Hunting the Skipper, by George Manville Fenn. 

CHAPTER ONE. 

H. M. S. "SEAFOWL. "

"Dicky, dear boy, it's my impression that we shall see no blackbird'scage to-day. "

"And it's my impression, Frank Murray, that if you call me Dicky again Ishall punch your head. "

"Poor fellow! Liver, decidedly, " said the first speaker, in a mocksympathetic tone. "Look here, old chap, if I were you, I'd go and askJones to give me a blue pill, to be followed eight hours later by one ofhis delicious liqueurs, all syrup of senna. "

"Ugh!" came in a grunt of disgust, followed by a shudder. "Look here, Frank, if you can't speak sense, have the goodness to hold your tongue. "

The speakers were two manly looking lads in the uniform of midshipmen ofthe Royal Navy, each furnished with a telescope, through which he hadbeen trying to pierce the hot thick haze which pretty well shut them in, while as they leaned over the side of Her Majesty's ship _Seafowl_, hersails seemed to be as sleepy as the generally smart-looking crew, thelight wind which filled them one minute gliding off the next, andleaving them to flap idly as they apparently dozed off into a heavysleep. 

"There, don't be rusty, old fellow, " said the first speaker. 

"Then don't call me by that absurd name--_Dicky_--as if I were a bird!"

"Ha, ha! Why not?" said Frank merrily. "You wouldn't have minded if Ihad said `old cock. '"

"Humph! Perhaps not, " said the young man sourly. 

"There, I don't wonder at your being upset; this heat somehow seems tosoak into a fellow and melt all the go out of one. I'm as soft as oneof those medusae--jellyfish--what do you call them?--that float byopening and shutting themselves, all of a wet gasp, as one might say. "

"It's horrible, " said the other, speaking now more sociably. 

"Horrible it is, sir, as our fellows say. Well, live and learn, andI've learned one thing, and that is if I retire from the service asCaptain--no, I'll be modest--Commander Murray, R. N. , I shall not comeand settle on the West Coast of Africa. "

"Settle on the West Coast of Africa, with its fevers and horrors? Ishould think not!" said the other. "Phew! How hot it is! Bah!" hehalf snorted angrily. 

"What's the matter now?"

"That brass rail. I placed my hand upon it--regularly burned me. "

"Mem for you, old chap--don't do it again. But, I say, what is the goodof our hanging about here? We shall do no good, and it's completelyspoiling the skipper's temper. "

"Nonsense! Can't be done. "

"Oh, can't it, Ricardo!"

"There you go again. "

"_Pardon, mon ami_! Forgot myself. Plain Richard--there. But that'swrong. One can't call you plain Richard, because you're such agood-looking chap. "

"Bah!" in a deep angry growl. 

"What's that wrong too? Oh, what an unlucky beggar I am! But I say, didn't you see the skipper?"

"I saw him, of course. But what about him? I saw nothing particular. "

"Old Anderson went up to him as politely as a first lieutenant could--"

"I say, Frank, look here, " cried the other; "can't you say downrightwhat you have to say, without prosing about like the jolly old prefaceto an uninteresting book?"

"No, dear boy, " replied the young fellow addressed; "I can't really. It's the weather. "

"Hang the weather!" cried the other petulantly. 

"Not to be done, dear boy. To hang calls for a rope and the yard-arm, and there's nothing tangible about the weather. You should say--thatis, if you wish to be ungentlemanly and use language unbecoming to anofficer in His Majesty's service--Blow the weather!"

"Oh, bosh, bosh, bosh! You will not be satisfied till I've kicked you, Frank. "

"Oh, don't--pray don't, my dear fellow, because you will force me tokick you again, and it would make me so hot. But I say, wasn't I goingto tell you something about old Anderson and the skipper?"

"No--yes!--There, I don't know. Well, what was it?"

"Nothing, " said Frank Murray, yawning. "Oh, dear me, how sleepy I am!"

"Well, of all the aggravating--"

"That's right: go on. Say it, " said Murray. "I don't know what youwere going to call me, dear boy, but I'm sure it would be correct. That's just what I am. Pray go on. I'm too hot to hit back. "

"You're not too hot to talk back, Franky. "

"Eh? Hullo! Why, I ought to fly at you now for calling me by thatridiculous name _Franky_. "

"Bah! Here, do talk sense. What were you going to tell me about oldAnderson and the skipper?"

"I don't know, dear boy. You've bullied it all out of me, or else theweather has taken it out. Oh, I know now: old Anderson went up to himand said something--what it was I don't know--unless it was aboutchanging our course--and he snarled, turned his back and went below tocool himself, I think. I say, though, it is hot, Dick. "

"Well, do you think I hadn't found that out?"

"No, it is all plain to see. You are all in a state of trickle, oldchap. I say, though, isn't it a sort of midsummer madness to expect tocatch one of these brutal craft on a day like this?"

There was an angry grunt. 

"Quite right, old fellow. Bother the slavers! They're all shut upsnugly in the horrible muddy creeks waiting for night, I believe. Thenthey'll steal out and we shall go on sailing away north or south as itpleases the skipper. Here, Dicky--I mean, Dick--what will you give mefor my share of the prize money?"

"Bah!" ejaculated the youth addressed. "Can't you be quiet, Frank?_Buss, buss, buss_! It's just for the sake of talking. Can't yourealise the fact?"

"No, dear boy; it's too hot to realise anything?"

"Well, then, let me tell you a home truth. "

"Ah, do! Anything about home and the truth would be delicious here. Wish I could have an ice!"

"There you go! I say, can't you get tired of talking?"

"No, dear boy. I suppose it is my nature to. What is a fellow to do?You won't. "

"No, I'm too hot. I wish every slaver that sails these muddy seas washung at the yard-arm of his own nasty rakish schooner. "

"Hee-ah, hee-ah, hee-ah! as we say in Parliament. "

"_Parliament! Parler_, to talk!" grunted the other. "That's where youought to be, Frank, and then you'd be in your element. "

"Oh, I say! I was only politely agreeing with you. That was a splendidwish. The beasts! The wretches! But somehow they don't get theirdeserts. Here have we been two months on this station, and I haven'thad so much as a squint of a slaver. I don't believe there are any. All myths or fancies--bits of imagination. "

"Oh, there are plenty of them, lad, but they know every in and out ofthese mangrove-infested shores, and I'll be bound to say they arewatching us day by day, and as soon as we are lost in one of these foggyhazes it's up with their lug sails, and they glide away like--like--like--here, what do they glide away like? I'm not as clever as you. I'm at a loss for words. Give me one--something poetic, Frank. "

"Steam out of a copper. "

"Bah!"

"What, won't that do?"

"Do? No! There--like a dream. "

"Brayvo! Werry pretty, as Sam Weller said. Oh, here's Tommy May--Here, Tom, what do you think of the weather?" said the lad, addressing abluff-looking seaman. 

"Weather, sir?" said the man, screwing up his face till it was one mazeof wrinkles. "Beg pardon, sir, but did you mean that as one of yourjokes, sir, or was it a conundydrum?"

"Oh, don't ask questions, Tom, but just tell us plainly what you thinkof the weather. "

"Nothing, sir; it's too hot to think, " replied the man. 

"Quite right, May, " said the other midshipman. "Don't bother the poorfellow, Murray. Here, May, what do you fellows before the mast thinkabout the slavers?"

"Slippery as the mud of the river banks, sir. "

"Good, " said Murray. "Well spoken, Tom. But do you think there are anyabout here?"

"Oh yes, sir, " said the man; "no doubt about it. They on'y wantcatching. "

"No, no, " cried Murray. "That's just what they don't want. "

"Right you are, sir; but you know what I mean. "

"I suppose so, " said Murray; "but do you chaps, when you are chewing itall over along with your quids, believe that we shall come upon any ofthem?"

"Oh yes, sir; but do you see, they sail in those long, low, swiftschooners that can come and go where they like, while we in the_Seafowl_ seem to be thinking about it. "

"Poor sluggish sloop of war!" said Roberts. 

"Nay, nay, sir, " said the man, "begging your pardon, she's as smart avessel as ever I sailed in, with as fine a captain and officers, 'specially the young gentlemen. "

"Now, none of your flattering gammon, Tom. "

"Begging your pardon, gentlemen, " said the man sturdily, "that it arn't. I says what I says, and I sticks to it, and if we only get these hereblackbird catchers on the hop we'll let 'em see what the _Seafowl_ cando. "

"If!" said Roberts bitterly. 

"Yes, sir, _if_. That's it, sir, and one of these days we shall dropupon them and make them stare. We shall do it, gentlemen, you see if weshan't. "

"That's what we want to see, Tom, " said Murray. 

"Course you do, gentlemen, and all we lads forrard are itching for it, that we are--just about half mad. "

"For prize money?" said Roberts sourly. 

"Prize money, sir?" replied the man. "Why, of course, sir. It's aBri'sh sailor's nature to like a bit of prize money at the end of av'y'ge; but, begging your pardon, sir, don't you make no mistake. Therearn't a messmate o' mine as wouldn't give up his prize money for thesake of overhauling a slaver and reskying a load o' them poor blackbeggars. It's horrid; that's what it just is. "

"Quite right, May, " said Roberts. 

"Thankye, sir, " said the man; "and as we was a-saying on'y last night--talking together we was as we lay out on the deck because it was toostuffycatin' to sleep. "

"So it was, May, " said Roberts. 

"Yes, sir; reg'lar stifler. Well, what we all agreed was that what weshould like to do was to set the tables upside down. "

"What for?" said Murray, giving his comrade a peculiar glance from thecorner of his eye. 

"Why, to give the poor niggers a chance to have a pop at some of theslavers' crews, sir, to drive 'em with the whip and make 'em work in theplantations, sir, like dumb beasts. I should like to see it, sir. "

"Well said, Tom!" cried Murray. 

"Thankye, sir. But it's slow work ketching, sir, for you see it's theirswift craft. "

"Which makes them so crafty, eh, Tom?" cried Murray. 

"Yes, sir. I don't quite understand what you mean, sir, but I supposeit's all right, and--"

"Sail on the lee bow!" sang out a voice from the main-top. 

CHAPTER TWO. 

BOTHER THE FOG. 

A minute before those words were shouted from the main-top, thelow-toned conversation carried on by the two young officers, with anoccasional creak or rattle from a swinging sail was all that broke thesilence of the drowsy vessel; now from everywhere came the buzz ofvoices and the hurrying trample of feet. 

"It's just as if some one had thrust a stick into a wasp's nest, "whispered Frank Murray to his companion, as they saw that the captainand officers had hurried up on deck to follow the two lads' example ofbringing their spy-glasses to bear upon a faintly seen sail upon thehorizon, where it was plainly marked for a few minutes--long enough tobe made out as a low schooner with raking masts, carrying a heavy spreadof canvas, which gradually grew fainter and fainter before it died awayin the silvery haze. The time was short, but quite long enough fororders to be sharply given, men to spring up aloft, and the sloop'scourse to be altered, when shuddering sails began to fill out, makingthe _Seafowl_ careen over lightly, and a slight foam formed on eitherside of the cut-water. 

"That's woke us up, Richard, my son, " said Murray. 

"Yes, and it means a chance at last. "

"If. "

"Only this; we just managed to sight that schooner before she died awayagain in the haze. "

"Well, that gave us long enough to notice her and send the _Seafowl_gliding along upon her course. Isn't that enough?"

"Not quite, old fellow. "

"Bah! What a fellow you are, Frank! You're never satisfied, " criedRoberts. "What have you got in your head now?"

"Only this; we had long enough before the haze closed in to sight theschooner well. "

"Of course. We agreed to that. "

"Well, suppose it gave them time enough to see us?"

"Doubtful. A vessel like that is not likely to have a man aloft on thelookout. "

"There I don't agree with you, Dick. It strikes me that they must keepa very sharp lookout on board these schooners, or else we must haveoverhauled one of them before now. "

"Humph!" said Roberts shortly. "Well, we shall see. According to myideas it won't be very long before we shall be sending a shot acrossthat schooner's bows, and then a boat aboard. Hurrah! Our bad luck isbroken at last. "

"Doesn't look like it, " said Murray, who had dropped all light flippancyand banter, to speak now as the eager young officer deeply interested ineverything connected with his profession. 

"Oh, get out!" cried Roberts. "What do you mean by your croaking? Lookat the way in which our duck has spread her wings and is following inthe schooner's wake. It's glorious, and the very air seems in ourfavour, for it isn't half so hot. "

"I mean, " said Murray quietly, "that the mist is growing more dense. "

"So much in our favour. "

"Yes, " said Murray, "if the schooner's skipper did not sight us first. "

"Oh, bother! I don't believe he would. "

"What's that?" said a gruff voice. 

"Only this, sir, " said Roberts to the first lieutenant, who had drawnnear unobserved; "only Murray croaking, sir. "

"What about, Murray?" asked the elderly officer. 

"I was only saying, sir, that we shall not overhaul the schooner if herpeople sighted us first. "

"That's what I'm afraid of, my lads, " said the old officer. "This hazemay be very good for us, but it may be very good for them and give theirskipper a chance to double and run for one or other of the wretchedmuddy creeks or rivers which they know by heart. There must be onesomewhere near, or she would not have ventured out by daylight, and whenwe get within striking distance we may find her gone. "

The lieutenant passed the two lads and went forward, where he was heardto give an order or two which resulted in a man being stationed in thefore chains ready to take soundings; and soon after he was in eagerconversation with the captain. 

"Feeling our way, " said Murray, almost in a whisper, as he and hiscompanion stood together where the man in the chains heaved the lead, singing out the soundings cheerily till he was checked by an order whichresulted in his marking off the number of fathoms in a speaking voice, and later on in quite a subdued tone, for the haze had thickened into asea fog, and the distance sailed ought to have brought the _Seafowl_pretty near to the schooner, whose commander might possibly take alarmat the announcement of a strange vessel's approach. 

"I'm afraid they must have heard us before now, " said Roberts softly. "Ah, hark at that!"

For as the man in the chains gave out the soundings it was evident thatthe depth was rapidly shoaling, when, in obedience to an order to thehelmsman a turn or two was given to the wheel, the sloop of war wasthrown up into the wind, the sails began to shiver, and the _Seafowl_lay rocking gently upon the swell. 

"Bother the fog!" said Murray fretfully. "It's growing worse. "

"No, sir, " said the seaman who was close at hand. "Seems to me thatit's on the move, and afore long we shall be in the clear, sir, and seewhere we are. "

The man's words proved to be correct sooner than could have beenexpected, for before many minutes had passed, and just when the mistwhich shut them in was at its worst, the solid-looking bank of cloudbegan to open, and passed away aft; the sun shot out torrid rays, andthose on board the _Seafowl_ were seeing the need there had been forcare, for they were gazing across the clear sea at the wide-spreadingmangrove-covered shore, which, monotonous and of a dingy green, stretched away to north and south as far as eye could reach. 

"Where's the schooner?" exclaimed Murray excitedly, for the _Seafowl_seemed to be alone upon the dazzling waters. 

"In the fog behind us, " said Roberts, in a disappointed tone. "We'veoverdone it. I expected we should; the skipper was in such a jollyhurry. "

Frank Murray took his companion's words as being the correct explanationof the state of affairs; but they soon proved to be wrong, for the softbreeze that had sprung up from the shore rapidly swept the fog awayseaward, and though all on board the sloop watched eagerly for themoment when the smart schooner should emerge, it at last became plainthat she had eluded them--how, no one on board could say. 

"It's plain enough that she can't have gone seaward, " said Robertsthoughtfully. "She must have sailed right away to the east. "

"Yes, " said Murray thoughtfully. 

"Of course! Right over the tops of the mangroves, " said Robertsmockingly. "They hang very close, and there's a heavy dew lying uponthem, I'll be bound. "

"Oh, yes, of course, " said Murray. "She couldn't have passed in throughsome opening, I suppose?"

"Where is the opening, then?" cried Roberts shortly. 

"I don't know, " replied his companion coolly; "but there must be one, and the captain of the schooner must be quite at home here and know hisway. "

"I wish my young officers would learn to know their way about thishorrible shore instead of spending their time in talking, " cried anangry voice, and the two midshipmen started apart as they awoke to thefact that the captain had approached them unheard while they wereintently sweeping the shore. 

"Higher, my lad--higher up, " cried the captain. "The cross-trees, andbe smart about it. --Yes, Mr Murray, you're right; there's a narrowriver somewhere about, or perhaps it's a wide one. Take your glass, sir--the opening is waiting to be found. What do you think of it, MrAnderson?"

"I don't think, sir. I feel sure the schooner has come out of someriver along here, caught sight of us, and taken advantage of the mist tomake her way back, and for aught we know she is lying snugly enough, waiting till we are gone. "

"Thank you, Mr Anderson, " said the captain, with studied politeness, "but unfortunately I knew all this before you spoke. What I want toknow is where our friend is lying so snugly. What do you say to that?"

"Only this, sir--that we must run in as far as we can and sail alongclose inshore till we come to the opening of the river. "

"And while we sail south we shall be leaving the mouth behind, MrAnderson, eh?"

"If it proves to be so, sir, " replied the first lieutenant gravely, "wemust sail north again and again too, until we find the entrance. "

"Humph! Yes, sir; but hang it all, are my officers asleep, that we aresailing up and down here month after month without doing anything?Here, Mr Murray, what are you thinking about, sir?"

The lad started, for his chief had suddenly fired his question at himlike a shot. 

"Well, sir, why don't you answer my question?"

"I beg your pardon, sir, " replied Murray now. "I was thinking. "

"Yes, sir, you were thinking, " cried the captain passionately. "I knowyou were thinking, and saying to yourself that you had a mostunreasonable captain. "

Murray was silent, and the first lieutenant and the other midshipman, after exchanging a glance, fixed their eyes upon the monotonous shore. 

"Do you hear me, sir?" thundered the captain, as if he were speaking tothe lookout at the mast-head instead of the lad close to him. "That waswhat you were thinking, was it not? Come: the truth. "

He bent forward to gaze straight into the boy's eyes as if determined toget an answer. 

"Yes, sir, " said the lad desperately, "something of that sort;" and thento himself, "Oh, murder! I'm in for it now!"

"Yes, I knew you were, Mr Murray, " cried the captain. "Thank you. Ilike my junior officers to speak out truthfully and well. Makes usplace confidence in them, Mr Anderson, eh?"

"Yes, sir, " growled the chief officer, "but it isn't always pleasant. "

"Quite right, Mr Anderson, and it sounds like confounded impudence, too. But we're wasting time, and it is valuable. I'm going to havethat schooner found. The sea's as smooth as an inland lake, so man andlower down the cutters. You take the first cutter, Mr Anderson, Mundaythe second. Row or sail to north and south as the wind serves, and I'llstand out a bit to see that you don't start the game so that it escapes. You young gentlemen had better go with the boats. "

Murray glanced at the old officer, and to the question in his eyes therecame a nod by way of answer. 

"You always have the luck, Franky, " grumbled Roberts, as soon as theywere alone. 

"Nonsense! You have as good a chance as I have of finding theschooner. "

"What, with prosy old Munday! Why, he'll most likely go to sleep. "

"So much the better for you. You can take command of the boat anddiscover the schooner's hiding-place. "

"Of course. Board her, capture the Spanish--"

"Or Yankee, " said Murray. 

"Captain!" snapped out Roberts. "Oh yes, I know. Bother! I do get sotired of all this. "

Tired or no, the young man seemed well on the alert as he stepped intothe second cutter, and soon after each of the boats had run up theirlittle sail, for a light breeze was blowing, and, leaving the sloopbehind, all the men full of excitement as every eye was fixed upon thelong stretches of mangrove north and south in search of the hiddenopening which might mean the way into some creek, or perhaps thehalf-choked-up entrance into one of the muddy rivers of the vast Africanshore. 

CHAPTER THREE. 

THE CUTE VISITOR. 

The first cutter had the wind in her favour and glided northward mileafter mile along a shore thickly covered with the peculiar growth of themangrove, those dense bird-affecting, reptile-haunted coverts, whosesole use seems to be that of keeping the muddy soil of the West Africshores from being washed away. 

The heat was terrible, and the men were congratulating themselves on thefact that the wind held out and saved them from the painful task ofrowing hard in the blistering sunshine. 

Murray's duty was to handle the tiller lines as he sat in the sternsheets beside the first lieutenant, and after being out close upon threehours he began to feel that he could keep awake no longer--for hiscompanion sat silent and stern, his gaze bent upon the dark green shore, searching vainly for the hidden opening--and in a half torpid state themidshipman was about to turn to his silent companion and ask to berelieved of the lines, when he uttered a gasp of thankfulness, and, forgetting discipline, gripped the officer by the knee. 

"What the something, Mr Murray, do you mean by that?" cried thelieutenant angrily. 

"Look!" was the reply, accompanied by a hand stretched out with pointingindex finger. 

"Stand by, my lads, ready to pull for all you know, " cried thelieutenant. "The wind may drop at any moment. You, Tom May, take apull at that sheet; Mr Murray, tighten that port line. That's better;we must cut that lugger off. Did you see where she came out?"

"Not quite, sir, " said Murray, as he altered the boat's course a trifle, "but it must have been close hereabouts. What are you going to do, sir?"

"Do, my lad? Why, take her and make the master or whatever he is, actas guide. "

"I see, sir. Then you think he must have come out of the river wherethe schooner has taken refuge?"

"That's what I think, " said the lieutenant grimly; "and if I am right Ifancy the captain will not be quite so hard upon us as he has been oflate. "

"It will be a glorious triumph for us--I mean for you, sir, " said Murrayhurriedly. 

"Quite right, Mr Murray, " said his companion, smiling. "I can wellafford to share the honours with you, for I shall have owed it to yoursharp eyes. But there, don't let's talk. We must act and strain everynerve, for I'm doubtful about that lugger; she sails well and may escapeus after all. "

Murray set his teeth as he steered so as to get every foot of speedpossible out of the cutter, while, sheet in hand, Tom May sat eagerlywatching the steersman, ready to obey the slightest sign as the boat'screw sat fast with the oars in the rowlocks ready to dip together andpull for all they were worth, should the wind fail. 

"That's good, my lads, " said the lieutenant--"most seamanlike. It's apleasure to command such a crew. "

There was a low hissing sound as of men drawing their breath hard, andthe old officer went on. 

"We're not losing ground, Mr Murray, " he said. 

"No, sir; gaining upon her, I think. "

"So do I--think, Mr Murray, " said the lieutenant shortly, "but I'm notsure. Ah, she's changing her course, " he added excitedly, "and we shalllose her. Oh, these luggers, these luggers! How they can skim over thewaves! Here, marines, " he said sharply, as he turned to a couple of therifle-armed men who sat in the stern sheets, "be ready to send a shotthrough the lugger's foresail if I give the order; the skipper mayunderstand what I mean. " And the speaker, sat frowning heavily at thelightly-built lugger they were following. "I don't see what more I cando, Mr Murray. "

"No, sir, " said the midshipman hoarsely. "Oh, give the order, sir--praydo! We mustn't lose that boat. "

"Fire!" said the lieutenant sharply; and one marine's rifle cracked, while as the smoke rose lightly in the air Murray uttered a low cry ofexultation. 

"Right through the foresail, sir, and the skipper knows what we mean. "

"Yes, capital! Good shot, marine. "

The man's face shone with pleasure as he thrust in a fresh cartridgebefore ramming it down, and the crew looked as if they were panting togive out a loud cheer at the success of the lieutenant's manoeuvre, forthe little lugger, which was just beginning to creep away from themafter a change in her course, now obeyed a touch of her helm and boreround into the wind till the big lug sails shivered and she graduallysettled down to rock softly upon the long heaving swell that swept inlandward. 

As the cutter neared, Murray noted that the strange boat was manned by alittle crew of keen-looking blacks, not the heavy, protuberant-lipped, flat-nosed, West Coast "niggers, " but men of the fierce-looking tribeswho seem to have come from the east in the course of ages and havepreserved somewhat of the Arabic type and its keen, sharp intelligenceof expression. 

But the midshipman had not much time for observation of the little crew, his attention being taken up directly by the dramatic-looking entranceupon the scene of one who was apparently the skipper or owner of thelugger, and who had evidently been having a nap in the shade cast by theaft lugsail, and been awakened by the shot to give the order which hadthrown the lugger up into the wind. 

He surprised both the lieutenant and Murray as he popped into sight toseize the side of his swift little vessel and lean over towards theapproaching cutter, as, snatching off his wide white Panama hat, hepassed one duck-covered white arm across his yellowish-looking hairlessface and shouted fiercely and in a peculiar twang--

"Here, I say, you, whoever you are, do you know you have sent a bulletthrough my fores'l?"

"Yes, sir. Heave to, " said the lieutenant angrily. 

"Wal, I have hev to, hevn't I, sirr? But just you look here; I don'tknow what you thought you was shooting at, but I suppose you are aBritisher, and I'm sure your laws don't give you leave to shoot peacefultraders to fill your bags. "

"That will do, " said the lieutenant sternly. "What boat's that?"

"I guess it's mine, for I had it built to my order, and paid for it. Perhaps you wouldn't mind telling me what your boat is and what you wasshooting at?"

"This is the first cutter of Her Majesty's sloop of war _Seafowl_, " saidthe lieutenant sternly, "and--"

But the American cut what was about to be said in two by crying in hissharp nasal twang--

"Then just you look here, stranger; yew've got hold of a boat as is justabout as wrong as it can be for these waters. I've studied it andciphered it out, and I tell yew that if yew don't look out yew'll betook by one of the waves we have off this here coast, and down yew'llgo. I don't want to offend yew, mister, for I can see that yew're anofficer, but I tell yew that yew ought to be ashamed of yewrself tobring your men along here in such a hen cock-shell as that boat ofyourn. "

"Why, it's as seaworthy as yours, sir, " said the lieutenantgood-humouredly. 

"Not it, mister; and besides, I never go far from home in mine. "

"From home!" said the lieutenant keenly. "Where do you call home?"

"Yonder, " said the American, with a jerk of his head. "You ain't got nohome here, and it's a mercy that you haven't been swamped before now. Where have you come from?--the Cape?"

"No, " said the lieutenant; "but look here, sir, what are you, and whatare you doing out here?"

"Sailing now, " said the American. 

"But when you are ashore?"

"Rubber, " said the man. 

"What, trading in indiarubber?"

"Shall be bimeby. Growing it now--plantation. "

"Oh, " said the lieutenant, looking at the speaker dubiously. "Where isyour plantation?"

"Up the creek yonder, " replied the American, with another nod of hishead towards the coast. 

"Oh, " said the lieutenant quietly; "you have a plantation, have you, forthe production of rubber, and you work that with slaves?"

"Ha, ha, ha, ha!" laughed the American, showing a set of very yellowteeth. "That's what you're after, then? I see through you now, cyaptain. You're after slave-traders. "

"Perhaps so; and you confess yourself to be one, " said the lieutenant. 

"Me?" said the American, laughing boisterously again. "Hev another try, cyaptain. Yew're out this time. Ketch me trying to work a plantationwith West Coast niggers! See those boys o' mine?"

"Yes; I see your men, " replied the lieutenant. 

"Them's the stuff I work with. Pay 'em well and they work well. Nowork, no pay. Why, one of those fellows'd do more work for me in a daythan one of the blacks they come here to buy up could do in a week. "

"Then slave-traders come here to buy, eh?"

"Yes, they do, " replied the man, "but 'tain't none of my business. Theydon't interfere with me, and I don't interfere with them. Plenty ofroom here for both. Yew're after them, then?"

"Yes, " said the lieutenant frankly. 

"Phew!" whistled the man, giving his knees a slap. "Why, you'll beafter the schooner that came into this river this morning?"

"Possibly, " said the lieutenant, while Murray felt his blood thrill inhis veins with the excitement of the position. "What schooner was it?"

"Smart sailing craft, with long rakish masts?"

"Yes, yes, " said the lieutenant; "I know all about that. A slaver, eh?"

The American half shut his eyes as he peered out of their corners at theBritish officer, and a queer smile puckered up his countenance. 

"Slaving ain't lawful, is it, mister?" he said. 

"You answer my question, " said the lieutenant testily. 

"Means confiscation, don't it?"

"And that is not an answer, " cried the lieutenant angrily. 

"Yew making a prize of that theer smart schooner from her top-masts downto her keel, eh?"

"Will you reply to what I say?" cried the lieutenant. "Is she aslaver?"

"Lookye here, mister, " said the American, grinning. "S'pose I say_yes_, you'll jest confiscate that there schooner when her skipper andher crew slips over the side into the boats and pulls ashore. "

"Perhaps I may, " said the lieutenant shortly. 

"Exackly so, mister. Then you sails away with her for a prize, eh?"

"Possibly, " said the lieutenant coldly. 

"And what about me?"

"Well, what about you?"

"I can't pull back to my rubber plantations and sail them away, can I?"

"I do not understand you, sir, " said the lieutenant sharply. 

"No, and you don't care to understand me, mister. `No, ' says you, `it'sno business of mine about his pesky injyrubby fields. '"

"Why should it be, sir?" said the lieutenant shortly. 

"Exackly so, mister; but it means a deal to me. How shall I look afteryou're gone when the slaver's skipper--"

"Ah!" cried Murray excitedly. "Then she is a slaver!"

The American's eyes twinkled as he turned upon the young man. 

"Yew're a sharp 'un, yew are, " he said, showing his yellow teeth. "DidI say she was a slaver?"

"Yes, you did, " cried Murray. 

"Slipped out then because your boss began saying slaver, I suppose. That was your word and I give it to yew back again. I want to livepeaceable like on my plantation and make my dollahs out of that thereelastic and far-stretching projuice of the injyrubbery trees. That's mybusiness, misters, and I'm not going to take away any man's crackter. "

"You have given me the clue I want, sir, " said the lieutenant, "and itis of no use for you to shirk any longer from telling me the plain truthabout what is going on up this river or creek. "

"Oh, isn't it, mister officer? Perhaps I know my business better thanyou can tell me. I dessay yew're a very smart officer, but I could giveyou fits over growing rubber, and I'm not going to interfere with myneighbours who may carry on a elastic trade of their own in black rubberor they may not. 'Tain't my business. As I said afore, or was going tosay afore when this here young shaver as hain't begun to shave yet puthis oar in and stopped me, how should I look when yew'd gone and thathalf-breed black and yaller Portygee schooner skipper comes back withthree or four boat-loads of his cut-throats and says to me in his badlanguage that ain't nayther English, 'Murrican, nor nothing else buthashed swearing, `Look here, ' he says, `won't injyrubber burn like fire, eh?' `Yes, ' I says, civil and smooth, `it is rayther rum-combustible. '`So I thought, ' he says. `Well, you've been letting that tongue ofyours go running along and showing those cusses of Britishers where Ianchor my boat and load up with plantation stuff for the West Injies; sojes' look here, ' he sez, `I've lost thousands o' dollars threw yew, andso I'm just going to make yew pay for it by burning up your plantationsand putting a stop to your trade, same as yew've put a stop to mine. Ishan't hurt yew, because I'm a kind-hearted gentle sorter man, but Ican't answer for my crew. I can't pay them, because yew've took my shipand my marchandise, so I shall tell them they must take it outer yew. And they will, stranger. I don't say as they'll use their knives overthe job, and I don't say as they won't, but what I do say is that Ishouldn't like to be yew. ' There, Mister Officer, that's about what'sthe matter with me, and now yew understand why I don't keer aboutmeddling with my neighbours' business. "

"Yes, I understand perfectly, " said the lieutenant, "but I want you tosee that it is your duty to help to put a stop to this horrible trafficin human beings. Have you no pity for the poor blacks who are madeprisoners, and are dragged away from their homes to be taken across thesea and sold like so many cattle?"

"Me? Pity! Mister, I'm full of it. I'm sorry as sorrow for the poorniggers, and whenever I know that yon schooner is loading up with blackstuff I shuts my eyes and looks t'other way. "

"Indeed!" cried Murray. "And pray how do you manage to do that?"

"Why, ain't I telling on you, youngster? I shuts my eyes so as I can'tsee. "

"Then how can you look another way?"

The American displayed every tooth in his head and winked at thelieutenant. 

"Yew've got a sharp 'un here, mister. I should keep him covered up, orshut him up somehow, 'fore he cuts anybody or himself. But yewunderstand what I mean, mister, and I dessay you can see now why I feelit my business to be very sorry for the black niggers, but more sorryfor myself and my people. I don't want to be knifed by a set o' hangdogrubbish from all parts o' the world. I'm a peaceable man, mister, butyou're a cap'en of a man-o'-war, I suppose?"

"Chief officer, " said the lieutenant. 

"And what's him?" said the American, jerking his thumb over his shoulderin the direction of the midshipman. "Young chief officer?"

"Junior officer. "

"Oh, his he? Well, I tell you what: yew both go and act likemen-o'-war. Sail up close to that schooner, fire your big guns, andsend her to the bottom of the river. "

"And what about the poor slaves?" said Murray excitedly. 

"Eh, the black stuff?" said the American, scratching his chin with hisforefinger. "Oh, I forgot all about them. Rather bad for them, eh, mister?"

"Of course, " said the lieutenant. "No, sir, that will not do. I wantto take the schooner, and make her captain and crew prisoners. "

"Yew'll have to look slippery then, mister. But what about theniggers?"

"I shall take them with the vessel to Lagos or some other port where aprize court is held, and the judge will no doubt order the best to bedone with them. "

"Which means put an end to the lot, eh?" said the American. 

"Bah! Nonsense!" cried Murray indignantly. 

"Is it, young mister? Well, I didn't know. It ain't my business. Yewgo on and do what's right. It's your business. I don't keer so long asI'm not mixed up with it. I've on'y got one life, and I want to takekeer on it. Now we understand one another?"

"Not quite, " said the lieutenant. 

"Why, what is there as yew can't take in?"

"Nothing, " said the lieutenant. "I quite see your position, and thatyou do not wish to run any risks with the slaver captain and his men. "

"Not a cent's worth if I can help it. "

"And quite right, sir, " said the lieutenant; "but I take it that youknow this slaver skipper by sight?"

"Oh, yes, I know him, mister--quite as much as I want to. "

"And you know where he trades to?"

"West Injies. "

"No, no; I mean his place here. "

"Oh, you mean his barracks and sheds where the chief stores up all theblack stuff for him to come and fetch away?"

"Yes, that's it, " cried Murray excitedly. 

"Have the goodness to let me conclude this important business, MrMurray, " said the lieutenant coldly. 

"I beg your pardon, sir, " said Murray, turning scarlet; "I was soexcited. "

"That's one for you, mister young chief officer, " said the American, grinning at the midshipman, and then turning to the lieutenant. "Theseyoung uns want sitting upon a bit sometimes, eh, mister?"

"Look here, sir, " said the lieutenant, ignoring the remark; "just listento me. I want you to guide me and my men to the foul nest of thisslave-trader and the town of the black chief. "

The American shook his head. 

"You need not shrink, for you will be under the protection of theEnglish Government. "

"That's a long way off, mister. "

"But very far-reaching, sir, " continued the lieutenant, "and I promiseyou full protection for all that you do. Why, surely, man, you will beable to cultivate your plantation far more peacefully and with greatersatisfaction with the river cleared of this abominable traffic. "

"Well, if you put it in that way, mister, I should, " said the man, "andthat's a fine range of rich land where the black chief has his peopleand their huts. I could do wonders with that bit if I could hold itsafely. The rubber I'd plant there would be enough to--"

"Rub out all the black marks that the slave-trade has made. "

"Very good, Mr Murray, " said the lieutenant, smiling pleasantly, "butthis is no time to try and be smart. "

"Eh?" said the American. "Was that what he was aiming at? I didn'tunderstand; but I tell yew that there is about a mile of rich syle therewhich if I had I could make it projuice a fortune. "

"Look here, sir, " said the lieutenant, "I have no doubt about thepossibility of your being helped by the British Government to takepossession of such a tract after we have done with it. "

"Why, you don't mean, Mister Chief Officer, that you will let yourBritish Lion put his paw upon it and stick to it till you've done withit, as you say?"

"No, no, no, " said the lieutenant, smiling. "I mean that the BritishLion will put its paw upon the horrible settlement in this way and willroot out the traffic, and we shall only be too glad to encourage therise of a peaceful honest culture such as you are carrying on. "

"You mean then that you'll root out the slaves and burn the chief'stown?"

"Most certainly, " said the lieutenant. "And help me to get hold of thatthere land?"

"I believe I may promise that. "

"And take care that the Portygee slaver cock has his comb cut so as hedursen't meddle with me?"

"I feel sure that all this will follow if you help us to capture theslaver, and point out where the abominable traffic is carried on. "

"Shake on it, " said the American, thrusting out a thin yellow hand withunpleasantly long nails. 

"Shake hands upon the compact?" said the lieutenant good-humouredly. "Very good;" and he gave the yellow hand a good manly grip. 

"Then I'm on!" cried the man effusively. "But look here, yew're in thistoo;" and he stretched out his hand to Murray. "Yew're a witness to allyour chief said. "

"Oh, all right, " said Murray, and he let the long, thin, unpleasantlycold and dank fingers close round his hand, but not without a feeling ofdisgust which was expressed by the making of a grimace as soon as theAmerican turned to the lieutenant again. 

"That's settled, then, " said the latter, "so go on at once and leadwhile we follow. "

"What!" said the American, with a look of wonder. 

"I say, go on and guide us to the slaver's nest. "

"What, just alone like this here?"

"Yes, of course. You see we are well-armed and ready to board and takethe schooner at once. Fire will destroy the chief's town. "

"Well, you do 'maze me, " said the American, showing his teeth. 

"What do you mean?" said the lieutenant sternly. "Are you going to drawback?"

"Not me, mister. That's a bargain, " said the man, grinning. "I meanthat you 'maze me, you Englishers do, by your cheek. I don't doubt youa bit. You mean it, and yew'll dew it. Why, I dessay if yew yewrselfwasn't here this here young shaver of an officer would have a try at ithisself. You would, wouldn't you, youngster?"

"Why, of course I would, " said Murray proudly; and then, feeling afraidthat his assertion might be looked upon as braggadocio, he hastened toadd, "I--I--er--meant to say that I would try, and our brave fellowswould take the prisoners. "

"Nay, nay, yew would, " said the American. "There ain't nothing to beashamed on in being brave, is there, mister?"

"Of course not, " said the lieutenant. 

"Of course not, " said the American; "but look here, sirree, it's no goodto lose brave men by trying to do things that's a bit too strong andstarky for you. "

"What, do you mean that the schooner's crew would be too strong for us?"

"Nay, not me, mister. Yew'd chaw them up safe. But there's the blackking; he's got close upon a hundred fighting men, chaps with spears. He'd fight too, for though they ain't got much brains, these niggers, he'd know you'd be going to do away with his bread and cheese, as youmay say. No, sirree, I ain't a fighting man; rubber's my line, but Iwant to _get_ hold of that bit of syle--make sewer of it, as you maysay; and if I'd got that job to do I should get another boatful of menif you could. Don't know of a British ship handy, do you?"

"Of course. My captain is off the coast not far away. You did notsuppose that we came alone?"

"Oh, I didn't know, mister. Could you bring your captain then?"

"Yes. "

"And another boat?"

"Of course. "

"Then if I was you I should tell him to sail up the river. "

"What, is there water enough--deep water?" asked the lieutenant. 

"Whatcher talking about?" said the man contemptuously. "Why, didn't yousee me sail out?"

The lieutenant shook his head. 

"Think o' that!" said the American. "Way in's bit narrer, but as soonas you get threw the trees you're in a big mighty river you can sail upfor months if yew like. I have heerd that there's some falls somewhere, but I've never seem 'em. Water enough? My snakes! There's waterenough to make a flood, if you want one, as soon as you get by thewinding bits. "

"The river winds?" said the lieutenant. 

"Winds? I should think she does! Why, look yonder, mister, " continuedthe man, pointing. "It's all trees like that for miles. You've got toget through them. "

"Deep water?" asked the lieutenant. 

"Orful! On'y it's 'bout as muddy as rivers can be made. "

"And you assure me that you could pilot us in and right up to theslaver's stronghold?"

"Pilot yew? Yew don't want no piloting; all yew've got to do is to sailup in and out through the big wilderness of trees. Yew wouldn't want nopiloting, but if you undertake to see that I have that chief's land, andclear him and his black crews away, I'll lay _yew_ off his front doorwhere you can blow his palm-tree palace all to smithers without losing aman. "

"And what about the slaver?" asked Murray. 

"What about her? She'll be lying anchored there, of course. "

"With any colleagues?" asked the lieutenant. 

"Whatche'r mean--t'others?"

"Yes. "

"Not now, mister. There's as many as four or five sometimes, but I onlysee her go up the river this time. Yew should have come later on if youwanted more. "

"The slaver is up the river now, then?" said the lieutenant, looking atthe man searchingly. 

"Yes, of course, " was the reply, as the American involuntarily gave alook round, and then, as if taking himself to task for an act of folly, he added laughingly. "If she wasn't up there she'd be out here, and youcan see for yourselves that she ain't. "

"You could show us the way in?" said Murray. 

"Why, didn't I say I could?" replied the man sharply. 

"Yes; but I should like to have a glimpse of her first, " said Murray. 

"What for, youngster? To let her know that you're coming? You take myadvice, mister, and come upon her sudden like. "

The lieutenant gazed intently upon the man. 

"Yes; I should like to reconnoitre a bit first. With your assistance weought to be able to run our boats close up under the shelter of thetrees and see what she is like. "

"See what she's like, mister? Why, like any other schooner. You takemy advice; you'll slip off and fetch your ship, and I'll wait here tillyou come back. "

Murray looked at the man searchingly, for somehow a sense of doubt beganto trouble him as to the man's trustworthiness, and the lad began toturn over the position in his mind. For though the man's story seemedto be reasonable enough, an element of suspicion began to creep in andhe began to long to ask the lieutenant as to what he thought about thematter. 

But he did not speak, for the keen-looking American's eyes were uponhim, and when they shifted it was only for them to be turned upon thelieutenant. 

"Wal, " he said at last, "whatcher thinking about, mister?"

"About your running me up to where you could point out the schooner. "

"But I don't want to, " said the man frankly. 

"Why?" asked the lieutenant sharply. 

