishment that I had walked out of a
+dense fog into the clear sunshine; and when I looked back, it was to see
+the 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 few
+minutes in the hot sunshine, which sent a pleasant glow through my damp
+clothes, and watching the wonderful great wreaths of steam rolling and
+circling up in the bright light, which made them look as if the pearly
+lining of sea-shells were there in a gaseous state in preparation before
+sinking in solution down into the sea.
+
+Here the wreaths looked soft and pearly and grey, there they were
+flushed with a lovely pink which, as the steam-cloud curled over, became
+scarlet and orange and gold.  In places where they opened as they
+ascended, the gold-rayed blue sky showed through, to give fresh effects
+of beauty, while high up, there at times were the upper parts of the
+masts standing out as if they belonged to some smaller ship sailing away
+through 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 bright
+sunshine upon the vapour, forgetting all about our danger for the moment
+in spite of the steady clank of the double pump, which came in regular
+pulsation above the hiss and roar of the steam, when my name was
+suddenly pronounced behind me, and turning sharply, I saw Miss Denning
+standing there, looking very pale, and with a scared expression in her
+eyes 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 has
+sent 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 had
+been neglecting a sister and a sick brother to gratify my desire to
+watch some coloured clouds.
+
+"You are not deceiving me?" she cried.  "Tell me, is not the danger very
+great?  Come and tell John."
+
+She hurried me in through the saloon to where her brother was back in
+his 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 lie
+here without being able to help, and I sent Lena to get news.  Tell us
+the whole truth.  Don't keep anything back."
+
+I told him all I knew, meeting his great sunken eyes frankly enough, and
+he seemed relieved.
+
+"Then there is hope?" he said at last.
+
+"Certainly, I think so," I replied.  "They are mastering the fire, and
+it cannot burst out afresh, for the cargo not burned will be drenched
+with water."
+
+"But it may have worked its way through the ship's side," he said, with
+a shake of his head.  Then, suddenly--"Look here, I want you, if I break
+down altogether, and my sister here is left alone, to take my place, and
+be as it were her brother.  We have both liked you from the first day we
+met.  Will you promise this?"
+
+"I will when it becomes necessary," I said quietly; "but you are going
+to 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 was
+enough 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 a
+fire, and all sorts of other trouble.  You'll soon feel better when we
+are all straight again."
+
+"That's what I tell him," said Miss Denning eagerly, "but he only shakes
+his 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 the
+battle."
+
+"Then you will save the ship?" cried Mr Denning.
+
+"Oh yes, I think so now," said Mr Brymer quietly.  "Miss Denning, it is
+almost an insult to ask you, but if you could find time to help us a
+little!"
+
+"Yes," she said eagerly.  "What can I do?"
+
+"I would not ask you, but we are all forced to go on pumping to
+extinguish 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 scraps
+together 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 hand
+to 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, she
+would be down on her knees praying for your safety.  Look here, Mr
+Denning, don't you be down-hearted.  I can read you like a book, better
+than the doctor.  Half your complaint is worry about your sister here."
+
+"Well," said Mr Denning with a faint smile, "suppose I grant that it
+is."
+
+"Why, then, you would be honest, that's all.  Now don't you fidget about
+her, for there are on board this ship six men--I was going to say and a
+boy, but I can't, for that boy counts as a man in the spirit to do all
+he can, so I shall say seven good men and true--who will do everything
+they 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 Hampton
+up to the doctor, who wouldn't cheerfully give his life to save her from
+harm."
+
+"Yes, yes," cried Mr Denning, with the weak tears in his eyes, "I
+know."
+
+"And I too," said Miss Denning, in a choking voice, "though I do not
+know what I have done to deserve it."
+
+"You don't?" cried Mr Brymer; "then I'll tell you, my dear.  There, I
+say it, and mean it.  You have behaved like a true, sweet English lady
+should, ever since you have been on board.  Do you think, rough sailors
+as we are, we haven't seen your devotion to your brother?  Do you think
+we haven't all loved you for your genuine patient English pluck all
+through troubles that would have made scores of fine madams faint.
+Here, I'm getting into a knot, instead of getting something to eat, and
+going back to my work.  Mr Denning, don't you fidget, sir.  We'll pull
+you through.  And you, Miss Denning, if you'll go on seeing that the
+poor 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 by
+her brother's side; and, as he put his left arm round her neck, he waved
+his right hand to me.
+
+"It's no use talking, Dale, my lad," said Mr Brymer huskily, "we must
+save the ship--we will.  Now, then, let's get a handful of food a-piece
+and 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, and
+who knows that even now it's nicer off a white cloth.  I don't wonder at
+the doctor."
+
+"What about the doctor?"  I said curiously, as I too ate as if I had not
+had 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 form
+the hardest sandwiches ever made by man, and then hurried into the next
+cabin, 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 the
+ship."
+
+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 good
+heart, man, and pray for another day or two's calm.  We'll do everything
+possible.  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 to
+the 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 throw
+him 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 now
+on physic."
+
+He hurried away, as I felt that in all probability Miss Denning had been
+there to see to the wretched lad; and so it proved, for on the locker
+close to his head was a glass of fresh water, and the white handkerchief
+bound round his head, still moist with eau-de-cologne, was evidently one
+of hers.
+
+His eyes were closed as I entered, but after a minute he opened them and
+looked 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 how
+sharply he was being punished for all he had done--wounded, suffering
+severely in body, and far worse, I was sure, in mind.
+
+I hesitated for a few moments, hardly knowing how to approach him, for
+mentally 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, and
+thought of all the sufferings he had caused, I felt that we ought to be
+enemies indeed.  And so I behaved to him like the worst enemy I ever
+had, and as he gazed at me fixedly I went and laid my hand upon his
+forehead.
+
+"You're precious hot and feverish," I said.  "You had better have the
+door open too."
+
+I propped the cabin-door wide, so that the air might pass through, and
+then 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 circular
+window that could be screwed up, air and water-tight, had been the
+saving of many a ship in rough seas.
+
+"Hadn't you better drink some water?"  I said next, as I saw him pass
+his dry tongue over his parched lips.
+
+"Please," he said feebly; and, as I took the glass of water, passed my
+arm 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 swallowing
+it painfully, he began taking long deep draughts with avidity, just as
+if 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 of
+Miss Denning, her brother, and the burning ship, I felt that I ought to
+let 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'll
+soon die, and I don't want to have the credit of killing you with
+kindness."
+
+He looked at me piteously, and his lips moved, but I could not grasp
+what 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 head
+like 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 great
+effort.
+
+"Yes, I s'pose so," I replied.  "It wasn't out when I came away.  Arn't
+you 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 take
+pity 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 most
+bitter reproaches.
+
+"You ought to be proud," I said.  "You can lie there and think that
+through 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 captain
+looks as if he were dying; you are nearly killed; you've nearly killed
+poor 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 like
+dogs than anything else; while now your beautiful friends have turned
+upon 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 I
+wondered how I could have said such bitter things.
+
+"I say, don't faint," I cried, and leaned over him, and sprinkled his
+face with water, for his eyelids had drooped, and a terribly ghastly
+look came over his face.  But even as I tried to bring him to, I felt as
+if 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 would
+be better for me to die out of the way.  I want to die.  How can I face
+people at home again?  No, no, don't fetch him.  It's all over.  There
+is no hope for me now."
+
+"Can I help you, Walters?" said Miss Denning, suddenly appearing at the
+door-way; and as I looked at her bright gentle face, with my wretched
+messmate's words still ringing in my ears, I could not help thinking
+that there must be hope even for such a cowardly traitor as he had
+proved, 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 horribly
+sorry, and bad now, and keeps on speaking about there being no hope for
+him, and wanting to die.  I can't talk to him, because I don't seem to
+be able to do anything but pitch into him--I mean with words--but you
+can."
+
+"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.  I
+couldn't have said that.  It would do any fellow good.  And I say, Miss
+Denning, 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 him
+if you will."
+
+She smiled at us both so gently that the stupid weak tears came in my
+eyes.
+
+"That means you will," I cried hurriedly.  "Then I say, you speak to
+him, and make him feel that talking about dying's no good.  He can't
+show 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 now
+and help us to save the ship, and you, and all of us; and I say, I
+really must go and help now, and--oh, Miss Denning, don't sit down
+there; that's my sandwich."
+
+I caught up the partly eaten biscuit and meat, and hurried out of the
+cabin to make my way forward.
+
+"What a donkey I have made of myself!"  I cried, mentally.  "I thought I
+had said stupid enough things to poor old Walters, and now I've spoken
+such 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 the
+cabin, that for a time I forgot all about my sandwich; but, as I neared
+the steam, and heard the hissing and shrieking going on, I began
+nibbling the biscuit, and went on along the side of the broken deck
+close 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 so
+steadily going on helping to drive it out of my head.
+
+"Well, Bob," I said, "you haven't put it all out yet, then.  Why, I
+could have finished long ago, if I'd stopped."
+
+"No doubt, clever-shakes," said Mr Brymer.  "Here, lay hold of the
+nozzle 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 I
+could dimly see the mate manipulating the copper tube, and directing the
+water here and there.  "Catch hold: I'll go and pump, and send some one
+to have some food."
+
+I took the nozzle and went on with the task, Mr Brymer hurrying forward
+to the pump, while I was astonished to find how little impression had
+been made upon the fire.  Tons of water must have been poured into the
+hold, but wherever I directed the stream, there was the sputtering,
+hissing, and shrieking, and I began to ask myself whether it would be
+possible 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, and
+allowed to run!--I imagined danger after danger.  I saw the fire
+gradually eating its way to chests of horrible explosives--chemicals of
+whose existence we were not aware--and as, with feverish haste, I
+directed the heavy streams of water down into that thick mist of vapour,
+I kept on fancying that the sharp reports of steam were the precursors
+of another terrible explosion, of which, from my position, I should be
+the first victim.  And as I thought these horrors, I poured the water
+here, there, everywhere, so as to make sure that I did not miss the
+dangerous place, though, even as I directed the jet, I felt as nervous
+as ever.  For I told myself that the explosive might be so tightly
+packed to make it waterproof that all I sent down was only for it to run
+off again, and that I might spare my pains.
+
+Just as I was in one of my most nervous fits, there was a momentary
+cessation of the pumping, and instead of hissing and spurting violently
+from the nozzle, the water ceased for a moment or two and then shot out
+in 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 strong
+as ever, and I knew that they must have been changing hands, proof of
+this 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 speak
+you."
+
+"Who's with you, Bob?"  I cried.
+
+"T'other two, sir; Barney and Neb.  There's Mr Trout-and-Salmon Preddle
+at one handle, and the doctor at t'other, with Mr Brymer to relieve
+while 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 the
+squirting, 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 put
+out."
+
+"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'll
+be 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 a
+nat'ral way o' taking blue pill, and consekently it don't agree with
+you.  But don't you worry about that, nor me neither: I arn't killed
+yet."
+
+As Dumlow spoke, the others got carefully by me, and passed on out of
+sight.  Then it came to his turn.
+
+"Stand fast, sir," he said.  "I don't want to shove you down into that
+hole.  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's
+better now I'm by.  'Tis a bit steamy, though, eh?"
+
+"Horrible," I said; "but I say, do let Mr Frewen see to your wound.  It
+isn't right to leave it."
+
+"Course it ain't; but I put it to you, as a young gent who's got a head
+of his own, and got it screwed on right, as you've showed us more'n
+once; can I go and get a bite and sup, and can the doctor see to my leg
+and go on pumping, and all at the same time?"
+
+"Of course not, but as soon as you've had some breakfast, do have it
+done."
+
+"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 it
+was your uncle, or your father, or somebody else.  It's very good of
+you, Mr Dale, sir."
+
+"Are you stopping to hargy anything, Neb, old man?" cried Barney, who
+had returned.
+
+"No, mate, I arn't."
+
+"Well, then, come on.  Yer can't 'spect the young lady to stand all day
+a-holding the coffee-pot up in the air, while you're a-talking out all
+the breath in your chest.  Do send him on, sir."
+
+"All right; coming," growled Dumlow, and he went on, leaving me to fight
+with 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 of
+that white vapour; but it did not seem very long before the men returned
+to pass by on the other side, and after I had waited for the slight
+cessation of the water which followed, telling me that there was a fresh
+change being made at the pumps, I soon heard voices, and Mr Frewen came
+up to me to pass to the cabin.
+
+"Going to have some breakfast?"  I shouted.  "Isn't it Mr Preddle's
+turn too?"
+
+"Yes," he squeaked, from over the other side; "I'm going too, but it's
+very 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 are
+dead."
+
+"I'm very sorry," I shouted; and then in a lower voice to Mr
+Frewen--"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 I
+changed my attack.
+
+"Dumlow's in a lot of pain too, sir," I said.  "I should be so glad if
+you'd see to him."
+
+"Poor fellow!  Yes, I know his wound's worse than he'll own to.  He
+shall 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 me
+once more alone, to go on searching out hot places with that jet of
+water 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 the
+hissing and shrieking of the steam is nothing like so loud.  We can talk
+to 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 my
+surprise, I could see him dimly on the other side of the gap in the
+deck.
+
+"Three cheers!" he shouted; "the day's our own.  In an hour or two we
+shall be able to cry hold hard!"
+
+Those three cheers were given--cheers as full of thankfulness as they
+were of joy at our prospect of final success.  Mr Brymer came round to
+me, and laid his hand upon my shoulder.
+
+"Let Blane take the branch now," he said.  "Why, Dale, my lad, you
+couldn'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 time
+to leave off, for my arms ached so that I could hardly direct the
+branch.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY FIVE.
+
+So much water had been pumped into the hold, that it was now doing the
+work steadily by soaking in all directions, and making packing-case and
+bale 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 ship
+would become unsafe; and when I descended into the forecastle and
+cable-tier in turn, I thought the water would be a couple of feet deep
+on the floor.  But there was no sign of a drop.  Saturation had taken up
+an enormous quantity, but more had gone off into the air turned into
+steam; and when I went down with Mr Brymer to sound the well, I was
+astonished 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 again
+to look at the tremendous clouds of steam rising from the hold.