"'Cause I don't want to lose the chance of getting that there mile ofplantation. "

"There ought to be no risk, sir, if we were careful. "

"I dunno so much about that there, mister. Them slaver chaps alwayssleep with one eye open, and there's no knowing what might happen. "

"What might happen! What could happen?"

"Nothing; but the skipper might hyste sail and run his craft right uptowards the falls. As I said, I never see them, but there must be fallsto keep this river so full. "

"But we could follow him. "

"Part of the way p'raps, mister, but he could go in his light craft muchfurther than you could in a man-o'-war. "

"True, " said the lieutenant; "you are right. "

"Somewhere about, " said the man, showing his teeth. "There, you slipoff and fetch your ship, and I'll cruise up and down off the mouth ofthe river here so as to make sure that the schooner don't slip off. She's just as like as not to hyste sail now that the fog's all gone. She'd have been off before if it hadn't come on as thick as soup. Say, 'bout how far off is your ship?"

"Half-a-dozen miles away, " said the lieutenant. 

"That ain't far. Why not be off at once?"

"Why not come with us?" asked Murray. 

"Ain't I telled yer, youngster? Think I want to come back and find theschooner gone?"

The lieutenant gazed from the American to the midshipman and back again, with his doubts here and there, veering like a weather vane, for thethought would keep attacking him--suppose all this about the slaveschooner was Yankee bunkum, and as soon as he had got rid of them, thelugger would sail away and be seen no more?

"You won't trust him, will you?" said Murray, taking advantage of a puffof wind which separated the two boats for a few minutes. 

"I can't, " said the lieutenant, in a whisper. "I was nearly placingconfidence in him, but your doubt has steered me in the other direction. Hah!" he added quickly. "That will prove him. " And just then thelugger glided alongside again, and the opportunity for further communingbetween the two officers was gone. 

"That's what yew have to be on the lookout for, mister, when yew getsailing out here. Sharp cat's-paws o' wind hot as fire sometimes. Well, ain't you going to fetch your ship?"

"And what about you?" said the lieutenant. 

"Me?" said the man wonderingly, and looking as innocent as a child. 

"Yes; where am I to pick you up again?"

"Oh! I'll show you. I'll be hanging just inside one of the mouths ofthe river, and then lead yew in when yew get back with yewr ship. "

Murray softly pressed his foot against his officer's without seeming tomove, and felt the pressure returned, as if to say--All right; I'm notgoing to trust him--and the lieutenant then said aloud--

"But why shouldn't you sail with us as far as our sloop?"

"Ah, why shouldn't I, after all?" said the man. "You might show me yourskipper, and we could talk to him about what we're going to do. Allright; sail away if you like to chance it. "

The lieutenant nodded, and a few minutes later the two boats weregliding about half a mile abreast of the dense mangrove-covered shore inthe direction of the _Seafowl_, and only about fifty yards apart. 

"You'll be keeping a sharp lookout for treachery in any shape, sir?"said Murray, in a low tone. 

"The fellow's willingness to fall in with my proposal has disarmed me, Mr Murray, " said the lieutenant quietly, "but all the same I felt boundto be cautious. I have given the marines orders to be ready to fire atthe slightest sign of an attempt to get away. "

"You have, sir? Bravo!" said Murray, in the same low tone, and withoutseeming to be talking to his chief if they were observed. "But I didnot hear you speak to the jollies. "

"No, Mr Murray; I did not mean you to, and I did not shout. But thiscaution is, after all, unnecessary, for there comes the sloop to lookafter us. Look; she is rounding that tree-covered headland. "

"Better and better, sir!" cried Murray excitedly. "I was beginning tofidget about the lugger. "

"What about her, Mr Murray?"

"Beginning to feel afraid of her slipping away as soon as we were out ofsight. "

"You think, then, that the lugger's people might be on the watch?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Quite possible, " said the lieutenant. "Well, we have her safe now. "

"Yes, sir; but won't you heave to and wait?"

"To be sure, yes, Mr Murray; a good idea; and let the sloop sail up tous?"

"Won't it make the captain storm a bit, sir, and ask sharply why wedidn't make haste and join?"

"Most likely, Mr Murray, " said the lieutenant quietly; "but if he doeswe have two answers. "

"The lugger, sir. "

"Yes, Mr Murray, and the discovery of the schooner. "

"Waiting to be boarded, sir, " said the midshipman. 

"Exactly, Mr Murray. Any one make out the second cutter?"

"Ay, ay, sir!" cried Tom May. "There she is, sir--miles astarn of the_Seafowl_, sir. "

"I wish we could signal to her to lay off and on where she is. "

"What for, sir?"

"There may be one of the narrow entrances to the great riverthereabouts, and the wider the space we can cover, the greater chance weshall have of preventing the slaver from stealing away. "

CHAPTER FOUR. 

THE YANKEE'S FOOD. 

"Grand, Mr Anderson, " said the captain, after a time. But his firstwords had come pouring out like a storm of blame, which gave the firstlieutenant no opportunity to report what he had done. "Yes: could notbe better sir. There, we are going to capture a slaver at last!"

"Yes, sir, if we have luck; and to stamp out one of the strongholds ofthe accursed trade. "

Then the captain became silent, and stood thoughtfully looking over theside at the indiarubber planter's lugger. 

"Humph!" he ejaculated, at last. "Rather a serious risk to run, totrust to this stranger and make him our guide. "

"So it struck me, sir, as I told you, " said the lieutenant. 

"Let me see, Mr Anderson, did you tell me that?"

"Yes, sir, if you will recall it. "

"Humph! Yes, I suppose you did. But I was thinking. Suppose he playsus false. "

"Why should he, sir?"

"To be sure, why should he, Mr Anderson? All the same, we must becareful. "

Meanwhile, Murray was being cross-examined by his brother midshipman, who looked out of temper, and expressed himself sourly upon comingaboard. 

"You have all the luck, " he said. "You drop into all the spiritedadventures, while I am packed off with prosy old Munday. "

"Oh, nonsense! It is all chance. But didn't you see anything, oldchap?"

"Yes--muddy water; dingy mangroves; the tail of a croc as the filthyreptile slid off the tree roots into the water. That was all, whilethere I was cooking in the heat, and listening to old Munday prose, prose, prose, till I dropped off to sleep, when the disagreeable beggarwoke me up, to bully me about neglecting my duty, and told me that Ishould never _get to_ be a smart officer if I took so little interest inmy profession that I could not keep awake when out on duty. "

"Well, it did seem hard, Dick, when he sent you off to sleep. Icouldn't have kept awake, I know. "

"I'm sure you couldn't. But there: bother! You couldn't help gettingall the luck. "

"No; and you are going to share it now. "

"Not so sure, Frank. As like as not the skipper will send me away in aboat to watch some hole where the slaver might slip out. So this Yankeeis going to act as pilot and lead us up the river to where the schooneris hiding?"

"Yes, and to show us the chief's town, and the place where he collectsthe poor unfortunate blacks ready for being shipped away to the Spanishplantations. "

"My word, it's fine!" cried Roberts excitedly. "And hooroar, as Tom Mayhas it. Why, the lads will be half mad with delight. "

"And enough to make them, " said Murray. "But I say, how does it strikeyou?"

"As being glorious. Franky, old fellow, if it wasn't for the look ofthe thing I could chuck up my cap and break out into a hornpipe. Danceit without music. "

"To the delight of the men, and make Anderson or Munday say that it wasnot like the conduct of an officer and a gentleman. "

"Yes, that's the worst of it. But though of course we're men now--"

"Midshipmen, " said Murray drily. 

"Don't sneer, old chap! And don't interrupt when I'm talking. "

"Say on, O sage, " said the lad. 

"I was going to say that of course, though we are men now, one does feela bit of the boy sometimes, and as if it was pleasant now and then tohave a good lark. " As the young fellow spoke he passed his handthoughtfully over his cheeks and chin. "What are you grinning at?" hecontinued. 

"Not grinning, old fellow; it was only a smile. "

"Now, none of your gammon. You were laughing at me. "

"Oh! Nothing!" said Murray, with the smile deepening at the corners ofhis mouth. 

"There you go again!" cried Roberts. "Who's to keep friends with you, Frank Murray, when you are always trying to pick a quarrel with afellow?"

"What, by smiling?"

"No, by laughing at a fellow and then pretending you were not. Nowthen, what was it?"

"Oh, all right; I only smiled at you about your shaving so carefullythis morning. "

"How did you know I shaved this morning?" cried the midshipman, flushing. 

"You told me so. "

"That I'll swear I didn't. "

"Not with your lips, Dicky--_Dick_--but with your fingers. "

"Oh! Bother! I never did see such a fellow as you are to spy outthings, " cried Roberts petulantly. 

"Not spy, old chap. I only try to put that and that together, and Iwant you to do the same. So you think this is all glorious about yonderplanter chap piloting us to the slaver's place?"

"Of course! Don't you?"

"Well, I don't know, Dick, " said Murray, filling his forehead withwrinkles. 

"Oh, I never did see such a fellow for pouring a souse of cold waterdown a fellow's back, " cried Roberts passionately. "You don't mean tosay that you think he's a fraud?"

"Can't help thinking something of the kind, old man. "

"Oh!" ejaculated Roberts. "I say, here, tell us what makes you thinkso. "

"He's too easy and ready, Dick, " said Murray, throwing off his ordinarymerry ways and speaking seriously and with his face full of thought. 

"But what does Anderson say to it?"

"He seemed to be suspicious once, but it all passed off, and then theskipper when he heard everything too talked as if he had his doubts. But now he treats it as if it is all right, and we are to follow thisAmerican chap wherever he leads us. "

"Yes, to-morrow morning, isn't it?"

"No, Dick; to-night. "

"To-night--in the dark?"

"I suppose so. "

"Oh!" said Roberts thoughtfully, and he began to shave himself with hisfinger once more, but without provoking the faintest smile from hiscompanion. "I say, Franky, I don't like that. "

"No; neither do I, Dick. "

"It does seem like putting ourselves into his hands, " continued Robertsthoughtfully. "Oh, but I don't know, " he continued, as if snatching atanything that told for the success of the expedition; "you know whatAnderson often tells us. "

"I know what he says sometimes about our being thoughtless boys. "

"Yes, that's what I mean, old fellow; and it isn't true, for I think adeal about my duties, and as for you--you're a beggar to think, justlike the monkey who wouldn't speak for fear he should be set to work. "

"Thanks for the compliment, " said Murray drily. 

"Oh, you know what I mean. But I suppose we can't think so well now aswe shall by and by. I mean, older fellows can think better, and Isuppose that the skipper and old Anderson really do know better than wedo. It will be all right, old fellow. They wouldn't let themselves beled into any trap; and besides, look at the Yankee--I mean, look at hisposition; he must be sharp enough. "

"Oh yes, he's sharp enough, " said Murray. "Hear him talk, and you'dthink he was brought up on pap made of boiled-down razor-strops. "

"Well, then, he must know well enough that if he did the slightest thingin the way of playing fast and loose with us, he'd get a bullet throughhis head. "

"Yes--if he wasn't too sharp for us. "

"Oh, it will be all right, " cried Roberts. "Don't be too cautious, Franky. Put your faith in your superior officers; that's the way tosucceed. "

"Then you think I am too cautious here, Dick?"

"Of course I do, " cried Roberts, patting his brother middy on theshoulder. "It will be all right, so don't be dumpy. I feel as if weare going to have a fine time of it. "

"Think we shall have any fighting?"

"Afraid not; but you do as I do. I mean to get hold of a cutlass andpistols. I'm not going to risk my valuable life with nothing topreserve it but a ridiculous dirk. Don't you be downhearted and thinkthat the expedition is coming to grief. "

"Not I, " said Murray cheerily. "I suppose it's all right; but Icouldn't help thinking what I have told you. I wish I didn't think suchthings; but it's a way I have. "

"Yes, " said his companion, "and any one wouldn't expect it of you, Franky, seeing what a light-hearted chap you are. It's a fault in yournature, a thing you ought to correct. If you don't get over it you'llnever make a dashing officer. "

"Be too cautious, eh?" said Murray good-humouredly. 

"That's it, old chap. Oh, I say, though, I wish it was nearly night, and that we were going off at once. But I say, where's the Yankee?"

"What!" cried Murray, starting. "Isn't he alongside in his boat?"

"No; didn't you see? He came aboard half-an-hour ago. Old BosunDempsey fetched him out of his lugger; and look yonder, you croaking oldcock raven. We always have one jolly as sentry at the gangway, don'twe?"

"Of course. "

"Very well, look now; there are two loaded and primed ready for anypranks the lugger men might play; and there are the two cutters readyfor lowering down at a moment's notice, and it wouldn't take long forDempsey to fizzle out his tune on his pipe and send the crews intothem. "

"Bah! Pish! Pooh! and the rest of it. What do you mean by that?Look, the lugger is a fast sailer. "

"Well, I dare say she is, but one of our little brass guns can sendballs that sail through the air much faster. So drop all those dismalprophecies and damping thoughts about danger. Our officers know theirway about and have got their eyes open. The skipper knows abouteverything, and what he doesn't know bully Anderson tells him. It's allright, Franky. Just look at the lads! Why, there's Tom May smiling asif he'd filled his pockets full of prize money. "

"Yes, " assented Murray, "and the other lads have shaped their phizzes tomatch. But let's get closer to the lugger. "

"What for?" said Roberts sharply. 

"To have a good look at her Indiarubber-cultivating crew. "

"Not I!" cried Roberts. "If we go there you'll begin to see somethingwrong again, and begin to croak. "

"No, no; honour bright! If I do think anything, I won't say a word. "

"I'd better keep you here out of temptation, " said Roberts dubiously. 

"Nonsense! It's all right, I tell you. There, come along. "

CHAPTER FIVE. 

TRUSTING A GUIDE. 

The two lads made for where they could get a good view of the luggerswinging by a rope abreast of the starboard gangway, and as they passedalong the quarter-deck, the shrill strident tones of the American'svoice reached them through one of the open cabin skylights, whiledirectly after, Murray, keen and observant of everything, noted that thetwo marines of whom his companion had spoken were standing apparentlysimply on duty, but thoroughly upon the alert and ready for anything, their whole bearing suggesting that they had received the strictest oforders, and were prepared for anything that might occur. 

Roberts gave his companion a nudge with his elbow and a quick glance ofthe eye, which produced "Yes, all right; I see, " from Murray. "I'mafraid--I mean I'm glad to see that I was only croaking; but I say, Dick, have a good quiet look at those fellows and see if you don't findsome excuse for what I thought. "

"Bah! Beginning to croak again. "

"That I'm not, " said Murray. "I only say have a look at them, especially at that fellow smoking. "

"Wait a moment. I have focussed my eye upon that beauty getting hisquid ready--disgusting!"

"Yes, it does look nasty, " said Murray, with the corners of his lipsturning up. "The regular Malay fashion. That fellow never came fromthese parts. "

"Suppose not. Why can't the nasty wretch cut a quid off a bit of blacktwist tobacco like an ordinary British sailor?"

"Instead of taking a leaf out of his pouch, " continued Murray, "smearingit with that mess of white lime paste out of his shell--"

"Putting a bit of broken betel nut inside--" said Roberts. 

"Rolling it up together--" continued Murray. 

"And popping the whole ball into his pretty mouth, " said Roberts. "Bah!Look at his black teeth and the stained corners of his lips. Talkabout a dirty habit! Our jacks are bad enough. Ugh!"

"I say, Dick, " whispered Murray, as the Malay occupant of the boatrealised the fact that he was being watched, and rolled his opaleyeballs round with a peculiar leer up at the two young officers. 

"Now then, " was the reply, "you promised that you wouldn't croak. "

"To be sure. I only wanted to say that fellow looks a beauty. "

"Beauty is only skin deep, " said Roberts softly. 

"And ugliness goes to the bone, " whispered Murray, smiling. "Yes, helooks a nice fellow to be a cultivator of the indiarubber plant. "

"Eh? Who said he was?" said Roberts sharply. 

"His skipper. That's what they all are. Splendid workers too. Do morethan regular niggers. "

"Do more, no doubt, " said Roberts thoughtfully. "But they certainlydon't look like agricultural labourers. Why, they're a regular crew ofall sorts. "

"Irregular crew, you mean, " said Murray. "That one to the left lookslike an Arab. "

"Yes, and the one asleep with his mouth open and the flies buzzing abouthim looks to me like a Krooboy. Well, upon my word, old Croaker, theydo look--I say, do you see that blackest one?"

"Yes; and I've seen them before, you know. "

"But he opened and shut his mouth just now. You didn't see that, didyou?"

"Yes, I saw it; he has had his teeth filed like a saw. "

"That's what I meant, and it makes him look like a crocodile when hegapes. "

"Or a shark. "

"Well, " said Roberts, after a pause, "upon my word, Frank, they do lookabout as ugly a set of cut-throat scoundrels as ever I saw in my life. "

"Right, " said Murray eagerly. "Well, what do you say now?"

"That I should like to point out their peculiarities to the skipper andold Anderson, and tell them what we think. Go and ask them to come andlook. "

"I have already done so to Anderson. "

"But you ought to do it to the skipper as well. Look here, go at onceand fetch him here to look. "

"While the American is with him? Thank you; I'd rather not. "

"Do you mean that?"

"To be sure I do. What would he say to me?"

"Oh, he'd cut up rough, of course; but you wouldn't mind that in thecause of duty. "

Murray laughed softly. 

"Why, Dick, I can almost hear what he would say about my impudence toattempt to teach him his duty. No, thank you, my dear boy; if he andAnderson think it right to trust the American, why, it must be right. If you feel that the nature of these fellows ought to be pointed out, why, you go and do it. "

Roberts took another look at the lugger's crew, and then shrugged hisshoulders, just as the captain came on deck, followed by the Americanand the first lieutenant. 

The American was talking away volubly, and every word of theconversation came plainly to the ears of the two lads. 

"Of course, cyaptain, I'll stop on board your craft if yew like, but Iput it to yew, how am I going to play pilot and lead you in through themouth if I stop here? I can sail my lugger easy enough, but I shouldget into a tarnation mess if I tried to con your big ship. Better letme lead in aboard my own craft, and you follow. "

"In the darkness of night?" said the captain. 

"There ain't no darkness to-night, mister. It'll be full moon, and it'smorning pretty early--just soon enough for you to begin business atdaybreak. I shall lead you right up to where the schooner's lying, andthen you'll be ready to waken the skipper up by giving him a good roundup with your big guns. "

"And what about the slaves?"

"Oh, you must fire high, sir, and then yew won't touch them. Highfiring's just what yew want so as to cripple his sails and leave himbroken-winged like a shot bird on the water. "

The captain nodded, and the two midshipmen, after a glance at the firstlieutenant, to see that he was listening attentively with half-closedeyes, gazed at the American again. 

"Lookye here, mister, " he said, "yew must make no mistake over this job. If yew do, it's going to be pretty bad for me, and instead of me beingrid of a bad neighbour or two, and coming in for a long strip of richrubber-growing land, I shall find myself dropped upon for letting on tohim yewr craft; and I tell yew he's a coon, this slave cyaptain, aswon't forgive anything of that kind. He's just this sort of fellow. Ifhe finds I've done him such an on-neighbourly act, he'll just give hisfellows a nod, and in less time than yew can wink there'll be norubber-grower anywhere above ground, for there'll be a fine richplantation to sell and no bidders, while this 'ere industriousenterprising party will be somewhere down the river, put aside into somehole in the bank to get nice and mellow by one of the crockydiles, whoobject to their meat being too fresh. "

"Ugh!" shuddered Roberts. 

"Oh, that's right enough, young squire, " said the man, turning upon himsharply. "I ain't telling you no travellers' tales. It's all trueenough. Wal, cyaptain, don't you see the sense of what I am saying?"

"Yes, sir. But tell me this; do you guarantee that there are no shoalsanywhere about the mouth of the river?"

"Shoals, no; sands, no, sir. All deep water without any bottom to speakof. But where you find it all deep mud yew can't take no harm, sir. The river's made its way right threw the forest, and the bank's cutright straight down and up perpendicular like, while if _you_ were to goashore it would only be to send your jib boom right in among the treesand your cut-water against the soft muddy bank. Why, it's mostly ahundred feet deep. Yew trust me, and yew'll find plenty of room; but ifyew don't feel quite comf'table, if I was yew I'd just lie off for a bitwhile you send in one of your boats and Squire First Lieutenant there, to see what it's like, and the sooner the better, for the sun's gettinglow, and as I dessay yew know better than I can tell _yew_, it ain'tlong after the sun sinks before it's tidy dark. Now then, what do yewsay? I'm ready as soon as yew are. "

"How long will it take us to get up to the chief's town?"

"'Bout till daylight to-morrow morn', mister. That's what I'm tellingof yew. "

"Then it's quite a big river?"

"Mighty big, sir. "

"And the current?"

"None at all hardly, mister. Yew'll just ketch the night wind as blowsoff the sea, and that'll take yew up as far as yew want to go. Thenmorrow mornin' if yew're done all yew want to do yew'll have the landwind to take yew out to sea again. Though I'm thinking that yew won'tbe able to do all yew want in one day, for there's a lot of black folkto deal with, and I wouldn't be in too great a hurry. Yew take myadvice, cyaptain; do it well while yew're about it, and yew won'trepent. "

"Never fear, sir, " said the captain sternly. "I shall do my workthoroughly. Now then, back into your lugger and show us the way. MrMunday, take the second cutter and follow this American gentleman'slead, and then stay alongside his boat while Mr Anderson comes back toreport to me in the first cutter. You both have your instructions. Yes, Mr Roberts--Yes, Mr Murray, " continued the captain, in responseto a couple of appealing looks; "you can accompany the two armed boats. "

CHAPTER SIX. 

INTO THE MIST. 

Murray thought that the American screwed up his eyes in a peculiar waywhen he found that the two boats were to go in advance of the sloop, buthe had no opportunity for telling Roberts what he believed he had seen, while so busy a time followed and his attention was so much taken upthat it was not till long afterwards that he recalled what he had noted. 

The American, upon rejoining his lugger, sailed away at once with thetwo boats in close attendance and the sloop right behind, their pilotkeeping along the dingy mangrove-covered shore and about half-a-miledistant, where no opening seemed visible; and so blank was the outlookthat the first lieutenant had turned to his young companion to say in anangry whisper--

"I don't like this at all, Mr Murray. " But the words were no soonerout of his mouth than to the surprise of both there was a suddenpressure upon the lugger's tiller, the little vessel swung round, andher cut-water pointed at once for the densely wooded shore, so that sheglided along in a course diagonal to that which she had been pursuing. 

"Why, what game is he playing now?" muttered the lieutenant. "There isno opening here. Yes, there is, " he added, the next minute. "No wonderwe passed it by. How curious! Ah, here comes the moon. "

For as the great orb slowly rose and sent her horizontal rays over thesea in a wide path of light, she lit-up what at first sight seemed to bea narrow opening in the mangrove forest, but which rapidly spread outwider and wider, till as the three boats glided gently along, theirsails well filled by the soft sea breeze, Murray gazed back, to see thatthe sloop was now following into what proved to be a wide estuary, shutoff from seaward by what appeared now in the moonlight a long narrowstrip of mangrove-covered shore. 

"River, " said the lieutenant decisively, "and a big one too. Now, TomMay, steady with the lead. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" cried the man, and he began to take soundings, one of thesailors in the second cutter receiving his orders and beginning tofollow the example set. 

Then there was a hail from the lugger. 

"What game do you call this?"

"Soundings, " replied the lieutenant gruffly. 

"Twenty fathom for miles up, and you can go close inshore if _you_ like. It's all alike. "

"P'raps so, " said the officer, "but my orders are to sound. "

"Sound away, then, " said the American sourly; "but do you want to be aweek?" And he relapsed into silence, till about a couple of miles ofthe course of the wide river had been covered, sounding after soundingbeing taken, which proved the perfect truth of the American's words. 

Then the two cutters closed up and there was a brief order given by thefirst lieutenant, which resulted in the second cutter beginning to makeits way back to where the sloop lay in the mouth of the estuary. 

"What yer doing now?" came from the lugger. 

"Sending word to the sloop that there's plenty of water and that she maycome on. "

"Course she may, mister, " grumbled the American. "Think I would ha'telled yew if it hedn't been all right? Yew Englishers are queer fish!"

"Yes, " said the lieutenant quietly. "We like to feel our way cautiouslyin strange waters. "

"Then I s'pose we may anchor now till your skipper comes? All right, then, on'y you're not going to get up alongside of the schooner thisside of to-morrow morning, I tell yew. "

"Very well, then, we must take the other side of her the next morning. "

The American issued an order of his own in a sulky tone of voice, lowering his sails; and then there was a splash as a grapnel was droppedover the side. 

"Hadn't yew better anchor?" he shouted good-humouredly now. "If yewdon't yew'll go drifting backward pretty fast. "

For answer the lieutenant gave the order to lower the grapnel, andfollowing the light splash and the running out of the line came theannouncement of the sailor in charge as he checked the falling rope--

"No bottom here. "

"Takes a tidy long line here, mister, " came in the American's sneeringvoice. "Guess your sloop's keel won't touch no bottom when she comesup. "

The lieutenant made no reply save by hoisting sail again and running toand fro around and about the anchored lugger, so as to pass the time intaking soundings, all of which went to prove that the river flowedsluggishly seaward with so little variation in the depth that thesoundings were perfectly unnecessary. 

It was tedious work, and a couple of hours passed before, pale andspirit-like at first, the other cutter came into sight in the palemoonlight, followed by the sloop, when the American had the lugger'sgrapnel hauled up and ran his boat alongside of the first cutter. 

"Look here, " he said angrily, "yewr skipper's just making a fool of me, and I may as well run ashore to my plantation, for we shan't do no goodto-night. "

The man's words were repeated when the sloop came up, and a shortdiscussion followed, which resulted in the captain changing his orders. 

"The man's honest enough, Anderson, " he said, "and I must trust him. "

"What do you mean to do, then, sir?" said the first lieutenant, in a lowtone. 

"Let him pilot us to where the slaver lies. "

"With the lead going all the time, sir?"

"Of course, Mr Anderson, " said the captain shortly. "Do you think memad?"

"I beg your pardon, sir, " replied the chief officer. "Perhaps it willbe best. "

It proved to be best so far as the American's temper was concerned, forupon hearing the captain's decision, he took his place at the tiller ofhis lugger and led the way up the great river, followed by the statelysloop, whose lead as it was lowered from time to time told the sameunvarying tale of deep water with a muddy bottom, while as the river'swinding course altered slightly, the width as far as it could be madeout by the night glasses gave at least a couple of miles to the shore oneither hand. 

From time to time the first cutter, in obedience to the captain'sorders, ran forward from where she was sailing astern--the second cutterswinging now from the davits--crept up alongside of the lugger, andcommunicated with her skipper; and Murray's doubts grew more faint, foreverything the American said sounded plausible. 

The night was far spent when another of these visits was paid, and asthe coxswain hooked on alongside of the lugger the American leaned overto speak to the lieutenant, but turned first to Murray. "Well, youngmister, " he said; "sleepy?"

"No, not at all, " was the reply. "Good boy; that's right; but if yourskipper hadn't been so tarnation 'spicious yew might have had a goodsnooze. Wall, lieutenant, I was just waiting to see you, and I didn'twant to hail for fear our slave-hunting friend might be on his deck andhear us. Talk about your skipper being 'spicious, he's nothing to him. The way in which the sound of a shout travels along the top of the waterhere's just wonderful, and my hail might spyle the hull business. "

"But we're not so near as that?" asked the lieutenant. 

"Ain't we? But we jest are! See that there bit of a glimpse of themountains straight below the moon?"

"Yes, " said the lieutenant; "but I should have taken it for a cloud ifyou had not spoken. "

"That's it, " said the skipper; "that's where the river winds round atthe foot, and the quieter yewr people keep now the better. Oh yes, yewrskipper has knocked all my calc'lations on the head, I can tell yew. That there sloop sails A1, and she's done much more than I 'spected. "

"I'm glad of it, " said the lieutenant, while Murray's spirits rose. 

"So'm I, " said the man, with a chuckle; "and now it's turned out allright I don't mind 'fessing. "

"Confessing! What about?"

"Why, this here, " said the man. "Your skipper had wasted so much timewith his soundings and messing about that I says to myself that if Itried to see the business out our Portygee friend would see me mixed upwith it all and take the alarm. Yewr sloop wouldn't get near him, forhe'd run right up the river where you couldn't follow, and he'd wait histime till you'd gone away, and then come down upon me as an informer. D'you know what that would mean for me then?"

"Not exactly, " replied the lieutenant, "but I can guess. "

"Zackly, " said the man, and he turned sharply upon Murray and made asignificant gesture with one finger across his throat. 

"Look here, " said the lieutenant, "don't talk so much, my friend. "

"That's just what I want yew to go and tell your skipper, mister. Tellhim to give orders that his men are not to say a word above a whisper, for if it's ketched aboard the schooner our friend will be off. "

"I will tell him, " said the lieutenant; "but now tell me what you meanto do?"

"To do? Jest this; put your vessel just where she can lie low and sendthree or four boats to steal aboard the schooner and take her. Yew cando that easy, can't yew, without firing a shot?"

"Certainly, " said the lieutenant; "and what about you?"

"Me? Get outer the way as fast as I can, I tell yew. I'm not afighting man, and I've got to think of what might happen if you let theslaver slip. See?"

"Yes, I see, " said the lieutenant; "but you need not be alarmed foryourself. Captain Kingsberry will take care that no harm shall befallyou. "

"Think so, mister?"

"I am sure so, my friend. But now tell me this; how soon do you thinkthat you can lay us abreast of that schooner?"

"Jest when you like now, mister. What I've set down as being best is, say, about daybreak. "

"Exactly; that will do. "

"Jest what I said to myself. Daybreak's the time when everybody aboardwill be fast asleep, for they don't carry on there like yew do aboard aman-o'-war with your keeping watch and that sort of thing. "

"Of course not, " said the officer. "Well, then, I may go and tell thecaptain what _you_ say?"

"That's jest as yew like, mister. I should if it was me. "

"Exactly. And you feel sure that you can keep your word?"

"Wish I was as sure of getting hold of that there piece o' territory, mister, and the nigger chief cleared away. "

"Then you don't feel quite sure?" put in Murray. 

"Course I don't, young officer. There's many a pick at a worm as turnsout a miss, ain't there? How do I know that my Portygee neighbourmayn't slip off through your boats making too much of a row instead ofcreeping up quiet? You mean right, all of you, but I shan't feel suretill you've made a prisoner of that chap and scattered the nigger chiefand his men where they'll be afraid to come back. Now then; you saidsomething about talking too much. I'm going to shut up shop now andgive my tongue a holiday till I've laid you where you can send yourboats to do their work. But I say, just one word more, mister, " saidthe man anxiously; and the lieutenant felt his hand tremble as he laidit upon his arm; "yew will be careful, won't yew?"

"Trust us, " replied the lieutenant. 

"That's what I'm a-doing; but jest you think. It puts me in mind of theboys and the frogs in your English moral story--what may be fun to yewmay be death to me. Tell your skipper that he must take all the care hecan. "

"I will, " said the lieutenant. 

"But look here; perhaps I'd better come aboard and say a word to him. Don't you think I might?"

"No, " was the reply. 

"But what do yew say, young mister?"

"I say no too, " replied Murray. "Your place is here aboard yourlugger. "

"Wall, I suppose you're right, " half whimpered the man, "for we'regetting tidy nigh now, and I don't want anything to go wrong through mychaps making a mistake. I'll chance it, so you'd best get aboard yourvessel. Tell the skipper I shall do it just at daylight. Less thanhalf-an-hour now. Then'll be the time. "

"One moment, " said Murray, as the lieutenant was about to give the orderfor the coxswain to unhook and let the cutter glide back to the sloop. 

"Yes, mister; what is it?"

"What's that dull roaring sound?"

"Roaring sound? One of them howling baboon beasts in the woods perhaps. Calling its mates just before sunrise. "

"No, no; I mean that--the sound of water. "

"Oh, _that_!" said the man. "Yes, yew can hear it quite plain, andwe're nigher than I thought. That's on my ground over yonder. Bit of afall that slops over from the river and turns a little sugar-mill I'vegot. There, cast off and tell your skipper to look out and be smart. Less than half-an-hour I shall be taking yew round a big point there ishere, and as soon as it's light enough when yew get round, yew'll beable to see the chief's huts and thatched barracks where he cages hisblackbirds, while the schooner will be anchored out in front, waitingfor you to have sailed away. Her skipper will be taken all on the hop. He'll never think of seeing you drop upon him. "

"He'll never suspect that the way up the river will be found out?" saidthe lieutenant. 

"That's it, mister; but you'll tell your skipper to be spry and careful, for if yew don't do it right it'll be death to me. "

"I see, " said the lieutenant rather hoarsely from excitement. "Nowthen, my man, cast off. "

"One moment, " said the American, and Murray saw him through the palingmoonlight raise his hand as if to wipe his brow. "You quite understand, then? The river gives a big bend round to left, then another to theright, and then one more to the left, jest like a wriggling wum. Tellyour skipper to follow me close so as to run by me as soon as he seesthe schooner lying at anchor. She'll come into sight all at once frombehind the trees like, and whatever you do, run close aboard and grappleher. Her skipper'll have no time to show fight if you do your work torights. I'm all of a tremble about it, I tell yew, for it means so muchto me. There; my work's jest about done, and I'm going to run for theshore out of the way. I don't want the Portygee to get so much as asniff of me. "

"Cast off, " said the lieutenant; and as the cutter dropped back free, the lugger seemed to spring forward into faint mist, which began to showupon the broad surface of the great river, while the sloop glided upalongside, one of the men caught the rope that was heaved to them, anddirectly after Murray missed their pilot and his swift craft, for it waseclipsed by the _Seafowl_ as she glided between, right in the lugger'swake. 

CHAPTER SEVEN. 

TRAPPED. 

"Well, Mr Anderson, " said the captain, as the latter briefly relatedthe last sayings of the American, "that's all plain enough, and in a fewminutes we ought to be alongside. "

"Yes, sir, after following the windings of the river, or in other wordsfollowing our guide, till we see the masts of the schooner above thetrees. " And the lieutenant stood anxiously watching the lugger, whichseemed to have rapidly increased its distance. "I presume, sir, that weare all ready for action?"

"Of course we are, Mr Anderson, " said the captain stiffly. "We shallkeep on till we are pretty close, then run up into the wind, and you andMr Munday will head the boarders. We shall take them so by surprisethat there will be very little resistance. But I see no signs of theschooner's spars yet. "

"No, sir, but we have to make another bend round yet. "

"Yes, of course, " said the captain, as he swept the river banks with hisnight glass. 

"The river seems to fork here, though, sir, " said the lieutenantanxiously. 

"Humph! Yes; but I suppose it's all right, for the lugger keeps on. Wemust be on the correct course if we follow him. "

"Beg pardon, sir, " said Murray excitedly. "I caught sight of the mastsof a vessel lying yonder. "

"Eh? Where, Mr Murray?" said the captain, in a low voice full ofexcitement. 

"Yonder, sir, about half a mile to starboard, beyond the trees on thebank. "

"To be sure! Tall taper spars. I see, Mr Murray. "

"But the sloop is running straight away to port, sir, " said thelieutenant anxiously. 

"Well, what of that, Mr Anderson? Did not the American tell you thatwe were to follow certain bends of the river?"

"Yes, sir, but--"

"Yes, sir, but!" said the captain, in an angry whisper. "Is this a timefor raising buts? According to your own showing, the schooner was to befound at anchor in one of the bends where the black chief's town lay. "

"Yes, sir, but I see no sign of any thatched huts. "

"All in good time, Mr Anderson. We shall see the lugger swing roundthat next point directly, and then we shall be in full view of ourprize. "

The captain turned from his chief officer impatiently, and then in a lowtone issued a few orders with respect to future proceedings, the masterfollowing out the instructions, while the two boarding parties, eacharmed and ready, stood waiting for the command which should launch themon board the now invisible slaver. 

"Bah!" ejaculated the captain. "We are half-an-hour too late. We oughtto be alongside now. Hang the fellow, Mr Anderson! Can he be takingus the right way round that point?"

"I hope so, sir, but I have my suspicions, " replied the lieutenantanxiously. 

"What, that he is playing us false?"

"No, sir, but that he has lost heart and is afraid to pilot us right towhere the schooner lies. "

"The scoundrel! If he has--" began the captain, sharing now in hissubordinate's anxiety. "Oh, impossible! He must know better than wedo. Ahoy, there!" he cried, speaking just loud enough for the lookoutto hear. "Can you make out where the lugger is making for?"

"Ay, ay, sir! Bit of a creek yonder, right inshore. "

"That's it, sir, " cried the lieutenant excitedly; "he has taken fright. We must run round that bend yonder, keeping to mid-stream. "

"Or anchor, " exclaimed the captain sharply. "Why, confound it, man!The river forks here, and we are in a branch with a current running inanother direction. Stand by there to lower the anchor!" he roared, "orwe shall be ashore. "

The order came too late, for as in obedience to order after order, thesloop's course was altered and her sails began to shiver, there was apreliminary shock as if bottom had been lightly touched, then a shiverwhich seemed to communicate itself upward from the deck through Murray'sspine, and the next minute the _Seafowl_ heeled over slightly as sheseemed to cut her way onward into the soft mud, where she stuck fastwith the fierce current into which they had run pressing hardly againsther side as it raced swiftly by. 

"Trapped!" said a voice from close to Murray's ear, and the young manturned swiftly from where he had been gazing over the side in thedirection of the further shore, to encounter the first lieutenant'sangry eyes. "Well, Mr Murray, " he said bitterly, "where is that Yankeesnake?"

"Just gliding in yonder among the trees, sir, " cried the young manpassionately. "I suspected him from the first. "

"Well, Mr Anderson, " said the captain, hurrying up, and as coolly as ifnothing whatever was wrong, "either you or I have placed the sloop inabout as unpleasant a position as it was possible to get. Now then, howabout getting out of it?"

"We're on soft mud, sir, " said the gentleman addressed. 

"And with a falling tide, I'm afraid. There, get to work man, and seewhat can be done with an anchor to haul her upon a level keel before theposition is worse, for we shall board no slaver to-day. "

"Beg pardon, sir. "

"What is it, Mr Murray?"

The midshipman pointed right aft, where the faint mist was floating awayfrom where it hung about a mile away over the distant shore. 

"Well, sir, why don't you speak?" cried the captain, now speakingangrily. "Oh, I beg your pardon, Mr Murray; another mist was in myeyes. That must be the course of the other fork of the river. I see itplainly now. We have been lured up here and run upon this muddy shoalin the belief that we shall never get off; and there goes our prize withher load of black unfortunates. Do you see her, Mr Anderson?"

"Too plainly, sir, " said the chief officer sadly. 

For it was now broad daylight and the swift-looking schooner was glidingalong apparently through the trees which covered a narrow spit of land. 

"Hah!" said the captain quietly. "Yes, that's it, Mr Anderson--ourprize, and a beautiful morning for her to make her start for the WestIndies. Bless that straightforward, timorous, modest American skipper!Do you know, Mr Anderson, I am strongly of opinion that he commandsthat craft and that he will find his way through some of the muddycreeks and channels of the mangrove forest back to where she will bewaiting for him. Well, master, what do you think?" he continued, asthat officer came up hurriedly. "Will the sloop lie over any further?"

"No, sir; that is stopped; but we are wedged in fast. "

"So I suppose. Well, Mr Thomson, it does not mean a wreck?"

"No, no, sir, nor any damage as far as I can say. "

"Damage, Mr Thomson, " said the captain, smiling at him pleasantly; "butit does, man; damage to our reputation--mine--Mr Anderson's. But youwere going to say something, to ask me some question. "

"Yes, sir; about taking steps to get the sloop out of the bed in whichshe lies. "

"Poor bird, yes; but you see no risk for the present?"

"Not the slightest, sir. The mud is so soft. "

"Mud generally is, Mr Thomson, " said the captain blandly. "Well, then, let her rest for a while. We are all tired after a long night's work. Pass the word to Mr Dempsey, and let him pipe all hands for breakfast. I want mine badly. "

There was a faint cheer at this, followed by another, and then by onewhich Murray said was a regular "roarer. "

"I say, " he said to Roberts, "doesn't he take it splendidly!"

"Don't you make any mistake, " replied that young gentleman. "He seemsas cool as a cucumber, but he's boiling with rage, and if he had thatYankee here he'd hang him from the yard-arm as sure as he's his mother'sson. "

"And serve him right, " said Murray bitterly. 

"What's that, young gentlemen?" said the captain, turning upon themsharply, for he had noted what was going on and placed his owninterpretation upon the conversation--"criticising your superiors?"

"No, sir, " said Murray frankly; "we were talking about punishing theYankee who tricked us into this. "

"Gently, Mr Murray--gently, sir! You hot-blooded boys are in _too_great a hurry. Wait a bit. I dare say we shall have the pleasure ofanother interview with him; and, by the way, Mr Anderson, I think as weare so near, we might as well inspect the indiarubber plantations of ourfriend. We might see, too, if he has any more work-people of the sametype as those who manned his galley. "

"I'm afraid we should only find them on board the schooner, sir, " saidthe chief officer bitterly. 

"Exactly, " said the captain; "but I wonder at you young gentlemen, " hecontinued--"you with your sharp young brains allowing yourselves to bedeceived as you were. Those fellows who formed the lugger's crew oughtnot to have hoodwinked you. "

"They did me, sir, " said Roberts, speaking out warmly, "but Murray, here, sir, was full of suspicion from the first. "

CHAPTER EIGHT. 

AMONGST THE HORRORS. 

The crew of the _Seafowl_ had a busy day's work after a good refresher, during which officers and men had been discussing in low tones the wayin which "the skipper, " as they called him, had let himself be trickedby the Yankee. The younger men wanted to know what he could have beenabout, while the elder shook their heads sagely. 

"Ah, " more than one said, "it has always been the same since therevolution; these Yankees have been too much for us. There's somethingin the American air that sharpens their brains. "

Then old Dempsey, the boatswain, who had heard pretty well all that thecaptain had said, chewed it over, digested it, and gave it voice as ifit was something new, to first one knot of listeners and then another, ending with the two midshipmen. 