+
+Before evening the pumping had been allowed to slacken; and as wherever
+the jet was directed now, the hissing had ceased, it was decided to give
+up and rest, though everything was laid ready for continuing the fight
+should it become necessary.
+
+Every one was fagged, but there was so much to do that we could not
+afford to show it, and we set to work to try and place matters so that
+we could go steadily on as far as was possible in the regular routine of
+the ship--no easy matter, seeing that we were so short-handed.
+
+But the cabin arrangements were put straight, and Miss Denning and Mr
+Preddle 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 was
+bandaged and ordered to rest.  He said he could not, for there was so
+much 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 wish
+to 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 into
+me 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 on
+his countenance that I was obliged to laugh; "whatcher want to take off
+my 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 holes
+as you call it; but you persist in using it, and if you do, the
+consequences will possibly be that the wounds will mortify, and the leg
+get into such a state that I shall have to amputate it to save your
+life."
+
+"Hear this, Mr Dale!" growled Dumlow.
+
+I nodded.
+
+"That won't do for me.  Timber-toes goes with the Ryle Navy and
+pensions.  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 a
+hind flipper."
+
+"There, that will do, my man," said the doctor.  "Your wound is not a
+bad 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.  Ketch
+me getting rid of a leg like a lobster does his claw.  But I say, sir; I
+did think, you know, just then, as I might have a hankychy round my neck
+and hang my leg in it."
+
+I was called aft soon after, and I saw Dumlow go forward, disappearing
+amongst the steam, while I went to Mr Frewen and helped him while he
+dressed Walters' wound, and was with him afterwards when he went to the
+captain 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.  This
+he had found in the forecastle lying in one of the upper bunks, and with
+it a couple of revolvers, so that once more we were fairly armed.  Then
+it was decided that the boat should be hooked on to the falls, and an
+attempt made to raise her, but Bob Hampton shook his head.
+
+"Don't think we can manage her, sir, to-night.  To-morrow perhaps I
+might rig up tackle, and we could get her on deck.  She's too big for
+them davits.  But why not let her hang on behind, as the weather's
+fine?"
+
+"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 thought
+o' that.  Don't think they will come, do you?"
+
+"It is possible.  They left in a scare, but if they see the ship still
+floating 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 her
+hysted 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 big
+pieces of cast-iron and place them ready for the emergency, though it
+was fervently hoped that that need might not occur.
+
+Then as the night was clear, and we were so short-handed, it was settled
+that one man only should take the watch, and every one volunteered,
+though we were all so exhausted that we could hardly stand.  But Mr
+Brymer settled that.
+
+"I will take the first watch myself," he said.  "All of you go and get
+some rest so as to relieve me."
+
+This consultation was held just outside the saloon, and Mr Frewen had
+just spoken and told Mr Brymer that he ought to have some one to share
+the watch with him, when a white figure suddenly came up out of the
+semi-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 have
+heard every word."
+
+"Well, my dear young lady," said the mate pleasantly, "I wish you had
+heard better news."
+
+"It was the best you could give us," she said quietly.  "But my brother
+sends me to say that he has had a long sleep, and that if he is helped
+to a chair on the upper deck with a night-glass, he could keep the watch
+himself, and easily give the alarm if it were necessary."
+
+"But he is not fit to leave alone, Miss Denning," said the doctor
+quickly.
+
+"He would not be alone, Mr Frewen," she replied gently.  "I should
+share his watch."
+
+"And do you think, my dear child," cried Mr Brymer, "that we big strong
+men 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 save
+us.  It is the least we can do."
+
+"Yes," came in Mr Denning's sharp voice; "we shall keep this watch
+together, 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, as
+no less a person than the captain joined in the discussion.  "You are
+all worn-out.  We sick folk have sharp ears, and will keep them well
+opened."
+
+"I--I really hardly know what to say," said Mr Brymer.
+
+I did, for I suddenly started from the spot where I stood, after
+sniffing suspiciously two or three times, shouting--"Fire!--fire!"  For
+the enemy had evidently been at work insidiously, and had burst its
+water-chains, and leaped up to attack us again.
+
+We all made a rush for the pump and hose, for the smell of burning was
+stronger as we reached the steaming hold, I being first.  But I felt
+puzzled, for the steam was dense as ever, and I could only smell the
+dank, unpleasant, hydrogenous odour of decomposed water, while the smell
+which had reached the companion-way had been the fresh, sharp, pungent
+scent of burning wood.  The next moment, though, I saw where the danger
+was, and shouted--
+
+"The galley--the galley!"
+
+We all ran round to the door, for smoke was issuing from the wooden
+building freely, and a dull light shone out on to the darkness.  Then I
+burst out in astonishment--
+
+"What, Dumlow!  You here?"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir.  Practysing up.  I got it now, and go ahead to-morrow
+morning.  Stove bothered me a bit at first, but I can work her, and
+there'll be hot water and coffee for braxfast in the morning, and soup
+and 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 all
+you can."
+
+"Toe be sure, sir.  I've often seen the cook sitting down to peel the
+taters and stir the soup."
+
+"Well, let that fire out now, and get some rest," said Mr Brymer.  "You
+startled us all."
+
+Then leading the way back to the saloon, he told Miss Denning that we
+should all gladly accept her brother's offer; and it having been
+arranged that a whistle should give the signal of danger, the poor
+fellow 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 the
+next I was fighting the fire over again, and seeing now all kinds of
+horrible glowing-eyed serpents and dragons, which kept on raising their
+heads and breathing out flames.  And as they reared their heads, they
+glared 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 back
+with a strong jet of water they would destroy the ship at once; but the
+tube was empty, the pump did not clank, and the hissing creatures rose
+higher and higher, till they were about to scorch me, when I started
+into wakefulness, and found that I was lying on my back, bathed in
+perspiration, 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 was
+standing at the edge of that great steaming gap in the deck, with the
+fiery serpents darting here and there and dancing up and down.  Then
+they began to make darts at the woodwork, and one greater than all the
+rest reared itself up to try and reach the main-mast, but sank back
+again.  Then it reared itself up and tried once more, this time reaching
+higher and higher, till it disappeared in the grey smoke; and directly
+after I saw that it had reached the mast, and was creeping up it, in one
+long undulating streak of golden and ruddy fire, which would soon reach
+the 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 fiery
+monster, but the pump still did not clank, and no water flowed.  Instead
+thereof came a jet of steam--not the visible grey vapour which is really
+the water in tiny vesicles, but a jet of invisible steam which rushed
+out of the breach with a shrill whistling sound, and again I awoke with
+a start to fancy that I was yet dreaming, for the sharp whistling still
+rang in my ears.
+
+Then I knew what it was--the signal of danger given by Mr Denning or
+his sister, and, hurrying out of the cabin, I crossed the saloon, and
+ran 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, for
+the men were tumbling up from the forecastle, and Bob Hampton's voice
+thundered 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 great
+light were playing about beyond it.
+
+Knowing where the copper branch had been made ready, I made for it at
+once; 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 voice
+sounded husky and strange from excitement.
+
+"Ready there?" shouted Bob Hampton, from forward; and none too soon, for
+there was a flash of light, which turned the steam to ruddy gold, and a
+dull 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 pump
+began again, and directly after a shrieking and hissing, which, in the
+darkness of the night, sounded louder than ever.  Report after report
+came too, and with them the steam seemed to be denser than ever.  Dark
+as the night appeared, it was visible enough, and looked so awful and
+yet grand, lit-up as it was by the fierce burst of fire beneath, that it
+became hard to believe that it too was not glowing, curling flame,
+rising up from the hold, and wreathing about the great yards and sails
+of the main-mast.
+
+I watched it as it rose, fully expecting to see the sails burst into
+flame; but there it came in heavy folds, dimly-seen here, black in
+shadow there, and the fiery-looking clouds proved to be only visible
+vapours, water perfectly harmless, while the real flames caused by the
+fire having reached something specially combustible, never rose many
+feet in the hold, and by degrees began to yield to the powerful jet of
+water Mr Frewen poured down.
+
+"Tell me if I miss any of the worst places, Dale," he shouted, to make
+his voice heard above the din of the elemental strife.
+
+I answered that he was doing quite right; and the proof of my words was
+shown by the gradual darkening of the steam from bright gold to pale
+yellow, then to orange, bright red, and soon after to a dull glow, which
+served to show where the danger lay, and this part was so deluged, that
+in 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 the
+hissing and sputtering to guide him, he now continued to pour on the
+water, talking loudly the while about our alarm.
+
+"I ought not to have lain down," he said, in tones full of
+self-reproach.  "I might have known that the fire would break out
+again."
+
+"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 of
+that too.  Go and tell Mr and Miss Denning that the danger is at an
+end."
+
+I hurried off, and mounted to the poop, where Mr Denning sat in his
+chair, well wrapped in a plaid; and as I approached, Miss Denning's
+voice asked quickly--"Who is that?"
+
+"Dale, Miss Denning.  I've come to tell you that the fire is mastered
+again."
+
+I heard her utter a deep sigh, and I believe she began to cry, but it
+was 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 one
+of the stars, when all at once there was a dull report somewhere in the
+hold, and in an instant there was a flash, and great volumes of fire and
+smoke began to roll up."
+
+"But it was only lit-up steam," I said, talking as one experienced in
+such 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 caught
+my arm.
+
+"Don't say anything to frighten her, Dale," said Mr Denning; "she is
+half-hysterical now."
+
+"Indeed no, John dear; I am quite calm.  Tell us, Alison.  It is better
+to know the worst."
+
+"I only meant," I said hastily, "that there is sure to be some fire left
+smouldering below, where the water will not reach it, and it may break
+out again two or three times--just a little, that's all.  But we shall
+watch it better now.  No, no," I cried, "I don't mean that; because no
+one could have watched better than you did."
+
+"Starboard watch, ahoy!" cried Mr Brymer, cheerily.  "How are you, Miss
+Denning?" but before she could reply the mate was up with us.
+
+"Thank you for keeping watch so well.  Any idea what time it is?--we
+hadn'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 hours
+since you left us."
+
+"And gone like that!" cried the mate in astonishment.  "Ahoy there, Mr
+Frewen, Preddle," he shouted, "what time should you think it is?"
+
+"My watch is not going," replied Mr Frewen; "but I should say it is
+about midnight."
+
+"Oh no," cried Mr Preddle, in his highly-pitched voice; "about eleven
+at 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 if
+you like, gentlemen; but look yonder too; there is a fleck of orange
+high up.  For my part, I propose a good breakfast."
+
+"No, no, you cannot be right," said Mr Frewen, from the main-deck; "but
+we'll take our watch now.  Mr Denning, will you and your sister go and
+take yours below?"
+
+"No, not yet," said Mr Denning.
+
+"Then I must speak as the medical man, and give my patient orders.  You
+ought both to have some sleep now."
+
+"Wonderful!" cried Mr Preddle, excitedly.  For, with the wondrous
+rapidity of change from night to day so familiar in the tropics, the
+morning broke without any of the gradations of dawn and twilight.  There
+was a brilliant glow of red, which, as we gazed at it, became gold; and
+then, dazzling in its brightness, the edge of the sun appeared above the
+gleaming water, still and smooth as ever; then higher and higher,
+sending its rays across the vast level, and turning all to gold.  It was
+between us and the sun now one broad patch of light, but not quite all
+golden glory, for as I looked right away from the poop-deck, with that
+indescribable feeling of joy in my breast which comes when the darkness
+of night and its horrors give place to the life and light of day, I felt
+a strange contraction about my heart--a curious shrinking sensation of
+dread.
+
+For, far away on that gleaming path of gold, I could plainly see a
+couple of black specks.  Half-stifled with emotion, I caught at Mr
+Brymer'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 the
+direction 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 for
+the mist of dimly illuminated steam which lay between us, though his
+voice 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 rest
+of the way, dashed through the saloon to Mr Brymer's cabin, seized his
+glass, and ran back with it and up on to the poop-deck.
+
+He gave me a quick look which seemed to say, "Good!"--snatched the
+glass, brought it to bear upon the two black specks, and then stood
+motionless, while all present waited breathless for the lowering of the
+glass again, and the mate's first words.
+
+For we hoped against hope.  The boats might be two sent from some
+invisible ship to our aid.
+
+All such thoughts were swept away as the mate lowered his glass and
+nearly threw it to me.
+
+"He's right," he said calmly.  "They are our boats and men.  They must
+have 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's
+hand.
+
+"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 men
+cannot 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, and
+carry her off with all those provisions on board.  Now, Mr Frewen, you
+will help us.  Mr Preddle, be ready to come and haul when you are
+asked, but in the meantime I leave the arms to you.  See that they are
+all loaded and laid ready on the saloon-table, and with the ammunition
+to 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 the
+cable-tier, get that in the saloon too; and in the locker in my cabin
+you'll find some big cartridges and shot.  Everything is there.  Do you
+think you can load and prime the cannon?"
+
+He pointed as he spoke to the small brass gun, used for signalling when
+going into port.  "I never loaded a big one," said Mr Preddle, "but I
+used to have a brass one when I was a boy, and I've loaded and fired
+that."
+
+"It is precisely the same, sir.  Have it ready, and a poker in the
+galley red-hot.  Bah! we have no fire."
+
+"Wrong, sir.  Stove's going, and the kettle nearly on the bile," growled
+Dumlow, 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, or
+save all we can, and then she must be stove in."
+
+"Which would be a pity, sir," said Bob Hampton.  "She's heavy, and we're
+few, 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 round
+here to the gangway, and down into her.  Mr Frewen, you and I will
+lower tackle, and have all up we can to lighten her."
+
+The men cheered, and, as excited as they were, I added my shout, and the
+next minute we were all at work as ordered by the mate.  The boat was
+soon brought round, made fast, and by the time Barney and I were in, the
+port-gangway was opened, and tackle lowered, to which we made fast one
+of the breakers of water, and saw it hauled up.  The other followed, and
+then cases, biscuit-bags, everything heavy was roped together and hauled
+up on them, till nothing remained but small things that it would have
+taken too long to collect.