"You see, Mr Murray, and you too, Mr Roberts, it was like this. Thatschooner had just started for the West Injies with a full load ofniggers, when she sighted the _Seafowl_ and knowed she was a king's shiplooking after a prize. "

"How could the Yankee skipper know that?" said Murray. "He could onlyget just a glimpse before we were hidden by the fog. "

"Cut of the jib, sir--cut of the jib, " said the old man. "What elsecould he think? 'Sides, Yankee slaving skippers have got consciences, same as other men. "

"Rubbish, Mr Dempsey!" said Roberts contemptuously. 

"Course they are, sir--worst of rubbish, as you say, but there's badconsciences as well as good consciences, and a chap like him, carryingon such work as his, must be always ready to see a king's ship in everyvessel he sights. But well, young gentlemen, as I was a-saying, hesights us, and there was no chance for him with us close on his heelsbut dodgery. "

"Dodgery, Mr Dempsey?" said Roberts. 

"Yes, sir; Yankee tricks. Of course he couldn't fight, knowing as hedid that it meant a few round shot 'twixt and 'tween wind and water, andthe loss of his craft. So he says to himself, `what's to be done?' andhe plays us that trick. Sends his schooner up the river while he putsoff in that there lugger and pretends to be a injyrubber grower. Thatought to have been enough to set the skipper and Mr Anderson thinkingsomething was wrong, but that's neither here nor there. He pretendsthat he was a highly respectable sort of fellow, when all the time hewas a sorter human fox, and lures, as the captain calls it, our sloopinto this sort of a branch of the big river where the current runs wrongway on because part of the waters of the great river dischargestheirselves. And then what follows?"

"Why, we were carried by the strange current into the muddy shallow andnearly capsized, Mr Dempsey, while we had the satisfaction of seeingthe slaver sail away with her crew, " interposed Murray impatiently. 

The grizzly-headed, red-faced old boatswain turned upon the lad with anoffended air and said with dignity--

"If you'd only had a little patience, Mr Murray, I was going to tellyou all that. "

He grunted audibly as he walked away, and as soon as he was out ofhearing Murray cried impatiently--

"What did he want to bore us with all that for? Tiresome old fogey!But I say, Dick, you take my advice--don't you get anywhere near theskipper if you can help it to-day. He took things very smoothly beforebreakfast, but you'll see now that he will be as savage as a bear with asore head, as they say, and lead every one a terrible life. "

"Oh, if you are going to deal out old saws, young man, " replied Roberts, "you go and teach your grandmother how to suck eggs. Just as if I waslikely to go near him until he has got the sloop well afloat!"

But what proved to have been every one's opinion turned out entirelywrong, for the captain had never shown himself to better advantage. 

As soon as breakfast was over, and had been partaken of in the mostdeliberate way as far as he was concerned, he turned to the officers, all smiles, and began giving orders in the coolest of fashions and allguided by so much judgment that by carefully laying out anchors, the useof the capstan, haulage, and taking advantage of the wind, the sloopsoon rose upon an even keel and rested at last in a safe position. Thetide that ran up as far as the black king's city did the rest, and thenext day the sloop lay at anchor just where the schooner had been theprevious morning, that is to say, in a position where she could easilygain access to the sea. 

Once the sloop was in safety and the officers had pretty well masteredthe intricacies of the river's course, and the tidal and other currentswhich protected the slaver's lair, a couple of armed boats pulled ashoreto examine the place with caution, lest they should encounter some othertrap. 

"There's no knowing, Mr Anderson, " said the captain, "so at theslightest sign of danger draw back. I don't want a man to be evenwounded at the expense of capturing a score of the black scum, even ifone of them proves to be the king. "

The captain's orders were carefully carried out, while once more the twomidshipmen succeeded in accompanying the landing parties, to find thatthe king's town of palm-thatched hovels was completely deserted. It hadevidently been a busy, thickly inhabited place, where prisoners wereherded together by the brutal savages who made incursions in differentdirections, and held their unfortunate captives ready for the coming ofthe slaver. But now the place was a dreary silent waste, and the trailwell marked showed plainly the direction taken by the native maraudersto some forest stronghold, near at hand or far distant, it wasimpossible to say which. 

"Pah!" ejaculated Murray, as he sprang back with disgust from thestrongly palisaded enclosure which was evidently the prisoners'barracks. "Let's get away, Dick. "

"I'm ready, " was the reply, "but I say, did you go round the other sideyonder?"

The lad pointed as he spoke. 

"No. What was there to see?"

"Tom May found it out, " replied the midshipman, "and I was idiot enoughto go. Here, Tom, " he cried, signing to the generally amiable-lookingsailor to approach; and he strode up, cutlass in hand, musket over hisshoulder, scowling and fierce of aspect. "Tell Mr Murray what youshowed me over yonder, Tom. "

The man's face puckered up as he turned and met Murray's eyes. 

"It's 'most too horrid, sir, " he said, "and don't do no good but make aman savage, sir. There's just fourteen of 'em among the trees there. "

"What, prisoners?" said Murray excitedly. 

"Yes, sir, and six on 'em got the chains on 'em still. "

"Well, what about the armourer?" cried Murray excitedly, turning uponRoberts. "Didn't Mr Anderson have them struck off?"

"No, lad, " replied Roberts. "There was only one of them alive out ofthe whole fourteen, and I don't think she'll be alive when Munday comesback. "

"Comes back! I didn't know he had put off again. "

"Gone for the doctor, " said Roberts. "Go on, Tom May. Tell him whatyou made it out to be. "

"Just this, sir--that they'd got more than the schooner could take away, and they finished off the sick and wounded. "

"How could you tell that?" said Murray, with a look of horror. 

"Seemed pretty plain, sir. All the men had old wounds as well as whatmust have been given them to finish 'em yes'day morning, sir, when theblack fellows forsook the place. "

"But you said--finished the men who had old wounds?"

"Yes, sir; half healed. T'other wounds was fresh, and the women andchildren--"

"Women and children!" cried Murray excitedly. 

"Yes, sir; knocked on the head--clubbed. Didn't care to take 'em awaywith them, sir, when we come. "

"Oh, Dick, " said Murray, whose face now looked ghastly, "I knew thatthere were horrors enough over the slave-trade, but I never thought itcould be so bad as that. Here, Tom, where is this? Show me. "

"Don't be a fool, old chap, " whispered Roberts, grasping his companion'sarm. "You've heard what Tom said. I've seen it too, and I could tellyou, but I won't. It's too horrid to go and see again. "

"Yes, it must be horrible, " said the young man passionately; "but yousaid one poor creature was still alive?"

"Yes, and the doctor's being fetched. "

"But something might be done--water--carried into the shade. "

"We did all that, sir, " said the sailor gruffly. 

"Who did?" asked Murray excitedly. 

"Well, I helped, sir, and the poor black lass looked at me as if shethought I was one of 'em going to take her aboard a slaver. "

"But didn't you tell her--Oh, you are right, Dick; I am a fool! Shecouldn't have understood unless it was by our acts. "

"Oh, don't you worry about that, Mr Murray, sir, " said the man eagerly. "The poor thing took quite a turn like when I knelt down and held mywaterbottle to her lips. "

Murray stood looking at the man, with his brow furrowed, and then henodded. 

"Now then, " he said, "where was this?"

"T'other side of this barrack place, sir, " said the man; "just overyonder. "

"Show me, " said Murray abruptly. 

"I wouldn't go, Frank, " whispered Roberts. 

"I must, " was the reply. "Lead the way, Tom. "

"One of our lads is with her, sir, " said the man, hesitating. 

"So much the better, " cried Murray firmly. "You heard what I said?"

Roberts, who was nearest to the sailor, heard him heave a deep sigh ashe gave his trousers a hitch, and led the way past the vile-smellingpalm and bamboo erection which had quite lately been the prison of alarge number of wretched beings, the captives made by the warlike tribewho kept up the supply of slaves for bartering to the miscreants. Thosewho from time to time sailed up the river to the king's town to carry onthe hateful trade content if they could load up with a terrible cargoand succeed in getting one-half of the wretched captives alive to theirdestination in one of the plantation islands, or on the mainland. 

Tom May took as roundabout a route as he could contrive so as to sparethe young officers the gruesome sights that he and the other men hadencountered; but enough was left to make Murray wince again and again. 

"Why, Tom, " he exclaimed at last, "no punishment could be too bad forthe wretches who are answerable for all this. "

"That's what me and my messmates have been saying, sir; and of courseit's going to be a nasty job, but we're all ready and waiting for ourofficers to give the word--Course I mean, sir, as soon as we get thechance. "

"Only wait, my lad, " said Murray, through his set teeth. 

"That's what we keep on doing, sir, " said the man bitterly. "You see, it's pretty well all wait. "

"The time will come, Tom. "

"Yes, sir; course it will, and when it does--"

The man moistened the palm of his right hand, clapped it to the hilt ofhis re-sheathed cutlass, and half drew it from the scabbard. "My!" heejaculated, and his eyes seemed to flash in the morning sunshine. "It'sgoing to be a warm time for some of 'em. I shouldn't like to be in thatYankee gentleman's shoes, nor be wearing the boots of his men where theyhad 'em. "

"Oh, but these people could not be such inhuman wretches, " said Murrayexcitedly. "The murderous, atrocious treatment--the killing of thosepoor prisoners must be the act of the black chief and his men. "

"Hope so, sir, " said the sailor bluntly. "It's too black to be done bya white. But all the same, sir, if the white skipper didn't want hiscargoes, the nigger king and his men wouldn't supply 'em; and here's thedoctor come ashore, sir, " added the man, in a whisper. 

For the two parties met just at the edge of a clump of trees, withinwhose shade the unfortunate creature who had interested the midshipmanin her fate was lying with one of the seamen standing by her head, hismusket grounded and his crossed arms resting upon the muzzle. 

"Ah, gentlemen, you here!" said the doctor, nodding shortly. "Niceplace, this. Humph!" he ejaculated, as with brows contracting he wentdown on one knee. --"There, don't be frightened, my lass, " he continuedsoftly, for as he drew near, the poor creature, who had been lying inthe shade with her eyes half-closed, startled by the footsteps, suddenlyraised her lids in a wild stare of horror and shrank away. "Poorwretch!" continued the doctor. "The sight of a man can only meanhorrors for her. "

"Horrors indeed, doctor, " cried Murray excitedly; "but pray do somethingfor her!"

"No, " said the doctor gravely. "Nature is her doctor now. "

"What do you mean?" said the young man, half annoyed by the doctor'sinaction. 

"That she is in the hands of a kinder doctor than I could be--one whoknows what is best for her. Look!"

He shrugged his shoulders and turned away. 

"Let your men cut a few of those big leaves, Mr Murray, and lay overher. "

"You are too late?" said Roberts excitedly. 

"Yes, my dear boy, " replied the doctor. "With such hurts as the poorgirl had received it was only a matter of time. Ah, I wish to goodnesswe had caught that schooner! It's time all this was stamped out. There, come away and bring your men. Oh, here comes Mr Anderson. Well, what are you going to do?" For the first lieutenant came up, followed by some of his men, glanced at the motionless figure and theaction being taken, and turned away. 

"What am I going to do?" he replied, frowning angrily. "Nothing butcommunicate with the captain for fresh instructions. "

"But aren't we going to pursue the black chief and his people throughthe forest, sir, and punish them?" asked Murray, who was strangely movedby his first encounter with the horrors of a slave encampment. 

"No, Mr Murray, we certainly are not, " replied the lieutenant, "for thechief and his men will take plenty of care that we do not overtake them. Here, come away, my lads; this place is pestiferous enough to lay everyone down with fever. "

"Yes; I was just going to give you a very broad hint. Fire, eh?" saidthe doctor. 

The lieutenant nodded. 

"I must just have a word or two with the captain first, " said thelieutenant, and giving the order, the men began to march to where theboats lay with their keepers, and a sentry or two had been thrown out toguard against surprise. 

Murray closed up to the doctor, who was looking sharply about him at thetrees which remained standing amongst the almost countless huts. 

"Not many cocoanuts, Murray, " he said. 

"Oh, " cried the young man, who felt more annoyed by the doctor'sindifference than ever, "I was not thinking about palm-trees!"

"But I was, " said the doctor; "they'll burn tremendously. "

"Ah, " cried the midshipman, "that was what I wanted to speak about. Didyou mean to suggest that the place should be burned?"

"Certainly, sir, " said the doctor shortly. 

"The village--but with the slave barrack?"

"Of course, " said the doctor shortly. "Don't you think it would bebest?"

"I--Oh! It seems so horrible, " began Murray. 

The doctor looked at him searchingly, and laid his hand upon the youth'sshoulder. 

"I understand, Murray, " he said quietly. "It does seem as you sayrepugnant; but it is necessary, my lad, for several reasons, one of thefirst of which it that it will be a lesson for the black king. "

"But he could soon have another village built. "

"Then we ought to come and burn that, and his people with him, if wecould get hold of the wretches. I'm sure you must have seen enough thismorning to make you feel how necessary it is for this slave traffic tobe stamped out. "

"Yes, of course, " said Murray, "but--"

"Then take my advice, my lad, " said the doctor, gripping the lad's arm;"leave these matters to your superior officers, and don't look at me asif I were a heartless brute. My profession makes me firm, my lad, notunfeeling. "

"Oh, I don't think that, sir, " said the lad quickly. 

"But you thought something of the kind, Murray, my lad, and I like you, so it hurt me a little. You ought to have known that black and white, good and bad, are all one to a doctor. He sees only a patient, whateverthey may be. But in this case I saw that this poor black woman was atalmost her last gasp. Understand?"

"Yes, I see now, sir, and I beg your pardon, " said the midshipman. 

"We understand one another, Murray, and--Ah, here is the first luffdoing just what I wanted him to do. "

For that officer had gathered his men together in the shade of a clumpof trees where the moving branches blew from off the river in a breezethat was untainted by the miasma of the marshy ground and the horrors ofthe village, for it brought with it the odour of the floating seaweedand old ocean's health-giving salts. 

By this time one of the boats was despatched, and the lieutenant joinedthe pair. 

"Ah, Mr Murray, you have lost your chance. I was going to send you tothe captain for instructions, but you were busy with the doctor, so Isent Mr Roberts. --Giving him a lecture on the preservation of health, doctor?"

"Just a few hints, " said that gentleman, smiling. "We were takingopposite views, but I think Murray agrees with me now. "

CHAPTER NINE. 

"FIRE! FIRE!"

"Now, Mr Murray, " said the lieutenant, "I don't want to expose the ladsto more of this unwholesome place than I can help, so you must use yourbrains as soon as we get word from the captain, and see that they startthe fire where it will have the best effect. This abomination mustdisappear from the face of the earth, so where you begin to burn, startyour fire well. You understand?"

"Yes, sir, " said Murray, drawing a deep breath as he glanced at thedoctor and found that he was watching him. 

"I can't help it, " he said to himself, as he stood alone in the shadewatching the departing boat making for the sloop, "and I don't know thatI want to help it. It does seem a horrible thing to do, but they'reright, and it's one's duty. Wish I'd been handy, though, when the firstluff wanted to send his message to the captain. Dick Roberts doessomehow seem to get all the luck. "

It was just a dash of envy; but the feeling did not last, for his commonsense began to make itself felt directly after, as he withdrew his gazefrom the boat to watch the group of sturdy-looking men sharing hisshelter, and all excited and eager as they discussed the events of themorning and the task they evidently knew that they had to do. 

"Yes, it's all envy, and envy is a poor, small, contemptible thing toencourage. I wish I had none. How stupid of me! One never knows. Itwould have been nice enough to sit back holding the lines and steeringwhile the lads pulled, but only a lazy sort of a task, and here I am putin command of half-a-dozen or so of these stout lads to carry out thecaptain's orders and see that they do the work well. "

Perhaps the fact of his thinking about the men and the work in prospectmade him fix his eyes upon Tom May and think that he would like to havehim in his party; perhaps not, but all the same the man turned his headjust then and met his eyes, gave his waistband a hitch in front andrear, and then crossed a patch of sunshine and joined him in the shade. 

"Yes, sir?" he said enquiringly. 

"I did not call, Tom. "

"No, sir, but I thought you looked as if you was signalling me. Begpardon, sir; I s'pose you know we're going to burn out this here waspnest?"

"I expect so, Tom. "

"Yes, sir, that's so, and the lads are getting so hot to begin that weall feel warm enough to set fire to the place without matches. "

"Well, it is hot, Tom, " said Murray, smiling, while the man showed hisbig white teeth in a broad grin. 

"I expeck we shall be 'vided into squads, sir, and there's abouthalf-a-dozen of my messmates will fall nat'ral along o' me. Couldn'tmanage, I s'pose, sir, to have us under your command, could you?"

"I don't know, Tom, " replied the young man. "You'll see that MrAnderson will settle all that. "

"Yes, sir; I know, sir; but I thought p'raps that if you happened to bestanding along with us just as if you and us was ready for a start, itmight happen as the first luff, sir, would see as it was all sootablelike. They're a handy lot, so I promise you, and used to work with me. "

"Oh, I know all about that, Tom, and I should be glad to have you. "

"Thankye, sir; and you'll try, sir?"

"I will, Tom. "

"Thankye again, sir, and I'll tell the lads. "

"I make no promise, mind, " said the midshipman. 

"I know, sir; it's all right, sir. It'll be like this. Mr Munday willtake the lead, sir, with one lot; old Dempsey another; you the next, andthen Mr Roberts, sir, and the first luff'll be like tip-top of all. Ishouldn't wonder a bit, sir, if me and my squad falls to you. "

Murray never troubled himself to analyse whether it was accident ormanagement, but somehow or other he found himself, soon after the returnof the second cutter, in command of six of the best foremast men of thesloop's crew, headed by Tom May, who bore a lighted ship's lantern, while each man was provided with a bundle of dry, easily-igniting wood. 

The men were drawn up and the first lieutenant gave his very briefinstructions as to the way in which the fires were to be started, theofficers in command being duly urged to exercise all care in making theconflagration thorough, while at the same time guarding againstsurprise. 

"You see, gentlemen, " said the lieutenant in conclusion, "we have nothad a sight of one of the blacks, but we may be sure that they are inhiding not far away, ready to take advantage of any sign of weakness;and their spears are not very sharp, but are handled well and can bethrown a long way with good aim. In an ordinary way they would not riskour bullets, and certainly would not give our bayonets a chance, but Ifeel that the sight of their burning village will rouse them up, andhence an attack upon scattered men is very possible. I have _no_ moreto say but this; I want the village to be burned to ashes, and every manto get back to the boats unhurt. "

The men cheered, and the next minute they had begun to open out tillthey were in line ready to advance, with the now briskly blowing wind, when a final order was given in the shape of a prolonged whistle fromthe boatswain, which was followed by the starting forward of theextended firing party with their freshly ignited torches blazing high. 

"Bravo!" cried Murray excitedly, as he stood with Tom May behind ten ofthe bee-hive shaped palm-walled and thatched huts, which were so closetogether that five of his men were easily able to fire to right andleft, Tom and another man musket-armed ready to cover them, and theiryoung leader standing sword in one hand, the lantern in the other, wellon the watch, and at the same time ready to supply fresh ignition to anyof the rough torches which should become extinct. 

"Bravo!" shouted Murray, for at the first start of his little party thetorches were applied to the dry inflammable palm fabrics, and the flamessprang into fiery life at once. "Good, my lads--good! That's right, "he cried. "Right down at the bottom. Couldn't be better. "

For at the first application there was a hiss, then a fierce cracklingsound, and the fire literally ran up from base to crown of the roundededifice, which was soon roaring like a furnace. 

"Hooray, boys!" cried Tom May. "Don't stop to save any of the bestchayney or the niggers' silver spoons and forks. They belong to such abad lot that we won't loot anything to save for prizes. And I say, that's it, going fine. Never mind getting a bit black with the smoke. It'll all wash off, and that's what these brutes of niggers can't do. "

The men shouted in reply and roared with laughter at their messmates'sallies, as they hurried from hut to hut, every one blazing up asrapidly as if it had been sprinkled with resin. 

Murray's idea was that they would be able to keep on steadily in awell-ordered line, firing hut after hut as they went; but in a very fewminutes, in spite of discipline, he soon found that it would beimpossible to follow out his instructions. Once the fire was started itroared up and leaped to the next hut or to those beyond it. The heatbecame insufferable, the smoke blinding, so that the men were confusedand kept on starting back, coughing, sneezing, and now and then one wasglad to stand stamping and rubbing his hair, singed and scorched by thedarting tongues of flame. 

"Hold together, my lads; hold together!" shouted Murray. "We must lookto ourselves; the others will do the same; but keep on shouting so as tobe in touch. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" cried Tom May. "You hear, my lads?"

Half-heard shouts came back out of the smoke, but it soon becameimpossible to communicate with the men with anything like regularity, for the roar and crackle of the flames grew deafening, many of thebamboo posts exploding like muskets, and before long Murray had hardwork to satisfy himself that the men were not using their pieces. 

"That you, Tom May?" he cried, at last, as he became aware of a dimlyseen figure emerging from the smoke. 

"Not quite sure, sir, " was the reply, "but I think it's me. "

"Where are the lads?"

"Oh, they're here, sir, somewheres, only you can't see 'em. I've justbeen counting of 'em over, sir, by touching 'em one at a time andtelling 'em to shout who it was. "

"They're all safe, then?"

"Hope so, sir; but I wouldn't try to go no furder, sir. Now the fire'sstarted it's a-going on like furnaces, sir, and it's every man forhimself. We can't do no more. Can't you feel how the wind's got up?"

"Yes, Tom; it comes rushing from seaward and whistles quite cold againstthe back of my head, while in front the glow is quite painful. "

"Yes, sir, and it's growing worse and worse. "

"It's my belief, Tom, that this wind will fan the flames till the forestwill take fire before long as well as the huts. "

"'Fore long, sir?" said the man, in the intervals of coughing andchoking. "Why, it's been on fire ever so long, and roaring away rightup to the tops of the trees. We shall be hearing some of them cometoppling down before long. "

"I wish this smoke would blow over, for I can't make out where we are. "

"No, sir, nor nobody else neither. Oh! Here's one of us, if it ain't anigger. Here, who are you?"

"I'm Jenks, messmet, I think, " came hoarsely. "But I say, where's theorficer?"

"I'm here, Jenks, " cried Murray. "What is it?"

"On'y this, sir; I just wanted to know whether fresh clothes'll besarved out after this here job, for I'm sure as I shan't be decent. "

"What, have you got your shirt burned, my lad?"

"'Tarn't on'y my shirt, sir; I'm 'most all tinder, and I had to back outor I should soon ha' been cooked. "

"Keep back, my lads!" cried Murray now, and by degrees he managed to gethis little party all together in what seemed to be an open space whereall was smoke and smouldering ashes, where the men stood coughing, whilethe heat was terrific. 

"Stand still, my lad; stand still!" cried Murray. 

"Can't, sir, " growled the dim figure addressed; "it smarts so. "

"Tut, tut, tut, tut!" ejaculated Murray. "Can you make out which waythe sea lies, May?"

"No, sir; I've been a-trying to. "

"We can't stay here, my lads, and we must make for the shore. It wouldbe madness to go on now. "

"That's a true word, sir, " growled Tom May. 

"I want to know where our chaps are, but I can't hear nothing but thefire going it. Seems to me as if we've set all Africa afire, and it'sgoing on a mile a minute. "

"Who knows where the slave barrack lies?" cried Murray. "It seemshorrible, but we must make sure that the fire has caught there. "

"Seems to me, sir, " said one of the men, "that we're a-standing in themiddle of it here. "

"I know it ketched fire, sir, " said May. 

"How can you be sure, man?" said Murray angrily, for he was smartingwith pain, and forced to close the lids over his stinging eyes. 

"Set it afire myself, sir, and the flames run up the bamboo postesseswhich set 'em snapping and crackling and going on popping and bangingjust as if the marine jollies was practising with blank cartridge on anexercise day. "

"But are you sure, Tom?"

"Sure as sure, sir. Mr Anderson never thought it would go like thishere. He'd got a kind of idee that we should be able to light all theniggers' huts one at a time, 'stead of which as soon as we started a fewon 'em they set all the rest off, and the job was done. "

"Done, my man!" said Murray. "Why, hark at the roar right away yonder. "

"Oh, yes, sir, " grumbled the man; "I'm a-harking fast enough. There shegoes, and as somebody said, I dunno now whether it was me or one of mymessmates, we seem to ha' set all Africa going, and it won't stop tillthere's no more wood to burn. "

"Well, " said Murray decisively, "one thing's very plain: we can do nomore, and we must make for the river. "

"But what about orders, sir?" said the man. "We was to do it thorough, and see as the whole blessed place was a-blazing. "

"Well, it is, my man, " said Murray. "The first lieutenant didn't meanme to get my men burned as well. "

"Skeercely, sir, " said one of the men. "I don't know how my messmatesare, but I feel as if I was a bacon pig after killing time, and thesingeing's done. "

"Forward, then, and keep close, my lads. I think it looks lighter aheadthere. Keep together. "

The midshipman started forward through the blinding smoke, panting andgasping, while at every step the hot ashes emitted sparks and the heatbecame more intense. But at the end of a score of painful paces astrong hand gripped him by the arm and a hoarse voice growled--

"Beg pardon, sir, but this here won't do. "

"Right, May, " cried the midshipman. "I was just going to say so. Halt, my lads. Here, right wheel!"

_Tramp, tramp, tramp_, with the smoke and sparks rising; and the bigsailor growled again in protest. 

"Wuss and wuss, sir. "

"Yes. --Let's try this way, my lads. "

"This here's wusser still, your honour, " growled another of the men. 

"Yes: it's horrible, " cried Murray. "Halt! Now, all together, shoutwith me, `_Seafowl_ ahoy!'"

The men shouted, and then again, three times, but elicited no reply, andthe roar and crackle of the blazing forest seemed to increase. 

"Here, which of you can make out where the river lies?" cried Murray. 

"Not me, sir, " grumbled one of the men out of the stifling smoke, "orI'd soon be into it!"

"Here, once more. I don't think we have tried this way, " cried Murray, almost in despair. "Look, Tom May, this does look a little lighter, doesn't it?--No, " continued the lad huskily, and without waiting for theable-seaman's reply. "Here, try this way, for the flames seem to bemounting higher there. Keep up your pluck, my lads, and follow me. Areyou all there?"

"Ay, ay, sir!" cried the sailor. "We're all here, arn't we, messmates?"

"Ay, ay!" came in a deep growl. 

"Then follow me close, " said Murray. "Everything depends upon yourkeeping together. "

"Oh, we'll keep together, sir, " said May. "Won't we, messmates?"

"Ay, ay!" said another of the men. "But I don't quite like this herejob. "

"No, no, my lads; it's horrible for you, " said Murray, as he tramped on, fighting with his despair. 

"'Tarn't wuss for us, sir, than it is for you, " said Tom. 

"Poor fellows!" thought the midshipman, and he ground his teeth withrage and pain. "But I ought to have led them better. " Then aloud, asan idea struck him, "You, Tom, fire a shot upward, and then as hereloads, the next man fire, as I give orders. The others listen for thereply. Some of our fellows must hear the shots. --Halt!"

The men stood together in the deep gloom, for the smoke rose from aroundthem in every direction. 

Then, heard distinctly above the roar and crackle of the flames, camethe clear sharp-sounding report of the seaman's musket. 

"Number two make ready!" cried Murray, and then, "What's that?" Forsomething passed them with a faint hiss, and as it seemed to the lad, stuck in the smoking earth. 

"Spear, I think, sir, " growled Tom May. 

"Impossible! Piece of bamboo or palm fallen from above. Now then, Number Two--Fire!"

There was the sharp report, followed directly by another whishing soundand a thud in the earth. 

"Spear it is, " growled May. 

"Ay, ay, " said another of the party; "and I've got it too!"

"Hush! Silence there!" whispered Murray excitedly. "Not wounded, mylad?"

"Nay, sir, " came in a subdued voice, "but it would have stuck in myshirt, on'y it was gone to tinder and wouldn't hold nowt. Here it is, though, sir--nigger's spear, and they can see us, though we can't seethem. "

"From which way did it come?"

"Way we're going, sir, " said the man, in a muffled voice; and as hespoke once more came the whish of a well-thrown spear, making another ofthe men wince, and proving plainly from which direction the missile hadcome. 

The imminence of the fresh danger made the little party forget theirsufferings, and with the quickness of highly disciplined men, they wereapt to obey the orders whispered sharply by the midshipman. They fellinto line, made ready, and at the command given by their officer, sixmuskets flashed out, sending their bullets whizzing breast high throughthe smoke, out of which, as if crossing them, came as many spears, thistime the deadly missiles being followed by a burst of savage yells. 

"Load!" whispered Murray, as the yells were followed by a silence sostrange and nerve-startling that the young officer felt his heart thumpheavily against his breast. 

Then, as the whistling of the air arose caused by the driving down ofthe cartridges, he bethought himself and uttered a hurried question--

"Any one hurt?"

"Yes, sir, " came in Tom May's familiar voice; and the midshipman, new tothe heart-stirring horrors of a real engagement, waited anxiously forthe man's next words. 

"None of us, sir, " came after what seemed to be a long pause, "but someo' them got it bad and made 'em yell and run i'stead o' keeping on theslink. "

"Hah!" ejaculated Murray, as he pressed his hand to his painfullythrobbing breast. "I thought you meant--"

"Our lads, sir? Oh no; we're all right: the enemy, sir. That volleystarted 'em. I heard 'em rush off quite plain. Like us to give 'emanother?"

Murray was silent as he stood straining his eyes and ears, to pierce thesmoke and hear the _whish_ of another spear. 

"No, " he said, at last, in a low tone full of relief, "waste of powder;"and then he started, and gave vent to a cry of joy. "Hear that, mylads?" For from some distance away to their left came a shout whichmeant in this peril-fraught position, help and the companionship offriends. 

"Ay, ay, sir, " cried Tom May. 

"Shout, lads--shout!" cried Murray excitedly; and as a hearty _Ahoy_!rang out the lad winced, for he felt that he had given an order whichwould show the enemy once more where they were, and he once morestrained his senses in the full expectation of the coming of anotherspear. 

But he gave vent to his pent-up breath with a feeling of intense relief, as instead of the _whish_ of a spear came another hearty "ahoy!" fromcertainly nearer at hand, followed by the tramp of feet and thecrackling sound of charred wood. 

"Where are you?" came directly after, in a well-known voice. 

"Here, sir!" cried Murray. "Forward, my lads!" And the men followedhim at the double. 

"This way, " cried the same voice. "That you, Mr Murray?"

"Yes, sir, " replied the midshipman, halting his men in the smoke, feeling more than seeing that they were close up to their friends. 

"All your men there?"

"Yes, sir. None hurt, " replied the lad. 

"That's good! Spears have begun to fly, for the enemy are creeping upthrough the smoke. You started the huts burning, of course?" hecontinued, after a pause. 

"Yes, sir; burning everywhere. "

"Exactly, Mr Murray. I think the work has been thoroughly done, and Iam glad you found us, for I am getting to be at fault as to how to reachthe shore. There, I can hear nothing of our friends, so you had betterlead on. I suppose they have made for the boats. "

"Lead on, sir?" faltered Murray. 

"Yes, sir, " cried the chief officer petulantly; "and don't repeat mywords in that absurd way. Haven't we had enough of this stiflingsmoke?"

"But I thought you had come to help us, sir. "

"To help you, sir? Why, weren't you firing to let us know the way outof this horrible furnace?"

"No, sir--at the blacks who were hemming us in and throwing theirspears. Don't you know the way down to the boats?"

"No, my lad, " cried the lieutenant angrily. "Tut, tut, tut! What amess, to be sure!--Silence there! Listen. --Well, " he continued, aftersome minutes, during which nothing but an occasional crack from somehalf-burned bamboo reached their ears. "There, we must give a shout ortwo. I don't know, though, Mr Murray; you said that the blacks hadbegun throwing their spears?"

"Yes, sir; so did you. "

"Yes, Mr Murray, and if we begin shouting all together we shall bebringing them again. "

"That's what I thought, sir. "

"Well, what of that, sir?" cried the officer petulantly; and for themoment it seemed to the lad that his superior had caught the captain'sirritating manner. "So would any sensible person. Here, I have it!Pass the word for Mr Dempsey. The boatswain's whistle will bring thestragglers all together. "

"But Mr Dempsey is not with us, " suggested Murray. 

"Then where in the name of common sense is he, sir? He had hisinstructions--strict instructions to keep well in touch with the rest;and now in the emergency, just when he is wanted he is not to be found. Listen, all of you. Can you hear anything?"

There was plenty to hear, for the half-burned posts of the savage townor the fragments of the forest still kept up a petillation, and flamesflashed up here and there and emitted more smoke; but no one ventured tospeak. 

"Bah!" ejaculated the chief officer angrily. "We shall never get out ofthe smoky maze like this. Now then, all together, my lads, when I givethe word; a good hearty shout; but every man make ready, and at thefirst spear thrown fire in the direction--fire low, mind--Who's that--Mr Murray?"

"Yes, sir, " whispered the lad, who had suddenly laid a hand upon hisofficer's arm. "I fancy I can hear the rustling of steps away to theleft, as if the enemy is creeping nearer. "

"Fancy, of course, sir!" snapped out the officer. "Bare-footed savagesare not likely to be stealing amongst these red-hot ashes. "

_Bang_! and directly after _bang! bang_! The reports of three musketsrang out in a dull half-smothered way, followed by a piercing yell and adistinctly heard rush of feet. Then once more silence, which was brokenby a low hail close at hand. 

"Who's that?" cried the lieutenant. 

"May it is, sir, " responded that individual. "Here's one on 'em, sir, as has got it. "

"Who is it?" whispered the lieutenant, accompanying his question with anejaculation full of vexation. 

"Oh, I dunno, your honour--Sambo or Nigger Dick, or Pompey, sir. Buthe'll never answer to his name again. Here he is, spear and all. "

"One of the enemy whom you shot down?" said the lieutenant, in a tonefull of relief. 

"Not me shot him, sir, but one of my messmates. "

"Speak softly, my man, " said the lieutenant, "and be all ready to fireagain. I'm afraid they've been creeping up all round. "

"Not all round, sir, " said the sailor, "but a whole lot on this side, and them three shots drifted them. There was a regular rush as soon asthe lads opened fire. "

"Good, " said the lieutenant. "But they may be coming on again. Standfast, my lads, ready to fire at the slightest sound. I don't know howthey can stand it, Mr Murray, " he added, "for I feel as if my bootsoles are being burned through. --Yes: what were you going to say--thatyours are as bad?"

"No, sir, " replied the lad excitedly; "I was going to suggest that themen who fired should stand fast. "

"Why, of course, my lad; but why?"

"Because, sir, they can tell the direction in which they fired, and knowthe way in which the enemy retreated. "

"Of course, sir; but what good will that do?"

"It ought to be the way in which their friends are gathered, and theopposite direction to that in which we ought to retreat. "

"Good, my lad, " said the lieutenant, clapping the lad on the shoulder. "You'll make a smart officer some day. I should not have thought ofthat. It may prove to be the way towards the shore. We'll draw off atonce. Oh!" he added. "If a good sharp breeze would spring up, to driveoff this smoke!"

"But wouldn't it set the remains of the fire blazing up again, sir?"

"Here, Murray, " whispered the officer pettishly, "you'd better takecommand of the expedition. You are sharper than I am. "

"I beg your pardon, sir. "

"Not at all. I'm not so weak as to resent hearing a good suggestion. You are quite right, my lad. I only wonder that your brain keeps soclear in the horrible confusion this smoke brings on. Here, let's putyour suggestion into use. Where's Tom May?"

"Here, sir. "

"Can you tell which way the enemy retreated?"

"For sartin. This here nigger's lying on his back with his head pyntedthe way his party came from--shot right through his chesty; and there'sa spear, sir, sticking slahntindickler in the ashes as shows the waywhich it was throwed from. Both being from the same bearings seems tosay, sir, as that's the way the niggers would run. "

"Humph!" ejaculated the lieutenant thoughtfully. "Not quite sure, myman?"

"No, sir, but I heerd them seem to run same way, so I thought it was abit likely, sir. "

"Likely enough for us to follow, my lad, " said the officer; "so leadoff, and keep on in the direction you think that the shore will lie. "

"Can't do that, sir, " said the man bluntly. "Only think, sir, as itwill be farthest from where the enemy came. "

"Lead on, " said the officer shortly. "It's the best thing for us now. Forward, my lads. You, Mr Murray, keep alongside of me. We'll bringup the rear. "

The retreat began, with the midshipman nowise happy in his own mind, forhe could not help feeling that after all they might be marching intofresh difficulties instead of towards safety; but before long, as theytramped on over the heated ashes, suffering badly, for they began toinhale more and more the heated dust thrown up by their men's feet, theyhad something else to think of, for Murray suddenly caught hold of hisofficer's arm to check him. 

"Don't, do that, my lad, " came in response. "It's as dark as can be, and if we are left behind we shall be worse off than ever. "

"Yes, sir, " whispered the midshipman; "but listen. "

"I am listening, Mr Murray, and I can hear the crackling of the men'sshoes as they trample up the burning embers. That's what you hear. "

"Yes, sir, but something more. "

"Eh? What?"

"Listen again, sir. Just stop for a moment. "

The officer stopped short on the instant, and then caught the lad by thearm. 

"Forward, " he whispered, "and keep step with me. Close up to the men, and we'll halt, fall into line, give the brutes time to get withinthrowing distance for their spears, and then give them a volley. Youare quite right, Mr Murray. Your ears are sharper than mine. We arefollowed, my lad, and if we hear their footsteps cease we must dashforward to put our movement into effect, for they will have halted tothrow their weapons. --Yes, they are creeping after us quite fast now. "

"Yes, sir; I can hear them quite plainly. "

"Never mind so long as we don't feel them quite plainly, Murray, mylad, " continued the officer, with a faint laugh. "I don't know how youfeel, my boy, but I am suffering from a peculiar tickling sensationabout the upper part of my spine. It is a sort of anticipation of thecoming of a spear; and the worst of it is that we can't run, though I'llbe bound to say you feel as if you would like to. Now, frankly, don'tyou?"

"Yes, sir, " said the lad; "I'd give anything to run now, as fast as Icould. "

"That's honest, Mr Murray, " said the lieutenant, in a low, eagerwhisper, and he squeezed his companion's arm. "But then, you see, wecan't. That's the worst of being an officer, Murray, with all hisresponsibilities. If we were to run we should throw our men intoconfusion by causing a panic. If the officer shows the white featherhis men will whisk it out directly, and, what is worse, they will neverbelieve in him again, and that would not do, would it?"

"No, sir, " said Murray quietly; "but I've got that tickling sensation inmy back badly now. "

"Of course you have, Murray, but not so bad as I have, I'm sure. "

"Oh, I don't know, sir, " said the lad, rather huskily. 

"Better not talk, Mr Murray, " said the first lieutenant; "the ashes aregetting into your throat. "

"Think it's that, sir?"

"Some of it, my boy. Well, no: it does not do for officers to be toosure. We'll say it is, though. Nasty sensation, however, that offeeling your enemies are waiting to hurl a spear through the air withsuch an aim that it will stick right into your back. "

"Yes, sir; it's a horrible sensation. "

"But we must put up with it, Murray, " continued the lieutenant, "and bethankful that chance comes to our help. "

"Chance, sir?"

"Yes: the savages may miss us, for we are on the move, and besides, itis very smoky and hard for them to take aim. These blacks have verysharp eyes, but I doubt whether they get more than a shadowy glimpse ofus, even at the nearest. You see, we have not had a man hit as far aswe know. But speaking seriously, Murray, my lad, I do think that weofficers have the worst of it, and the men the best. We have to coverthem and lead them, and a good officer would never think of setting hismen to do anything we would not do ourselves. There, Mr Murray, I havefinished my lecture upon an officer's duty, and I have only to add thatI think you have behaved very well. "

"Thankye, sir, " said Murray drily; "but, begging your pardon, sir, whatabout you?"

"About me? Oh, I'm old and seasoned, my dear boy. And besides, I don'tthink that if we had been hit, a spear would kill. "

"But it would make a very ugly wound, sir. "

"Horrible, my boy, so let's hope none of our brave fellows will begiving the doctor a job. Now then, quick; double up to the lads, andwe'll halt and fire, for the enemy are getting too close to be pleasant, and it's time that they had a check. "

CHAPTER TEN. 

HARD TIMES. 

It was, quite, for the rustling behind seemed to be terribly near, andit was with a feeling of intense relief that the lad felt his armpressed, and fell into step with his officer, who directly after cried"Haiti" in a low, stern voice, and formed his men in line, before givingthe orders: "Make ready! Fire!"

Quite time, for spears and bullets crossed, the former in a curve, thelatter direct, and drawing from the enemy yells of mingled defiance, rage and pain. 

"That's give it 'em, sir, " whispered Tom May, who was close to Murray, and he made his rifle hiss as he rammed down a fresh cartridge. 

"Any one hurt?" asked the lieutenant, in a low, eager tone. 

"I got a spear a-sticking in me, sir, " said one of the men, in the samesubdued tone of voice, "but I can't say as it hurts. "

"Let me see, " said Murray excitedly, and he stepped to where the man wasstanding tugging at himself instead of following his comrades' exampleand reloading. 

"Don't think you can see, sir! it's so smoky. Would you mind ketchinghold here and giving a good pull?"

As the man spoke, the midshipman did as he was requested, so far as totake hold of the shaft of a spear. But there he stopped short, hisimagination suggesting consequences to which he gave voice in astrangely unnatural tone. 

"I daren't draw it out, " he said. "It may be wrong to do so. "

"But I can't march with a thing like that all wibble wobble at everystep, sir. "

"Then you must be helped, my lad, " said Murray hastily. "If I draw itout the wound may burst out bleeding. "

"Think so, sir?"

"Yes. You must be helped back till the doctor has seen to you. "

"Here, what is it?" said a familiar voice out of the gloom. 

"Titely has a spear through his shoulder, sir. "

"Tut, tut, tut! Here, let me look. "

"Oh, never mind me, sir, " said the injured man; "it don't hurt much, on'y feels like a scratch; but it's orfly in the way. "

"Who's this?" asked the lieutenant. 