+
+"Now then," shouted Mr Brymer, "look out!" and there was a creaking and
+clanging sound as the iron wheel of the tackle used for loading and
+unloading the cargo spun round, and the falls for running up boats to
+the 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 all
+their might, the catches on either side making sure of every foot they
+won, and by degrees the heavy boat rose slowly out of the water, and
+higher and higher, till she was above the bulwarks, when the men
+cheered, ceased turning, made all fast, and while two of us got hold of
+the painter and swung the boat's head round, the crane-like spar, at
+whose end the iron wheel, hung, was slewed round till the boat was well
+on board.
+
+Then Hampton and Barney ran back to the capstan and lowered away, till
+the boat lay on its side on the deck, when, with a rousing cheer, the
+gangway was closed, and I felt that I could breathe; for, as I looked
+over the bulwarks for our enemies, there they were, steadily rowing
+toward us, but still quite a mile away.
+
+I breathed more freely then, for, in spite of their superior strength, I
+felt that our position was not unfavourable.  The sides of the ship were
+high and smooth, and, without help from within, the only likely places
+for our enemies to be able to gain the deck were from under the
+bowsprit, where I had climbed up, or through the stern-windows.  But we
+had a keen and thoughtful man in command.  Mr Brymer soon rendered the
+stern-windows safe by having the dead-lights over them, while I was sent
+round to screw up the glazed-iron frame of every circular window.  Then
+our principal vulnerable point was the stay beneath the bowsprit, where
+he stationed Dumlow, armed with a capstan-bar, which the big sailor
+prepared 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 or
+other of his forces ready for their defence, with the understanding that
+we were to act on our discretion, and run to help in the defence of the
+part most menaced.
+
+All these arrangements were quickly made, and lastly, the saloon was
+reserved for our final stand, the cannon being wheeled just inside,
+pointed so as to sweep the entrance, though I failed to see how it was
+to be fired if we were driven there, when the red-hot poker was in the
+stove 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 had
+prepared for us.  Mr Brymer had begged Mr Denning, too, to go into his
+cabin, out of the way of danger; but he had flushed up and insisted upon
+having a chair placed by the cannon, and being furnished with one of the
+guns and some cartridges.
+
+"I am a good shot," he said, "weak as I am, and I command a good deal of
+the 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 I
+said 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 his
+scoundrels are making for here, I shall put the muzzle of my gun to the
+touch-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 to
+Walters' 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 him
+spitefully, 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're
+going to whop them after all."
+
+I ran out of the cabin with the thought in my mind that I might perhaps
+be killed.
+
+"And one ought to forgive everybody," I said to myself, just as Mr
+Brymer 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 no
+nonsense now.  Shoot down without mercy the first scoundrel who reaches
+the deck.  If it is Jarette, aim at his head or breast; if it is one of
+the others, let him have it in the legs."
+
+He hurried to the side then, leaving me with a double-barrelled gun and
+a 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 I
+suppose I must."
+
+And then I began patrolling the deck as we waited on our defence, with
+the boats coming on and the insidious enemy within, for the fire was
+certainly making a little way in the hold.
+
+The boats were only a couple of hundred yards away now.  I could see
+Jarette 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 breath
+came thick and fast, for the fight was about to begin, and I felt that
+we 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 us
+adrift now;" but all the same I knew that the defence would be desperate
+as soon as Mr Brymer gave the word.
+
+I could see the faces of Jarette and his men now clearly enough in the
+one boat, while in the other I picked out five men, among whom was the
+cook, who would have been, I should have thought, the very last to join
+in so desperate a game, one which certainly meant penal servitude for
+all, and possibly a worse punishment for the leaders, as death might
+very probably ensue in the desperate attack upon the ship.  But I had no
+more time for such thoughts.  Jarette just then rose up in the stern of
+the boat he was in, and hailed us.
+
+"Ahoy, there!  Open that gangway," he shouted, "and let down the roped
+steps."
+
+Mr Brymer stepped to the bulwarks just opposite the boat.
+
+"Throw up your oars there," he cried, and the men obeyed, so used were
+they 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 order
+to fire."
+
+"Bah! don't be a fool, Brymer," he shouted.  "Pull away, my lads; they
+won't fire.  Hi! there, the rest of you, don't take any notice of the
+mate.  We saw you were on fire and in danger.  We saw the fire and smoke
+in the night, and came to save you."
+
+"In the same way as you deserted the ship when you thought she would
+sink," said Mr Brymer, tauntingly.
+
+"Pull, my lads, and get aboard," cried Jarette, so that the men in the
+other boat could hear; "he doesn't know what he's talking about.  We'll
+put the fire out, and then talk to him."
+
+Bang! went Mr Brymer's revolver, fired over the heads of the men in
+Jarette'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 side
+and board there.  No--"
+
+He leaned over the side and said something behind his hand to the men in
+the other boat, which we could not hear, but we did hear him say--"We
+must have her.  It's too far to row."
+
+Those last words enlightened us, telling as they did that the boats had
+made very little progress, but had drifted with the current just as the
+ship had, and they could never have been very far away.  They must too
+have supposed the vessel had sunk till they saw the fire renewed, when
+feeling 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 to
+defy 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 close
+up 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 of
+fear.  But the other boat rowed right round by the stern, and its
+occupants were damped on finding that unless they could mount by the
+fore or mizzen-chains, there was apparently no means of reaching the
+deck.  They ceased rowing in each of these places, but there were a
+couple of defenders ready at each halt, and they made no further
+attempt, but lay on their oars in a half-hearted way, as if waiting for
+an 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 a
+desperate effort to gain the deck, but only to be beaten back each time
+they showed their heads above the bulwarks, and after five minutes they
+sat down sullenly and refused to stir.
+
+"You cowards!" snarled Jarette, savagely.  "Do you want to stop afloat
+in 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 Brymer
+fall back heavily on the deck to lie motionless.
+
+"That's winning, boys," shouted Jarette, triumphantly.  "Now then, all
+of you follow."
+
+He made a spring at the boat-hook they had fastened to the chains, and
+scrambled up, to step on one side crouching down, revolver in hand,
+sheltering himself, but watchfully ready to fire at either of us who
+might show, and waiting while his men climbed to him.
+
+While they were climbing out of the boat to his side, Mr Preddle
+stepped forward gun in hand, to pass it over the bulwark, and hold the
+men in check; but the barrels were seized, pressed on one side, and a
+man reached up and struck the naturalist over the head, so that he too
+went 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 for
+Jarette'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 he
+was over Jarette, who started up below the bar, and fired right in the
+big sailor's face, when he too went down, but not hit.  The shock and
+the whizz of a bullet close to his ear had sufficed to stagger him, so
+that he tripped over Mr Preddle's prostrate body, and gave his head a
+sharp blow on the back.
+
+To all appearances, three of our side were now hors de combat, and I
+felt that all was over; and to confirm my thought, there was a shout
+forward in the bows.
+
+I uttered a despairing groan, for it was all plain enough.  The second
+boat had made for the stay beneath the bows, just as Dumlow had been
+called away with his capstan-bar, and as I looked forward, there, to my
+horror, dimly-seen through and beneath the ascending steam, were four
+men who had climbed on board.
+
+"We're licked, Mr Dale, sir; but hit, shoot, do anything as they come
+over 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 they
+come!"