"Murray, sir. "

"Let me see. Yes: right through, evidently. "

"He wants it drawn out, sir, " said the midshipman, and he was holding upthe spear-shaft where he stood facing the injured man; "but it would bedangerous to meddle with it, wouldn't it, sir?"

"Yes, certainly, " said the lieutenant. "He must be helped back. What'sthat?"

"More spears, sir, " growled Tom May, as there was the whizz and thud ofthe missiles once more. 

"Present! Fire!" said the lieutenant sharply; and a fresh volley wasfired, with the result of a rush of feet being plainly heard from theenemy, now in full retreat. 

"Keep silence, my lads, " said the lieutenant, who had been waiting tillthe thudding of the ramrods came to an end and denoted that the littleparty was once more ready to deliver fire. 

Silence ensued, save where Murray stood half supporting the wounded man. 

"Here, give it a good pull, Mr Murray, sir, " whispered the man. "I'llhold a couple o' plugs ready for you to stop the bleeding. "

"No, no, my man; you must be patient, " whispered Murray sympathetically. 

"But I can't be patient, sir. You don't know what it means. "

"Does it pain you so much?"

"No, sir; not so werry much. I can bear it well enough, but it makes mefeel as if I'd got a skewer through me. "

"Silence there, " said the lieutenant. 

"It's all very fine, " muttered the man; and then, leaning towardsMurray, "Say, sir, these here niggers on the coast are cannibals, aren'tthey?"

"Yes, some of them, I believe, " whispered back the midshipman. 

"Don't leave me behind, then, " said the man softly, and he uttered a lowchuckling laugh. "I don't want 'em to come upon me and find a fellowskewered and trussed ready for cooking. "

"Can't you keep that man quiet, Mr Murray?" said the lieutenantangrily, and he came up to where the pair stood together. "It's liketelling the enemy where to throw again, for they are wonderfully quickof hearing. "

"I am trying, sir, " whispered the midshipman, "but I wish you wouldplace your hand here. "

"Place your hand there, Mr Murray!" said the officer, in a voice fullof vexation. "I have no time to feel the poor fellow's wound. "

"But it isn't quite that, sir, " said the lad. "I can't help thinking--"

"Think, then, sir, but don't bother me. "

"I can't help it, sir, " whispered the lad excitedly. 

"What do you mean, Mr Murray?" said the officer, alarmed by the lad'sexcitement. "Don't say you are wounded too?"

"No, sir, and I don't think that Titely has got anything worse than ascratch. "

"Eh?"

"Feel here, sir. The spear has gone right through the bandolier and hisshirt from the front and gone out through the shirt and bandolier at theback, running all up a bit. "

"Well, but what about the poor fellow's flesh and bone?" said theofficer excitedly. 

"I think it's only gone through the skin, sir. "

"Yes, that's right, " said the man. "I telled Mr Murray, sir, as Ididn't think I should bleed much if he pulled the skewer out. "

"We must wait for daylight, my lad--till the smoke lifts. Ah, what areyou doing?"

"On'y wiggling the spear a little, sir, " replied the man gruffly. "Justgive a tug at it. Does hurt a bit. I seem to have teared some'at. There, I knowed it! You try, Mr Murray, sir; you can lift it like now, and--yes, that's it. I'm a-shoving it back'ards and for'ards, and itmoves the cross-belt and my shirt, and nothing else. "

"But, my good fellow--" began the officer. 

"It's all right, sir. I've shoved my hand right under my shirt and overmy shoulder. It's just bleeding a little, but--well, it's about thehumbuggin'est humbug of a wound I ever knowed a chap to have. Here, MrMurray sir, you ketch hold of my cross-belt fore and aft, and if hishonour wouldn't mind giving the spear a haul through the belt I shall beas right as can be. "

The two officers obeyed the man's request and stood holding spear andbelt, but hesitated to proceed farther. 

"That hurt, my lad?" said the lieutenant. 

"Hurt, sir? Not a bit. On'y feels preciously in the way. "

"Got hold tightly, Mr Murray?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Then, now then. "

It took more than one good tug, but after the first tentative trial, which seemed to cause the man no suffering, the first lieutenant pulledhard, and at last drew the spear right through the two pierced portionsof the tough buff leather. 

"That's your sort, gentlemen, " said the man. "Here, who's got mymusket?"

"Steady, my lad, " said the lieutenant. "Now, then, do you feel faint?"

"Orfle, sir, inside, " said the man, "but I want a drink o' water worst. "

"But are you in pain?" asked Murray. 

"Smarts a bit, but it don't hardly bleed at all. I'm all right, sir, only tickles enough to make a chap a bit savage. Here, don't you worryabout me, sir. I'm as fit as a fiddle, gentlemen, and I on'y want nowto play the niggers such a toon as'll make them jump again. "

"Hah!" ejaculated the lieutenant. "Only a bit of a false alarm, MrMurray. "

"Thankye, sir. Yes, that's right. Does me good to grip my musketagain. "

"Then try and use it, Titely, " said the midshipman, "for here they comeagain. --Yes, May; we hear them. "

The lieutenant's command was given directly after, and again a volleyrang out, this time to check the enemy's advance and drive them back sothoroughly that the silence was once more intense; and as the partystood with strained ears, listening, Murray uttered an exclamation. 

"What is it, Mr Murray?"

"Firing, sir. I heard shots. "

"Are you sure?"

"I heerd it too, sir, " said the injured man. 

"Attention there!" said the lieutenant sharply. 

"One, two, and three from the left make ready. Present--Fire!"

The three shots rang out like one, and directly after they were repliedto, the reports sounding faintly enough but perfectly distinguishablethrough the distance. 

The lieutenant waited while twenty could be counted, and then orderedthe men to fire again. This drew forth a reply, and so evidently fromthe same direction that the order was given for the party to march; butdirectly after the lieutenant called _Halt_, for from behind them andquite plainly from the direction they were leaving, came the deep-toned_thud_ of a heavy gun. 

CHAPTER ELEVEN. 

"THE SMOKE'S LIFTING. "

"Well done, _Seafowl_!" said the lieutenant, and the men gave a cheerwhich drew forth a "Silence!" from the officer. 

"You're holloaing before you're out of the wood, my lads, " he said. "Ah, there they go again--nearer too. Those must be Mr Munday's or MrDempsey's men. Halt, and stand fast, my lads. Let's give them a chanceto join, and then we can retire together. No doubt, Mr Murray, aboutthe direction we ought to take. "

"No, sir, " replied the midshipman, "and we are going to be quite out ofour misery soon. "

"What do you mean, my lad?"

"The smoke's lifting, sir. "

"To be sure, my lad, it is. A cool breeze too--no--yes, that's from thesame direction as the _Seafowl's_ recall shot. If it had been from theforest we might have been stifled, after all. "

The signals given from time to time resulted in those who had firedcoming before long within hail, and the men who now joined proved to bea conjunction of the second lieutenant's and boatswain's, who had metafter a long estrangement in the smoke, and without the loss of a man. Then, as the smoke was borne back by the now increasing sea breeze, thegeneral retreat became less painful. They could breathe more freely, and see their way through the burned forest in the direction of theanchored sloop. 

It was a terribly blackened and parched-up party, though, that struggledon over the still smoking and painfully heated earth. For they had nooption, no choice of path. The forest that lay to left and right wastoo dense to be attempted. There were doubtless paths known to thenatives, but they were invisible to the retreating force, which had tokeep on its weary way over the widely stretching fire-devastated tractthat but a few hours before had been for the most part mangrove thicketinterspersed with palms. But the men trudged on with all the steady, stubborn determination of the British sailor, cheered now as they wereby the sight of the great river right ahead, with the sloop of war wellin view; and in place of bemoaning their fate or heeding theirsufferings the scorched and hair-singed men were full of jocular remarksabout each other's state. 

One of the first things observable was the fact that to a man all savethe officers were bare-headed, the men's straw hats having sufferedearly in the struggle against the flames, while the caps of the officerswere in such dismal plight that it was questionable as to whether it wasworth while to retain them. 

Titely, the seaman who had been speared, was the butt of all hismessmates, and the requests to him to show his wound were constant andall taken in good part; in fact, he seemed to revel in the joke. 

But there was another side which he showed to his young officer as, cheering at intervals, the party began to near the river edge and getglimpses of the boats waiting with a well-armed party to take them offto the sloop. 

"It's all werry fine, Mr Murray, sir, " said Titely, "and I warn't goingto flinch and holloa when one's poor mates wanted everything one coulddo to keep 'em in good heart; but I did get a good nick made in myshoulder, and the way it's been giving it to me all through this herered-hot march has been enough to make me sing out _chi-ike_ like atrod-upon dog. "

"My poor fellow!" whispered Murray sympathetically. "Then _you_ are ingreat pain?"

"Well, yes, sir; pooty tidy. "

"But--"

"Oh, don't you take no notice, sir. I ought to be carried. "

"Yes, of course! Yes, I'll tell Mr Anderson. "

"That you don't, sir! If you do I shall break down at once. Can't yousee it's the boys' chaff as has kep' me going? Why, look at 'em, sir. Who's going to make a party of bearers? It's as much as the boys can doto carry theirselves. No, no; I shall last out now till I can get adrink of cool, fresh water. All I've had lately has been as hot asrum. "

"Hurray!" rang out again and again, and the poor fellows joined in thecheers, for they could see nothing but the welcome waiting for them, andfeel nothing but the fact that they had gone to clear out the horriblehornets' nest with fire, and that the task had been splendidly done. 

CHAPTER TWELVE. 

AFTER THE LESSON. 

As the suffering party gathered together upon the river shorepreparatory to embarking in the boats, Murray's first care was to seethat A. B. Titely was placed where he could lie down and rest, and whilelooking after the poor fellow, and seeing that he was one of the firstto be helped into the stern sheets of the first cutter, Roberts came up. 

"Oh, I say!" he cried. "Who's that wounded?"

"Hallo! Who are you?" said his fellow middy sharply. "Don't disturbthe poor fellow. "

"Why, eh? Yes--no, " cried Roberts, with a mock display of interest, "Iwas wondering where--well--it can't be! Why, Frank, you do look apretty sweep! Hardly knew you. I say: is it you?"

"Is it I, indeed!" growled Murray. "You're a pretty fellow to try thaton! Go and look at your face in the water if you can find a still pool. I might grin at you. "

"Am I browned, then--scorched?"

"Are you scorched brown! No, you are scorched black! Where are youreyebrows? I say, Dick, those two little patches of hair in front ofyour ears that you believed were whiskers beginning to shoot--they'requite gone. No, not quite; there's a tiny bit left in front of yourright ear. "

The conscious lad clapped his hands up to the sides of his face. 

"I say, not so bad as that, is it, Frank? No games; tell us the truth. "

"Games? No, I'm too sore to be making game, " cried Murray, and he gazedcarefully at both sides of his messmate's cheeks. "You're scorchedhorribly, and the whisker shoots are all gone--No, there's about half ofone left; and you'll have to shave that off, Dick, so as to balance theother bare place. No, no; it's all right; that's not hair, only asmudge of sooty cinder off your burnt cap. I say, you do look a beauty, Dick. "

"Oh, I say!" groaned the youth, patting his tingling cheekstenderly. --"Here, what are you grinning at, sir?" he cried, turning uponthe wounded sailor angrily. 

"Beg pardon, sir. Was I grinning?" said the sailor apologetically. 

"Yes; and he can't help it, Dick. Don't be hard upon the poor fellow;he has had a spear through the top of his shoulder. But you do look anobject! Enough to make a cat laugh, as they say. "

"Well, I don't see that there's anything to laugh at. "

"No, old fellow, because you can't see your face; but I say, you can seemine. "

"Humph!" grunted Roberts sulkily, and his fingers stole up to pat thescorched portions of his face. 

"Case of pot and kettle, eh, Dick?" said Murray, laughing, then pullinghis face straight again as he winced with pain. "Oh, I say, don't makeme grin at you again. It's just as if my skin was ready to crack allover. There, poor old chap, I'm sorry for you if you feel as bad as Ido. But you began it. "

"Beg pardon, then, " grumbled Roberts. 

"Granted. But I say, why doesn't Anderson hurry us all on board?"

"I don't know. Yes, I do, " cried the midshipman excitedly. "Thebeggars--they must have quite escaped the fire! They're gatheringtogether over yonder, hundreds of them, with spears. I believe they'regoing to make a rush. Fancy, after destroying the hornets' nest!"

"Then we shall have to kill the hornets, " said Murray; and the two ladswere among the first to answer to the boatswain's whistle, which nowchirruped out loudly. 

"Here we are, Mr Murray, sir, " said Tom May, as the midshipman hurriedup to his little party. "This is us, sir--your lot. "

"Well, I know that, " said the lad petulantly, as he winced with pain. 

"Beg pardon, sir, " said the man. "Thought you might take us for theniggers, seeing what colour we are and how our clothes are tumblingoff. "

"Yes, we're black enough, Tom, but I hope you don't feel as I do, " saidhis leader. 

"Much of a muchness, sir, " said the man, with a grin half of mischievousmirth, half of pain. "The first luff said something about hornets, sir. I don't know much about them insecks, but we chaps feel as if we'd beenamong their first cousins the wopses; eh, lads?"

"Ay, ay!" growled another of the men. "But aren't we soon going to havea chance to use our stings?"

At that moment the preliminary order rang out--an order which sent athrill through the suffering band, making them forget everything in theopportunity about to be given them for retaliation upon the advancingbody of warlike blacks stealing cautiously forward from the shelter of apatch of mangroves away to the left, which had from its nearness to themargin escaped the flames. 

"The savage brutes!" muttered Murray, as he drew his sword, and wincedwith pain. 

"Hold your fire, Mr Murray, " shouted the lieutenant. "Wait, my lads, till you see the whites of their eyes, and then let them have it sharplywhen you hear the word. "

But the little volley from the midshipman's party of reserve was heldlonger, for the lieutenant's words had little more than passed his lipswhen there was a flash, followed by what resembled a ball of grey smokefrom the _Seafowl_ where she lay at anchor. Then almost instantaneouslycame the roar of one of the sloop's bow guns and her charge of canistershot tore through the sheltering bush-like trees, while a cheer burstfrom the shore party, discipline being forgotten in the excitementcaused by what came as a surprise. 

The heartily given cheer was followed by another puff of grey smoke, andthe crack of shot through the sheltered trees, the effect being that theadvancing party of the enemy was turned into a running crowd offugitives scattering and running for their lives, leaving the boats'crews to embark quite unmolested, this last example of the white man'spower proving a quite sufficient lesson for the native king. 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 

A VISIT FROM THE HORNETS. 

"Upon my word, Mr Anderson, " said the captain, as he had the men drawnup before him as soon as they reached the _Seafowl_--"Upon my word, sir, I am delighted. I entrust you with a couple of boats' crews to carryout a necessary duty, and you bring me back a scorched-up detachmentonly fit to go into hospital. "

"I beg pardon, sir, " said the chief officer shortly; "only one manwounded, and his injury is very slight. "

"Don't talk to me like that, sir!" cried the captain. "Look at them, sir--look at them!"

"I have been looking at them, sir, for long enough--poor fellows--and Iam truly sorry to have brought them back in such a state. "

"I should think you are, sir! Upon my word of honour I should think youare! But what have you been about?"

"Burning out the hornets' nest, sir, " said the lieutenant bluffly. 

"Well, I suppose you have done that thoroughly, Mr Anderson: but atwhat a cost! Is there to be no end to these misfortunes? First youallow yourself to be deluded by a slave-trading American and bring the_Seafowl_ up here to be run aground, with the chance of becoming a totalwreck--"

"I beg your pardon, sir!"

"Well, not total--perhaps not total, Mr Anderson; but she is in aterribly bad position. "

"One from which you will easily set her at liberty. "

"Fortunately for you, Mr Anderson; and that is to my credit, I think, not yours. "

"Granted, sir, " said the lieutenant; "but do you give me the credit ofbeing tricked by the slave skipper?"

"Well, I suppose I must take my share, Mr Anderson; but don't you thinkit would be more creditable to dismiss these poor fellows at once andhave them overhauled by the surgeon?"

"I do, sir, certainly, " said the chief officer. 

"Have them below, then, at once, and let Mr Reston do his best withthem. Only one seriously wounded, you said?"

"No, sir; slightly. "

"Good. But to think of the _Seafowl_ being turned at one stroke into ahospital hulk. --You thoroughly destroyed the town and the slavebarracks?"

"We completely burned out the wretched collection of palm and bamboohuts, sir, and the horrible barn and shambles where they keep theirwretched captives. It was a place of horror, sir, " said the lieutenantangrily. "If you had seen what we saw, sir, you would have felt that nopunishment could be too great for the wretches. "

"Humph! I suppose not, Mr Anderson. And that iniquitous Yankeescoundrel who has slipped through my fingers. But look here, MrAnderson, I am going to find that wretch; and when I do--yes, when I do!He has had the laugh of me, and I was too easily deceived, Anderson;but I'm going to follow that fellow across the Atlantic to where hedisposes of his unfortunate cargo. It's thousands of miles, perhaps, and a long pursuit maybe, but we're going to do it, sir, no matter whatit costs, and I hope and believe that my officers and my poor bravefellows who have suffered what they have to-day will back me up andstrain every nerve to bring the _Seafowl_ alongside his schooner, goingor coming. Hang him, Mr Anderson!--Ah, I did not mean to say that, sir; but hang him by all means if you can catch him. We'll give him themercy he has dealt out to these poor unhappy creatures, and for the wayin which my brave fellows have been scorched and singed I'm going toburn that schooner--or--well, no, I can't do that, for it must be asmart vessel, and my sturdy lads must have something in the way of prizemoney. Look at them, Mr Anderson; and look at those two! You don'tmean to tell me that those are officers?"

He pointed at the two midshipmen so suddenly that they both started andturned to look at each other, then stared at the captain again, and oncemore gazed at each other, puzzled, confused, angry and annoyed at theiraspect, looking so comical that the captain's manner completely altered. He had been gazing at his young officers with an air of commiseration, and his tones spoke of the anger and annoyance he felt to see the statethey were in; and then all was changed; he turned to the firstlieutenant, whose eyes met his, and, unable to maintain his seriousness, he burst into a fit of laughter, in which he was joined by the chiefofficer. Then, pulling himself together, he snatched out hishandkerchief and wiped his eyes. 

"Bah!" he ejaculated. "Most unbecoming! I did not mean this, gentlemen; the matter is too serious. But for goodness' sake get belowand make yourselves presentable. Mr Anderson, you ought not to havelaughed. See to all the poor fellows, sir. The men must have freshclothes served out, and all who are unfit for duty go into the sickbay. "

Then, frowning severely, he turned sharply upon his heels and marched tothe cabin door. 

"Well, " exclaimed the first lieutenant, "of all--`Mr Anderson, youought not to have laughed!' Well, gentlemen, " he cried angrily, as heturned upon the two young officers, "pray what do you find to laugh at?Is my face black?"

"No, sir, " cried Murray, in a half-choking voice. "I beg your pardon, sir. It seemed so comic for the captain to turn upon you like that. "

"Eh? Humph! Well, I suppose it was. I laughed too. Well, betterlaugh than cry over spilt milk. It's the excitement, I suppose, andwhat we have gone through. Now then, we had better go below andinterview the doctor; but he will be busy over the lads for a long timebefore our turn comes. "

"I believe the skipper's half-cracked, " said Roberts, as the two ladswent below to their quarters. 

"Then I'd keep my opinions to myself, old fellow, " grumbled Murray; andthen as he seated himself upon a locker he uttered a low hissing soundsuggestive of pain. 

"Pooh! This is a free country--no, I don't mean that, " cried Roberts, pulling himself up short. "I mean, every man has a right to his ownopinions. "

"Yes, but not to give them aboard a man-o'-war. "

"Bah! We're not slaves. Haven't we come to suppress slavery?"

"I dare say we have, " said Murray, "but you'd better not let the skipperknow that you said he was a bit of a lunatic. "

"Shall if I like. You won't be a sneak and tell. Why, it was ghastlyto see him turn as he did. One minute he was speaking feelingly andletting us all see that he meant to spare no efforts about pursuing andpunishing that Yankee skipper, and the next he was laughing like ahysterical school-girl. "

"He couldn't help it, poor old boy, " said Murray. "Old Anderson wasjust as bad, and we caught the infection and laughed too, and so did themen. "

"Well, I can't see what there was to laugh at. "

"That's the fun of it. But it is all through every one being sooverstrung, I suppose. There, do leave off riddling about your cheeks. "

"Who's fiddling, as you call it, about one's cheeks?"

"You were, and it's of no use; the miserable little bits of down aregone, and there's nothing for it but to wait till the hairs begin togrow again. "

"Er-r-r!" growled Roberts angrily; and he raised his fingers to thesinged spots involuntarily, and then snatched them down again, enragedby the smile which was beginning to pucker up his companion's face. "There you go again. You're worse than the skipper. "

"Then don't make me laugh, for it hurts horribly. "

"I'll make you laugh on the other side of your face directly. "

"No don't--pray don't, " sighed Murray; "for the skin there's stiffer, and I'm sure it will crack. "

"You're cracked already. "

"I think we must all have been, to get ourselves in such a mess, oldfellow. But it was very brave, I suppose, and I don't believe any onebut English sailors would have done what we did. "

"Pooh! Any fools could have started those fires. "

"Perhaps so. But what's the matter now?" For Roberts had raised hisface from the water he was beginning to use, with an angry hiss. 

"Try and bathe your face, and you'll soon know. "

"Feel as if the skin was coming off? Well, we can't help it. Must getrid of the black. The skin will grow again. But I'm thinking of one'suniform. My jacket's like so much tinder. "

A wash, a change, and a visit to the doctor ended with the sufferersbeing in comparative comfort, and the two lads stood and looked at eachother. 

"Hasn't improved our appearance, Dick, " said Murray. 

"No; but you must get the barber to touch you up. One side of yourcurly wig is singed right off, and the other's fairly long. "

"I don't care, " cried Murray carelessly. "I'm not going to bother aboutanything. Let's go on deck and see what they're about. "

Roberts was quite willing, and the first man they encountered was theable-seaman Titely. 

"Why, hallo!" cried Murray. "I expected you'd be in hospital. "

"Me, sir! What for?"

"Your wound. "

"That warn't a wound, sir; only a snick. The doctor put a couple o'stitches in it, and then he made a sorter star with strips o' stick-jackplaister. My belt got the worst of it, and jest look at my hair, sir. Sam Mason scissored off one side; the fire did the other. Looks niceand cool, don't it?"

The man took off his new straw hat and held his head first on one sideand then the other for inspection. 

"Why, you look like a Turk, Titely, " said Murray. 

"Yes, I do, sir, don't I? Old Sam Mason's clipping away still. Theother chaps liked mine so that they wanted theirs done the same. It'sprime, sir, for this here climate. "

"But your wound?" said Roberts. 

"Don't talk about it, sir, or I shall be put upon the sick list, andit's quite hot enough without a fellow being shut up below. Noo canvastrousis, sir. Look prime, don't they?"

"But, Titely, " cried Murray, "surely you ought to be on the sick list?"

"I say, please don't say such a word, " whispered the man, lookingsharply round. "You'll be having the skipper and Mr Anderson hearingon you. I ain't no wuss than my messmates. "

"No, I suppose not, " said Roberts, "but--why, they seem to be all ondeck. "

"Course they are, sir, " said the man, grinning. "There's nowt thematter with them but noo shirts and trousis, and they allers do chafe abit. "

Murray laughed. 

"But you ought to be on the sick list. "

"Oh, I say, sir, please don't! How would you young gentlemen like to belaid aside?"

"But what does the doctor say? Didn't he tell you that you ought to gointo the sick bay?"

"Yes, sir, " said the man, grinning; "but I gammoned him a bit. "

"You cheated the doctor, sir!" said Roberts sternly. 

"Well, sir, I didn't mean no harm, " said the man, puckering up his facea little and wincing--"I only put it to him like this: said I shouldonly fret if I went on the sick list, and lie there chewing more thanwas good for me. "

"Well, and what did he say?"

"Told me I was a himpident scoundrel, sir, and that I was to go and seehim every morning, and keep my left arm easy and not try to haul. "

In fact, singeing, some ugly blisters, a certain number of hands thatwere bound up by the doctor, and a few orders as to their use--orderswhich proved to be forgotten at once--and a certain awkwardness of gaitset down to the stiffness of the newly issued garments--those were allthat were noticeable at the first glance round by the midshipmen, andapparently the whole crew were ready and fit to help in the effortsbeing made to get the sloop out of her unpleasant position in the mud ofthe giant river. 

As for the men themselves, they were in the highest of spirits, andworked away hauling at cables and hoisting sail to such an extent thatwhen the night wind came sweeping along the lower reaches of the river, the sloop careened over till it seemed as if she would dip her canvas inthe swiftly flowing tide, but recovered almost to float upon an evenkeel. Twice more she lay over again, and then a hearty cheer rang out, for she rose after the last careen and then began to glide slowly outinto deeper water, just as the captain gave orders for one of the bowguns to be fired. 

"Why was that?" said Murray, who had been busy at his duties right aft. "Didn't you see?"

"No. Not to cheer up the men because we were out of the mud?"

"Tchah! No. The niggers were beginning to collect again ashore thereby that patch of unburned forest. "

"I didn't see. "

"That doesn't matter, " said Roberts sourly; "but the blacks did, andfelt too, I expect. Anyhow, they sloped off, and now I suppose we shalldo the same while our shoes are good, for the skipper won't be happytill we're out to sea again. "

"Here, what now?" said Murray excitedly. "What does this mean?"

"This" meant cheering and excitement and the issuing of orders whichmade the deck a busy scene, for the men were beat to quarters ready tomeet what promised to be a serious attack. For in the evening lightquite a fleet of large canoes crowded with men could be seen cominground a bend of the river, the blades dipping regularly and throwing upthe water that flashed in the last rays of the sinking sun, while fromend to end the long canoes bristled with spears, and the deep tones of awar song rhythmically accompanied the dipping of the paddles. 

"Why, they must be three or four hundred strong, Anderson, " said thecaptain. "Fully that, sir. "

"Poor wretches!" muttered the captain. "I thought we had given themlesson enough for one day. "

"Only enough to set them astir for revenge, " said the lieutenant. 

"Well, the lesson must be repeated, " said the captain, shrugging hisshoulders. "See what a shot will do with that leading canoe. We havecome upon a warlike tribe, brave enough, or they would not dare toattack a vessel like this. "

CHAPTER FOURTEEN. 

DEALING WITH A FLEET. 

"I know what I should do, " said Murray, as, forgetting the smarting andstiffness from which he suffered, he stood watching the savage fleetsteadily gliding down stream. 

"What?" said Roberts. 

"Get out of the river as soon as I could. We could sail right awaynow. "

"Cowardly, " grumbled Roberts. "Why, it would be throwing away thechance of giving the wretches a severe lesson. "

"They've had one, " said Murray, "and if we sink half-a-dozen of themthey'll be ready enough to come on again. "

"Then we could sink some more. Why, if you sailed away they'd think wewere afraid of them. "

"Let them! We know better. It seems a bit horrible with our greatpower to begin sending grape and canister scattering amongst theseslight canoes. "

"Oh yes, horrible enough; but they must be taught that they can't beallowed to make war upon other tribes and sell their prisoners intoslavery. "

"I suppose so, " said the lad, with a sigh, possibly due to the pain hestill felt from the late fight with the flames. 

"Look at that, " whispered Roberts excitedly. "Why, the skipper seems tothink as you do. "

For orders were given, the capstan manned, and the sloop glided towardsthe anchor by which they now swung, the sails began to fill and help themen in their task, and soon after the anchor stock appeared above thewater. 

It was quite time, for the canoes were nearing fast, and to the twomidshipmen it appeared as if the enemy would be alongside and swarmingaboard before their vessel had time to gather way. 

"Why don't we fire, Frank?" said Roberts excitedly. 

"Because we're not in command, " replied Murray coolly, as he tried tomeasure mentally the length of time it would take for the leading canoeto reach them, rapidly advancing as it was in obedience to the lustystrokes given by some thirty paddles which made the water foam on eitherside of the frail craft packed with men. 

"But it's absurd. The skipper ought to have given the order long ago. "

"And filled the surface with dead and dying men floating and strugglingamongst the shattered pieces of the canoe?"

"Yes: why not? It's war, sir--war. "

"But war when it is a necessity ought to be carried on in as humane afashion as is possible. "

"With people like this? Bah! Why, if they once get aboard they willspear us to a man, or batter our heads with their war clubs. "

"They would if they could, " said Murray quietly. 

"They will, I tell you, " said Roberts excitedly. 

"No, they will not, old chap, for the skipper won't let them. "

"Oh, you!" exclaimed Roberts, who stamped one foot down upon the deck inhis excitement. "Why, you are as foolish as our officers. "

"Speak gently, or some one will be hearing you, " said Murray quietly. 

"I want some one to hear me!" exclaimed the lad. "We are giving all ourchances away. "

"That we are not! I've been trying to calculate how we shall stand fordistance when the _Seafowl_ glides off on the other tack. "

"So have I, " cried Roberts furiously, "and it will be with the crews oftwo of those war canoes on board spearing and stabbing us. "

"Indeed!" said Murray, in quite a drawl. "That doesn't agree with mycalculation. I make it that they will be about fifty yards astern, andbeyond spear-throwing distance. "

"And I tell you that you are all wrong, Frank. "

"Well, one of us is, old chap, for certain. "

"You!" said Roberts emphatically. "No, I think not, old fellow. Yousee, too, that I have the skipper's opinion on my side. "

"The skipper's opinion isn't worth a pinch of powder. He's acrack-brained lunatic. Here, what do you mean by that?"

"Only to turn my hand into a tompion to stop your fiery, foolish words, old fellow, " replied Murray. "You'd look nice if any one carried yourremarks to the captain. "

"I'm only doing my duty, sir, and am trying to save our ship from theattack of these savages who are bearing down upon us. "

"And setting your knowledge of navigation and the management of the_Seafowl_ above that of the captain. "

"I tell you I have lost faith in the skipper. "

"Of the lieutenant--"

"He does not see our peril. "

"And the wisdom of our old and experienced warrant officers, " continuedMurray. 

"There, " said the midshipman, "look at that! Not a shot fired, andthose two leading canoes abreast of us. There'll be a massacredirectly. "

"Bravo!" whispered Murray excitedly. "Wonderfully done! You miserableold croaker, wasn't that splendid?"

A minute before, the lad who had remained cool and self-contained duringwhat seemed to be a perilous time, had watched without comprehending theaction of the forward guns' crews, who, in obedience to the orders givenby the first lieutenant, seized upon the capstan bars and stood ready tostarboard and port, waiting for something anticipated. 

Then as the _Seafowl_ answered to her helm and Roberts was turningfrantic with excitement as he felt that the savages were bound to beaboard directly, the sloop careened over from the force of the breezewhen her course was altered, there was a dull crashing sound and herstem cut one long war canoe in two amidships, leaving the halves glidingalongside in company with some fifty or sixty struggling and swimmingnaked savages, some of whom began to climb aboard by the stays, othersby the fore chains; but as each fierce black head rose into sight, therewas a tap given by a well-wielded capstan bar, and black after blackdropped back into the water, to glide astern, stunned or struggling, tobe picked up by his companions in the second boat, which was beingovertaken by others, bristling with spears, while the vessel was acable's length ahead and steadily increasing its speed. 

"Now then, Dick, what about my calculation?" said Murray, giving hiscompanion a poke in the side. "Pretty near, wasn't I?"

"Humph! Luck--chance, " grumbled Roberts ill-humouredly. 

"Of course! But wasn't the captain right?"

"No; he ought to have given the savage wretches another lesson. "

"A bloodthirsty one, " said Murray. "Pooh! Don't be such a savage, Dick. "

"I'm not, sir, " retorted the midshipman angrily. "What are our weaponsof war for unless to use?"

"Oh yes; of course, when they are wanted. If I were a captain Ishouldn't shrink for a minute about firing broadsides and sinking ourenemies in times of necessity, any more than I should have mindedburning out such a hornets' nest as that yonder; but the captain wasquite right over this business. Look at the wretched creatures, regularly defeated. "

"They've been allowed to escape, sir, " said Roberts haughtily, "and Ifeel ashamed of our commander. "

"I don't, " said Murray, laughing. "I think he's a peculiar eccentricfellow, ready to say all kinds of unnecessary things; but he's as braveas a lion--braver, for I believe lions are precious cowards sometimes. "

"Pooh!" ejaculated Roberts. 

"And the more I know of him the better I like him. "

"And I like him the less, and I shall never rest till I can get anexchange into another ship. "

"I don't believe you, " said Murray, laughing merrily. 

"You don't! Why--"

"Pst! The skipper, " whispered Murray. 

For the captain had approached the two midshipmen, his spy-glass underhis arm and his face puckered up with a good-humoured smile. 

"Laughing at it, eh?" he said. "That was a novel evolution of war, young gentlemen, such as you never saw before, I'll be bound. There; wemight have shattered up the noble black king's fleet and left the riverred with what we did and the sharks continued afterwards, but my planand the master's conning of the vessel answered all purposes, and leftmy powder magazine untouched ready for the time when we shall bestraining every nerve, gentlemen, to overtake that Yankee's schooner. That's what we have to do, Mr Roberts; eh, Mr Murray?"

"Yes, sir; and the sooner the better, " replied the latter. 

"The sooner the better? Yes, " said the captain, nodding; "and if wehave to sink her that will be work more worthy for our metal. Butpatience, patience. Yes; for sailors like better work than sinking afew savage canoes. But, as I said, patience. You hot-blooded boys arealways in such a hurry. All in good time. I'm not going to rest till Ihave got hold of my smooth, smiling Yankee, and I promise you a treat--some real fighting with his crew of brutal hounds. I'll sink hisschooner, or lay the _Seafowl_ alongside, and then--it will be risky butglorious, and you boys shall both of you, if you like, join theboarders. What do you say to that?"

The captain did not wait for an answer, but tucked his telescope moreclosely under his arm and marched aft, to stand gazing over the sternrail at the last of the war canoes, which disappeared directly in one ofthe river bends, while the sloop glided rapidly on towards the muddyriver's mouth. 

"Well, Dick, how do you feel now?" said Murray, smiling. 

Roberts knit his brows into a fierce frown as if ready to resent anyremark his messmate might make. But the genial, open, frank look whichmet his disarmed him of all annoyance, and he cleared his throat with acough. 

"Oh, I don't agree with him about the treatment of those blacks, " hesaid. "There's a want of stern, noble justice about his running downthat canoe. "

"But it answered all purposes, Dick. "

"Humph! Maybe; but it looked so small, especially when we had all ourguns loaded and the men ready for action. "

"Patience, " said Murray merrily, taking up the captain's words. "Patience! You boys--hot-blooded boys are always in such a hurry. Waita bit, old chap, and when we catch up to the Yankee we're to have a turnat the boarding. You'll have a try, eh?"

"Will I?" said the boy, screwing up his features and setting his teethhard. "Will I! Yes!"

"Mean it?"

"Yes, I believe so, " said Roberts thoughtfully. "I felt ready foranything when those war canoes were coming on, and I believe I shouldfeel just the same if the lads were standing ready to board theschooner. But I don't know; perhaps I should be all of a squirm. Idon't want to brag. It all depends. Those who make the most fuss, Frank, do the least. We shall see. "

"Yes, " said Murray, looking at his comrade with a curious, searchinggaze; "we shall see. "

CHAPTER FIFTEEN. 

THE DOCTOR IS RILED. 

It was with a peculiar feeling of relief that all on board the slooppassed out into the open and saw the dull green banks of the mangroveforest fading away astern. For there had been a haunting feeling ofdepression hanging over the vessel which seemed to affect the spirits ofofficers and men. 

"Hah!" said the doctor, coming up to where the two middies were gazingover the stern rail, "that's a comfort, boys. I can breathe freelynow. "

"Yes, " said Murray; "the air seems so much fresher and makes one feelmore elastic, sir. Gives one more of an appetite. "

"What!" said the doctor drily. "More of an appetite, eh? I nevernoticed that you two wanted that. Gracious, how much do you want todevour!"

"Oh, I say, doctor, I don't eat so much, " said Murray, protesting. 

"No, sir; it isn't _so_ much; it's too much. "

"You're mixing us up, doctor, " said the lad mischievously, and he gavethe professional gentleman a peculiarly meaning look. "You werethinking of Roberts. "

"Here, what's that?" said the middy sharply. "I'm sure I never eat morethan a fellow of my age and size should. "

"Oh, I say, Dick, " said Murray. "Hear him, doctor? Why, I've seen themess steward open his eyes sometimes with wonder. "

"Tchah! He's always opening his eyes with wonder, staring ateverything. He's a regular idiot. "

"Ah, well, " said Murray, "I don't want to draw comparisons. "

"Then don't do it, " cried Roberts warmly. 

"Don't be so peppery, my lad, " said the doctor. 

"Well, I don't want to be accused of gluttony or eating to excess. "

"Pooh! Don't mind what he says, " said the doctor good-humouredly. "Ihate excess, but it does me good to see growing boys make a heartymeal. "

"Frank Murray's too fond of bantering, doctor, " said Roberts; and then, involuntarily passing a finger tenderly over the spots where theincipient bits of whisker had been singed off, "I don't quite look uponmyself as a growing boy. "

"Oh, don't you?" said the doctor, rather gruffly. "I should havethought you had not done putting on inches. There, never mind Murray'schaff. By the way, why do you keep shaving yourself down the cheekswith that finger? does the skin feel tender where you were so muchscorched?"

"Yes, doctor, a little, " replied the youth innocently enough. 

"H'm, yes, but that cream I gave you does good, doesn't it?"

"Oh yes, doctor. "

"Nasty scorching you fellows all had. I quite expected to have some badpatients--burns and spear wounds. Lucky escapes, all of you. ThatTitely was the worst, but the way in which a good healthy sailor's fleshheals up is wonderful. It's just like cutting into a piece of rawnative indiarubber before it has been fooled about and manufactured upwith brimstone--vulcanised, as they call it. You lads ought to bear itin mind, in case you get a cut or a chop. All that's wanted is to seethat the wound is thoroughly clean and dry, and then squeeze the sidesup together and the flesh adheres after the fashion of a clean cut inindiarubber. Ah, I like a good clean cut. "

"What!" cried the lads together, as half laughingly they stared at thespeaker in surprise. 

"Well, what are you both looking at? I don't mean that I personallylike cuts; but they're pleasant to get healed up--not like bullet woundsor ragged holes through a fellow. "

"No, " said Murray; "not like holes. "

"Not that I mind a clean bullet hole through the flesh so long as itdoes not encounter a bone. "

"Exactly, doctor; so long as it does not encounter a bone, " said Murraydrily. 

"That's where the trouble begins, sir, " said the doctor, smacking hislips and making the two middies exchange glances. "You see, you get acomplicated fracture of the bone with tiny fragments that refuse to showwhere they are commencing irritation and that sort of thing. "

"Yes, doctor, " said Murray drily; "but aren't we getting into anuncomfortable discussion?"

"No, sir, a most interesting one; but when I spoke it was not all aboutinjured bones or ordinary shot-holes or cuts; I was saying how glad Iwas to be out of that river and mangrove swamp where your West Coastfever haunts the low lands, and miasmatic emanations are always ready topounce upon people and set up tasks for the hardest-worked man in theship. "

"To do what, doctor?" said Roberts. 

"I thought I spoke very plainly, young gentleman; I said set up tasksfor the hardest-worked man in the ship. "

"But that sounds as if you--that is to say--I--I--You don't meanyourself, sir?" said Roberts, in a stammering, half-confused way. 

"Not mean myself, sir?" said the doctor angrily. "Why, who else could Imean?"

"That's what puzzled me, sir, " said Roberts, staring. "Frank Murray andI have always thought--"

"Here, I say, " cried Murray, laughing and enjoying the verbal engagementthat had sprung up like a squall in the tropics, "don't you begindragging me into the discussion. "

"Exactly! Certainly not, " cried the doctor hotly. "If there is anyneed for it I can tackle Master Murray afterwards. I am dealing withyou, sir. You gave me to understand that you did not consider I was themost hard-worked man in the ship. "

"Very well then, " cried Roberts warmly, "if you will have it that way, Idon't. "

"Oh! Indeed!" said the doctor angrily. "Then what about the last fewdays, when I am suddenly brought face to face with a score of woundedmen, and with no one to help me but a surgeon's mate or dresser who isas stupid as men are made?"

"Wounded, sir?" said Roberts. 

"Yes, sir, wounded. Burned, if you like it better. Singed andscorched. It all comes under the broad term of casualties, does itnot?"

"I suppose so, sir, " said Roberts sulkily. 

"Better tell me that my services were not called for, and that you couldall have done without me. I call what I have gone through hard work, and tell you, sir, that it was a time of great anxiety. "

"So it must have been, doctor, " put in Murray, "and I feel very gratefulfor the way you did away with my pain. "

"There's a sneak!" cried Roberts angrily. "Who began to bully me fordragging him into the discussion?"

"You are the sneak, sir, " said the doctor, "for trying to dodge out ofthe matter like this. Murray spoke out like a man. "

"Boy, " growled Roberts. 

"Very well, sir; like a grateful boy, if that pleases you better. Likeone who appreciates my service and is not ready to turn up his nose atwhat such fellows as you call `doctor's stuff, ' just as if a medical manor a surgeon thought of nothing but wasting the ship's stores upon thosewho are glad enough to come to them when they are out of sorts, and mostoften from their neglect of common sense precautions, or from overindulgence in the good things of life. "

"Precious lot of chances we get to indulge in the good things of life onboard ship!" said Roberts bitterly. 

"Let me tell you, sir, " said the doctor, shaking his finger at themidshipman, "that there is nothing better for a growing lad than thestrict discipline and the enforced temperance and moderate living ofshipboard. Better for you, though, if you had not so much idleness. "

"Idleness, sir!" cried the lad. 

"Yes, sir. You want more work. Ah! You may sneer. Perhaps not quiteso much as I have to do, but more than you get. Yes, sir, when you knowbetter you will learn to see that the doctor's life is a very arduousone. "

"But you get lots of time, sir, for natural history and fishing andshooting. "

"Not `lots of time, ' sir, as you term it, but some time certainly; andwhat is that but work in the cause of science? And look here, MrRoberts, whenever I do get an opportunity for going ashore shooting orbotanising, or have a boat out for fishing or dredging, do I notinvariably enlist the services of you or Mr Murray?"

"Hear, hear!" cried the latter, in the most parliamentary way. 

"Thank you, Mr Murray, " said the doctor. "I shall not forget this. "

"Don't you believe him, doctor, " cried Roberts. "He doesn't mean it. He's only currying favour. "

"Nothing of the kind, sir, " said the doctor sharply. "I flatter myselfthat I understand Mr Murray better than you do, sir. I understand histemperament quite as well as I do yours, sir, which is atrabilious. "

"Eh?" exclaimed Roberts. "What's that, sir?"

"Black bilious, sir, if you really don't know. I have studied yourtemperament, sir, and let me tell you that you would be doing verywisely if you came to me this evening for a little treatment. "

"But I've only just got out of your hands, sir, " cried the midshipman, in a voice full of protest. 

"That was for the superficial trouble, sir, due to the scorching andsingeing. Now it is plain to me that what you went through in thatattack upon the blacks' town has stirred up the secretions of yourliver. "

"Oh, doctor, that it hasn't!" cried the lad. "And I'm sure that I wantno physicking. "

"I think I know best, sir. If you were in robust health there would benone of that display of irritability of temper that you evince. You ashis messmate must have noticed this irritability, Mr Murray?"

"Constantly, sir, " said that individual solemnly. "Oh you!" growledRoberts fiercely. "Just you wait!"

"There!" cried the doctor triumphantly. "You are proving the truth ofmy diagnosis, Mr Roberts. Come to me before night, and I will give youwhat you require. There, you have given me ample reason for stronglyresenting your language, Mr Roberts, but now I fully realise the causeI shall pass it over. You require my services, sir, and that isenough. "

"I don't require them, sir, " cried the lad, boiling over with passionnow. "I was hurt a good deal over the expedition, but now that'sbetter; there's nothing whatever the matter with me; and you are takingadvantage of your position and are about to force me to swallow a lot ofyour horrid stuff. I won't, though; see if I do!"

"You see, Mr Murray, " said the doctor, smiling in a way which irritatedone of his hearers almost beyond bearing, "he is proving all I have saidto the full. There, be calm, Roberts, my dear boy; we have left thehorrible river and coast behind, and a few days out upon the broad oceanwill with my help soon clear away the unpleasant symptoms from which youhave been suffering, and--"

"Not interfering, am I, doctor?" said a voice which made the two ladsstart round. 

"Not in the least, Anderson; not in the least. Mr Roberts here is atrifle the worse for our run up that muddy river, but I shall soon putthat right with our trip through the healthier portions of our globe. "

"Through the healthier portions of the globe, doctor!" said the chiefofficer. "Why, what do you mean?"

"Mean? Only that the West Coast of Africa is about as horrible astation as unhappy man could be placed in by the powers that be, whilenow we are going where--"

"Why, doctor, you don't mean to say that you do not understand where weare going?"

"I mean to say I do know, sir--away from the swampy exhalations andblack fevers of the horrible district where we have been cruising, andout upon the high seas. "

"Yes, to cross them, doctor, " said the lieutenant drily. "We are goingto leave the black fevers behind, but in all probability to encounterthe yellow. "

"What!" cried the doctor. "I did not understand--"

"What the captain said? Well, I did, sir. The skipper has only justnow been vowing to me that he will never rest until he has run down thatslaver. "

"Ah! Yes, I understand that, " said the doctor. "Then that means--?"

"A long stern chase through the West Indian Islands, and perhaps in andout and along the coasts of the Southern American States--wherever, infact, the plantations are worked by slaves whose supplies are kept up bytraders such as the scoundrel who cheated us into a run up that riverwhere his schooner was lying. Why, doctor, it seems to me that we areonly going out of the frying-pan into the fire. "

"Dear me, yes, " said the doctor. "You are quite right. Then underthese circumstances, Mr Roberts, " he continued, turning sharply roundupon the midshipman, "the sooner you commence your treatment thebetter. "

"But really, sir, " began Roberts, who looked so taken aback that hismessmate had hard work to contain himself and master the outburst oflaughter that was ready to explode. 

"Don't argue, Mr Roberts, " said the doctor importantly. "I do not knowhow you find him in your dealings, Anderson, " he continued, "but as apatient I must say that of all the argumentative, self-willed young menI ever encountered Mr Roberts carries off the palm. "

"Yes, he has a will of his own, my dear doctor, " said the lieutenant, giving the middy a meaning glance, "but you must take him in hand. Iprescribe my way; when you take him in hand next you must prescribeyours. "

"I intend so doing, " said the doctor, and he walked aft with the chiefofficer. 

This was Frank Murray's opportunity, and hurrying to the side, he leanedhis arms upon the bulwarks and laughed till his sides ached before hiscompanion fully realised the fact, his attention having been taken up bythe pair who were going towards where the captain was slowly pacing thedeck with his hands behind him. 

"Oh, grinning at it all, are you?" said Roberts now. "It's very funny, isn't it! An abominable, pragmatical, self-satisfied ass, that's whathe is; and are we almost grown-up men to be handed over to be treatedjust as he pleases? No; I'll resign the service first. Yes, laughaway, my fine fellow! You see if I don't pay you out for this! Oh, goit! But you see if I take any of his beastly old stuff!"

CHAPTER SIXTEEN. 

"COLD PISON. "

Roberts kept his word that same evening, for just as the darkness wassetting in and the two lads had walked forward to lean over the side andgaze down at the unruffled transparent sea and wonder which werereflections of the golden glory of the stars and which were the untoldmyriads of phosphorescent creatures that, as far down as eye couldpenetrate, spangled the limpid sea, the lad suddenly gave his companiona nudge with his elbow. 

"What do you mean by that?" asked Murray. 

"Look here, and I'll show you. "

"Well, I'm looking; but it's too dark to see what you are fumblingover. "

"How stupid! What a blind old bat you are! Well, it's a piece of plumduff. "

"Why, you're like a school-boy, " said Murray. 

"Oh no, I'm not. "

"You may say oh no you're not, but fancy me saving up a bit of coldpudding from dinner and bringing it out of my jacket pocket to eat!"

"Ah, but you have no reason for doing it. I have. "

"What, are you going to use it as a bait?"

"That's it, my son; but I'm not going to use hook or line. "

"Then what are you going to do?"

"Throw it over for one of the sharks we saw cruising about beforesundown. "

"But what for? You don't want to pet sharks with cold pudding. "

"No. Guess again. "

"Stuff! Speak out. "

"Poison--cold pison. "

"What! Why, you would never see the brute that took it turn up in thedarkness. "

"Don't want to, my son, " said the lad solemnly. 

"Look here, Dick, it's too hot, to-night, and I'm too tired and sleepyto try and puzzle out your conundrums, so if you want me to understandwhat you're about you had better speak out. What a rum chap you are!"

"I am. "

"One hour you're all a fellow could wish; the next you are red-hot toquarrel. See how you were this afternoon when the doctor was talking toyou. "

"Ah! I was out of temper then, but now I feel so happy that a childmight play with me. "

"Glad to hear it, but I don't want to be child-like, and I don't want toplay. "

"Perhaps not, but you'll be interested. "

"Fire away, then. What has made you so happy?"

"I had an idea. "

"Well, look sharp, or I shall fall asleep with my head resting on myarms. "

"Well, I'll tell you, " said Roberts. "You see that solid lump ofpudding?"

"I told you before I can't see it. "

"Feel it then. "

"No, I'll be hanged if I do! Why should I feel a nasty piece of coldpudding?"

"Don't be so jolly particular; it's quite dry. "

"Look here, Dick, are you going off your head?"

"I thought I was when the idea came, for it set me laughing so that Icould not stop myself. "

"Come, tell me what it all means, or I shall go below to my berth. Whatis there in all this?"

"Poison, I tell you. "

"Yes, you told me before; but what does it mean?"

"You see that lump of pudding; well, there's poison in it. "

"Dick Roberts, I'm hot and easily aggravated. If you go on like this Ishall be as quarrelsome as you were this afternoon. "

"Well, there, it was all my idea that I had this afternoon. I got thatlump of pudding from the cook, took it down to my berth, pulled out myknife, put the box on the side of the pudding, and cut out a pieceexactly the size of the box. "

"Wh-a-a-t! You mean you cut a piece out of the box just the size of thepudding?"

"No, I don't, my son. You don't understand yet. Can't you see I'mtalking about a pill-box?"

"Oh-h-h!"

"Now don't you see? I cut a hole in the pudding and slipped the box in, and then made a stopper of the pudding I had cut out, and corked up thehole with the box inside. "

"I begin to see now, " said Murray. "A pill-box full of poison to killthe shark that swallows the poison. "

"I don't care whether it kills the fish or no as long as I get rid ofthe stuff. "

"Now you are getting confused again. Why should you try to poison ashark like this? What good would it do--what difference would one sharkmake out of the thousands which infest the sea?"

"Oh, Franky, what a Dummkopf you are, as the Germans say!"

"Don't care what the Germans say, and I dare say I am a stupid-head, forI can't make out what you are driving at. "

"You can't? Why, I'm going to make the shark take the poison instead oftaking it myself. "

"But what poison?"

"Old Reston's: the two blue pills. Then I shall pitch the bottle ofhorrible draught overboard. I don't care what becomes of that so longas it sinks to the bottom. "

"Oh, I see plainly enough now, " said Murray. 

"And pretty well time, my boy! Wasn't it a capital idea?"

"No, " said Murray bluntly. "Stupid, I say. "

"Not it, old chap. Don't you see that it is liver medicine?"

"I suppose so. "

"Well, sharks have livers. They fish for them in the Mediterranean, take out the livers, and boil them down to sell for cod liver oil. "

"Then that's a lie, " said Murray. "Perhaps it's being a lie made youthink of it. "

"Why?"

"Because you'll have to tell the doctor a lie when he asks you if youtook the medicine. "

"But he won't ask. "

"He will, for certain. "

"How do you know? Did he ever ask you?"

"Well, no, " said Murray thoughtfully; "I can't say that he did. Henever gave me any, only touched me up a bit when I was hurt. "

"Then don't you be so jolly knowing, my fine fellow, " cried Roberts. "You can't tell if he hasn't doctored you, and I'm quite sure about it, for I know well from nasty experience of his ways that he will notbother one with questions as you think. He gives the fellows physic totake, and just asks them next day how they feel. "

"Well, that's what I say, " cried Murray triumphantly. "Isn't that justthe same?"

"No, not a bit of it. He just asks them how they feel next day; that'sall. He takes it for granted that they have swallowed his boluses anddraughts. He'll ask me to-morrow how I feel, and I shall tell him I amall right. "

"You'll tell him a lie then. Very honourable, upon my word!"

"Here's a pretty how-de-do, Mr Ultra-particular, with your bully bounceabout telling a lie! I shan't do anything of the kind. I shall tellhim I'm all right because I am quite well, thank you. Bother him andhis horrible old stuff! I know I should be pretty mouldy and out ofsorts if I took it. Let him ask the shark how he feels, if he gets thechance, for here it goes. Pudding first, which means pills--there!"

A faint splash followed a movement on the part of the midshipman, andMurray saw the calm sea agitated, and faint flashes of phosphorescentlight appear, while directly after it was as if something made a rush;the depths grew ablaze with pale lambent cold fire, and Roberts gavevent to an ejaculation expressive of his delight. 

"A shark for a shilling, " he cried, "and a big one too. You see if hedoesn't hang about the sloop and show himself in the morning, turning uphis eyes on the lookout for whoever it was that tried to poison him. "

"Turning up his eyes!" said Murray. "Nonsense! If it was as you saythe shark would be turning up its white underparts and floating wrongway up. "

"Maybe; but hold hard a minute; it's rather soon to exhibit the otherdose, as old Reston calls it. I'm not going to make an exhibition ofmyself, though, this time, so here goes. You see if Jack Shark doesn'tgo for the bottle as soon as I throw it overboard. Here goes!"_Splash_!

"How stupid!" said Roberts. "I ought to have drawn the cork. "

"Oh no, " said Murray, laughing. "I don't suppose the directions said, to be taken in water. "

"Um--no. But what's to be done? Look; he's got it. "

For as the descent of the bottle Roberts had thrown in could be tracedby the way in which the tiny phosphorescent creatures were disturbed, lower and lower through the deep water, there was another vivid flashmade by some big fish as it gave a tremendous flourish with its tail, and the midshipman rubbed his hands with delight. 

"He's got it, I'm sure, " he cried. "But what's to be done? No use topitch in a corkscrew. "

"Not a bit, Dick, " replied Murray cheerily. 

"What a pity! I ought to have known better. He's got it, but the glasswill stop the draught from having the proper effect. "

"Oh no; perhaps not, " said Murray, laughing. "I've read that sharkshave wonderful digestions. "

"Well, let's hope this one has. I shall like to look out for himto-morrow watching for the doctor, as he squints up from the wake of thesloop. "

"More likely to be looking up for you, old fellow. The doctor didn'tthrow the bottle in. "

"Oh, well, never mind that. I don't suppose the horrible beast knowsthe difference. I've got rid of the stuff, anyhow; that's all I careabout; and nobody knows but you. "

"Beg pardon, gentlemen, " said a voice out of the darkness; "was youa-chucking anything overboard?"

There was a short time of silence, for Murray waited so as to give hismessmate a chance to answer the question; but as the latter made noreply he took the duty upon himself. 

"That you, Tom May?" he asked. 

"Ay, ay, sir. Somebody chucked somethin' overboard twiced, and I waswondering whether it was you gents. "

"Why?" said Roberts shortly. "Couldn't it have been one of the watch?"

"No, sir; they're aft, or t'other side of the ship. "

"Well, it was, Tom. "

"Oh, all right, sir. You'll 'scuse me asking? I only did 'cause theskipper's very partickler since one of the lads got making away withsome of the ship's stores, and there's no knowing what mischief the boysmight be up to. Then, o' course, sir, there's nothing for me to reportto the officer of the watch?"

"No: nothing at all, Tom. Haven't got anything more to throw in, haveyou, Murray?"

"Not so much as a single pill, " said Murray drily. 

"Eh? No, of course not. The water's so still and clear, Tom, "continued the middy hurriedly, "you can see the fish dash afteranything, making the sea flash quite deep down. "

"Oh yes, sir, I've seen that. It's the sharks, sir; there's often onehanging about right below the keel on the lookout for anything that maybe chucked overboard. I believe, sir, as they've got sense enough toknow that they may have a bit o' luck and have a chance at an onluckychap as slips overboard or gets tempted into having a bathe. Wonderfulcunning critters, sir, is sharks. I'm always glad when there's a hookwith a bit o' pork trailed overboard and one's hauled aboard and cut upto see what he's got inside. "

"What!" said Roberts excitedly. "Ripped up to see what's inside?"

"Yes, sir. Don't you remember that one we caught 'bout a month ago? Ohno, of course not. You was ashore with the skipper's gig at SeeryLeony. That there was a whopper, sir, and he did lay about with histail, till the cook had it off with a lucky chop of his meat axe. Thatquieted the beggar a bit, and give him a chance to open Mr Jack Sharkup and see what he'd had for dinner lately. "

"And did you find anything, Tom?" asked Roberts. 

"Find anything, sir!" replied the man. "I should just think we did! Imean, the lads did, sir; I warn't going to mess myself up with thebloodthirsty varmint. "

"Of course not, " said Murray mischievously; "but what did they find?Anything bad?--Physic bottle, for instance? Bother! What are youdoing, Roberts?" For his companion gave him a savage dig in the darkwith his elbow. "Oh, nothing!"

"Physic bottle, sir?" continued the sailor wonderingly. "Not as I knowon. More likely to ha' been an empty rum bottle. Wouldn't ha' been afull un, " added the man, chuckling. "But I tell you what they did find, sir, and that was 'bout half-a-dozen o' them round brass wire rings asthe black women wears on their arms and legs. "

"Ugh!" ejaculated Roberts, with a shudder. "How horrible!"

"Yes, sir; that seemed to tell tales like. Looked as if Jack hadketched some poor black women swimming at the mouth o' one of the riversas runs down into the sea. "

"Possibly, " said Murray. 

"Yes, sir; that's it. I did hear once of a shark being caught with ajack knife inside him. It warn't no good, being all rusted up; but ajack knife it was, all the same, with a loop at the end o' the haftwhere some poor chap had got it hung round him by a lanyard--some poorlad who had fell overboard, and the shark had been waiting for him. Yousee, sir, such things as brass rings and jack knives wouldn't 'gestlike, as the doctor calls it. "

"No; suppose not, " said Murray, who added, after drawing back a littleout of the reach of Roberts's elbow, "and a bottle of physic would notdigest either. "

"Not it, sir, " replied the man, "onless it got broken, or the cork comeout. "

"Er-r-r!" growled Roberts, in quite a menacing tone. 

"He wouldn't like it, o' course, sir, " said the man, speaking as if hewere playing into the midshipman's hand and chuckling the while. "Doctors' stuff arn't pleasant to take for human sailors, and I don'ts'pose it would 'gree with sharks. I've been thinking, though, that Ishould like to shy a bottle o' rum overboard, corked up, say, with a bito' the cook's duff. That would 'gest, and then he'd get the rum. Thinkit would kill him, sir?"

"No, I don't, " said Murray. "Ask Mr Roberts what he thinks. He's veryclever over such things as that; eh, Roberts?"

"Oh, stuff!" cried the middy. "Nonsense!"

"You might tell him what you think, though, " said Murray. "You know howfond you are of making experiments. "

"Do talk sense, " cried the lad petulantly. "Look here, May, I think itwould be a great waste of useful stores to do such a thing. "

"Yes, sir; so do I, " said the man; "and that's talking sense, and nomistake. Beg pardon, gentlemen, but what do you think of the skipper'sideas?"

"What about?" asked Murray sharply. "We don't canvass what our officersplan to do. "

"Don't know about canvassing them, sir, " said the man, "but I meant noharm, only we've been talking it over a deal in the forc'sle, and weshould like to know whether the captain means to give up trying afterthe slave skipper. "

"No, certainly not. "

"That's right, sir, " said the man eagerly. "Glad on it. But it's gotabout that we was sailing away from the coast here, which is such alikely spot for dropping upon him. "

"Well, I don't mind answering you about that, Tom. Mind, I don't wantmy name to be given as an authority, but I believe that CaptainKingsberry means to cross to the western shores and search every likelyport for that schooner, and what is more, to search until he finds whereshe is. "

"Hah!" ejaculated the sailor. "If the skipper has said that, sir, hehas spoken out like a man. Hooroar! We shall do it, then, at last. But I dunno, though, sir, " added the man thoughtfully. 

"Don't know what?" asked Murray. 

"Oh, nothing, sir. "

"Bother! Don't talk like that, " cried Murray. "Nothing is moreaggravating than beginning to say something and then chopping it off inthat way. Speak out and say what you mean. "

"'Tain't no good, sir, " said the man sulkily. 

"No good?"

"No, sir. Why, if I was to say what I'd got inside my head you'd eitherbegin to bullyrag me--"

"Nonsense, May! I'm sure I never do. "

"Well, then, sir, call me a hidjit, and say it was all sooperstition. "

"Well, that's likely enough, " said Murray. "You sailors are full of oldwomen's tales. "

"Mebbe, sir, " said the man, shaking his head slowly; "but old women isold, and the elders do grow wise. "

"Sometimes, Tom, " said Murray, laughing, "and a wise old woman is worthlistening to; but you can't say that for a man who talks like a foolishold woman and believes in all kinds of superstitious nonsense. "

"No, sir: of course not, sir, " said the man solemnly; "but there isthings, you know. "

"Oh yes, I do know that, Tom--such as setting sail with a black cat onboard. "

"Oh, well, sir, come!" protested the sailor warmly. "You can't say as aman's a hidjit for believing that. Something always happens if you dothat. "

"I could say so, Tom, " replied the middy, "but I'm not going to. "

"Well, sir, begging your pardon as gentleman, I'm werry sorry for it;but there, you're very young. "

"Go on, Tom. "

"That's all, sir. I warn't going to say no more. "

"But you are thinking a deal more. That was as good as saying that I'mvery young and don't know any better. "

"Oh, I didn't go so far as to think that, sir, because you're a hofficerand a gentleman, and a scholar who has larnt more things than I everheerd of; but still, sir, I dessay you won't mind owning as a fellow ashas been at sea from fourteen to four-and-thirty has picked up thingssuch as you couldn't larn at school. "

"Black cats, for instance, Tom?"

"Yes, sir. Ah, you may laugh to yourself, but there's more than youthink of about a black cat. "

"A black skin, for instance, Tom, and if the poor brute was killed andskinned he'd look exactly like a white cat or a tortoise-shell. "

"Oh, that's his skin, sir; it's his nature. "

"Pooh! What can there be in a black cat's nature?"

"Don't know; that's the mystery on it. "

"Can't you explain what the mystery is?"

"No, sir, and I never met a shipmate as could. "

"Bother the cat! It's all rubbish, Tom. "

"Yes, sir, and it bothers the man; but there it is, all the same. Youask any sailor chap, and--"

"Yes, I know, Tom; and he'll talk just as much nonsense as you. "

"P'raps so, sir, but something bad allus happens to a ship as has ablack cat aboard. "

"And something always happens to a ship that has any cat on board. Andwhat is more, something always happens to a ship that has no cat at allon board. Look at our _Seafowl_, for instance. "

"Yes, sir, you may well say that, " said the man sadly. "The chaps havetalked about it a deal, and we all says as she's an unfortnit ship. "

"Oh, you all think so, do you, Tom?"

"Yes, sir, we do, " said the man solemnly. 

"Then you may depend upon it, Tom, that there's a black cat hidden awaysomewhere in the hold. "

"Ah! Come aboard, sir, in port, after the rats? That would account forit, sir, and 'splain it all, " cried the man eagerly. "You think that'sit, do you, sir?"

"No, I don't, Tom; I'm laughing at you for being such an old woman. Idid give you the credit of having more sense. I'm ashamed of you. "

"Thankye, sir, " said the man sadly. 

"You are quite welcome, Tom, " said Murray, laughing; "but I suppose youcan't help all these weak beliefs. "

"No, sir, we can't help it, some of us, " said the man simply; "it allcomes of being at sea. "

"There being so much salt in the water, perhaps, " said Murray. 

"Mebbe, sir; but I don't see what the salt could have to do with it. "

"Neither do I, Tom, and if I didn't know what a good fellow you are, andwhat a brave sailor, I should be ready to tell you a good deal more thanI shall. "

"Go on, sir; I don't mind, sir. I know you mean well. "

"But look here; I'm sorry to hear that your messmates think the_Seafowl_ is an unfortunate craft. But not all, I hope?"

"Yes, sir; we all think so. "

"That's worse still, Tom. But you don't mean to forsake her--desert--Ihope?"

"Forsake her--desert? Not me! She's unlucky, sir, and no one can'thelp it. Bad luck comes to every one sometimes, same as good luck does, sir. We takes it all, sir, just as it comes, just as we did over thelanding t'other day--Titely was the unlucky one then, and got a spearthrough his shoulder, while though lots of their pretty weapons comeflying about us no one else was touched; on'y got a bit singed. He tookit like a man, sir. "

"That he did, Tom. It was most plucky of him, for he was a good dealhurt. "

"Yes, sir--deal more than you young gents thought for. But no, sir:forsake or desert our ship? Not we! She's a good, well-found craft, sir, with a fine crew and fine officers. They ain't puffick, sir; butthey might be a deal worse. I'm satisfied, sir. "

"I believe you, Tom, " said Murray, laughing, "and there is no black caton board, for if there were some one must have seen her or him beforenow, and it wouldn't have made a bit of difference. "

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. 

OVERHAULING A STRANGER. 

It was the very next morning just at daybreak that the lookout on thefore-top hailed the deck with the inspiriting cry that sent a thrillthrough all who heard, and brought the officer of the watch forward withhis glass. 

"Sail ho!"

A short inspection sufficed, and the news hurried the captain and MrAnderson on deck. 

"A schooner. The same rig!" exclaimed the captain, without taking hisglass from his eye. "What do you make of her, Mr Anderson?"

"A schooner, sure enough, sir. The same heavy raking spars and spreadof sails. It looks too good to be true, sir. "

"Hah! Then you think it is the same craft?"

"Yes, --no--I daren't say, sir, " replied the lieutenant; "but if it isnot it's a twin vessel. "

"Yes, " said the captain, closing his glass with a snap. "We'll say it'sthe Yankee slaver, and keep to that till she proves to be somethingelse. "

Holding to that belief, every stitch of canvas that could be crowded onwas sent aloft, and a pleasant breeze beginning to dimple the water asthe sun arose, the spirits of all on board the sloop rose as well. Soon, however, it began to be perfectly plain that the schooner sightedpaid no heed whatever to the sloop of war, but kept on her course, sailing in a way that proved her to be unusually fast and able to holdher own so well that the spirits of those on the _Seafowl_ began to sinkagain. 

"Now we shall see what she's made of, Dick, " said Murray excitedly, whena blank charge was fired. 

"Made of impudence, " said Roberts quietly; "but there's no doubt abouther being the craft we want, " he continued, "for she means to set us atdefiance, and she's going to make a run for it, and you see if shedoesn't escape. "

"If she does, " cried Murray impetuously, "I shall say it's a shame forthe Government to send the captain out with such a crawler as the_Seafowl_. Why, for such a duty we ought to have the fastest sailerthat could be built and rigged. "

Directly after, there was another gun fired from the sloop, and thecourse of the shot sent skipping over the sea could be traced till itsank to rise no more, after passing right across the schooner's bows. 

The men cheered, for in answer to this threat of what the sloop would dowith her next gun, the schooner was seen to glide slowly round into thewind, her great sails began to flap, when in quick time, one of thecutters was manned, with the second lieutenant in command of thewell-armed crew. 

Roberts had been ordered to take his place in the stern sheets, and ashe descended the rope he darted a look of triumph at Murray, whose facewas glum with disappointment as he turned away; and as luck had it heencountered Mr Anderson's eyes. 

"Want to go, Mr Murray?" he said, smiling. 

"Yes, sir, horribly, " was the reply. 

"Off with you, then. Be smart!"

The next minute the lad had slipped down by the stern falls to where theofficer in command made room for him; the hooks were cast off, the oarsdipped, and the stout ash blades were soon quivering as the men bent totheir work with their short, sharp, chopping stroke which sent the boatrapidly over the waves. 

"I don't see the Yankee captain, " said Mr Munday, searching the side ofthe vessel, which was now flying English colours. 

"You think that fellow with the lugger was the captain?" asked Murray. 

"Not a doubt of it, " was the reply. "I wonder what he'll have theimpudence to say. "

"He'll sing a different song, sir, " said Roberts, "if he is on board. "

"If? Why, of course he'll be on board; eh, Murray?"

"Most likely, sir; but won't he be playing fox in some fresh way? Hemay be in hiding. "

"If he is he'll come out when he finds a prize crew on board, and thathis schooner is on its way to Capecoast Castle or the Cape. But I don'tsee him, nor any of the sharp-looking fellows who formed his lugger'screw. "

"No, sir, " said Murray, who was standing up shading his eyes with hishand. "I hope--"

The middy stopped short. 

"Well, go on, sir, " cried the lieutenant--"hope what?"

"That we are not making a mistake. "

"Oh, impossible! There can't be two of such schooners. "

"But we only had a glimpse of the other, sir, as she sailed down theriver half hidden by the trees, " said Murray. 

"Look here, Mr Murray, if you can't speak sensibly you'd better holdyour tongue, " said the lieutenant angrily. "The captain and MrAnderson are not likely to make a mistake. Everybody on board was ofopinion that this is the same vessel. "

"Then I've made a mistake, sir, " said the midshipman. "But that can'tbe the skipper, sir, " and he drew attention to a short, stoutish, sun-browned man who was looking over the side. 

"Of course it is not, sir. Some English-looking fellow picked to throwus off our guard. "

But the officer in charge began to look uneasy as he scanned the vesselthey were rapidly nearing, till the cutter was rowed alongside, severalof the crew now plainly showing themselves and looking uncommonly likeordinary merchant sailors as they leaned over the bulwarks. 

Directly after the coxswain hooked on, and the lieutenant, followed bytwo middies and four of the well-armed sailors sprang on board, to begreeted with a gruff--

"Morning. What does this here mean?"

"Why didn't you heave to, sir?" cried the lieutenant sharply. 

"'Cause I was below, asleep, " said the sturdy-looking skipper. "Are youthe captain of that brig?"

"No, sir. What vessel's this?"

"Because, " said the skipper, ignoring the question, "you'd better tellyour captain to be careful. He might have done us some mischief. Anyone would think you took me for a pirate. "

The lieutenant made no reply for a minute or two, being, like his twoyoung companions, eagerly scanning the rather slovenly deck and thefaces of the small crew, who were looking at their invaders apparentlywith wonder. 

"Never mind what we took you for, " said the lieutenant sharply, and in atone of voice which to Murray suggested doubt. "Answer me at once. What schooner's this?"

"Don't be waxy, sir, " said the skipper, smiling good-humouredly. "That's reg'lar English fashion--knock a fellow over, and then say, Where are you shoving to! What's yours?"

"H. M. S. _Seafowl_, " said the lieutenant haughtily. "Now then, will youanswer?"

"Of course I will, Mr Lieutenant. This here is the schooner _LauraLee_, of Bristol. Trading in sundries, machinery and oddments, loadedout at Kingston, Jamaica, and now for the West Coast to take in palmoil. Afterwards homeward bound. How does that suit you?"

Roberts and Murray exchanged glances, and then noted that the men weredoing the same. 

"Your papers, sir, " said the lieutenant. 

"Papers?" said the skipper. "All right, sir; but you might put it alittle more civil. "

"I am doing my duty, sir, " said the lieutenant sternly. 

"All right, sir, all right; but don't snap a man's head off. You shallsee my papers. They're all square. Like to take anything? I've got afine bottle or two of real Jamaica below. "

"No, sir; no, sir, " said the lieutenant sternly. "Business if youplease. "

"Of course, sir. Come along to my cabin. "

"Lead on, then. "

The skipper took a few steps aft, and Roberts followed his officer, acouple of the sailors closing in behind, while two others with Murraykept the deck in naval fashion, though there seemed to be not theslightest need, for the schooner's men hung about staring hard or leanedover the side looking at the men in the cutter. 

"Here, I say, " said the skipper sharply, "I should have thought youcould have seen plain enough that what I said was quite right. What doyou take me for? Oh, I see, I see; your skipper's got it in his headthat I'm trading in bad spirits with the friendly niggers on the coastyonder; but I ain't. There, I s'pose, though, you won't take my word, and you've got to report to your skipper when you go back aboard. "

"If I do go back to report, sir, " said the lieutenant. 

"If you do go back, sir? Oh, that's it, is it? You mean if you take myschooner for a prize. "

"Perhaps so, sir. Now then, if you please, your papers. "

The skipper nodded and smiled. 

"All right, " he said; "I won't turn rusty. I s'pose it's your duty. "

The papers were examined, and, to the officer's disappointment, provedthe truth of the skipper's story. 

"Now, if you please, we'll have a look below, sir, " said the lieutenant. 

"Very good, " said the skipper; and he hailed his men to open thehatches. "You won't find any rum puncheons, captain, " he said. 

"I do not expect to, sir; but I must be sure about your fittings below. This schooner has not been heavily rigged like this for nothing. "

"Course she arn't, sir. I take it that she was rigged under my eyes onpurpose to be a smart sailer worked by a smart crew. But my fittings?Here, I've got it at last: you're one of the Navy ships on the stationto put down the slave-trade. "

"Yes, " said the lieutenant shortly. 

"Then good luck to you, sir! Hoist off those hatches my lad; theofficer thinks we're fitted up below for the blackbird trade. No, no, no, sir. There, send your men below, or go yourself, and I'll come withyou. You've got the wrong pig by the ear this time, and you ought to beoff the coast river yonder where they pick up their cargoes. No, sir, Idon't do that trade. "

The lieutenant was soon thoroughly satisfied that a mistake had beenmade, and directly after, to his satisfaction, the skipper asked whetherthe captain would favour him with a small supply of medicine for hiscrew. 

"I'm about run out of quinine stuff, " he said. "Some of my chaps had atouch or two of fever, and we're going amongst it again. It would be anact of kindness, sir, and make up for what has been rather roughtreatment. "

"You'd better come on board with me, and I've no doubt that the captainwill see that you have what is necessary; and he will be as apologeticas I am now for what has been an unpleasant duty. "

"Oh, come, if you put it like that, squire, there's no need to say anymore. To be sure, yes, I'll come aboard with you. I say; took manyslavers?"

"No; not one. "

"That's a pity. Always search well along the river mouths?"

"Yes. "

"Hah! They're about too much for you. Now, if I was on that business, say I was on the lookout for these gentlemen, I shouldn't do it here. "

"Where, then?" said the lieutenant eagerly. 

"Well, I'll tell you. As I said, they're a bit too cunning for you. Ofcourse you can sail up the rivers and blow the black chiefs' huts topieces. Them, I mean, who catch the niggers and sell 'em or swap 'em tothe slave skippers; but that don't do much good, for slavers slip off inthe dark, and know the coast better than you do. "

"Yes. Well, what would you do?" said the lieutenant eagerly. 

"Do? Why, I'd go across to the plantations, sir, and lay wait for themthere. They wouldn't be half so much on the lookout. "

"There's a good deal in what you say, sir, " said the lieutenantthoughtfully. "But where would you watch--round Jamaica?"

"Nay-y-y!" cried the skipper. "I'd study up my charts prettythoroughly, and then cruise about those little islands that lie nigh theCays. There's plenty of likely places where these folk land theircargoes; and you'd find them easier to work than the West Coast, wherethere's a wilderness of mangrove creeks and big and little rivers wherea slaving schooner can lie up and hide. You go west and try. Why, Icould give your captain half-a-dozen plantations where it would pay himto go--places where I've seen often enough craft about the build of minehere. "

"Indeed!" cried the lieutenant. 

"Yes, sir, " said the skipper thoughtfully. "Why, of course; I never sawbefore how likely you were to take me for one of 'em. Well, you want togo, so I'll have one of my boats lowered down and come over to yourbrig. I'll ask your skipper for a bit of quinine, and then if he'll layout his charts before me, I'll put his finger upon three or four likelyspots where the slavers trade, and if he don't capture two or three oftheir fast boats loaded with the black fellows they've run across, why, it won't be my fault. I should like to see the whole lot sunk, and theskippers and crews with them. Don't sound Christian like o' me, butthey deserve it. For I've seen them landing their cargoes. Ugh! Ithas been sickening, and they're not men. "

The skipper's words were broken in upon by the report of a gun from the_Seafowl_, whose commander had grown impatient from the long delay ofthe boat; and hence the imperious recall. 

Captain Kingsberry's countenance did not look calm and peaceful when theboat returned, but the clouds cleared away when the skipper came onboard and a long conversation had taken place over the charts of theWest Indian Islands and the Caribbean Sea. 

"Quinine, captain?" he exclaimed at last. "My good sir, you may haveall the medicine--well, nearly--that I have on board!"

"Thankye, sir, " said the bluff skipper, laughing. "Enough's as good asa feast of that stuff. "

"And I'm very sorry, " said the captain politely, "that I had to overhaulyour schooner. "

"I arn't, " said the skipper. "I'm very glad, and thankful too for thephysic stuff. Fever's a nasty thing, sir, and as I said, I'm very glad. Good luck to you, sir, and good-bye. "

"There's no doubt this time, Mr Anderson, " said the captain, as soon asthe skipper had gone over the side, "that man's as honest as the day. "

"That he is, sir, and so is his schooner. "

"Yes, Mr Anderson. Now, then, let's go back to those charts, and we'llthen make right for the plantations. I begin to think that we shall dosome business now. "

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. 

RATHER FISHY. 

"What!" said the first lieutenant sharply. "Now, look here, MrRoberts--and you too, Mr Murray, for you are just as bad. You bothgive yourselves airs, and though you say nothing you are always showingoff, trying to impress the men with the idea that you are men grown. "

"I beg your pardon, sir--" began Roberts. 

"Now, don't deny it, sir. I know it for a fact. Do you think that Ican't read you through and through--you in particular, Mr Roberts, foryou are far the worst. Not that you have much to boast about, MrMurray. "

"I am very sorry, sir, " said the latter. "No, you are not, sir, " saidthe chief officer abruptly. "Let's have deeds, not words. If you werereally sorry that you had been playing the imitative monkey you wouldpitch the antics overboard. "

"Antics, sir?" cried Roberts. "Yes, sir--antics. I said antics, " criedthe officer sharply, "so don't repeat my words and force me to do thesame. A boy's a boy, sir, and a man's a man. A good boy is a rarity onshipboard, but very valuable when you get him; and a good man--a reallygood man at sea is worth his weight in gold; but I detest a hobbledehoywho apes the man, and I generally look upon him as worthless. Don'tgrunt, Mr Roberts. It's disrespectful to your superior officer. Youmight very well follow the example of Mr Murray, who never resentsreproof when he deserves it. There, you need not make that disparaginggrimace. You might follow Mr Murray's example in a good many things. Now, I am sure he would not have come and asked leave like you did. Itmust have been your idea alone. "

"I'm afraid I had as much to do with it as Roberts, sir, " said Murrayfrankly. 

"More shame for you to have to own it, sir, " said the first lieutenant;"but I like you to own up all the same. Still, I don't like two youngfellows who are trying to impress their elders that they are men to beseizing every opportunity to prove that they are mere boys with all theinstincts wide awake of children. "

"I'm very sorry, sir, " said Roberts again, this time very stiffly. "Iam sorry I asked for permission. "

"I don't believe you, Mr Roberts, " said the officer stiffly. "Now, both of you tell me this--are you perfectly efficient in yournavigation?"

Roberts uttered a snort. 

"No, sir, " said Murray, "of course not. I'm a long way off beingperfect. "

"Then why in the name of common sense don't you seize upon everyopportunity to master that grand study, like a man, and not comebothering me like a little boy who wants to go out to the pond to catchtittlebats? I'm ashamed of you both. "

"It was only to have a little recreation, sir, " said Murray. 

"What do you want with recreation, I should like to know? Do you eversee me running after recreation?"

"No, sir, " said Murray; "but then, sir, you're a first lieutenant. "

"Yes, sir, and that's what you will never be so long as you hanker afterchildish pastimes. "

"I'm very sorry, sir--" began Murray. 

"Don't keep saying you are very sorry; it only makes the matter worse, when I have so much upon my mind. It's absurd, gentlemen. I wonder atyou. Just because you see a few dolphins and albicores swimming belowthe ship's counter you must want to begin playing with the grains. There, be off, both of you. What would be the good of the fish if youharpooned them?"

"Make a nice change for the table, sir. The cook said--"

"Hang the cook!" cried the officer angrily. "What are you laughing at?"

"Only smiling, sir. "

"And pray what at? Is there anything peculiar in my face?"

"No, sir, " said Murray merrily. "I was only thinking of theconsequences if we two obeyed your orders. "

"Orders! I gave no orders. "

"You said, hang the cook, sir, " said Murray. 

"Rubbish! Absurd! There, I told you both to be off. I'm not going togive you leave to play idle boys. If you want leave, there's thecaptain yonder; go and ask him. "

"He'd only say, sir, why didn't we ask leave of you. "

"And very proper too, " said the first lieutenant, "and if he does say soyou can tell him I would not give you leave because I thought it wasteof time for young men who want to rise in their profession. What wasthat you muttered, Mr Murray?"

"I only said to myself, sir, `All work and no play makes Jack a dullboy. '"

"Yes; very true, my lad, " said the officer, with a grim smile. "I'm notunreasonable, and I'd give you leave; but perhaps you had better askyour chief. "

"Thank you, sir, " said Murray. 

"And look here, Murray; if you get permission, be careful. I don't wantthe routine of the ship to be interfered with and my men set hoveringabout to pick up a couple of useless idlers, and every one upset by thecry of a man overboard--I mean, a boy. "

"I'll try not to be that boy, " said Murray, smiling; and the chiefofficer gave him a friendly nod and walked forward. 

"Bah!" grumbled Roberts. "There's favouritism. "

"Nonsense!"

"'Tisn't. He always favours you. "

"Not he. "

"To turn upon us like that just because it's almost a calm! A growlingold snarly! I never saw such a temper. Now he has gone forward to setthe men to do something that doesn't want doing. "

"He's a bit out of temper this morning because the skipper has been athim about something. "

"Yes; I heard him at it. Nice pair they are, and a pretty life theylead the men!"

"Oh, well, never mind that. Tom May has got the grains and the lineready, and I want to begin. "

"A boy! Apeing a man, and all that stuff!" muttered Roberts. "Isuppose he never was a boy in his life. "

"Oh, wasn't he! There, never mind all that. "

"But I do mind it, sir, " said Roberts haughtily, as he involuntarilybegan to pass his fingers over the spot just beneath his temples wherethe whisker down was singed. "I consider that his words were a perfectinsult. "

"Perfect or imperfect, what does it matter? Come on, _sir_. I want tobegin harpooning. "

"What do you mean by that?" cried Roberts, turning upon him angrily. 

"What do I mean?"

"Yes; by using the word _sir_ to me in that meaning way. "

"You got on the stilts, and I only followed suit. There, there, don'tbe so touchy. Go on and ask the skipper for leave. "

"No, thank you. I don't want to play the idle boy. "

"Don't you? Then I do, and what's more, I know you do. "

"Then you are quite wrong. "

"If I'm wrong you told a regular crammer not half-an-hour ago, for yousaid you'd give anything for a turn with the grains this morning. "

"I have no recollection of saying anything of the kind, " said the ladangrily. 

"What a memory! I certainly thought I heard you say so to Tom May; andthere he is with the line and the jolly old trident all ready. There, come on and let's ask the chief. "

"If you want to go idling, go and ask him for yourself. I'm going downto our dog-hole of a place to study navigation in the dark. "

"Don't believe you, Dicky. "

"You can believe what you please, sir, " said Roberts coldly. 