+
+Jarette and four men rose up now suddenly in the chains, climbed on to
+the bulwark, and were about to leap down, and with a desperate feeling
+of horror, I raised my gun to fire.  But there was a rush and a cheer as
+the men from forward rushed down to us, and I was roughly jostled, my
+aim diverted; but the trigger was being pulled, and the piece went off
+loudly.
+
+The next moment blows were being given and taken.  Mr Frewen was
+fighting furiously, and well seconded by Bob and Barney.  Jarette and
+his men were checked, two going down, and to my astonishment they fell
+from 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 it
+was pointed and fired at Jarette--not at me--missing him though, but
+making him lose his foot-hold, and fall with a heavy splash into the
+sea.
+
+"Hurray!" yelled Bob.
+
+"Give it to 'em," cried Barney; and I saw Mr Frewen strike one with a
+revolver in his hand, but using his fist as if he were boxing, and
+another man went backwards into the boat, while a blow or two from Neb
+Dumlow's capstan-bar, which Barney had picked up, sufficed to clear the
+chains.
+
+I looked over the side for a moment, and saw a man holding out an oar to
+Jarette, who was swimming; but there was a rush of feet again, and the
+men who had come over the bows were running back just in time to drive
+back three more, tumbling them over into the sea, to regain their boat
+the best way they could.
+
+Then these four, headed by the man who had led them, began to cheer, and
+came running back toward us, the man who had snatched my gun, and whom I
+saw 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 was
+now sitting up.
+
+"Seems like it, Neb," cried the cook.  "Here, Mr Dale, sir, load
+quickly and fire, or they'll come on again."
+
+He handed me the gun, and I rapidly opened the breech and slipped in the
+cartridges, just as firing began from aft, and I saw that Mr Frewen was
+standing against the companion-way aiming at the boat containing
+Jarette, which had sheered off after picking up their leader and another
+man, while now the second boat hove in sight from under the bows, in
+time for Mr Frewen to send a stinging charge of shot at her crew in
+turn.
+
+He kept up his practice, while in both boats the men pulled with all
+their might to get out of range.
+
+But our troubles did not seem over, for hardly had we grasped the fact
+that the cook and three of the men had snatched at the opportunity to
+escape from Jarette's rule, and join us in the defence of the ship, than
+I saw that which made me shout--
+
+"Fire!--fire!" for the great cloud of steam always rising was swept
+suddenly towards the starboard side, and the vessel slowly careened over
+in the same direction.
+
+"Burnt through, and sinking," I groaned to myself, and then I felt
+stunned, 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 round
+the spokes of the wheel; and the next minute, almost before I could
+grasp what had happened, the sails, which had hung for days motionless,
+had filled, and we were running free, leaving the two boats and their
+occupants far behind.
+
+"Thank God!" cried a voice behind me, and I turned to see that it was
+Mr Frewen, who now ran to the entrance of the saloon, where I saw him
+grasping Miss Denning's and her brother's hands, and I knew he was
+saying "Saved!"
+
+Directly after he was back with us, who were carefully lifting Mr
+Brymer, while Mr Preddle lay so motionless that I was afraid he was
+dead.
+
+Mr Frewen dropped on one knee, and began to examine the mate, while I
+watched him with intense eagerness, waiting to hear his words.
+
+"It must have been a bad cartridge, or the pistol improperly loaded.  It
+did not pierce the cloth of his cap, and even the skin of the scalp is
+not broken."
+
+"Then it will not be fatal?"  I said.
+
+"Fatal?--no!  There may be a little concussion of the brain.  You had
+better carry him into his cabin, my lads, out of the sun."
+
+The cook and one of the men who had returned to their allegiance lifted
+the mate carefully, and bore him toward the saloon, while Mr Frewen now
+directed his attention to the naturalist.
+
+"I'm not in fit trim for acting as surgeon, Dale," he said.  "I'm
+bubbling over with excitement; my nerves are all on the strain with the
+struggle I have gone through.  But we've won, my lad, thanks to those
+fellows who came over on our side.  Now, Preddle, my good friend, how is
+it with you?  Hah!  Only been stunned.  A nasty crack on the head
+though."
+
+He parted the hair to show me how the head had puffed up into a great
+lump; but I had hardly bent forward to examine it, as the poor fellow
+lay sheltered from the morning sun by the shadow cast by one of the
+sails, when he opened his eyes, looked vacantly about him, and then
+fixed them on me, and recognising me, a look of intelligence brightened
+in his gaze, and he said quietly--
+
+"My fish all right, Dale?"
+
+"I--I haven't been to look at them this morning," I stammered, hardly
+able to keep back a laugh.
+
+"I forgot.  I went myself," he said.  "Of course.  But I couldn't find
+the 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 make
+the kittle bile, and didn't have no time to put 'em back 'cause of the
+boats coming."
+
+"Ah, the boats," cried Mr Preddle, excitedly.  "Jarette knocked me
+down."
+
+"And he got knocked down hisself, sir.  Reg'lar one for his nob," said
+Dumlow.
+
+"Then we won, Dale?"
+
+"Oh yes, we've won," I cried, "and the boats are a couple of miles
+away."
+
+"Let me examine your head again," said Mr Frewen.
+
+"What, for that!" cried the naturalist.  "Oh, it's nothing--makes me
+feel a little giddy and headachy, that's all.  But I think I'll go and
+sit 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 the
+beaten 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 to
+see you get to be skipper dooring this voyage."
+
+"Oh, don't talk nonsense, Bob," I cried.  "Look--they're coming on again
+as fast as they can row."
+
+The old sailor shaded his eyes and looked aft at the two boats, which
+the men were tugging along with all their might, taking advantage of our
+being 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' course
+you know what to do."
+
+"No, I don't, Bob," I cried.  "How can a boy like I am know how to
+manage a full-rigged ship?"
+
+"Tchah!  You've been to sea times enough, and a ship's on'y a yacht
+growed up.  Besides, there's no navigating wanted now as there's no
+wind."
+
+"But the boats!"  I cried.  "Look at the boats."
+
+"Oh, I see 'em, my lad; well, that means fighting, and I never knowed a
+boy 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 board
+again."
+
+"What do you mean, Bob?"  I cried.
+
+"Well, come, I like that, sir," he said, with a laugh; "there have you
+got the little signal-gun loaded and primed, and the poker all red-hot
+and waiting, and i'stead o' having it run to the gangway, set open ready
+to 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 wants
+you to lend a hand with the gun."
+
+Barney ran up to us, and the gun was dragged to the open gangway, ready
+for the mutineers, as they still rowed on.
+
+"Neb, old lad," cried Bob, "give a hye to the red-hot poker, and when I
+cries `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 with
+that thing if you try ever so; but it'll splash up the water, and scare
+the lot on 'em so that old Frenchy 'll have no end of a job to get 'em
+to come on."
+
+I felt better at that, and waited for the attack.  Mr Frewen was back
+with us, and Mr Preddle too.  Mr Denning was also in his old place
+with his gun; and as the men, including the four who had joined us, were
+armed with the weapons they had brought from the boat, they made a
+respectable 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.  They
+knows it would be all over with 'em if once Frenchy got 'em under his
+thumb again.  Don't you be scared about them; they'll fight like
+gamecocks."
+
+"If we could only get the wind again," said Mr Frewen, who looked
+anxious.
+
+"Is there any chance of it, Bob?"  I asked.
+
+"Can't say, sir.  Maybe we shall get a breeze; maybe we shan't.  But
+never mind; we'll raise a storm for them in the boats, in precious few
+minutes too.  She's charged all right, arn't she, sir?"
+
+"Oh yes," said Mr Preddle.  "I rammed the cartridge well home, and
+primed the touch-hole with powder."
+
+"Then I should not wait long," said Mr Frewen, anxiously.  "It will
+perhaps make the scoundrels keep off."
+
+"'Zactly, sir.  Mr Dale here's skipper now, and he'll give the order
+directly."
+
+"No, no," I said; "Mr Frewen, you take the lead."
+
+"I am only the doctor," he replied, with a smile, which made me feel
+that he was laughing at me.  But the boats were coming on so fast that
+something 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 little
+gun.  "Sarvice!"
+
+There was a growl from forward, and Neb Dumlow came limping from the
+galley, 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, 'cause
+she 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's
+words.
+
+Down went the hot poker.  There was a flash, a fizz, and a puff of smoke
+from the touch-hole, and that was all.  No, not all, for a puff of wind
+followed that of smoke, and the ship began to glide onward again, while
+the 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; "I
+mean 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, out
+of which he took one with the ball fitted in its place by means of a
+couple 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 shoved
+the cartridge in?"
+
+"Like this," cried Mr Preddle, eagerly, stooping down to apply the
+cartridge 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 the
+muzzle 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 the
+ship, for the wind held on, and by night we had left the boats down
+below the horizon line, invisible to us even from the mast-head.
+
+That proved an anxious time, for the wind sank soon after sunset, and a
+careful watch had to be kept, both for the boats, and against our enemy
+the fire, which kept on showing that there was still some danger in the
+hold.
+
+The next morning dawned with the boats in sight again, and their crews
+were evidently straining every nerve to overtake us, for it was once
+more a dead calm.
+
+We were more hopeful though, for a couple more applications of the hose
+had pretty well extinguished the fire; the cannon had been unloaded and
+properly charged; and, best of all, Mr Frewen's patients were all
+better, and Mr Brymer sufficiently well to sit up in a chair, and be
+brought 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 as
+well, so that while the boats were still miles away, we had the best
+breakfast we had been provided with for many days.  And, after this,
+quite ready for our enemies, and well furnished with weapons, we waited
+their coming.
+
+I obtained a glass from the captain's cabin, my principal officer
+telling me to keep it as long as I liked, on condition that I kept
+reporting to him the state of affairs on deck.
+
+"Everyone is very kind," he said sadly; "but I spend a great many
+anxious hours here, longing to hear how things are going on, and if it
+were not for Miss Denning, my position would be ten times worse."
+
+I hurried out with the glass, focussed it on the boats, and watched the
+men for long enough.  The forces had been equalised by four men being
+sent out of Jarette's boat to take the places of the men who had
+returned to their allegiance, and, as I watched them, I could see that
+as they slaved away at the oars, their leader kept jumping up with a
+pistol in his hand, to throw himself about wildly, stamping,
+gesticulating, and pointing to the ship, as if he were urging the crews
+on.
+
+I was not the only one who used a glass, for there was nothing to do now
+but wait for the coming attack; and as I had been watching for some time
+with the glass on the rail, one eye shut, and the other close to the
+glass, I suddenly ceased, for my right eye felt dazzled by the glare of
+the sun, and I found that Mr Frewen was close beside me.
+
+"Well, Dale," he said, "who will get tired first--these scoundrels of
+attacking us, or we of trying to beat them off?"
+
+"They will," I said decisively, as I closed my glass and tucked it under
+my arm.  "We've got nothing to do but wait; they've got to row miles in
+this hot sun, and then they have to fight afterwards.  They can't help
+having 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 wind
+again."
+
+For the surface of the sea was dappled with dark patches, and long
+before the boats could reach us, we were sailing gently away, certainly
+twice 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 what
+there was for dinner, and I found him singing, and polishing away at his
+tins, 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 I
+show 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 be
+beaten."
+
+He looked at me fiercely, but smiled the next moment.
+
+"Plain Irish stoo to-day, sir, made out of Noo Zealand mutton, for I
+found 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 that
+you're not to be a cook and a slave any more, but to join the
+adventurers 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 would
+rather 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's
+terms."
+
+"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 contents
+a stir round.
+
+"Smell that, sir?  There's nothing on Jarette's island as'll come up to
+that.  But, between ourselves, I don't believe he knows of any island at
+all such as he talked about to the men, till he'd gammoned them or
+bullied them over.  Hah!" he continued, tasting his cookery; "wants a
+dash more pepper and a twist of salt, and then that stuff's strong
+enough to do the skipper and Mr Denning more good than all the doctor's
+stuff.  Young Walters, too; he's very bad, isn't he?"
+
+"Terribly."
+
+"Sarve him right.  Wonderful island indeed!  This galley's good enough
+island for me.  You didn't mean that, Mr Dale, sir.  I got out of the
+scrape as soon as I could, and so did those other three lads as come
+aboard with me; and we'll all fight jolly hard to keep from getting into
+it again.  I believe that some of the others would drop the game, and be
+glad to get back on board, if they weren't afraid of Frenchy, as we call
+him.  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 the
+galley, and found Mr Preddle, with his head very much swollen and tied
+up in a handkerchief, blowing away into the water where his fish still
+survived.
+
+"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--mere
+specks now--I went on aft to have a chat with Mr Denning, who lay on a
+mattress in the shade, with his sister reading to him; but there was his
+loaded gun lying beside him, to prove that it was not yet all peace.  I
+stopped to sit down tailor-fashion on the deck and have a chat with them
+both, feeling pleased to see how their eyes lit-up, and what smiles
+greeted me; and somehow it seemed to me then that they felt toward me as
+if I were their younger brother, and they called me by my Christian name
+quite 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 joke
+like 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, Miss
+Denning," 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 his
+tongue and fists.  I have to give all his orders to the men."
+
+I went to where the mate was seated, received his orders, had them
+executed, and then met Mr Frewen coming out of Walters' cabin.
+
+"Oh, there you are, Dale," he cried.  "Go in and talk to that poor
+wretch 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 I
+think he behaved horridly, but I don't want him to die."
+
+I hurried into my messmate's cabin, and found him lying there so ghastly
+and 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 at
+once seated myself close to his bunk.
+
+"Want some water?"
+
+"No," he said sadly; "I want nothing now, only for you to promise me
+something."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"I can't write, but I want you to promise me when you get home to go to
+my father and mother, and of course they'll know everything from the
+papers; but I want you, my messmate, to tell them I was not quite such a
+wretch as I seem to have been."
+
+"Oh, never mind about that now," I said.  "Get well, and go and tell
+them yourself."
+
+"No," he said calmly; "I shall not get well.  I could see it in Mr
+Frewen's eyes.  I'm very glad now.  If I got well, of course I should
+have 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 to
+try me."