"All right. I'm off, and I shall ask leave for us both. "

"You dare! I forbid it, " cried Roberts angrily. 

"All right, " said Murray, turning on his heel, "but I shall ask for usboth, and if you mean to forbid it you'd better come with me to theskipper. "

Murray waited a few moments, standing watching the captain where he wasmarching up and down the quarter-deck, and timing himself so as to meethim full as he walked forward. 

Roberts hesitated for a few moments and then followed closely, lookingfiercely determined the while. 

"Well, Mr Murray, " said the captain sharply, as he became aware of thepresence of the lad, who touched his cap. "What is it--a petition?"

"Yes, sir. A good many bonito are playing about the bows. "

"Yes; I saw them, my lad. Want to go fishing--harpooning?"

"Yes, sir. Roberts and I. "

"Oh yes, of course, my lad. A good time for it, and I shall expect anice dish for the cabin table. But look here, Mr Murray, I like tokeep to the little forms of the service, and in cases of this sort youhad better ask Mr Anderson for leave. You understand?"

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir, " said Murray. 

"No, no; I have not given you permission. Ask Mr Anderson. He willgive you leave at once. "

Murray saluted; the captain marched on; and directly after the twomidshipmen were face to face. 

"Then you have dared--" began Roberts. 

"Yes, all right, " said Murray, laughing to himself, for he noticed thathis companion spoke in a low tone of voice so that his words might notbe heard by their chief. "Yes, it's all right, only we're to askAnderson. "

"Yes, I heard what the skipper said, but I tell you at once I'm notgoing to stoop to do anything of the kind. Do you think I'm going todegrade myself by begging for leave again?"

"No, old chap, of course not, " cried Murray, thrusting his arm beneathhis companion's. "I'll _do_ all that. But you must come now. Don'tlet's keep Tom May waiting any longer. "

"But I tell you that--"

"Hush! Hold your tongue. Here's Anderson coming. "

"Well, young gentlemen, " said that officer, coming up sharply, "have youasked the captain?"

"Yes, sir, and he said that he would give us leave, but that he shouldprefer for us to ask your permission. "

"That's right, my lads; quite right, " said the first lieutenant, speaking quite blandly now. "You'd better start at once, for I don'tthink this calm is going to last. Who is going to help you?"

"Tom May, sir. "

"Oh yes, I see. A very good trustworthy man. Mind, we shall expectsome fish for dinner. "

"He's a humbug, that's what he is, " said Roberts angrily. "Blowing hotand cold with the same breath. I've a good mind to--"

"Come and have the first try? And so you shall, old chap. Look alive!We must get a good dish now, and for the lads too. "

"Oh, I don't want to have anything to do with it, " grumbled Roberts. 

But his companion paid no heed to his words, for just then Tom May, whohad been watching their proceedings as he waited until the permissionhad been obtained, stepped out to meet them, armed with the trident-likegrains and fine line, looking like a modern Neptune civilised intowearing the easy-looking comfortable garb of a man-o'-war's man, andoffered the light lissome staff to Murray. 

"No, no, " cried the lad. "Mr Roberts is going to have the first turn. "

"I told you I didn't--" began Roberts, with far less emphasis, butMurray interrupted him. 

"Best from the fore chains, won't it, Tom?"

"Yes, sir. Hold on with the left fin and strike with the right. "

"Yes, of course. Now then, Dick, over with you; and don't go overboard, or I shall have to come after you. "

"Better let me make a slip-knot for you, sir, " said the man, "so as youdon't lose your line and the grains at the same time. "

The midshipman's lips parted for him to make another protest--a veryfaint one--but before he had spoken a word the sailor threw a runningnoose over his wrist, and, unable to resist the temptation of playingthe part of harpooner of the good-sized fish that were playing in theclear water not far below the surface, he climbed over the bulwark andtook his place in the chains outside the blocks which secured theshrouds, gathered the line in loops, and grasped the shaft of the longlight implement, which somewhat resembled a delicately made eel spear, and stood ready to plunge it down into the first of the swiftly glidingfish which played about the side. 

"I say, Dick, " cried Murray eagerly, "don't be in too great a hurry. Wait till you get a good chance at a big one. "

"All right, " replied the lad, who at the first touch of thethree-pronged spear forgot all his sham resistance and settled himselfin an easy position with his left arm round one of the staying ropes, standing well balanced and ready to dart the implement down into one ofthe great beautifully-marked mackerel-natured fish, which with an easystroke of its thin tail, shaped like a two-day-old moon, darted alongthe side, played round the sloop's stem, plunged beneath the keel andappeared again, to repeat its manoeuvres so rapidly that its coming andgoing resembled flashes of light. 

"I'll have one directly, " said Roberts, after letting two or threechances go by, "and you, Tom, when I spear one and haul him up, you takehold of the fish just forward of his tail, where you can grip himeasily. "

"Close up to his flukes, sir?" said the man, cocking one eye at Murraywith a droll look which suggested the saying about instructing yourgrandmother. "All right, sir; I'll take care. "

"Yes, you'd better!" said the midshipman, who was now all eagerness. "I'll spear one, Frank, and then you shall take the next turn. "

"No, no; get a couple first, old chap, " replied Murray, "or say three. We don't want to change too often. "

"Oh, very well, just as you like. Ha!"

For a chance had offered itself; one of the bonitos had risen towardsthe surface and turned sharply preparatory to swimming back to passround the stem of the _Seafowl_, and Roberts plunged down his spear; buthe had not been quick enough. 

"My word, that was near! Eh, Tom?" cried Murray. 

"Near as a toucher, " grunted the sailor, with his eyes twinkling. 

"Never mind, Dick; you'll do it next time. Straight down, old chap; butyou must allow for the water's refraction. "

"Oh yes, I know, " said the lad coolly, as he gathered in the drippingline in loops once more and again grasped the light ash pole ready foranother stroke. 

As if perfectly satisfied of their safety, a couple more of the bonitosglided along from following the sloop, and the midshipman made as if tothrow, but hesitated and let the first fish glide beneath his feet, butdarted the spear down at the second, and struck a little too soon, theswift creature apparently seeing the spear coming and with one wave ofits tail darting into safety. 

"Bother!" grunted Roberts. 

"Third time never fails, sir, " growled the sailor. That sailor told agreat untruth, for when for the third time Roberts drove the trident hefailed dismally, for in his excitement and hurry he took no care to holdthe three-pronged fork so that it should strike the fish across theback, so that one or the other tooth should be driven into the flesh, but held it so that the blades were parallel with the fish's side, beside which they glided so that the bonito passed on unharmed. 

"Oh, hang the thing!" cried the lad. 

"Well, strike it first, " said Murray, laughing. "We'll hang it then ifyou like. "

"Do it yourself, then, " growled Roberts angrily, hauling up the line andtrident, before preparing to loosen the noose from his wrist. 

"Nonsense!" cried Murray. "Stop where you are, man. You were in such ahurry, and didn't half try. "

"No, you come and try. You are so much more handy with the grains thanI am. "

He spoke sourly, but his companion's last words had softened him alittle. "Stop where you are, man!" sounded pleasant, and he hesitated. 

"That's right. There, tighten the line again. I want to see you getone of those big ones, and you are not going to be beaten. "

"But I'm not skilful over it, Frank, " said Roberts. 

"Be skilful, then, my lad. It's just the knack of it, that's all. Getthat, and you'll hit one every time. Won't he, Tom?"

"Yes, sir. It's just the knack; that's all. Just look down, sir;there's no end of thumpers coming along, and if you wait your time, sir, you're sure to have one. "

Roberts knit his brows as he gazed down beneath him at the shadow-likefish, which now looked dark, now reflected golden and greenish tintsfrom their burnished sides, and once more prepared to strike; but hehesitated, and the bonito was gone. 

"Here, you're nervous, Dick, " cried Murray. "You're too anxious andwant to make too sure. Be sharper and more careless. Just measure thedistance as the next one comes along, make sure of him and let drive. "

Roberts said nothing, but set his teeth hard as he balanced the ash polein his hand, being careful to hold the spear so that the prongs werelevel with the horizon, and was in the act of driving the implement downwhen Murray whispered hoarsely--"Now then!"

That interruption proved to be just sufficient to throw the lad off hisaim, and once more he missed. "My fault, Dick; my fault, Tom. I puthim out, " cried Murray excitedly. 

"Yes, sir, that was it, " said the sailor. "He'd have had that one forcertain. You try again, Mr Roberts, sir; and don't you say a word toput him out, Mr Murray, sir, and you'll see him drive the grains intoone of them biggest ones. "

"All right, Tom. I'll be dumb as a dumb-bell. Go on, Dick; there aresome splendid ones about now. "

Roberts said nothing, but frowned and set his teeth harder than ever ashe stood up now in quite a classic attitude, waiting till one of thefinest of the fish below him came gliding along beneath his feet, andthen reaching well out he darted the trident down with all his might. The line tightened suddenly, for he had struck the fish, and the nextmoment, before the lad could recover himself from his position, leaningforward as he was, there was a heavy jar at his wrist, the linetightened with quite a snap, and as the fish darted downward themidshipman was jerked from where he stood, and the next moment plungedhead first with a heavy splash into the sea, showing his legs for abrief space, and then, in a shadowy way that emulated the fishes' glide, he went downward into the sunlit depths, leaving his two companionsstaring aghast at the result of the stroke. 

CHAPTER NINETEEN. 

"MAN OVERBOARD!"

Murray leaned over the side, looking down at the dimly seen figure ofhis companion, hardly visible in the disturbed water, and full of theexpectation of seeing him come up again directly. 

"What a ducking!" he thought to himself, and his features werecorrugated with mirth. Tom May too was indulging in a hearty grin, which however began to smooth into a look of horror in nowise behind theaspect of Murray's face, for both now began to realise the fact that thetightened cord at which the harpooned fish was evidently tugging wasrapidly drawing the middy farther and farther down, while the sloop wassteadily gliding onward and leaving the unfortunate youth behind. 

It was a time for action, and the moment Murray could throw off thenightmare-like feeling which held him motionless he sprang upon therail, shouted loudly "Man overboard!" and then without a moment'shesitation plunged headlong down, taking a header into the glitteringsunlit water below. 

"A man overboard!" The most thrilling words that can be uttered atsea--words which chill the hearers for a moment and then are followed bya wild feeling of excitement which pervades more than runs through aship, awakening it as it were with one great throb from frigid silenceto excited life. In this instance, as Frank Murray made his spring, hiswords seemed to be echoed by Tom May in a deep roar as he too sprangupon the rail, from which he leaped, throwing his hands on high as hedescribed a curve outward from the _Seafowl's_ side, and then in thereverse of his position as his fingers touched the water there was aheavy splash, and those who ran to the side caught sight of the soles ofhis feet as he too disappeared for a short space beneath the rippledsea. 

There was but a trifle of confusion on deck: the orders rang out, butalmost before they were uttered the men were running to their stationsin connection with one of the boats, which was rapidly manned; theblocks of the falls creaked as she sank down and kissed the water; thevarnished ash blades flashed in the sunshine as they were seized and runfrom the rowlocks into regular double lines; and then, as they dipped, the cutter seemed to be endued with life, and darted forward to therescue. 

Meanwhile, confused by his sudden drag from daylight into semi-darknessand confusion, Roberts had recovered himself sufficiently to begintrying to free his wrist from the thin line which cut into it deeply astug, tug, tug, it was drawn tighter and tighter by the harpooned fish, into whose back the barbed iron prongs had plunged deeply, and, far fromrobbing it of life, seemed only to have nerved it and stimulated it witha power that was extraordinary in a creature of its size. For themidshipman, as he struck out with one arm, felt himself dragged beneaththe surface by his victim, whose efforts were directed entirely towardssounding deeply to seek the safety offered by the darkness fathomsbelow. 

Tug and jerk, tug and jerk, in the midst of a confusion that grew moreand more wild, as the midshipman strove to free himself from the bondwhich held him fast. The water thundered in his ears in a series ofstrange sounds which deepened into one deafening roar. The power ofthinking of his position was rapidly passing away; the water above himgrew darker and darker; and at last in one involuntary effort the ladceased his struggle to free his wrist, and struck out wildly with armsand legs to force himself to the surface. 

It was quite time, and fortunately the efforts of the fish to drag himdown were for the moment weakening, while in response to his wildstruggle the light grew brighter, and just as consciousness was about toleave him, the lad's head rose above the surface again and he gasped forbreath. 

It was life, but the respirations were succeeded directly by a renewalof the sharp tugs at his wrist, and the water was about to close overhis head again, when he felt the touch of a hand and heard the pantingvoice of some one whose tones were familiar, as he was turned over faceupward and his descent was checked. 

Then amidst the confusion and his attempts to recover his breath, theunfortunate lad heard another voice, and the gruff tones seemed to bethose of one giving orders. 

"Hooroar, my lad!" came, close to the middy's ear. "That's good. Waita moment. My knife'll soon cut him clear. "

"No, no, Tom; don't cut. We can keep him up now. Shout for the boat. "

"They don't want no shoutin', sir. They'll be here directly. "

These words all seemed to reach the ears of Roberts from somewhere faraway, and then the water was thundering in them again, and he began oncemore to struggle for life. Then again he seemed to get his breath in ahalf-choking confused way, as he heard the gruff tones begin again. 

"I'd better cut, sir, on'y my knife won't open. "

"No, no, Tom; we can manage. Keep his head well up. "

"All right, sir. That was the beggar's flurry. Dessay he's turning uphis white. "

"Hooray!" came like another echo, along with the splash of oars, andthen half consciously Roberts felt himself dragged over the side of theboat. There was another cheer, and a strange sound as of a fish beatingthe planks rapidly with its tail, while Murray's breathless voice, sounding a long way off, said--

"My word, he is a strong one! I am glad we've got him. "

Then several other voices seemed to be speaking together, but in aconfused way, and Roberts felt as if he had been asleep, till some onewhose voice sounded like the doctor's said--

"Oh, he's all right now, sir. "

"Who's all right now?" thought the lad; and he opened his eyes, to findhimself lying upon the deck with the doctor upon one knee by his side, and pretty well surrounded by the officers and men. 

"Nice wet fellow you are, Roberts, " said the doctor. 

"Eh?" said the lad, staring confusedly. "Have I been overboard?"

"Well, yes, just a trifle, " replied the doctor. 

"Oh yes, I remember now. Ah! Where's Frank Murray?" cried the ladexcitedly. 

"Here I am all right!" came from behind him. 

"Ah!" ejaculated the half insensible lad, and he gave vent to a deepsigh of relief and closed his eyes. "I was afraid that--that--"

"But I am all right, Dick, " cried Murray, catching the speaker by thehand. 

"Ah, that's right. I was afraid--somehow--I thought you were drowned. "

"There, there, " cried the doctor, bending over the lad and patting hisshoulder, "nobody has been drowned, and you are all right again, so Iwant you to get below and have a good towelling and then tumble intosome dry things while I mix you up a draught of--What's the matter now?"

Roberts had suddenly sprung up into a sitting position, as if thedoctor's last words had touched a spring somewhere in the lad's spine. 

"Nothing, sir--nothing, " he cried excitedly. "I'm all right again now. I recollect all about it, and how Frank Murray saved my life. "

"Oh, it was Tom May did the most of it, Dick. "

"Did he help?" continued the lad. "Ah, he's a good fellow, --Tom May. But I'm all right now, doctor; and where's the fish?"

The lad stared about him in a puzzled way, for he had become consciousof the fact that those around him were roaring with laughter, anoutburst which was gradually subsiding, while those most affected werewiping their eyes, when his last query about the fish set them offagain. 

"Why, doctor, " said the captain, trying to look serious, but evidentlyenjoying the mirth as much as any one present, "who is going to doubtthe efficacy of your medicine after this? The very mention of it in MrRoberts's hearing acted upon him like magic. Did you see how he startedup like the man in the old tooth tincture advertisement--`Ha, ha! Curedin an instant!'"

"Oh yes, sir, " said the doctor grimly; "but it's all very fine. You areall glad of my help sometimes. "

"Of course, my dear Reston, " said the captain. "No one slights you andyour skill; but you must own that it was comic to see how Mr Robertsstarted up the moment you said physic. "

"Oh yes, it was droll enough, " said the doctor good-humouredly. "There, Roberts, if you feel well enough to do without my draught I will not mixone. What do you say?"

"Oh, I'm all right now, sir, " cried the lad--"at least I shall be assoon as I've changed. "

"Off with you, then, " said the doctor; and catching hold of Murray'sproffered arm, Roberts and his friend hurried below. 

CHAPTER TWENTY. 

IN THE DOCTOR'S HANDS. 

Before the two middies had completed their change there was a tap at thecabin door, and in answer to the "Come in" Tom May's head was thrustthrough the opening, his face puckered up into a friendly grin. 

"Getting all right again, gentlemen?" he said. 

"Oh yes, Tom, " cried Roberts excitedly, and he eagerly held out hishand, and catching the sailor by the shoulder dragged him inside. "Iwanted to see you, Tom, and thank you for saving my life. "

"For what, sir?" said Tom sharply. 

"For so bravely saving my life. "

"Oh, I say, sir, " grumbled the man, speaking bashfully, "if I'd ha'knowed as you was going on like that I'm blessed if I'd ha' come down. "

"Why, there was nothing to be ashamed of, Tom, " said Murray warmly. 

"Oh no, sir; I warn't ashamed to come down. I were on'y too glad to saya word to Mr Roberts like and see him come round. "

"I'm glad too, " said Murray; "and he feels very grateful to you forbeing so brave. "

"I warn't brave, Mr Murray, sir. I did nowt. It was you--it was him, Mr Roberts, sir. He sings out, `Man overboard!' and takes a headerarter you, and what was I to do? He's my orficer, sir, and I wasobliged to go arter him. You sees that?"

"Yes, yes, Tom, " cried Roberts warmly. "He acted very bravely. "

"Oh, drop it!" cried Murray. 

"Course he did, sir, " said the sailor. "I on'y obeyed orders. "

"Will you both drop it!" cried Murray angrily. "What's the use ofmaking a fuss about nothing? You're all right again, Tom?"

"Me, sir? Right as ninepence. Never had nowt the matter with me. 'Sides, " continued the man, with a grin, "I had the doctor to look atme. "

"Oh, I say, " said Roberts eagerly, "he didn't give you any of his stuff, did he?"

"No, sir; but he wanted to. "

"What did he say?"

"Said it would keep off the chill. "

"Yes, and what then?" said the lads, in a breath. 

"I telled him, gentlemen, that the first luff had sent Mr Snelling thepurser to me with a dose, and he just grunted at me and went up again. Oh, I'm all right enough. What about you, Mr Roberts, sir?"

"Thanks to you, Tom, I'm just as you say you are. But what about thatfish?"

"Oh, it's in the pot by now. The cook says it's the biggest albicore heever see in his life, and for sartain, gentlemen, I never see one muchmore than half as big. There's bigger ones, of course, somewheres, butI never see one speared afore as would touch him. But I say, MrRoberts, sir, " continued the man, "you do feel all right again, don'tyou?"

"Oh yes, quite right, Tom; only a little bit achey about the back of theneck. "

"Course you do, sir. I felt like that both times when I got pretty nighdrownded. That's 'cause you throws your head so far back, and itstrains your muscles, sir. But never mind that, sir. It'll soon gooff. I was going to say, sir, if you felt right enough I should punishthat there fish pretty hard. "

"I will, Tom, " said the lad merrily; and the man went on deck. 

"Ready?" said Murray, as he finished dressing. 

"Yes, I'm ready, and at the same time I don't feel so, " was the reply. 

"Don't feel coming on poorly, do you?"

"Oh no, " replied Roberts, "but I don't much care about going on deckagain. "

"Why not?"

"There's the skipper, and old Anderson; they're both sure to begin togrumble now. "

"Oh no! I don't think they'll say anything. "

"Well, you'll see, " said Roberts decisively; and the lad proved to beright when the pair went on deck, for no sooner did they appear than thefirst lieutenant, who was forward with the men, giving someinstructions, caught sight of them and began to approach. 

"Look at that, " whispered Roberts. 

"Yes, and look at that, Dick, " whispered Murray. For the captain, whowas on the quarter-deck, had apparently caught sight of them at the sametime, and began to make for them. 

There was no retreat, for the lieutenant would have met them. But it sohappened that the latter saw his chief approaching and returned at onceto the group of sailors, leaving the captain to have the first words. 

"You're right, Dick, " whispered Murray. "Now for a wigging!"

"Well, young gentlemen, " saluted them the next minute; "what have you tosay for yourselves?"

"Thank you, sir, " said Murray, drawing himself up and saluting, "we'renot a bit the worse for our little adventure. "

"Humph!" ejaculated the captain, looking at him sternly. "None theworse, eh?"

"No, sir, not a bit, and I don't think Roberts is; eh, Roberts?"

"Perhaps not, Mr Murray; but perhaps you will allow me to question MrRoberts. "

"I beg your pardon, sir, " said Murray, colouring warmly. 

"I do not grant it, sir, " said the captain stiffly; "and perhaps youwill be good enough to bear in mind what are our relative positions--those of commander of this sloop of war and very junior officer. Now, Mr Roberts, " continued the captain sternly, as he half turned his backto Murray, "what have you to say for yourself?"

"Only that I'm very sorry to have been the cause of the trouble, sir. "

"Humph! That's better, " said the captain, "if your sorrow is real. "

"Oh yes, sir; it's quite real, sir, " said the youth hurriedly. 

"Indeed! Well, I have my doubts, sir. "

"But it really was quite an accident, sir, " cried Roberts excitedly. 

"Well, do you suppose, Mr Roberts, that I give you credit for purposelyhitching yourself on to that fish and trying to get yourself drowned?"

"Oh no, sir; of course not. "

"Don't interrupt me, Mr Roberts, " said the captain sourly. 

"Why, you asked me a question, " thought the lad, "and I was onlyanswering you;" and he turned very red in the face. 

"I have been talking to Mr Anderson about this business, and he tellsme that you both came worrying him for permission to use the grains andto waste your time trying to harpoon these fish that were playing aboutthe bows, eh?"

"It was I, sir, who went to ask Mr Anderson for leave. "

"I was not addressing you, Mr Murray, " said the captain coldly; andthen he continued: "Mr Anderson tells me that he put before you thefact that you would both have been better employed in continuing yourstudies of navigation. Now, you neither of you had the candour to tellme this. Anything but work, gentlemen, and the display of adetermination to master your profession and grow worthy of trust, withthe possibility of some day becoming worthy of taking charge of avessel. I consider that you both--I say both, Mr Murray--tookadvantage of my kindly disposition and obtained the permission that MrAnderson would have very properly withheld. Now look at theconsequences of your folly; one of you was nearly drowned; the other wasalmost the cause of my losing one of my most valuable seamen in hisefforts to save your lives; and the discipline of my ship is completelyupset--a boat has to be launched, the doctor called upon to resuscitateone of you; and now what have you to say for yourselves? Nothing, butgive me the paltry excuse of this being an accident. I tell you, gentlemen, that it cannot be considered an accident or mischance, for Ilook upon it as being a wilful disregard of your duties, and--er--er--that will do. "

The captain put his hands behind his back and stalked off, leaving thetwo lads looking at each other. 

"That's nice, " said Murray, in a whisper. 

"Lovely!" whispered back Roberts. 

"And this isn't the worst of it, " said Murray softly; "here comesAnderson. "

"Oh, I do feel so bad!" muttered Roberts. "I'll tell him so. "

"Well, young gentlemen, " said the lieutenant, coming up, "I hope thecaptain has taken you both well to task. "

"Yes, sir, he has, " said Murray, with a drily comical look upon hiscountenance. "I'm sure if you had heard him you wouldn't think itnecessary to say another word. "

The lieutenant gave the lad a severe look, frowning hard, and he wasevidently about to say something sharp, but after being silent for a fewmoments his face relaxed and he smiled pleasantly. 

"Well, " he said, turning again to Murray, "I will take it for grantedthat you have both had a thoroughly good talking to, and I will say nomore. "

"Thank you, sir, " said Murray, with a sigh of relief. 

The lieutenant turned upon him sharply. 

"Yes, " he said, "I suppose you do mean that. Well, Mr Roberts, I hopeyou feel none the worse?"

"No, sir; yes, sir, I--no sir, not at all the worse. "

"I am glad of it. But you had a very narrow escape. Your life wassaved by Murray's bravery. A very gallant action, my lad--manly andbrave; but no more of such gallant actions, if you please. I have quiteenough responsibilities in connection with my duties on this shipwithout being worried with a pack of boys risking their lives for thesake of catching a fish or two, so let me have no more of it. Do youhear? There, you need not speak. "

The lieutenant turned short round and marched away frowning, leaving thelads looking at one another for a few minutes, before Murray whispered, "Come along forward, " with the result that they made for a favouritespot where, well out of sight of the quarter-deck, they could rest theirfolded arms upon the rail and gaze down into the transparent water whichglided by the sloop's cut-water with hardly a ripple, so soft was thebreeze which filled the crowd of canvas that had been set. 

"I thought we should get it, " said Roberts, after a few minutes'silence. 

"Oh, never mind, old chap, " said his companion quietly. "You got offpretty easy. "

"I did? Oh, come; it was you who got off easy. `A very gallant act, 'didn't he say?"

"Something of the kind. "

"Yes; `a very gallant act. ' You always get the praise, Frank, " saidRoberts gloomily. "It has always been so ever since we joined. One isexpected to devote himself in every way possible to learning one'sprofession, and for reward one gets bullied and blamed for pretty welleverything. Nobody ever told me that I had performed a very gallantact. "

"Well, look here, what do you say to me tumbling overboard so that youcan come over after me and save my life?"

"Bother! Look here, Frank, if you can't talk sense you'd better holdyour tongue. "

"If I did you'd only get more rusty. I say, Dick, I once read about afellow being saved from drowning. "

"Me, of course, " interrupted Roberts, in an angry tone. "What are youup to now--fishing for praise of your `gallant act'?"

"Not likely, " was the reply, good-humouredly. "I was going to tell youabout some one who was saved from drowning. "

"Well, you needn't. I know all about it now, thank you, and I don'twant to hear. "

"Never mind, old chap; I want to tell you, and it's very interesting andquite true. "

Roberts grunted and gave himself a hitch so as to turn half away fromhis companion and stand staring away to sea. 

"It said that when the poor fellow was on the deck again--you see, hehad fallen from the yard and they had to lower down a boat so as to gethim aboard, and when they did he seemed to be quite dead--same as youdid. "

"Tchah! Nothing of the kind. I was only a bit insensible. "

"Well, you were quite bad enough, " said Murray, "and the doctor had tobring you round same as this chap; and when he was able to sit up andtalk it was quite curious--"

"I don't see anything curious about a half-drowned chap coming to andbeing able to talk. "

"No, " said Murray, smiling, as he watched his companion intently, "butthat wasn't the curious part. "

"Well, then, what was? Oh, I say, I do wish you wouldn't keep onprosing about what nobody wants to hear. There, go on and get itfinished. "

"All right; don't hurry a fellow, " said Murray. "I can't dash offthings as quickly as you can. "

Roberts wrenched himself round so that he could look fiercely at hiscompanion, and he spoke with quite an angry snap. 

"Is that meant for a sneer?" he said. 

"No, my son; not a bit of it, unless it contains just a go at myself forbeing so slow. "

"Ho!" ejaculated Roberts. "Well, what's the curious thing about yourchap who had been nearly drowned?"

"They brought him to--" said Murray deliberately. 

Roberts gave himself an angry jerk and reached out his hand to snatch ata marlin-spike stuck just beneath the rail. 

"What's the matter now?" asked Murray. 

"You'll know directly if you don't finish your twaddling stuff. Youtold me all that before, " cried the lad irritably. 

"Did I? Well, you keep on interrupting me so. "

"There, go on. "

"All right, " continued Murray, in the most imperturbable way. "Well, asI was saying, that when they brought the poor fellow round--"

"Bravo, oh prince of story-tellers!" cried Roberts sneeringly. "Theybrought him round, did they? I wonder he didn't stop drowned if he wassurrounded by people who kept on prosing like you are. "

"Well, he didn't, " said Murray coolly; "they brought him round. "

"Here, Frank, old chap, " cried Roberts, with mock interest, "it's aswell to be quite certain when you are making history--are you sure thatthey didn't bring him square?"

"Oh yes, quite, " said Murray quietly; "they brought him round, and itwas remarkable what an effect it had upon his temper. "

Roberts turned upon him again quite fiercely. 

"He seemed to have turned acid right through, and snapped and snarled atthose about him; and then--"

"Now, look here, young fellow, " cried Roberts, interrupting hiscompanion, "I'm not all a fool, Frank Murray, and I can see quiteplainly enough that this is all meant for a go at me. Do you mean totell me that I have turned upon every one to snap and snarl at them?Because if you do, say so like a man. "

"Well, old chap--" began Murray, smiling. 

"Oh, you do, do you? You've made up your mind to quarrel with me, haveyou? Very well, sir. I don't want to be on good terms with a fellowwho, in spite of the way in which I have made myself his friend eversince he joined, is determined to--determined to--Here, this is beyondbearing, sir. We're too big now to settle our quarrels, like a coupleof schoolboys, with our fists, but the wretched state in which we arecompelled to exist by the captain's absurd prejudices against settling adispute in a gentlemanly way compels one to put off all consideration ofage and position; so come down below. We can easily get to where themen will take care that we are not interrupted by the officers; and if Idon't give you the biggest thrashing you ever had, it's because I amweak from the effects of that accident and being dragged under water forso long. Now then, come on, and--don't irritate me any more by grinningin that absurd way, or I shall strike you before you put up your handson guard, and then--"

The lad, who was gazing wildly at his companion, stopped short, for, half startled now by his brother middy's manner, Murray had laid hishand upon his arm. 

"Steady, Dick, " he said quietly. "You're not yourself, old chap. Ididn't mean to irritate you. Don't go on like that; here's the doctorcoming forward, and I don't want him to come and see you now. "

These words wrought a complete change, for to Murray's surprise theagitated lad slipped his wrist free, and brought his hand down firmlyupon that of his companion, to close it in a firm grip. 

"Here, Frank, " he whispered, "don't take any notice of what I said. Icouldn't help it. I don't know what has come to me. I must be like thefellow you were talking about, and if the doctor knows, I feel--I'm surethat I shall be much worse. "

"Hist! Keep quiet. Let's be looking at the fish. Look at that. "

He pointed downward through the clear water, and making an effortRoberts leaned over the rail. 

"Yes; I see, " he said huskily. "A shark, sure enough. "

"Yes; only a little one, though, " said Murray aloud. "I say, isn't itcurious how those brutes can keep themselves just at a certain depthbelow the keel, and go on swimming easily at just the same rate as weare going, without seeming to make any effort!"

"Yes, very strange; very, very strange, " said Roberts loudly, and withhis voice sounding husky and faint. "Hah!" he ejaculated, at last, in atone of relief. "He's not coming here. " For the doctor had suddenlycaught sight of Titely and crossed the deck to speak to the man. 

"No, he's not coming here, " said Murray quietly. 

"I oughtn't to be afraid to meet the old fellow, though, Frank, " saidRoberts, with a sigh, "for I must be ill to turn like that. "

"Not ill, old chap, " said Murray quietly. "Come on down below. "

"Then you think I'm bad?" whispered the midshipman, turning upon hiscompanion sharply. 

"Not bad, but upset by the accident. "

"And nearly losing my life, " whispered Roberts. 

"Yes, that's it. Come down and take off your jacket. "

"Not to fight, " said the lad bitterly. "Oh, Franky! And after you hadjust saved my life! I must have been half mad, old chap. "

"Bah! Drop it, Dick, " said Murray quietly. "You come down, and turninto your berth. "

"Yes; for a good nap. "

"That's right, old chap. Have a good snooze if you can; but don't mindif you can't get to sleep. I'll open the port-hole as wide as possibleso as to get as much cool air as I can into the place. All you want isrest. You don't want the doctor. "

"No; that's right; I don't want the doctor. " And then, eagerly takinghis companion's arm, the lad permitted himself to be led below, where hethrew off his jacket and turned into his cot with a sigh of relief. 

"Ah, " he said, "that's better! Never mind me now. Go up on deck, andif any one asks about me say I'm having a sleep after the ducking. "

"All right, " replied Murray, and he saw in the semi-darkness that themiddy had closed his eyes tightly but seemed to have to make an effortto keep the quivering and twitching lids still. 

"I say, Franky, " came from the cot, after a short pause. 

"Well?"

"You're not gone on deck. "

"No, not yet. Come, off you go. Like a glass of water?"

"No! No water. "

"Well, what is it?"

"I only wanted to say something, Frank, " whispered the poor fellow, in afaltering voice. 

"Better not, old chap. You want rest, and not to bother your brain withtalking. "

"Thank you, doctor, " said the lad, with a faint smile. "Why, you'reever so much better than old Reston. Yes, I want sleep, for my headseems to be all of a buzz; but I must say something before I can getoff. "

"Well, then, look sharp and say it. Well, what is it?"

"Only this, Franky, old fellow--"

"Well, what is it?" said Murray, after the pause which followed the lastwords. "There, let it go; I'm sure it will keep. "

"No, no, " whispered the lad excitedly. "It won't keep. I feel as if Ican't bear to say it, and yet that I can't bear to keep it back. There, that sounds half mad, doesn't it? I--I--"

"Is it anything to do with what you said to me a bit ago?"

"Hah! Thank you, old fellow; you've made me feel as if I could say itnow, " whispered the lad hoarsely. "Franky, I feel as if I've been anungrateful beast to you. "

"Hold hard, Dick, " said Murray quickly; and he laid his hand upon theone lying close to the edge of the cot. "I understand how hard it mustbe for you to talk about it, and it's just as hard for me to listen. Solook here, Dick. You haven't been yourself, lad; when a fellow's a bitoff his head he isn't accountable for what he says. I know; so lookhere. Am I hurt and annoyed by what you said? Not a bit of it. That'sright, isn't it?" he continued, as his hand closed firmly upon that ofthe half hysterical lad. "You know what that means, don't you?"

"Hah! Yes!" sighed the lad gently; and it sounded to Murray as if atremendous weight had been lifted off the poor fellow's breast. 

"Then now you can go to sleep, and when you wake up again I hope youwill have forgotten all about it, for that's what I mean to as a matterof course, and--How rum!" said the lad to himself, for the hand that hadbeen returning his pressure had slowly slackened its grasp and layperfectly inert in his. "Why, he must be asleep! Well, I shall soonknow. "

As the lad thought this he loosened his own grasp, and the next minutewas able to slip his fingers away. Directly after he drew back a littlemore, and quietly rose from the locker upon which he had been seatedclose to his companion's side with his back to the cabin stairs. 

Then turning to go up on deck, Murray started to find himself face toface with the doctor, who had followed the lads down and stepped inwithout being heard. 

"Asleep?"

Murray pointed to the occupant of the cot without a word, and the doctorbent low and then drew back. 

"That's good, " he whispered. "It was a nasty shock for the poor fellow, but there's nothing for me to do, my lad. A few hours' sleep will quiteset him right. I like this, though, Murray, " he continued, laying hishand upon the lad's shoulder and giving it a friendly grip. "You boysare thoughtless young dogs sometimes, but this sort of thing shows thatyou have got the right stuff in you--the right feeling for one another. "

"Oh, I say, doctor, don't!" whispered Murray. 

"Not going to, much, " said the gentleman addressed. "I'm a rough fellowsometimes, I know, but I notice a deal, and I like to see a bit offeeling shown at the right moment. You don't know how it pleases mewhen one of our foremast fellows has been laid aside, and I see that amessmate has sneaked down to keep him company, and take care that he isnot short of tobacco to chew--Hang him for trying to poison a man whowould be far better without it!--Yes, looks as guilty as can be, andquite shamefaced at having been caught playing the nurse. It shows thatthe dog has got the true man in him, Murray, and though I don't let themsee that I notice anything I like it more than you think. There, Roberts is all right, " said the doctor gruffly, "but don't stop herebreathing up the cool air I want for my patient. Come on deck, my lad;come on deck. "

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. 

"NIGGAH, SAH. "

A month passed swiftly away, during which the _Seafowl_ sighted andchased vessel after vessel, each of which had been forced to lie to inresponse to a shot fired across her bows, but only with a disappointingresult--one which sent the captain into a temper which made himdangerous to approach for a full half-hour after the strangers' papershad been examined, to prove that she had nothing whatever to do with theslave-trade. 

Then the captain would calm down, and something like the following wouldtake place:

"Did I speak rather sharply to you when the boat returned, MrAnderson?"

"Oh! Well, rather hastily, sir, " said the chief officer drily. "Butthat's nothing, sir. I'm afraid I was not very polite to you. I washorribly disappointed, sir. "

"Naturally, " the captain cried excitedly. "Here we are, getting wellwithin range of the islands where we know this wretched traffic iscarried on, where the plantations are cultivated by the unfortunateblacks, and we seem bound to encounter a slaver, and yet the days passon and we prove to be hunting a will-o'-the-wisp. "

"Yes, sir, it is maddening, " replied the lieutenant. "Day after day Ihave swept the offing, feeling certain that fate would favour us byletting the sloop come up with that Yankee, or with one of his kidney;but disappointment is always the result. "

"Yes, Mr Anderson, " cried the captain; "always the result. Nevermind, " he continued, speaking through his closely set teeth; "our turnwill come one of these days. " And then with his telescope tightlynipped beneath his arm he would tramp up and down the quarter-deck, pausing now and then to focus his glass, take a peep through, close itagain with a snap and renew his march. 

"Look at him, " said Roberts, one bright morning, as the two lads stoodtogether well forward, where they fondly hoped that they were quite outof their chief's way. 

"No, thank you, Dick, " was the response; "it isn't safe. He's just inone of his fits, ready to pounce upon any one who gives him a chance. Every one is getting afraid of him. I wish to goodness we couldovertake something and have a chance of a prize. "

"Well, we must find something to do soon, lad. We're right in amongstthe islands, and we shall have to land and hunt out some nigger driver'snest. "

"But we can't do anything if we do. We daren't interfere with anyplantation where the blacks are employed. "

"No, I suppose not; but it would be a glorious change if we got ordersto land at one of the islands and could pick up some news or another. "

"What sort of news?"

"What sort? Why, information that a slaver was expected to land aconsignment, and then--"

"Oh yes, and then! Well, we shall see. "

"Yes, we shall see; but I don't believe any of the planters will give usa bit of information. "

"Don't you? I do, " said Murray. "There are good planters as well asbad planters, and I feel full of hope. "

"I don't, " said Roberts bitterly. "I think we ought to go back to theWest Coast and watch the rivers again. We shall do no good here. "

But Murray proved the more likely to be right, for after touching at thelittle port of one island, where the _Seafowl_ was visited by theEnglish gentleman who acted as consul, and who had a long interview withthe officers in the cabin, it became bruited through the vessel thatsomething important was on the way, and after boats had been sent ashoreand a plentiful supply of fresh water and vegetables taken in, the sloopset sail again, piloted by a fishing boat. Under its guidance the_Seafowl_ lay off the shores of what seemed through the glasses to be anearthly paradise, a perfect scene of verdant beauty, with waving treesand cultivated fields, sheltered by a central mountain the configurationof which suggested that it must at one time have been a volcano, oneside of which had been blown away so that a gigantic crater many milesacross formed a lake-like harbour. Into this deep water, after carefulsoundings had been taken, the sloop glided and dropped anchor, the pilotwith his two men hoisting sail directly after receiving pay. 

"This is something like, " said Roberts, rubbing his hands. "I wonderhow soon we shall go ashore. "

"Almost directly, I expect, " replied Murray. 

"Why? What do you know?"

"Not much; only what Mr Anderson let drop to me. "

"Let drop to you!" cried Roberts pettishly. "He never lets things dropto me. "

"Well, what does that matter? I always tell you anything that I hear. "

"Never mind that. What did Anderson let drop?"

"That the skipper has learned that there is an English gentleman herewho farms a plantation with a number of slaves. "

"Well, lots do, " said Roberts sharply. 

"And on the other side of the island there is a very large sugarplantation belonging to an American who is suspected of having dealingswith slaving skippers who trade with the West Coast. What do you say tothat?"

"That sounds likely; but what then?"

"Well, according to what Mr Anderson told me, the skipper will, if hewaits for a chance, be able to catch one if not more of the slavers whocome here to land their cargoes, for this American planter to ship offby degrees to other planters who require slaves. "

"Ah, yes, I see, " cried Roberts. "This Yankee, then, keeps a sort ofslave store?"

"Something of the kind, " replied Murray, "and if we are careful Isuppose that the skipper will have his chance at last; only he says thathe is not going to trust any stranger again. "

"Well, never mind that, " said Roberts, speaking excitedly now as hescanned the slopes of the old verdure-clad hollow in which the sloop layas if in a lake. "If we are about to lie up here for a time and goashore and explore we shall have plenty of fun and adventure, with a bitof fighting now and then. "

"Likely enough, " said Murray. 

"But I should like for us to have hit upon the place where that WestCoast Yankee brought his cargoes. There's no possibility of this beingthe spot?"

"One never knows, " said Murray thoughtfully. 

"Too much to hope, " said his companion. 

"Oh, I don't know. We've been horribly unlucky, but the luck is boundto turn some time. One thing we do know for certain: that Yankeeskipper brings slaves across to the West Indies. "

"Yes, we know that. "

"Well, this is one of the West Indian Islands. "

"A precious small one, though, " said Roberts in a depreciatory tone. 

"What of that? We know for certain that there is the owner of aplantation here who trades in slaves, and there is nothing to preventhis having dealings with the man we want. "

"M-m-no; but there must be several such men as he. Well, we must getsome fun, " cried Roberts, "and if we don't find all we want--"

"We may get something, " said Murray cheerfully. "Now then, which of uswill have the first chance of going ashore?"

"You, of course, " replied Roberts bitterly. "Some fellows get all theluck. No, no; I don't mean that, old chap. "

"Look at Anderson, " cried Murray; "he's taking orders from the skipper. Hooray, Dick! See if it isn't for a boat to be sent ashore. Whose turnis it going to be?"

That question was soon answered, for the captain, who was pacing to andfro searchingly overlooking the preparations for a boat going ashore, suddenly caught sight of the two lads. 

"Oh, there you are, Mr Murray!" he exclaimed. "Well, has not MrAnderson given you your orders to accompany the boat?"

Roberts's face puckered up. 

"No, sir, " said the lieutenant, taking upon himself to answer. "Iintended to take Mr Roberts with me. "

Murray felt disappointed, but all the same he could not refrain fromlaughing at the sudden change which came over his fellow middy's face, to the latter's wonder. 

"Oh, I see, " said the captain, raising his hat and re-adjusting it in afidgety way he had when excited, which was followed by a fresh settlingof the head-covering. "Quite right; quite right; but here's Mr Murraygrowing dull and sluggish with doing nothing; you had better take himtoo. One will help to keep the other out of mischief. "

Roberts winced, and turned sharply to glance at Murray angrily, as thelatter hurried to take his place in the stern sheets. 

"What's the matter, Dick?" Murray whispered, as soon as the pair werein their places. 

"Matter? Any one would think I was a child and ought to have some oneto take care of me. Now, look here, young fellow, if you grin at mebefore old Anderson there's going to be a quarrel. "

"All right, " said Murray coolly; "but keep it till we get back. "

Roberts looked round sharply, but he had no opportunity to say more, forthe chief officer descended to his place, Murray moved aside to let hiscomrade take the tiller ropes, the boatswain gave the cutter a vigorousthrust off, the men lowered their oars, and then bending low to theirtask they made the smooth water of the natural harbour begin to rattlebeneath the bows. 

The boat was run across beside the heavily forested shores, where, before long, but after many disappointments, an opening was found whichseemed to be the entrance to a sluggish river, and as they glided in theoverhanging trees soon shut them off from all sight of the sunny baythey had crossed. The bright light gave place to a dim twilight whichat times grew almost dark, while the river wound and doubled upon itselflike a serpent, and twice over, after a long pull, the lieutenant badethe men lie upon their oars, to rest, while he hesitated as to whetherhe should go farther. 

But all seemed so mysterious and tempting that, in the full expectationof reaching some town or port belonging to the island, the rowing wasagain and again resumed till hours had passed, and at last the chiefofficer exclaimed--

"It's like chasing a will-o'-the-wisp, gentlemen, but I cannot helpfeeling that we are on the highroad to the interior, and, in spite ofthe utter loneliness of the place, I don't like to give up. "

"Of course you don't, sir, " said Murray, as the men rested upon theiroars, and he scanned the heavily wooded banks. "I wonder whether thereare any plantations worked by the slaves: I can see no sign of a house. "

"No, I was thinking of that, " said Roberts, who was sweeping thedistance with a glass; "but there is a bit of an opening yonder whichlooks as if the river branched there, and--Hallo! I didn't see it atfirst. There's some sort of a boat lying moored in that nook. "

"Where?" cried Murray. 

"Yonder among the trees. Take the glass, sir. "

Mr Anderson took the telescope. 

"To be sure: the river does branch there. Steer for that cove, MrRoberts, and let us see what the little vessel is like. At all eventshere is some sign of the place being inhabited. Give way, my lads. "

The men pulled hard, and as they progressed, instead of obtaining abetter view of the vessel, it seemed only to glide in behind the treesuntil they were close in and passed up what proved to be the mouth of alittle creek, when Murray uttered an ejaculation. 

"What is it, Mr Murray?" cried the lieutenant. 

"The lugger, sir!"

"Well, I see it is, my lad. I dare say its owner's house is close athand. "

"But don't you see, sir?" cried Murray excitedly. 

"Of course I do, but there's no one aboard, apparently. "

"Oh, I don't mean that, sir!" cried the lad. "It's the lugger we firstcame upon off that African river. "

"What!" cried the lieutenant. "Impossible! Run close in, Mr Roberts. "And the men pulled the cutter close alongside the swift-looking boatwith its raking masts and lowered lug sails. 

"Humph!" said the lieutenant. "The same build, the same rig, the samecoloured canvas. Well, really, Mr Murray, it is a strangeresemblance. "

"I'm almost sure it is the same boat, sir, " cried Murray. 

"That's as good as saying that the Yankee who tricked us so has sailedright across the Atlantic with the slaving schooner, and we have had theluck to follow in her track, and caught up to her. "

"Yes, sir; I don't think there's any doubt of it, " cried Murray. 

"Then, if you are right, Mr Murray, the slaving schooner will besomewhere close at hand. "

"Yes, sir; I hope so, " replied Murray. "I am ready to hope so, my lad, but I say it is impossible. That was a lugger, and this is a lugger, and of course there is a certain amount of resemblance in the rig; butyou are jumping at conclusions just because this is similar. "

"I think not, sir. I took so much notice of the boat; but look here, sir, Tom May was with me when I went forward to speak to the Yankee, andhe would know. --Here, May, isn't that the lugger the American planterwas on when we brought her to?"

The sailor stared hard at the vessel hanging by a line fastened to whatseemed to be a cocoanut tree. 

"Same build, sir; same rig, sir. Might have been built up the sameriver, but it arn't the one we saw that day, sir--Wish it was!"

"There, Murray, what do you say now?"

"That I didn't think it possible that I could have been so deceived. Would it be possible that it could have been built by the sameshipwright, sir?"

"Quite, my lad; and it is quite possible that we may come across aschooner or two built just like the one we saw escape. There is nodoubt that many slaving schooners are built in these islands especiallyfor the trade. Look out, my lads, and don't miss anything. There maybe one of them moored safely in a snug creek. --What was that?"

"Nigger, sir, " said Tom May. "I just ketched sight of him squinting atus among the trees. There he is again, sir. "

This time Roberts had caught sight of a black figure wearing the verysimple costume of a pair of loose cotton drawers, his round woolly headcovered with a broad-brimmed hat formed of extremely thin strips of thincane. 

"Scared at us, " said the sailor, for as the cutter was rowed alongsideof the lugger, the black darted out of sight, but, evidently curious toknow what was going on and the object of the strangers, he peered outagain. 

"Ahoy there!" shouted one of the sailors. 

That was enough. The black disappeared once more, but only for a fewmoments before he was peeping again. 

"You hail him this time, Mr Murray, " cried the lieutenant. 

"Ahoy there!" cried Murray. "What boat's that?"

The black clung to one of the trees on the bank of the river and watchedthe speaker eagerly. 

"He doesn't understand, " said the lieutenant. "I dare say he onlyspeaks bad Spanish. But try him again. "

"Can you speak English?" cried Murray. 

"Yes, massa!"

"Come, that's better, " said the lieutenant. "Try him again, MrMurray. " And the lad shouted--

"Whose lugger is that?"

"Massa's, sah. "

"Oh!" cried Murray; and then obeying a sudden thought, "Where is theschooner?"

"Gone sail round um ilum, sah. "

"With slaves?" said Murray. 

"Gone take big lot black fellow, sah. "

"What for?"

"Hoe de cotton, sah; plant de sugar, sah, " said the black, showing hiswhite teeth. 

"When will the schooner come back, Sambo?" said Murray. 

"Name not Sambo, sah, " said the black. 

"What is it then?"

"Jupe, sah, Jupiter. "

"Ask him where his master lives. "

"Yes, sir!--Where does your master live?"

The black rested the heavy hoe he carried among the thick growth of thetrees which rang alongside of the stream, and pointed away into thedense cover at the back. 

"Jupe show massa. "

"Is your master away with the schooner?" asked Murray. 

"No, sah. Massa never go to sea. Cap' Huggum go in um schooner. "

"Oh, that's it, is it?" said Mr Anderson. "Now then, my lad; if weland you will show us the way to your master's place?"

"Yes, sah. Massa Huggum's 'long with massa now. "

"Who is Master Huggums?" said the lieutenant. 

"Massa, sah. Make um niggah work, sah;" and as he spoke the blackshowed his teeth, raised his hoe, and brought the handle sharply againstthe trunk of some kind of palm-tree. "That's de way make um work. Lazyrascal go to sleep. Massa Huggum wake um up. "

"Oh, that's it, is it? Does he wake you up like that?"

The black burst into a hoarse laugh. 

"Iyah, iyah, iyah!" he cackled out, and evidently thoroughly enjoyingthe questioning, he threw himself down in the thick cane growth, rolledover and over, and then sprang up again. "No give Jupe de whip, massa. Find Jupe fas' sleep. _Ck, ck, ck_!"

And he threw out one bare foot as if emulating some one who had heavilykicked a slave who was lying asleep. 

The feeling of fear that had made the black dart back into the cover ofthe trees had now passed away in favour of a display of eager curiosity, and he came close to the boat, where he watched the sailors laying intheir oars and the coxswain hook on to one of the trees, while theofficers prepared to land. 

"Now, then, " said the lieutenant, "show us a dry place; it is all muddyhere. "

"Jupe show landum place, sah, " said the man sharply. 

"Very well, and then you can lead us up to the house. "

"Yes, sah. Take buccra up through plantashum, but Jupe no dare go. "

"What do you mean?" said Mr Anderson. "You offered to go just now. "

"Yes, sah; but Jupe forget all 'bout Massa Huggum. De overseer go ingreat big pashum, sah. Call Jupe ugly black nigger, sah. "

"What for?"

"Take buccra officer up to plantashum see de niggers, sah. "

"Oh, that's how Mr Huggins or Huggum goes on, is it? Well, never mindhim, " said the lieutenant; "lead us up to your master. "

The black showed his teeth again and indulged in his cackling laugh. 

"Well, what does that mean, sir?"

"Jupe no dah go, sah. Massa Huggum say cut him libbah out. "

"Never mind Mr Huggins, my lad. He'd better! Here, what's your realmaster's name?"

"Massa Allum, sah. "

"Well, take us to him. "

The black shook his head. 

"Mass' Allum 'fraid Massa Huggum, sah. Massa Huggum call um big name. "

"Then this Huggins is the real master; eh, boy?"

"Dat's the trufe, sah. Ebbery boy in plantation 'fraid of MassaHuggum. "

"Well, look here, my sable friend, please understand this: nobody hereis afraid of your Mr Huggins. Show us the way to the plantation, andif he dares to touch you I'll take him on board, and the boatswain'smate shall tie him up and give him the cat--flog him; do youunderstand?"

"Mass' say give Mass' Huggum whip?"

"Yes, or any one else, boy. Now then, show us the way. "

"Massa say quite sewer?"

"Yes, quite sure. Now then, lead on. "

The black grinned at everybody in turn, and tramped along by the edge ofthe sluggish stream for some hundred yards before stopping short by thetrampled bank which was plainly marked, and the commencement of a roughpath was seen running in amongst the trees. 

The lieutenant gave orders for the men to land, a couple of boat-keeperswere left, and the well-armed crew were ready for starting when a blackface suddenly presented itself peering round a good-sized tree-trunk andgazing curiously at the newcomers. 

Murray was the first to catch sight of the fresh comer and draw thelieutenant's attention to his appearance. 

"Is this one of your men, you sir?" cried the chief officer, and hepointed down the winding path. 

The black stared for a moment or two before following the direction ofthe officer's pointing hand. Then catching sight of his fellow black heuttered a yell, raised his hoe in both hands, and sent the heavy ironimplement whirling along the path, to be brought up with a crash againsta good-sized tree. But before it came in contact with the trunk theblack at whom it was aimed sprang in among the bushes and disappeared, while the guide trotted on to where the hoe had fallen and picked it up, shouting in through the thick growth--

"You let me catch you 'way from your work, you ugly, lazy, blackrasclum, I crack you cocoanut!" Then striking the haft of the hoe hehad picked up against the tree-trunk to tighten the loosened head, heturned again to the approaching boat crew. "Lazy black rasclum, " criedthe grinning guide, as if for the benefit of all the newcomers. "Jupegib um toco catch him again. Massa come along now. --Black dog! Let mecatch um again!"

The lieutenant frowned and glanced at the two midshipmen, who wereexchanging glances which meant a great deal. Then with a shrug of hisshoulders he made a sign to the black guide to go on, a sign which wasgrasped at once, and the fellow stepped out with his heavy hoeshouldered and a grin at the lads. 

"Jupe make um run fas', " he said. "Jupe teach um leave um work!"

"Look sharp, sir, and show the way, " cried the chief officer angrily. 

"Yes, massa; yes, massa, " cried the fellow, grinning. "Jupe show massade way. Jupe de boy teach de black fella do de work. Lazy rasclum. Ketchum 'sleep under tree. "

"Here, May, " cried the lieutenant angrily, "take this black bruteforward a dozen yards and make him show the way and hold his tongue thewhile. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" growled the sailor, with a grim look, as giving hismusket a hitch and then turning it in his hands he brought the buttroughly against the guide's chest. "Now then, Ebony, " he cried, "for'ard it is, and drop all that there palaver. Lead on and show theway. "

"Yes, sah; Jupe show de--"

"D'yer hear, you black swab!" cried the sailor. "Show the way to yourmaster's house, and keep that talking box of yours shut up, or--"

May made an offer at the black as if to bring the butt of the musket hecarried down upon his toes, and accompanied it with so meaning a lookthat the guide's eyes opened widely and he was in the act of making adash sidewise into the cane brake at the side, but the sailor's freehand came down upon the fellow's shoulder with a loud clap. 

"Ah, would you!" he cried. "None of that! Bullets run faster thanlegs, my lad. "

"That will do, May, " cried the lieutenant; "but mind he does not slipthrough your fingers. "

"No, sir; right, sir, " said the sailor, keeping a firm grip upon theblack's shoulder and seeming to steer him in and out along the windingsof the rough track, while the boat's crew and officers followed behind. 

"The black fellow disgusted me, gentlemen, " said the lieutenant, turninga glance at the lads. "Jack in office generally proves to be the worsttyrant. "

The distance from the creek proved far greater than the officersexpected, and they threaded the forest for hours before they came uponcultivated plantations dotted with black figures hard at work, andevidently superintended by men of the same type as the guide, who movedforward quietly and quite cowed by the stern-looking seaman who had himin custody, and who at last stopped short pointing at a long, low, well-built house half hidden amongst the trees and beautiful enough toraise an exclamation from Murray. 

"Yes, the place looks beautiful enough, " said the lieutenant, "but I'mafraid its beauty depends upon the supply of poor wretches who areforced to labour beneath the burning sun with the lash as a stimuluswhenever they show signs of slackening. Oh, here we are, " continued thespeaker. "Is this the redoubtable Mr Huggins?"

"No, sir; I should say it would be Mr Allen, " replied Murray. 

"Yes, you must be right, Mr Murray, " said the lieutenant. "He looksmore like a sick man than the owner of a slave plantation. "

For a quiet, subdued-looking individual in white cotton garments hadstepped out of a wide window with green painted open jalousies, to takeoff his Panama straw hat and stand screening his eyes with his hand. 

The next minute the officer had halted his men in front of the place, and May touched his hat. 

"Let the prisoner go, sir?"

"Yes: we can find our way back;" and as the sailor slackened his graspand gave his head a jerk in the direction of the well-tilled fields, theblack made a bound and dashed off, turning sharply before reaching theedge of the trees which backed up the house and seemed to shelter arange of buildings, to raise his hoe and shake it threateningly at thesailor. 

"That man ought not to behave in this way, " said the gentleman who hadstepped out. "Has he been insolent to you, sir?"

"More unpleasant than insolent, " replied the lieutenant. "I haverequired him for a guide to find your house, sir. "

"Ah!" said the former speaker slowly, as he looked slowly round. "Youare an officer from one of the King's ships?"

"Yes, sir; exactly so, " replied the gentleman addressed. 

"And I presume that your ship is off the island. Can I be of anyservice to you?"

"Well, yes, " said Mr Anderson, "by giving me the information I amseeking. "

"I shall be glad to do so, sir, of course. May I ask what you require?"

"Information about the slaving that is carried on here. I see youemploy many slaves. "

The stranger winced slightly, and then bowed his head. 

"Yes, " he said; "I have a large tract of cultivated land here in sugar, cotton and a little coffee, but I have a right to employ slave labourafter the fashion of many of my fellow-countrymen. "

"No doubt, sir, " said the lieutenant firmly, while the two midshipmenand the boat's crew stood listening and looking on--"slaves born uponyour estate. "

The owner of the plantation winced again, and then in a nervoushesitating way continued--

"I have employed slave labour for many years now, sir, and I hope withhumanity and quite in accordance with the law. "

"I am sorry to say, sir, " said the lieutenant, "that my captain has beenotherwise informed. He has been given to understand that at thisplantation and in connection herewith a regular trade in the unfortunateblacks is systematically carried on. "

"Do I understand, sir, " said the planter, in the same low hesitatingfashion, "that you are connected with one of the King's ships whoseobject is to suppress the slave-trade?"

"Yes, sir; that is quite right. "

"Will you step in, sir?" said the planter. "You are heated with yourwalk in the hot sun, and your men must need refreshment. "

The lieutenant shrugged his shoulders and said gravely, "I am here, sir, to do my duty. "

"Yes, of course, sir, " said the planter; "and I beg you will not thinkthat I am trying to bribe you in any way. I am not surprised at thisvisit. I have expected it for years. I am sorry, sir, but I must ownit: I am not my own master. "

At this moment another figure appeared upon the scene in the shape of alittle thin yellow-complexioned man, dressed like the planter in whitecotton, and wearing a similar hat of Panama make. He stepped out of theFrench window where the late speaker had appeared, but with a quick, eager movement, and as he stood glancing sharply round the lieutenantand the midshipmen simultaneously gave a start which seemed to becommunicated to the whole of the party, and with a thrill of excitementrunning through him Murray whispered sharply--

"Our friend the Yankee, Dick!"

"Yes, " whispered back that individual, "and we're going to hold himtight. "

As for the lieutenant, he took a couple of steps forward, and exclaimedin a sarcastic tone of voice--

"How do, sir! I think we have met before. "

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. 

THE OVERSEER. 

The American turned quickly at the officer's words, and looked at himcuriously. 

"Met?" he said, without the slightest sign of recognition. "Very like, sirr, " he added, in a peculiar drawl; "where was it?"

"You do not seem to remember, " said the lieutenant. "Let me refreshyour memory: a few weeks back, off the coast of Africa. "

The man half-closed his eyes and stared hard at the first lieutenant andthen at the two middies in turn. 

"Last year, yew mean, squire?" he said. "No: don't seem to know youagain. "

"Then I shall have to refresh your memory a little more. Mr Murray, "continued the officer, "who do you say this man is?"

"The indiarubber planter, sir, who played us that trick. "

The man turned sharply upon the lad. 

"And who do you say he is, Mr Roberts?"

"The skipper of the lugger, sir, who guided us up the African river. "

"There, " said the lieutenant; "will that do for you?"

"I guess I don't know what you are talking about, mister, " said the mansharply. "You said something about a trick. Is this some trick ofyours?"

"Why, confound your impudence, sir!" cried the lieutenant hotly. "Howdare you speak like this to a King's officer!"

"Don't get in a fuss, mister, " said the Yankee coolly. "We don't dealin King's officers here, and don't want to. Here, Mr Allen, you're anEnglishman; these people are more in your way. What do they want?"

"It is the lieutenant of a ship that has cast anchor here, Huggins, "said the gentleman addressed agitatedly. "It is about the slaves. "

"Eh? About the slaves? Our slaves--your slaves? Well, what about'em?"

"Yes; about the slaves we have here. You understand?"

"Not me! Not a bit. He's been talking to you, has he?"

"Yes--yes. "

"Well, then, you'd better finish the business. Tell him I don't want totrade any away. We've got no more than will get in the crops. "

"Speak to him, " said the other, who seemed to grow more nervous andagitated. 

"Oh, very well. Look here, mister; you've come to the wrong shop. Idon't understand what you mean by making believe to know me, but I don'tknow you, and I'm not going to trade in blacks with any British ship. Understand?"

"Understand, sir?" cried the lieutenant, who was growing scarlet withheat and wrath. "It seems to me that you do not understand. Pray, whoare you?"

"Business man and overseer of this plantation for my friend here, MrJames Allen, who trusts me to carry on his affairs for him, being a sickman just getting over a fever. There, I don't want to be surly to anEnglish officer, though I never found one civil to me. You've droppedanchor off here, and I suppose you want water. Well, if you do I'll puta gang of my slaves on to help your men fill their casks. "

"I am exceedingly obliged to you, sir, " said the lieutenantsarcastically. 

"Wal, that's spoke better, " said the American. "And if you want somefresh meat and vegetables you can have a boat-load or two if you like topay for 'em with a chest or so of tea. You'd like a few bottles o' portwine, too, for your complaint, wouldn't you, Allen?" he continued, turning to the pale, nervous man at his side. 

"Yes--yes, " faltered the poor fellow. 

"Really, you are too condescending, " cried the lieutenant. "MrRoberts--Mr Murray--did you ever hear the like of this? Here, May--Titely--what do you say to this American gentleman?"

Tom May took off his straw hat and gave his curly hair a rake with hisfingers, while Titely stared with all his might. 

"It caps me, sir, " said the latter, while Tom May looked at theAmerican, then at the two middies in turn, and shook his head. 

"Well, sir, why don't you speak?" cried his officer angrily. 

"'Cause it's such a rum un, sir. "

"Bah! Speak out, man, and don't hesitate. You remember seeing this manbefore?"

"Well, sir, I seem to ha' seen him afore, and then I don't seem, and getkind o' mixed up. Sometimes it looks like him and sometimes it don'tlook like him, sir. Beg your pardon, sir, but would you mind asking mymessmate here--Titely?"

"Bah, man! The sun has made you giddy. "

"Well, skipper, when you like I'm ready for an answer. Want the waterand fresh vittles?"

"My dear Huggins, " said the trembling owner of the place, "it would befar better if you explained to the King's officer--"

"You leave me and the King's officer alone, James Allen, " said theAmerican sturdily. 

"But I'm sure--" whispered the planter. 

"So'm I. You keep your tongue between your teeth, and I dessay we cansettle matters. Look here, Mr Officer, I'm boss of all the businesshere, and you needn't take no notice of this gentleman. I telled youthat Mr Allen has been in bed with fever, and it's left him, as yousee, very shaky upon his legs. Your coming has upset him and made him abit nervous. Here, I'll put in a word for him, poor chap. Jes' you askyour skipper to give him a small bottle o' quinine. You won't wantpaying for that, being charity. "

The lieutenant turned his back upon the speaker angrily, and spoke tothe feeble-looking planter. 

"Look here, sir, " he cried, "you are nominally owner of this plantationand the slaves upon it. "

"Now, look here, mister, " said the American angrily; "I spoke civil toyou, and I offered to help you and your ship with what you wanted in theway of fresh meat and vegetables. What's the good of returning stonesfor stuff?"

"My good fellow, will you be silent, " cried the lieutenant, "and let medeal with your master?"

"My master!" snarled the American. "I am my own master, sirr. I tellyou I'm boss of all this here show, and if I like to turn nasty--"

"My dear Huggins--" interposed the planter. 

"Shut your mouth, you old fool, " growled the American, "and don'tinterfere. "

"Why, you insulting scoundrel!" roared the lieutenant. "Here, MrAllen--that is your name, I believe?--you had better leave this matterin my hands, and I will settle it. "

The American stood listening with his eyes half closed and a peculiarlyugly look upon his countenance, while the planter made a deprecatingsign with his hands. 

"I see very plainly, sir, " continued the lieutenant, "that this insolentYankee is presuming upon your weak state of health and assuming a powerthat he cannot maintain. You have been placing yourself in a positionin which it would be better to--"

"Now see here, stranger, " burst in the American, "I'm a man who canstand a deal, but you can go too far. You come swaggering here with aboat-load of your men and think that you're going to frighten me, sirr--but you're just about wrong, for if I like to call up my men they'dbundle you and your lot back into your boat--for I suppose you have gotone. "

"Look here, sir, " said the lieutenant, as he caught the flashing eyes ofthe two middies and the fidgety movements of his men, "I am loth totreat an American with harshness, but take this as a warning; if youinsult your master and me again I'll have you put in irons. "

"What!" cried the man, with a contemptuous laugh. "You'd better!"

The lieutenant started slightly, and that movement seemed to tighten upthe nerves of his men. 

"Can't you understand, sirr, that if I like to hold back you'll get noprovisions or water here?"

"Confound your supplies, sir! And look here, if I must deal with youlet me tell you that I have good reason to believe that under thepretence of acting as a planter here, you are carrying on a regulartrade in slaves with the vile chiefs of the West Coast of Africa. "

"I don't care what you believe, mister, " said the American defiantly. "I am working this plantation and producing sugar, coffee and cotton--honest goods, mister, and straightforward merchandise. Who are you, Ishould like to know, as comes bullying and insulting me about the toolsI use for my projuce!"

"You soon shall know, sir, " said the lieutenant, and he just glanced atthe pale, trembling man, who had sunk into a cane chair, in which he layback to begin wiping his streaming brow--"I am an officer of hisBritannic Majesty's sloop of war _Seafowl_, sent to clear the seas ofthe miscreants who, worse than murderers, are trading in the wretchedprisoners of war who are sold to them by the African chiefs. "

"Don't get up too much of it, Mr Officer, " said the American, deliberately taking out a very large black cigar from his breast pocketand thrusting it between his lips, before dropping into another canechair and clapping his hands; "this here ain't a theayter, and you ain'tacting. That there's very pretty about his Britannic Majesty's sloop ofwar. Look here, sirr; bother his Britannic Majesty!"

At these last words a thrill of rage seemed to run through the line ofsailors, and they stood waiting for an order which did not come, for thelieutenant only smiled at the American's insolent bravado and waitedbefore interfering with him to hear what more he had to say. 

"It sounds very lively and high faluting about your sweeping the highseas of miscreants, as you call 'em, and all that other stuff as youkeep on hunting up with African chiefs and such like; but what's thatgot to do with an invalid English gentleman as invests his money insugar, coffee and cotton, and what has it to do with his trustedAymurrican experienced planter as looks after his black farm hands, eh?"

"Only this, sir, " said the lieutenant, "that if he or they are proved tobe mixed up with this horrible nefarious trade they will be answerableto one of the British courts of law, their mart will be destroyed, andtheir vessels engaged in the trade will become prizes to his Majesty'scruiser. "

"Say, mister, " said the American coolly--and then to a shivering blackwho had come out of the house bearing a coarse yellow wax candle whichhe tried to shelter between his hands, evidently in dread lest it shouldbecome extinct, --"Take care, you black cuss, or you'll have it out!"

Murray heard the poor fellow utter a sigh of relief, but he did not evenwince, only stood motionless as his tyrant took the wax taper, held itto his cigar till it burned well, and then extinguished it by placingthe little wick against the black man's bare arm, before pitching thewax to the man, who caught it and hurried away. 

"Say, mister, " said the overseer again, "don't you think you fire off alittle too much of your Britannic Majesty and your King Georgefireworks?"

"Go on, sir, " said the lieutenant, biting his lip. "Yes, that's whatI'm going to do, " continued the man coolly. "What's all this here gotto do with a free-born Aymurrican citizen?"

"Only this, sir, that your so-called American citizen will have noprotection from a great country for such a nefarious transaction. "

"There you go again, mister! That's I don't know how many times you'velet off that there prize word of yours, neefarious. There, don't bluff, sir; to use your old country word, them as plays at bowls must expeckrubbers. No, no, no, don't you begin ordering your fellows to meddlewith me, because I'm rather nasty when I'm interfered with, 'sides whichI've got some one inside the house to take care of me if it was wanted, as you can see for yourself--twenty of 'em, boys who can use a rifle;and that's what your chaps can't do. "

In spite of himself the lieutenant started and raised his eyes, tobecome aware of the fact that some dozen or fourteen rifle barrels wereprotruding from the windows of the long low house, while others werebeing thrust from another building away to the right--a shed-like placethat had been unnoticed before, through its covering of densely growingcreepers. 

"Don't do that, youngsters, " said the American, with a sneering laugh;"they wouldn't hurt anybody if you pulled 'em out, and some of myfellows indoors might take it as what you call a signal to draw theirknives. "

"Trapped!" muttered the lieutenant to himself; but he did not wince, only stood thinking out to himself what would be his best course topursue, and his musings were interrupted by the American, who lay backsending forth great puffs of smoke without a quiver visible in his face. 

"Looks nasty, don't it, Mr Officer?" said the man, in his long, slowdrawl. "But don't you be skeart; they won't fire without I give theorder or they see me hurt. Then I won't answer for them. 'Tain'tbecause they're so fond of me, youngsters, " he continued, with an uglycat-like grin, "because they ain't; but they're afraid, and that's agood deal better for me. And look here, they're lying back there in thedark because I told 'em to, and you can't see them; but they're notniggers--oh no! You can't trust niggers to fight. Your Jack Tars therewould send a hundred of 'em running. Niggers are good field hands, andmy chaps are bad at that, but they can fight, and so I tell you. Now, skipper, " he continued, turning quietly to the lieutenant, who waspressing his lower lip hard between his teeth, "I think we understandone another now, and that you see I didn't put up any bunkum when Itelled you that I was boss of this show. So you let me alone, and I'lllet you. "

"Sir, " said the lieutenant firmly, "I give you fair warning that if harmhappens to a man of my party my captain will land a force that will burnthis place to the ground. "

"Very kind of him, too, " said the man grimly, "but he won't, because hemustn't. You don't seem to savvy, skipper, that you ain't at home here. Do you know, sir, where you are?"

"Yes, sir; on the shores of one of his Majesty's West Indian Islands. "

"I thought so, squire; well, then, you're jest about wrong, and you'veno more business here than if this here was Spain. I dessay you thinkyou can hyste the British flag here, but I tell you that you can't, forthis here island is called South Baltimore, and whenever a flag ishysted here it's the stars and stripes and the Aymurrican eagle, whatsome fellows call the goose and gridiron; and that's so. "

"South Baltimore!" cried the lieutenant, who looked puzzled by theannouncement. "And pray, sir, who gave the island that name?"

"I did, " said the Yankee drily. "Now then, will that do for you?"

"No, it will not do, " cried the lieutenant hotly. "My officer will needsome far better explanation--one based upon greater authority thanthis--before he gives up the duty he has to fulfil. "

"Vurry well, sir, let him go and find a better explanation, then. Itdon't trouble me. Only you had better march your men back aboard yourschooner, or brig, or whatever you call it, before they get falling outwith my fellows. You see yon men's sailors like yours are, and myfellows may get upset by your chaps, for I always find that Britishsailors get a bit sarcy and quarrelsome when they come ashore, and nomatter how quiet and patient the Aymurricans, they lay themselves outfor a fight. "

"As in the present case, sir, " said the lieutenant sarcastically. 

"Jes' so, squire. So now you take my advice and march your chaps backagain. You see how the land lies, and as I've said afore, I don't wantto ride rusty over your skipper. You've on'y got to send word ashore asyou wants fresh provisions and water, and say as you're ready to make afair swap with a few things as we want, and there you are. "

The lieutenant stood frowning in silence, turning his eyes from theAmerican to the feeble-looking planter, and from him to the two middiesand his men, in each case finding that he was being watched eagerly, every eye seeming to ask the same question--what are you going to do?--while on his part he felt the impossibility of responding. 

For the responsibility he felt was almost maddening. It was plainenough that his men called upon him to resent the American planter'sinsolence, and that if he did not do so at once, not only would the twolads and his men look upon his behaviour as cowardly and degrading tothe British _prestige_, but the Yankee and his faintly seen scum offollowers would treat the whole party with contempt. 

It was a painful position, for the Yankee had plainly shown him therisks he ran. He would not have hesitated for a moment, in spite of thedisplay of armed men ready to attack, for if he had felt free to act hewould have chanced everything, depending as he felt he could upon hislittle party of thoroughly well-drilled able-bodied seamen, and boldlyattacked at once; but he had to think of his captain and the great riskhe ran of bringing him into difficulties and forcing him to answer forsome international difficulty over the rights of the United States, which, if the American overseer was right, were sure to be jealouslymaintained. 

It was hard to do, and Murray noticed a peculiar twitching about hisofficer's lips as he turned at last to the smiling, sneering man, hisfirst words showing his hearers how bitterly he felt his position andthe necessity for obeying the teachings of the proverb that discretionis the better part of valour. 

"Well, sir, " he said, in a cold, hard fashion, "I have heard all thatyou have to say. As to the correctness of your statement that we arenot upon British soil, I must leave that to my superior's judgment anddecision, for certainly I cannot feel that it is my duty to proceedfarther without drawing off my men and going back to lay the matterbefore Captain Kingsberry. "

"That's right, Mr Lieutenant, " said the overseer. "Nothing like it. You always do that; when you find yourself in a tight corner, you getout of it as soon as you can. "

"Ha, ha, ha!" rang out in a harsh, discordant tone from somewhere insidethe house, and this acted as the signal for a burst of jeering laughterwhich made the lieutenant wince and his face turn pale even to his lips, which he bit until they were white, while a low, dull murmur thatsounded like the threatening premonitory growl of the British bulldogbeing pricked by an insult, ran through the group of sailors. 

"Silence, there!" cried the lieutenant, in a choking voice; and themurmur died away. 

"That's right, Mr Officer, " said the American. "Yew always drop on toyour fellows sharply when they show signs of mutiny. I allus do. Andyou within there, none of that row. Quiet, do you hear?"

There was another low mocking laugh, but the American paid no heed, onlywent on talking at Mr Anderson. 

"That was very good of you, squire, but while you're about it if I wereyou I'd just say a word or two to them two bantam-cock-like boys ofofficers of yours, who keep on sneering like at my men and setting theirbacks up. You don't mean it, of course, being ready to do what's right. So you give 'em a good talking to when you get 'em back safe aboard. You'd best do it, for if them puppies keep on that how they may make mychaps wild. Now just look at that!"

For the two midshipmen had been growing warmer for some minutes past asthey listened to the American's insulting language, and at last, hotwith annoyance, Murray, unable to contain himself and forgettingdiscipline, clapped his hand upon his side-arms and took a step forward, his eyes flashing with boyish anger, and exclaimed--

"Do you mean that insulting language for me, sir?"

Perhaps there was something in the lad's manner, as in that of Roberts', who immediately followed his example, or maybe the overseer's men wereonly waiting for an opportunity to be aggressive. At any rate, theyseized upon the opportunity to burst out into a derisive laugh. 

"Quiet! Steady, my lads!" cried the lieutenant fiercely. 

"But, sir--" began Murray hotly. 

"Silence, sir!" roared his officer; and then what happened was too muchfor him, for a dark shadow came from somewhere amongst the trees, ashadow-like something which described a curve and struck the speakerfull in the chest, and fell to the ground in the shape of a greatunhusked cocoanut. 

In an instant the lieutenant's hand flew to his sword, but he checkedhimself. His act, though, had its effect, for there was a yell oflaughter, and the one great nut was followed by a shower, two of whichhalf drove the two young officers mad as they struck heavily, the resthaving effect amongst the sailors, who with one impulse fell into lineand presented arms. 

There was another yell of laughter, and the overseer sprang up from hiscane chair. 

"That'll do!" he shouted; but he made no effort further to check hismen, but dashed in through one of the open windows of the house, just asfrom another came the sharp flash and puff of smoke from a rifle, followed by a ragged volley from the creeper-covered building that layfarther back. 

This was answered by a fierce British cheer and a rush on the part ofthe sailors, who either carried their officers with them or were led--noone afterwards seemed to know--but in almost less time than it takes todescribe, the little party of sailors swept through the plantation housefrom front to back, driving its defenders before them, and withoutfiring a shot till a few desultory rifle-shots began to spatter from thethick patch of tropic forest which sheltered the back of the attractivedwelling. Then, and then only, three or four volleys silenced theenemy's fire, and it was evident that the overseer and his men had nowfled, taking with them the planter, if he had not retreated by his ownefforts, for he was nowhere visible. Then all was silence as soon asthe rustling and crackling of cane and the heavy shaddock-like foliagehad ceased. 

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. 

MURRAY'S MISSION. 

"Hah! I did not mean this, " cried the lieutenant; and his eyes lit uponMurray, who winced and felt guilty as he stood dirk in hand panting andwaiting for his superior officer's reproof, which he felt must come. "Ah, Mr Murray, " he continued, as he took off his hat and wiped hisforehead, "you there? Any one hurt?"

"I saw Tom May fall, sir, " replied the lad, as the incident was broughtto his mind by his officer's question. 

"Picked him up again, sir, " came in a deep growl, "but two of ourmessmates has got it, I find. "

"That's bad, " said the lieutenant. "Who are they?"

There was no response, and the lieutenant turned sharply upon themidshipman. 

"Mr Murray, " he said, "take two men, May and another, and try if youcan find your way down to the boat. Do you think you can?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Off with you, then, at the double. When you reach the boat, out oars, and with the two boat-keepers try and reach the sloop. Don't run morerisks than you can help. If you are cut off by enemies on the banks, retreat back to me here and help me hold this place until the captainsends a force to my relief. You will report to Captain Kingsberry thatI did everything possible to avoid an encounter. But there--you know. I trust to your discretion, my lad, in spite of your late mistake. There, take May and Titely. Now off. "

Just at that moment Roberts, who had been standing close at hand, stepped forward, to cry eagerly--

"Did you say I was to go with Murray, sir?"

"What, you? Go with Murray?" cried the lieutenant. "No, sir. What!Do you want to leave me in the lurch?" Then, knowing from oldexperience the jealous motive which animated the lad who was left out ofthe commission, the officer clapped the midshipman on one shoulderwarmly. "No, no, Roberts; I can't spare you. I want your help, my lad;and besides, you will be safer with me than with Murray. "

Roberts winced and turned a reproachful look upon his officer. 

"I wasn't trying to make myself safe, sir, " he said bitterly. "I wantedto be in the thick of it all, sir, and not left out as usual. "

"Of course you did, my boy; and that's where you are going to be, Iexpect. "

By this time Murray and his two men were passing out of sight, followedby the midshipman's longing eyes; and directly after the lad hadforgotten his disappointment in the orders he was busily trying to obey. For in the full belief that the overseer would return with hisfollowers, the lieutenant set to work trying to put the house in a stateof defence. 

This was no easy task, for with four times the number of men that wereat his service the officer would have found it difficult to bar andbarricade the lower windows of the plantation house and secure the doorsback and front. 

Fortunately it was soon found that the occupant or builder of the housemust have had some notion of the possibility of an attack being madeupon the place, for the doors were strong, the lower windows were eachfurnished with stout shutters and bars, and these having been securedand the bottom of the staircase carefully barricaded, a better chancewas offered for holding the house, that is, of defending the first floorfrom any attack that might be made from within or without. 

"There, Mr Roberts, " cried the lieutenant, "I think that is all we cando for the present, and if our friend the overseer ventures to bring hismen on we shall be able to give a good account of a few of them. Canyou suggest anything more to strengthen the bottom of that staircase?"

"I think we might drag some of those chests out of the rooms, sir, on tothe landing, ready to pile in front of the stairs. "

"Good, my lad; it shall be done, " cried the lieutenant; "but in additionlet the lads fill up every bucket, can and jug we can find. "

"I did see to that, sir, and I am sure that we have more than the mencan drink. "

"I was not thinking of drinking, my lad, " said the lieutenant, "but ofquenching the fire that may be started by our enemies. "

"You don't think that they will try to fire the place, sir?" said thelad. 

"Indeed, but I do, my lad. But at any rate we must be prepared for suchan attack. "

Roberts puckered up his forehead and looked aghast at his officer, andthen bidding four of the men follow him, he did his best to collecttogether on the landing of the well-appointed building a pretty fairsupply of the element necessary for extinguishing the firstout-breakings of fire which might be started by the expected foe. 

"Well done, Mr Roberts, " said the lieutenant; "but we've rather upsetthis Mr--Mr--What's his name?"

"Allen, sir. "

"Yes--Allen. Upset Mr Allen's house. It's a bit of a surprise to findan English gentleman. --Yes, gentleman, Mr Roberts: he is evidentlyquite a gentleman, although he is completely under that Yankeescoundrel's thumb. But what was I saying? Oh, it's rather a surpriseto find an English gentleman living like this in an out-of-the-way WestIndian island?"

"That's what I thought, sir, " replied Roberts. 

"Ah, well, you need not feel so again, for numbers of men of our bestfamilies have settled out like this in the plantations, built themselvesgood houses, and surrounded themselves with every comfort, and grownrich producing sugar, coffee, cotton and rum by means of a large staffof slaves. We have fallen upon one of these estates, but in this casethe Yankee overseer seems to be the master, and the real master theslave. "

"It seems strange, sir, doesn't it?" said Roberts, who was standing byone of the first floor windows keeping a sharp look out for danger. 

"To a certain extent, my lad, " said the officer, "but I have made ashrewd guess at what has been going on, and it strikes me that ourfriend Mr Allen has been dabbling largely in the trade that we are hereto suppress. "

"You think that, sir?"

"Yes, my lad--and repented of it when too late, and found himself, aftergrowing disgusted with it, unable to draw back on account of this man, who has committed him deeply. "

"Yes, I see, sir, " cried Roberts eagerly. "That would account for theAmerican's overbearing insolence to this Mr Allen and to you, sir. Butsurely he cannot be right about the island here being under the AmericanGovernment?"

"Certainly not, I think, Mr Roberts, " said the lieutenant decisively;"but I do think this, that he might have kept up the assertion that hewas correct and made complaints to the Americans and called our visithere a trespass. This would have caused an enormous amount of troubleto the captain, and so much official correspondence that we should havebitterly repented coming here in search of a newly-run cargo of slaves. "

"Do you think we shall find one here, sir?" asked Roberts. 

"I feel pretty certain, my lad, as certain as that we should not havedared to prosecute our search in face of the scoundrel's defiance andbravado. But now the tide has completely set in our favour. "

"In our favour, sir?" said Roberts wonderingly. 

"Why, of course, my lad. If our visit here had been aggression, all therascal had to do was to call upon us, after his declaration, towithdraw; and that was what he meant to do, although the fellow'snatural insolence induced him to do so in that bullying way. "

"And instead of keeping to what he had a right to do, sir, " cried themiddy eagerly, "he let his blackguardly followers attack us as theydid. "

"That's right, Mr Roberts, " said the lieutenant; "though I must givehim the credit of saying that I am sure he never intended that attack. He has evidently such a loose rough lot of followers that they becameout of control, and the result is that they have completely given theirleader away and played into my hands. "

"Of course, sir. Nothing could excuse that attack. "

"Nothing, my lad. I am master here now, and I feel sure that we shallfind more than I dared to expect. I believe now that this is a regularWestern depot for slaves, and a find that will make up to CaptainKingsberry for all previous disappointments. "

"Glorious, sir!" cried Roberts. "But of course this Huggins can't bethe man we saw in the lugger off the African river. "

"Of course not, my lad; but he quite deceived me for the time. He isalmost exactly the same in appearance, in voice, manner and speech, andthe only way in which I can account for it is that both men are engagedin the same hideously brutal trade, and that has in time made themsimilar in habit. "

"There seems something in that, sir, " said Roberts thoughtfully. 