+
+"Oh, come, Walters, old chap," I cried in a choking voice, "don't take
+it like that."  And I caught his hand in mine, and felt him press it
+feebly, as his face lit-up with a pleasant smile, which made him look
+quite changed.
+
+"Yes," he said, quite cheerfully, but almost in a whisper, "I must take
+it like that now.  Old Jarette aimed too well."
+
+He lay looking straight out of the bright cabin-window; while I tried to
+speak, but found no words would come.  I knew that the wind had dropped
+again, for the ship had grown steady once more; but I forgot all about
+the approaching boats, and could only sit holding Walters' hand, and
+watching 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 thought
+every one was against me, when it was all my fault.  I know it now.  Any
+fellow can make himself liked if he only tries--no, without trying, if
+he'll only go straight and act like a man.  But somehow I couldn't.  I
+got jealous of you, and wild because people made so much of you.  And I
+said you hated me, and did all you could to make things worse, but it
+wasn't true, Dale, old fellow.  It was all my fault."
+
+"Yes, yes; but that's all over, old chap," I said huskily.  "You'll get
+well, 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 realised
+before how good-looking he was.  And then I shuddered, for he said
+quietly--
+
+"Yes, I shall make a fresh start--somewhere else."
+
+"Walters!"  I whispered.
+
+"Yes, somewhere else," he repeated.  "It was all wrong; and just when I
+was at my worst, that wretch, who had been watching me and reading it
+all, came to me, and, as if he were some evil spirit, kept on day after
+day, laughing and jeering at me, till he regularly worked round me like
+the 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 he
+was 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, I
+need not tell you any more.  I only want you, knowing all you do, to go
+to my poor old father and mother and tell them everything--how it all
+happened.  It will be better than for them only to know it from the
+papers.  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 kindest
+thing 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, and
+prove in the future as a man, that you have repented your weakness as a
+boy."
+
+"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 bitterly
+repented giving that man such power over me.  I'm going to be judged
+there, Dale, where everything is known."
+
+He closed his eyes as he spoke, and I was going to steal away, but his
+grasp tightened on my hand.
+
+"Don't leave me, Dale," he whispered.  "You'll promise all this, won't
+you?"
+
+"If it is necessary," I said; "but you--"
+
+He opened his eyes, and looked at me, smiling gently, and I ceased
+speaking, for I knew that my words were not true as I sat beside him all
+through that hot day waiting.
+
+Mr Frewen came in from time to time, but he said little, and Walters
+appeared to be dozing for the most part.
+
+"Better stay," Mr Frewen whispered; and then in answer to my
+questioning 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 with
+an orange glow when Mr Frewen came in again.
+
+Walters seemed to be fast asleep, quite free from pain, and breathing
+easily.
+
+"You must be terribly faint, my lad.  You have had nothing," the doctor
+whispered.
+
+"Yes, I have," I replied.  "Bob Hampton brought me a biscuit and some
+soup, and Miss Denning brought me some tea just now."
+
+"Heaven bless her!" he muttered.  Then in a quick whisper--"We shall
+have to call you up presently, my lad."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"The enemy are closing in.  They'll make a desperate fight of it this
+time, and every help we can muster is necessary.  Eh!  Want me?" he
+said, as there was a tap on the door.
+
+He went out, and I was thinking whether I could withdraw my hand without
+waking Walters, so as to get out on deck and help, when he opened his
+eyes 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 the
+door.
+
+"Walters wants to see you, Miss Denning," I said, and she bowed her head
+and crept silently into the ruddily-lit cabin, and knelt down by where
+Walters 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 appealing
+murmur, and as I looked wildly in Walters' face, I saw his lips moving
+till she uttered the words--"and forgive us our trespasses--"
+
+Then his lips became motionless, his gaze fixed on the golden glory in
+the heavens, and I started wildly to my feet, for at that moment there
+was a tremendous roar.  The heavily-charged cannon had been fired, and I
+knew 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 help
+repel the attack.
+
+For there were the two boats close into the port-gangway, and the men in
+them 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 knees
+re-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 come
+forward; but if there is any treachery, we'll show no mercy to any one
+there."
+
+"Treachery?" shouted a man pitifully, as the first boat was slowly rowed
+in.  "We're all spent, sir.  There arn't a drop o' water.  Give us all a
+drink first, and then shoot us if you like."
+
+"Where's Jarette?"
+
+"Here, in the bottom, sir, tied neck and heels.  He went stark mad last
+night, and bit and fought till we had to tie him down under the
+thwarts."
+
+"Water--water!--for heaven's sake, water!" came in a piteous chorus, as
+the 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 is
+dead!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT.
+
+It was plain enough: the man had died there where his companions had
+tied him fast, and that night the two boats lay astern carefully watched
+after all the arms had been handed on board.
+
+Not that there was anything to fear.  For at daybreak, after two bodies
+had been committed to the deep, the spokesman of the mutinous crew told
+a pitiful tale, of how they would gladly have given up but for their
+leader, who by force and violence kept them to their task till, in utter
+despair, they had turned upon him and bound him, as they would some
+dangerous wild beast that they dared not kill.
+
+That day, half the poor worn-out wretches were again confined in the
+forecastle, while the others were, under careful surveillance, allowed
+to return to their work.
+
+For the calms were over, and a hard fight began with the weather, which
+grew so bad at last that Mr Brymer, who, as the days passed on, seemed
+to recover the more rapidly for having plenty to do, was glad to have
+all 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 have
+a 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 into
+harbour, when he once more took his place, and laughingly complimented
+Mr 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 his
+sister's arm.
+
+There was nothing to show how adventurous our voyage had been, but the
+roughly boarded-over deck, beneath which lay the sadly damaged cargo.
+
+But, as Bob Hampton said,--"It were an accident, and of course it was
+well insured.  But I want to know, my lad, what they're a-goin' to do
+with 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 the
+bare back, and say no more about it," growled Neb Dumlow, "for I
+forgive--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 in
+consideration of their sufferings and subsequent good behaviour.
+Hampton, Barney, and Neb Dumlow were the only men who sailed with us
+again.
+
+I kept my word to Walters, and a painful task it was.  I have often
+thought of his conduct since, and talked with Mr and Mrs Frewen when I
+have been to see them at their residence in Auckland, where I have been
+four times since.  But, as Mrs Frewen always says.  "He was sorely
+tempted, and he fell."
+
+"And,--_De mortuis_--you know the rest of the quotation, Dale," said Mr
+Frewen, "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 strong
+as one of his own horses, and the Frewens' charming house just outside
+Auckland, where he is the most famous doctor for miles.  Mr Frewen and
+Mr Denning are like brothers, of course, and they are always tempting
+me to leave the sea and settle in that grand new England; but no--I
+resist, and keep to my profession, and I suppose I always shall, for, as
+Bob 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 fellow
+once said.  "They're okkard an' in the way, unless they're the same kind
+as Miss Denning--I mean Mrs Frewen, bless her heart!--for it was like
+havin' of a hangel with us.  But I say, Mr Dale, sir," he added with a
+chuckle; "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,--`You
+see 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 my
+mind.  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 know
+though.  Yes!  I would--if once more I were a boy.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Sail Ho!, by George Manville Fenn
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