"Seems, Roberts? Is, " said the lieutenant, smiling; "and you must addto it another point of resemblance: they are both Americans of the samedegenerate type--little, thin, dark-haired, and speaking in the sametone of voice and in the same sneering contemptuous fashion. But ofcourse if we had them both together we should see a strong difference. What are you looking at? See anything?"

"I fancied I could make out something moving across that opening yonder, sir, " said the lad, leaning a little out of the window. 

"I trust not, " said the lieutenant, shading his eyes with his hand. "Iwas in hopes that we had given the fellows such a lesson that they wouldkeep away for the present, at all events, for I want no fighting, nowounding the enemy, no injuries more than we have received upon ourside. I want just to hold our own, Roberts, till our friend Mr Murrayor Mr Munday brings us help. "

"Yes, sir, but there is some movement going on there just among thetall-growing coarse reeds. "

"Sugar-cane stems, Mr Roberts, " said the lieutenant firmly. "Yes, youare right; there is movement there, and the scoundrels have not takentheir lesson to heart. Well, I do not see what more we can do toprepare for them. They cannot get up to us without ladders or poles, and from our sheltered position we ought to set firing at defiance, while they allow us plenty of opportunities for giving them anotherlesson. --What is it, my lad?"

The speaker turned to the big sailor who had just trotted up to thedoor. 

"Beg pardon, sir, but Lang reports enemy creeping through the sugar-canea bit for'ard here to the left, and Duncombe says he can see 'bout adozen on 'em out at the back looking as if they meant a rush. "

"Hah! That is fresh, " said the lieutenant. "Mr Roberts here made outthose amongst the canes. I'll come and look. You, Mr Roberts have thegoodness to keep your eye on them and hold your fire until they show adetermination to come on. Then you must fire; but fire low. We mustcripple and not kill. "

"Yes, sir, " said Roberts, and he sheltered himself behind one of thecurtains of the well-furnished English-looking bedroom where he and theofficer had been watching. And then, as the latter walked quickly out, followed by the sailor who had made his report, a terrible sense ofloneliness fell upon the youth, accompanied by a shortness of breath, ashis heart began to beat with a heavy dull throb that sounded loud andstrange. 

He was gazing out at a scene of tropical beauty, the wild and thecultivated blending so that at another time he could have stood in theperfect silence dwelling upon the loveliness of the place. But nowthere was a feeling of awe that seemed to over-master everything, whilethe very fact that where he had plainly made out the movement of figuresas they evidently sought concealment, all was now motionless, and not aleaf waved or was pressed aside, added to the weirdness of his position, and made him draw farther back in the full expectation that the nextmoment the vivid green of the surroundings would be cut by a flash oflight and then turn dim as it was deadened by the rising smoke of ashot. 

"I wish I wasn't such a coward, " he muttered. "I do try hard to standit all, and get on beautifully when the firing and spear-throwing aregoing on, but now, when the enemy may be going to throw a spear or firea shot at one, it does seem so hard to bear. No worse for me than forother fellows, " he muttered bitterly, "but I am myself and they areother fellows. Ugh! I suppose it's a very beautiful place, but itseems very horrible, and it makes a fellow wish that if he is to bewounded it would come off at once so that one could get it over. There's some one creeping along there now, " he muttered. "I'll shout awarning to Mr Anderson. No, whoever it is doesn't seem to be comingon, and it looks so stupid to shout for help when there's no need. "

For all was perfectly motionless amongst the vivid green leaves, savewhere from time to time there was a flash of light--red light--topazlight--and that changing to a vivid green that looked as if it wereblazing in the burning sun, and he grasped the fact that he was gazingat some lovely humming bird that darted here and there and then poiseditself, apparently motionless, till he made out that there was a fainthaze visible which must be caused by the rapid vibration of the tinycreature's wings. 

"Yes, " he said to himself, "it's as beautiful as can be--that is, itwould be if everything wasn't so silent and still and one didn't knowthat people were ready at any moment to take aim at one with rifle ormusket. He said that they used rifles--the wretch! It's a nastysensation, when you don't want to shoot any one, to feel that they wantto shoot you. "

"Oh, what a while Mr Anderson is!" muttered the lad again. "He mightmake haste back to a fellow. He can't be obliged to stop away watching, and he ought to visit his posts regularly so as to give each of us a bitof company. "

Roberts gazed from his sheltering curtain as far as his eyes could sweepto left and round to right, going over and over again the arc of thecircle formed by his vision where he had plainly seen movement going onand people creeping amidst the rich growth of the huge saccharine grass;but all was motionless and still, and the silence seemed to grow moreand more awful as he watched. 

"Oh, " he groaned to himself, "why didn't I make a dash for it and followold Murray without saying a word? It wouldn't have been half so bad asthis, and even if it had been a more risky task--no, it couldn't havebeen more risky than this--I could have borne it better. Wonder wherehe is, and whether he would have felt as bad as I do now if he had hadmy job. Ugh! It's horribly still, and if old Anderson doesn't comesoon I shall make some excuse and go to him. "

"Yes, " he continued, "Franky would have felt just as bad as I do. Hemust have done. No one could help it. No man could stand this terriblesilence and the sensation that a shot was coming at him. No man couldbear it--no man. Oh, I say, doesn't it seem bumptious for one to thinkof himself as a man? Well, why shouldn't I be? It's man's work, at allevents. Oh, I can't stand it. I must make some excuse. I'll ask MrAnderson to come and see if he doesn't think there is some one crawlingalong there to the right. No, I won't--I can't--I must master it. It'ssheer cowardice! And if it is, " he added, after a few moments' pause, "it's Nature's fault for making a fellow like this. I don't want to bea coward; I want to be as brave as brave--well, as brave as Murray is. I wouldn't care if I was just as full of pluck as he is. Anyhow I won'tbe a sham and go and pretend that some one is coming. I could neverlook him in the eyes again for fancying that he was reading me throughand through. And he would--I'm sure he would. "

"Oh!" ejaculated the lad excitedly, for just then one of thefloor-boards gave out a sharp crack. 

"Hallo!" said the familiar voice of the lieutenant. "Did I startle you, Roberts?"

"Something of the kind, sir, " said the lad, breathing hard. "I didn'thear you come. "

"No, I suppose not. Seen anything?"

"No, sir. All is as still as if there wasn't a soul for miles, and Ifelt at times as if I must come and ask you if you could hear anything. "

"Ah, this silence is very trying, Roberts, my lad, " said the lieutenant. "The men are all suffering from it and feeling as if they would giveanything to be watching together. "

"They feel like that, sir?" cried the lad eagerly. 

"Yes, of course they do, sir. So do I: the utter stillness of theplace, and the expectation of a shot coming at any moment, is mosttrying to a man. Here, how long do you think Mr Murray has been gone?"

"Can't say, sir. It feels to me like hours; but it can't be. "

"I don't know, my lad. It certainly does, as you say, feel like hours. But he ought to be back by now, with at least a dozen men. Let's see, twelve men with Mr Munday and Mr Murray and his two will make sixteen. Sixteen picked men; and they will bring plenty of ammunition. Well, Ishould like the reinforcement before friend Huggins makes his attack. Idon't care then how many he brings with him. I wonder, though, whetherhe will use any of his slaves to help him. "

"He said they won't fight, sir, " said Roberts. 

"But he may force them to fight, my lad. Ah! Look out! Here they comewith a rush. There's no mistake about this. "

And the officer ran to the door to shout a warning to the watchers atthe other windows, for not only away in front were the giant greengrass-like leaves of the Indian corn in full motion, but the rustle andcrush of feet reached the listeners' ears, while _click, click_, fromwithin, the cocking of the men's muskets was heard. 

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. 

"SEAFOWLS AHOY!"

Murray lost no time in making for the spot where the two men were incharge of the boat; but simple as the task appeared on the surface, itproved to be far otherwise. 

He had told himself that he had only to follow in reverse thefaintly-marked track taken by the black who had been their guide; andthat he set himself to do, until he felt that he must be close to thestream that they had ascended; but if close by, it was by no meansvisible, and after making a cast or two in different directions withoutresult, he pulled up short, the men following his example and looking athim wonderingly. 

"It was just here that we left the boat-keepers, wasn't it, Tom?" hesaid. 

"Don't seem like it, sir, " replied the man, "'cause if it was just here, where is it?"

"But it must have been here, " cried Murray, growing irritable andconfused. 

"That's what I thought, sir, " said the man, "but it don't seem to benowhere near. What do you say, messmate?"

"I warn't a-looking out, lad, " replied Titely. "You see, I didn't takeno bearings 'cause I says to mysen, `Mr Murray 'll see to that, ' andwhat I does was to foller with my eyes screwed back'ards over myshoulders like a she hare at the dogs. "

"Same here, messmate, " says Tom May. "`Mr Murray took the bearings tobegin with, ' I says to myself, `and I'll keep a sharp lookout for theenemy, who maybe 'll try to run us down. '"

"Then you neither of you feel that you can remember the black fellow'strail?" said Murray, speaking excitedly, and looking hard at the bigsailor the while. 

"Well, I can't answer for Titely, sir, " said the man. --"Why don't youspeak up like a man, messmate, and say what you know?"

"'Cause I can't, lad, " replied the man addressed. "It warn't my watch, and I telled you I was too busy looking out for squalls. I dunno whichway we ought to go, messmate. Don't you, Mr Murray, sir?"

"No, my lad; I've lost our bearings for a bit, but you two try off toright and left while I go straight on, and the first that comes upon theriver holloa gently. Not loud, because it may bring the enemy down uponus. Now then, off with you, and when you shout, stand fast so that wemay come and join you. "

"Stand fast it is, sir, " said Tom May, and without further hesitationthe three separated and began to thread the dense cane brake, each fullyexpecting to come upon the windings of the overshadowed river at once. But somehow every step seemed to lead the seekers into greaterdifficulties. It was plain enough that the river must be near, fortheir steps were in and out among the dense patches of cane and oversoft spongy soil into which their feet sank slightly, the earth beingspringy and elastic; but though Murray expected to see the dense foliageopen out and the brake look lighter from the presence of the river, hewas disappointed again and again, and to all intents and purposes thestream had ceased to exist. 

For some minutes, as Murray strode on, the steps of his companions wereaudible in two directions, and making up his mind to proceed in thatbeing taken by May, he struck off so as to cross the man's track. 

This seemed practicable enough for a while, and he went on till thebrake began to grow more dense and he had to force his way through thethicket. Then to his disgust he found himself entangled in a littlewilderness of thorny palms, out of which he had a hard struggle to freehimself, and he stood at last, panting and exhausted, rubbing thebleeding spots beneath the rents in his garments which assertedthemselves plainly. 

Murray rubbed himself and listened, and then listened and rubbed, but hecould not hear a sound. 

"Let me see, " he thought. "Oh, how vexatious, just when we ought to beclose to the boat and sending her down stream! Must be this way where Iheard Tom May--if it was Tom May. Well, it doesn't matter if it wasTitely. Let's get to either of them, and then we'll hail the other. "

The lad hesitated for a few minutes longer, listening hard the while, and then more in passion than in despair he started off in a bee linethrough the thick canes, hopefully now, for the earth felt softer thanbefore. 

"Must be right here; and as soon as I reach the river I have only to seewhich way the stream runs and follow it down to where the boat lies. Oh, look sharp, old fellow, " he muttered, "for this is horrible. "

He increased his pace, with the earth certainly growing softer, and thenhe pulled up short, turned and darted back, for as he stepped forwardthe soft spongy earth seemed suddenly to have grown horny and hard andto heave up beneath his feet, convincing him that he had stepped uponone of the horrible alligators of the Western swamps. There was aviolent splashing, the reptile struck to right and left, mowing down thecanes, and the midshipman, suffering from a sensation of horror andcreepiness, stopped at last, panting. 

"Why, that must be the direction of the little river, " he thought; "andinstead of following the horrible brute here have I run away; and nowhow am I to find the way that it pointed out? That's soon done, " hesaid, as he thought of the broken and crushed-down canes which must markthe alligator's track; and he began at once to search for what proved tobe absent. There were bruised and trampled growths which he sprang atdirectly, but his reason soon pointed to the fact that they had not beenmade by the huge lizard he had started from its lurking place where ithad crawled ashore to watch for the approach of prey, but by himself inhis flight, and though he tried over the swampy ground again and again, it was only to grow more confused, and at last he stopped short, baffledand enraged against himself. 

"Oh!" he ejaculated, as he raised one foot to stamp it down heavily uponthe earth, with the result that he drove it through a soft crust oftangled growth and sent up a gush of muddy, evil-smelling water, andthen had to drag his shoe out with a loud sucking sound, while the foothe had not stamped was beginning to sink. "It's enough to drive any onemad, " he muttered. "Just as I am entrusted with something important Igo and muddle it all, and the more I try the worse the hobble grows. "

He took a few steps to his right, to where the earth beneath him feltfirmer, and listened, but the floundering and scuffling of the alligatorhad ceased, and he looked in vain for the traces of its passage. 

"Think of it, " he said, half aloud; "I trod on the brute, and it dashedoff, frightened to death, to make for the river; and then what did Ido?--Turned round and ran away as if the brute was coming after me withits jaws opened wide ready to take me down at a mouthful! Alligatorsare not crocodiles. Here, I'm a brave fellow, upon my word! I'mgetting proud of myself, and no mistake!"

He stood and listened as he looked around and tried to pierce the densegrowth, but in vain, for all was thick vegetation, and eye and ear wereexercised in vain. 

There was a soft, dull, half croaking sound here and there at a distancewhich suggested the existence of frogs, and from the trees whoseclustering leaves overhead turned the brake into a soft twilight, he nowand then heard the twittering of some bird. But he could see nothing, and for a few minutes he began to give way to a feeling of despair. 

"I daren't shout, " he thought, "for it would be like calling theattention of the enemy. The Yankee and his people are sure to be on thelookout to pounce upon one, and though if they took me prisoner--theywouldn't dare to do anything else--my being taken would not so muchmatter if May or Titely got down to the boat and reached the _Seafowl_. How do I know that they would get there? Oh, was ever poor wretch insuch a hole before!"

"Here, I must do something, " he cried, at last, rousing himself to takesome action. "The river must wind about, and if I keep on I shall besure to come across it at last. "

He started off in what he hoped was the right direction, and forced hisway through the tangled growth, to find that after a short time theearth began to grow firmer beneath his feet; and then he stopped short. 

"Must be wrong, " he thought, "for the river banks were swampy. "

Striking out in a fresh direction, he was not long before he found thatthe ground began to yield again, and his spirits rose as he found thathe was plunging into a swampy part once more, while his heart literallyleaped as all at once right in front there was a rush as of one of thegreat alligators being startled from its lair. 

The lad stopped short, but only for a few moments, before mastering thesensation of dread, and plunging on as nearly as he could make out inthe direction the great lizard had taken. 

"It's afraid of me, " he muttered, as he drew his dirk, "and if it turnsat bay on finding itself followed, I ought to be able to do somethingwith this, though it is such a stupid ornament of a thing. I'm notafraid, and I won't be afraid, but I wish my heart didn't beat so fast, and that choking sensation wouldn't keep on rising in my throat. "

But though the lad behaved as bravely as was possible to any man, bypressing on and determinedly following in the track of the alligator, his heart kept on with its heavy pulsation and the perspiration streameddown his face in the stiflingly hot swamp. 

He had the satisfaction, though, of making out that the reptile wasscuffling on before him, and now he grew more accustomed to the fact hewas able to make out the creature's trail and just dimly see themovement ahead of the thick cane growth as it rapidly writhed itselfalong. 

"It's getting softer, " thought Murray, "so I must be getting towards theriver. Won't turn upon me and attack, will it, when it gets in its ownelement?"

That was a startling thought, but it was only another difficulty in theway of one who had mastered his natural dread and determined in hisperil to make a brave fight. 

"It's no more an alligator's element than the land is, " thought the lad. "The brute's amphibious, and I don't believe it will turn upon meunless I stick my dirk into it; and I don't care, I'll risk it, if I diefor it. I don't believe they're so tough as people say. "

Then a more staggering thought assailed him, and this time, instead offorcing his way through the tangle and dragging his feet out of theswampy soil, he stopped short. For the hope that had sustained himsuddenly sank away. He had been feeling sure that the guide he fearedto a great extent was after all leading him towards the little river, and that once he reached the bank he would know by the current, howeversluggish, the way down to the boat; but now the terrible thoughtattacked him that the reptile might after all have its dwelling-place insome swampy lagoon such as he had read was common in the islands and theSouthern States. 

"It's of no _use_, " he said to himself, as he stopped short, panting andexhausted; "this can't be the right way. There's no clear river downwhich a fellow could wade or swim; this is one of those dreadfulswamps--dismal swamps, don't they call them?--and the farther I go theworse off I shall be. Oh, where's my pluck? Where it ought to be, " hesaid, answering himself; and he struggled on again, for he had awakenedto the fact that the rustling and splash made by the reptile was dyingout. 

Rustling and splash, for now he awoke plainly enough to the fact that hewas sinking ankle deep at every step, and he roused himself fully oncemore. 

"Giving up, " he panted, "just when I had won the day! Hurrah! There'sthe river!" And making a tremendous effort he struggled on, for therewas the alligator floundering through mud and water now where the growthwas getting more open, and at the end of some dozen yards there waslight--golden-looking light--coming down from above. Then there was aloud flopping, followed by a heavy splash, and the lad snatched at andseized the boughs that closed him in, and just saved himself fromfollowing the reptile he pursued by clinging with hands and legs to astout cypress, to which he held on as he indistinctly made out thesobbing sound of the wave that the reptile had raised as it plunged intowhat seemed to be the edge of a swampy lake. 

"He won't come back, will he?" thought Murray, and he obeyed the naturalinstinct which prompted him to drag himself up amongst the evergreenboughs of the tree, which slowly rocked to and fro with his weight. 

But the water beneath him gradually settled down, the cypress in whichhe clung ceased to bend, as he got his feet settled better to supporthis weight, where he could look along a dark green verdant tunnel to aspot of golden light where the subdued sunshine fell upon a glisteninglevel of amber-hued water so beautiful that for a time the lad could notwithdraw his eyes. 

"It's no river, " he said, "but the edge of a lagoon, and it would bemadness to go any farther. Let's have a rest. Might have been worseoff after all, and it's no use to get despairing and tiring oneself out. I should have liked this adventure if my two lads had been with me, and--and--Yes, that's it, " he groaned--"if I hadn't been sent on such atremendous task! There, it's of no use to despair. I've done my duty, and no matter what happens now I can say that. Who knows what may comenext? I mustn't think I can hang here till it grows dark. I couldclimb up higher, but this is a swamp, and though I might save myselffrom alligators and snakes--Ugh!" he shuddered. "This is the sort ofplace where they live!--I couldn't escape from fever. There, I musthail now till some one hears me and answers, even if it's the enemy. But it may be one of my fellows, or if not it's sure to be one of theslaves, for there must be plenty about here. "

But Frank Murray did not shout for help. Perhaps it was due toexhaustion, that the place seemed to have a strange restful fascination, as he hung there in the thick growth of the cypress, gazing along thesoft green tunnel at the little glistening lake, which he now saw wasfull of living things, for every now and then the surface was stirred bycreatures which he made out to be tiny terrapins--water tortoise-likecreatures which just thrust out their heads and drew them beneath again. Then water beetles skimmed about, forming glistening geometric figuresfor a time before they disappeared. 

Then the lad shuddered, for from the side of the bright verdure-framedlagoon a snake writhed itself in horizontal waves across the surface andbegan to climb up the foliage, to glisten as it reached where the lightfell strongest and the burnished scales flashed with bronze, silver greyand gold. 

"I wonder whether it's a poisonous snake, " thought Murray; and then hemade an effort to awaken himself from the pleasant feeling ofrestfulness, for he knew that he must exert himself if he intended tofind a way back to where he had been separated from his companions--those whom he must urge on to the fulfilment of his task. 

"And I have not done what I felt that I must do at all risks, " he said, as he once more made an effort to rouse himself from the drowsy inertiawhich was holding him in something resembling a trance. 

Drawing a deep breath, he took more tightly hold of the cypress boughs, and was about to hail at any risk and with all his might, when heuttered a loud sob of relief, for suddenly from somewhere far away, came, strangely softened and subdued, though prolonged, the words--

"Ahoy-y-y! _Seafowls_ ahoy-y-y!"

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. 

WITH SHOT-HOLES. 

"Ahoy-y-y! _Seafowls_ ahoy-y!" came again after a pause, and though hefelt that he ought to have hailed in reply, Frank Murray's lips remainedclosed, and he still clung there listening for the hail to come again. 

It was not until he heard the hail for the fourth time that themidshipman was able to throw off the nightmare-like feeling, and, drawing a deep breath, shout with all his might--

"_Seafowls_ ahoy!"

Then he held his breath and waited, feeling that his voice could nothave been heard, and a feeling of despair began to assail him and thefancy grew that he was sinking back into that horrible sensation ofinertia which had mastered him for a time. 

But it was fancy, for throwing off the weakness he shouted now joyouslyand lustily--

"_Seafowl_ ahoy!"

There was silence for a few moments; then came the inspiring sound ofsome one struggling through the tangled growth and splashing over themud and water--sounds which were followed by--

"Where away there? Ahoy!"

"Here! Is that you, Tom May?" shouted Murray, and from not far from thefoot of the cypress where the lad clung there was a wallowing sound anda splash in the water which sent a wave-like movement across the littlelake at the end of the tunnel. 

"Tom May it is, sir! Where are you?"

"Up here in this fir-like tree, Tom. Where's Titely?"

"What, ain't you got him along o' you, sir?"

"No! I haven't seen him since we parted. Haven't you any notion wherehe is?"

"Not a haporth, sir. I on'y hope he arn't gone through. "

"Gone through!" cried Murray, in horror. 

"Yes, sir; I hope not, but it's solid soft everywhere I've been. I'vebeen most through half-a-dozen times, and twiced over I've felt as ifsome of them there lizardy crorkendillo things had got hold of my toesand tugged at 'em to get me down. "

"Oh, don't talk about it, Tom, " groaned the midshipman. 

"All right, sir; on'y you arksed me. "

"But you have no right to think such a horror as that. He may have gotdown to the boat. "

"Yes, sir, he may, " said the man, in a low growl, "but I've been tryingmy best, and I couldn't. "

"Then you haven't seen the boat-keepers, Tom?"

"Not a squint of 'em, sir, and there's going to be the wussest row thatever happened aboard ship if we don't make haste and find them and fetchthe first luff help. "

"It's horrible, I know, Tom, but I've tried all I could. What's to bedone?"

"Dunno, sir. But anyhow I've found you--leastwise, a'most; and I'mcoming to jyne yer. Whereabouts are you, sir? Hail again; it's raytherpuzzling like. "

"It is, Tom--dreadful. But here, where I told you--up in this firtree--cypress. But mind how you come, for it's very soft. "

"Soft ain't the word for it, sir. I've been going to make a swim on itover and over again. But it's reg'lar hugga-my-buff, sir; neither onething nor t'other. It's too soft to walk in, and it ain't soft enoughto swim. "

"That's true, Tom, " said the lad. 

"Oh, you've found it so, have you, sir? Then look here; you arn't soheavy as I am, so s'pose you comes to me 'stead o' me coming to you. What do you say to that?"

"I'll try, Tom, " cried Murray; and he began to descend, feeling theelastic evergreen begin to sway and vibrate as if before long it woulddouble down with the weight of its load; and this it finally did, leaving the midshipman floundering on the surface of the cane andreed-covered swamp, so that it was only by a vigorous effort that hemanaged to scuffle along in the direction of the man, who kept onshouting encouragement until he was able to reach out a hand and dragthe lad to his side. 

"Hah!" panted Murray, with a sigh of relief. 

"Hah it is, sir, " said the man. "But beg your pardon, sir; arn't youa-spoiling your uniform?"

"Don't talk about it, Tom, " said Murray, breathing hard. "Let's bethankful that we've saved our lives. "

"Saved our lives! But have we, sir? Don't seem to me that we're out ofthe muddle yet. There, look at that!" added the man. 

"Look at what?" cried Murray. 

"I meant feel that, sir, " said the man, correcting himself, and stampingwith one foot. "It felt just as if one of them short four-leggedsarpints had laid hold of my leg to pull me down for supper. "

"Surely not, Tom, " said Murray, with a shudder, as he felt attacked by asense of horrible insecurity. 

"All right, sir. Say so if you like; I'm willing. But I'd keep onstamping as long as we're here in this lovely place. I do hope, though, as they arn't making a meal of poor old Titely; he do desarve betterluck after being speared as he was over yonder across the herring pond. "

"Let's hail him again. "

"All right, sir. I've wanted to do so ever so much more, but Iwouldn't, for it was telling the enemy where we are, and if we do muchof that sort of thing we shall be having that pleasant Yankee comingshooting with his men, and we don't want that. "

"Of course not, Tom, but we must risk it, for the poor fellow may besomewhere within reach waiting for help. "

"Then why don't he holler, sir?"

"Perhaps he has shouted till he is worn-out, Tom. "

"Then he can't be within reach, sir, or else we should ha' heered him, for he's got a pretty good pipe of his own. "

"Well, hail him, Tom. "

"All right, sir, but 'tween you and me and the starn post your voicewould go farther than mine would. "

"Think so, Tom? Very well, then. _Seafowl_ ahoy!"

It was a loud tenor shout that doubtless penetrated the cane junglefarther than would the deep bass of the able-seaman, and after aminute's listening, Murray hailed again; but somehow the shout did notseem to have any result. 

"Let me have a try, sir, " growled the sailor, and upon the middynodding, the man shouted five times at intervals, listening with hishand to his ear after every hail. 

"It's of no good, Tom, " said Murray bitterly. "Come along, and let's bedoing something. "

"That's what I was a-thinking, sir, for if we stop here much longer weshall be reg'larly sucked down into the mud. 'Sides which, if my poormate hears us he won't come here. He'd on'y hail. "

"And if the enemy hear us they are quite at home here, and they'll comedown upon us and put a stop to our getting across to the boat. What doyou mean by that?--What are you chuckling about?"

"You, sir, " said the man. "I was thinking what an orficer you will makesome day. "

"Do you mean that for banter, my man?" said Murray angrily. 

"Banter, sir? What, chaff? Not me, sir. I meant it. I felt a bitproud of you, sir, for using your head like that. "

"Well, this is no time for paying compliments, Tom. You take the lead. "

"I'll do what you orders, sir, of course, you being my orficer, but youmight tell me which way I oughter lead. "

"I can't, Tom, my lad. We want to get down to the boat, and hope topick up Titely on the way. I've tried till I grew more and more puzzledthan ever; so now you try. You must chance it, my lad. "

"Mean it, sir?"

"Mean it? Of course!" cried Murray; and the man shut his eyes close, knit his brow, and then began to mutter in a low tone, much to themidshipman's surprise. 

"What are you doing, Tom?" he cried at last. 

"What you telled me, sir--charnshing of it. "

"Chancing it?"

"Yes, sir; that's right, " said the man. "Same as we used to when we waslittle uns playing at _Blind Man's Buff_. `How many horses has yourfather got?' Then the one as had the hankychy tied over his eyes usedto answer, `Black, white and grey. ' Then the one who arksed about thehorses used to say, `Turn round three times and ketch who you may. '"

And as soon as the man had repeated these words with his eyes stillclosely shut he turned round three times and then opened them and staredstraight before him. 

"This here's the way, sir; right ahead. "

"What nonsense, Tom!" said the middy sadly. "You're old enough to knowbetter. "

"Maybe, sir, but you said I was to charnsh it, and that's what I'ma-doing of; and if I don't find the way down to the boat it won't do usno harm as I can see; so come along. "

The man stepped off, keeping as nearly as he could to the line he hadmarked down, and without turning his head he called back to his youngofficer--

"Don't you mind me giving o' you orders, sir, but you telled me to leadon, and I should like to say, sir, as you'd find it better if instead ofwalking hard and stiff, sir, like the jollies march up and down thedeck, you'd try my way, sir, trot fashion, upon your toes, with a heavyswing and give and take. You'd find that you wouldn't sink in quite somuch, seeing as one foot's found its way out before t'other's got timeto sink in. "

"I'll try, Tom, " said the middy quietly; and after following the man fora few dozen yards he whispered, "Yes, I think that's better, Tom; but Ihave no faith in your _Blind Man's Buff_ plan. "

"Give it time, sir; we arn't half tried it yet. "

"Go on, then, " cried Murray; and the man trotted on as fast as thetangled growth would allow him, pausing from time to time to listenbefore going on again. 

"I'm afraid we must make a change, Tom, " said Murray, at last, when theman drew up suddenly. "Are you, sir?"

"Yes; this seems hopeless. "

"That's what it all seems, sir, but I don't like being in too great ahurry to pitch a hidee overboard. There's nothing like trying, sir, andjust as like as not we may be getting nigher and nigher to poor oldTitely. "

"I'm afraid--"

Murray did not finish his sentence, but made a spring forward andclapped his hand hard upon his leader's shoulder. 

"What's wrong, sir?" cried the sailor, turning sharply upon him. 

"Hark! Listen!" cried Murray excitedly. 

"Oh, Mr Murray, sir, " groaned the man despairingly, "you've been andgone and done it now!"

"Nonsense! What do you mean?"

"Pitched me off my bearings, sir. I've looked round, and I shall neverpick 'em up again. "

"Well, what does that matter?" cried Murray. "Don't you hear?"

"Hear, sir? Hear what?"

"Oars. I heard them rattling in the rowlocks as plain as possible. "

"Whereabouts, sir?"

"Away there through the canes yonder. Didn't you?"

"No, sir, " said the man gloomily; "I didn't hear no oars. "

"I did, quite plainly, " said Murray, leaning forward and straining hisears. "No, it's stopped now. "

"Yes, sir, " said the man, shaking his head; "it's stopped now. "

"Well, don't talk like that, Tom. You look as if you didn't believeme. "

"Oh, I wouldn't go for to say as I don't believe anything you say, sir, "said the sailor; "but all the same it do seem queer. "

"Yes, queer because they've stopped rowing to listen. Don't you see?"

"No, sir, " said the man, shaking his head sadly. "I don't see nothing, on'y as you're a bit overdone, sir, in the head, and gets fancyingthings. "

"Fancy, man!" cried the middy angrily. "It was no fancy, I tell you. Now then, listen. "

Tom May shut one eye and cocked his head on one side in obedience to hisyoung officer's command; but all was perfectly still. 

"It's very strange, " said Murray. 

"Yes, sir; very, " said the sailor, in a tone of voice which made theyoung officer turn upon him fiercely. 

"Oh, you obstinate--"

Murray did not say what, but ceased speaking and stood strainingforward. 

"Of course you thought you heered oars, sir, because you wanted to hear'em, " said the sailor; "but it's a pity you did, sir, because it made melose my bearings, and I know I shall never--"

"There, then, " cried the middy excitedly. "Now, did I fancy I heardrowing?"

"No, sir; that's oars, sure enough, " replied the sailor; "and it seemsto come from right for'ard there, and not far away. "

"Hail the boat, then, " cried Murray excitedly. 

"I dunno as I would, sir, " whispered the man, "because it mightn't beour boat. "

"What! Oh, we must chance that. Hail away. "

Tom May, who looked exceedingly unwilling, clapped his hand to his cheekand yelled out, "_Seafowls_ ahoy!" just as the regular beat of oars hadceased once more. 

But there was no further doubt, for in a dull smothered tone, as if thereply came through so much dense forest, there was the answering hail--

"Ahoy there! Where away?"

"Ahoy!" shouted Tom May. "That's the right sort, sir. Come along;" andstepping out, the sailor beat the dense growth to right and left, withhis feet sinking deeper in the soft soil, till the cane brake began toopen out and the forest grew lighter, the splashing of oars soundingnearer and nearer till there was a shout of welcome and the sloop'scutter came into sight, gliding towards them till the light vessel'snose was run into the river bank. 

"At last!" cried Murray, as he scrambled over the bows, to sinkexhausted into Titely's arms. "Why, how did you get here, my lad?" saidthe young officer. 

"I d'know, sir. Lost my way, and couldn't find it nohow. "

"But you managed to find the boat. "

"Nay, sir; not me, sir! I didn't find her. I did find the side o' theriver, but couldn't get no furder. I was hanging on to a branch andtrying to keep up because I was sinking into the boggy shore, when mytwo mates here come pulling up stream and picked me up. It was themfound me, sir, not me found them. "

"Well, never mind that now, " cried Murray angrily. "What about you two?Your orders were to stay by the boat where we landed. "

"Yes, sir, " said the first boat-keeper, "but they wouldn't let us, sir. "

"They!" cried Murray. "Whom do you mean by they?"

"Oh, I dunno, sir, who they was, only that it was a big party o' roughuns with guns and rifles as come up all to wunst as we sat hanging on bythe grapnel and line, out in the middle o' the river, and one on 'emhails us and tells us to pull ashore. "

"Well, " said Murray, "and did you?"

"You go on, messmate, " said the man. "You can spin the yarn better norI can. "

"Yes, go on, " cried Murray; and the second boat-keeper took up thenarrative. 

"Well, sir, we just didn't. "

"Just did not what?" asked Murray. 

"Pull ashore, sir. They warn't our people, and him as hailed us warn'tour officer. 'Sides, we didn't like the looks of 'em. "

"Well done, my lads, " said the middy; "that was right. But what did youdo then?"

"I hystes up the grapnel, sir, and Harry Lang there gets an oar over theside. "

"Well?"

"Well, sir, then a Yankee sort of a chap as seemed to be the head on 'emleans hisself up again' a bush and rests his gun upon a bough of one ofthe trees on the bank, and he says to me, he says, as he looks along thebarrel, `Now, you sir, ' he says, `just you run that boat's nose intothis here bank, and tidy quick too, 'fore I draws this here trigger. '

"`All right, sir, ' I says, and I shoves another oar over the side; andas soon as he sees me do that, quite easy like, he lowers down his gun--rifle, I think it was--and turns his head to say something to the chapswho was with him. 

"`Easy, messmate, ' I says then; `get her head straight first, ' makingbelieve as Harry warn't doing right. The 'Merican chap was just turninground then, but I sees my chance, and I whispers to Harry, `Up stream, lad, for all you're worth. ' `Right you are, ' he says, and my word! sir, we did take hold of the water and put our backs into it, 'gainst streamas it was; and as I pulled I was all the time wishing as hard as I couldthat you'd got hold of the rudder lines so as to steer, sir, and leaveus nothing to do but pull while you kept the boat's head right in themiddle of the river. `Here, hi, there! What are you doing? Pullashore, or--' He steps to the same tree again and rests his gun on thebough and takes aim, while I thinks to myself what a pity it was that wehadn't turned the boat's head down stream. "

"You said arterwards, messmate, as that would ha' been like leaving thefirst luff and the lads in the lurch, " said the other boat-keeper. 

"So I did, messmate; and so it would, " said the narrator. 

"But he didn't fire at you?" cried Murray eagerly. 

"Didn't fire at us, sir?" said the man. "But he just did, while wepulled with all our might. "

"And missed you?"

"He missed me, sir, but he hit the boat. Sent his bullet slap throughthe bow planks just between wind and water, and the brown juice cometrickling in quite fast, but we couldn't stop to plug it. "

"Hah!" ejaculated Murray, who was breathing hard with excitement. "Oh, do go on a little faster!"

"That we did, sir--pulled faster, for some of the enemy come shoutingafter us along the side of the stream. You see, they couldn't come onthe far side, 'cause it was all trees, while luckily for us theycouldn't get along much where they were, for it was all boggy, and I seethree of them sink in up to their knees and stick fast cussing andswearing. But they warn't the only ones, for him as we took to be theirboss, he let go at 'em orful, sir, and yelped at 'em to follow us up, knowing all the time that they couldn't do nowt o' the sort, and him nottrying a bit, because he warn't going to fill his boots. "

"But they kept on firing at you?" cried Murray. 

"Fast as ever they could, sir. They kep' on loading and firing, andHarry and me kep' on pulling like hooray. You see, the shooting spurredus on a bit, for they kep' on hitting the boat when they didn't send thebullets spattering into the trees over our heads, and cut the littletwigs and leaves and make them fall upon us. "

"But didn't they get to the bank higher up?" asked Murray. 

"I dunno, sir, " replied the man. "We was too busy to think about that. Precious hot it was too, pulling under boughs as kept all the air away. I don't want to brag, Mr Murray, sir, but we had a precious nice timeon it, pulling, and hearing the beggars shouting and firing till we gotwell round a bend and out o' their sight, same as they was out of oursight, when I says to Harry Lang as best thing we could do was to see todamages, and seeing as it warn't likely that they could get at us for abit we run the boat's nose into the far side bank where Harry could gethold of a branch, and then he outs with his Jack knife and whittles apeg to fit into the shot-hole, for the water kep' on coming in tidyfast. "

"Is that the hole?" said Murray eagerly. 

"That's it, sir, and there's two more plugged up astarn, 'sides thatthere chip out o' the back by the starn sheets. "

"But you neither of you got hurt?"

"No, sir; you see they warn't very handy with the guns, and we kep'going pretty fast. "

"But there's a blood-stain upon your shirt, my lad. "

"Oh, that, sir? It did bleed a little bit, but it was only a scrat--nowt to speak about. "

"Indeed!" said Murray. "Well, it has left off bleeding, but the doctormust see to it when we get back to the _Seafowl_. "

"Oh yes, sir; that'll be all right, " said the man, smiling; "and that'sall, I think, 'cept that we baled out the boat till we began to pull onagain, for we was obliged to put some distance 'twixt us in case theyshould find some way up to the bank and begin practice again. Sametime, sir, of course we had to think of not getting too far, so as to behandy when our fellows came back and wanted the cutter. "

"Well, but about finding Titely?" said Murray. 

"Oh, there's nothing to say about that, sir, on'y we didn't quite get itsettled whether he found us or we found him. Theer he was, hung up inone of the trees over the river, and glad he was to be took aboard--justas glad as we was to take him, sir, for you see it made another to sharethe 'sponsibility like of our not being where we ought to be with theboat. After that, sir, I wanted to hang about as close as we could tothe enemy, ready to be handy and help our officers and men; but messmetTitely says we must go on pulling up stream in search of you and TomMay, and this must be all, sir, and my throat's as dry as dust. Thinkthis here water's good to drink, sir? It looks too much like beer to bequite to my taste. "

"No, my lad; I wouldn't venture to drink it. Better wait. "

"That's what I says to Harry Lang, sir. "

"And very wisely too. Now, Tom, " continued Murray, turning to hiscompanion in adversity, "you have said nothing. What do you think ofthe state of affairs?"

"I think it's hard, sir--precious hard on a man. "

"But they have done splendidly, Tom. "

"Yes, sir, I s'pose so, for them, " said May sourly; "but I warn'tthinking about them. I mean it comes hard upon a man like me, shut outof a fight like that. Don't you think we might drop down with thestream now, seeing as we're tidily strong like?"

"Yes, I do think something of the kind, " replied Murray. 

"And give 'em a right down good dressing, sir?"

"No; we have got something else to think of, Tom, " said the middysternly. "Dressing them down is tempting, but that is not what we wantto do. We must get down to the bay as quickly as we can, and withoutthe loss of a man. The fighting must rest till the captain sends upreinforcements. "

Tom May nodded his head. 

"Bit disappointing, though, sir. "

"Yes, my lad, but we can wait. Now then, we must drop down a littlefarther, and then drop the grapnel or hook on to one of the trees of thefarther bank. "

"And not make a dash of it, sir?"

"No, my lad; not till it is quite dark. "

Tom May stared. 

"According to what your messmates said, the enemy was in pretty strongforce. How many of them were there?"

"'Bout twenty, sir, " said Lang. 

"And all armed?"

"Yes, sir; they'd all got guns, " said the other. 

"Then they will be lying in wait for us, " said Murray decisively. "Ionly said that we shall be trying to run by them as soon as it is dark. "

"Well, sir, but we could do it, " said May warmly. 

"Yes, we could run by them if I risked everything, my lad, " said themiddy, "but I can't afford to lose a man. Besides, they will have beenmaking arrangements to receive us. There is that lugger we saw lying inthe mouth of the river; they have plenty of men, I am sure, and they mayhave brought her up to block our way, for they are bound to try andcapture us if they can. "

"Yes, sir; bound to take us if they can, " assented the sailor. 

"How long do you think it will be before it is dark?" asked Murray. 

"Not half-an-hour, sir, " was the reply. 

"And how far are we above the landing-place?" said the middy, speakingin a low tone now and turning to the first boat-keeper. 

"Can't say, sir, for sartain, " replied the man. "What do you say, HarryLang?"

The man shook his head. 

"You see, sir, we put our backs into it when we started to row, andpulled and pulled, thinking of nothing else but getting as far up'ardsas we could. Hour's hard rowing, I should say, in and out, and we got along ways before we come upon Bill Titely. "

"Then we'll begin moving as soon as it is quite dark, my lads, " saidMurray. "Till then, a careful watch and silence, for there is noknowing whether the enemy may not have a way through the cane brakewhich will enable them to come upon us by surprise. "

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. 

A FIGHT IN THE DARK. 

It was sooner than they expected that the darkness came on--thick, black, dense darkness, which in spite of its gradual approach seemedstrange and full of suggestions of being peopled with enemies ready todraw trigger on the banks and send lightning-like flashes at theoccupants of the boat--flashes each of which might be a messenger ofdeath. 

The boat was set in motion and glided down stream slowly, with Murray inthe bows peering straight before him, trying to pierce the darkness; TomMay right astern with one oar dipped, with which he kept the boat level;while the others sat with oars balanced ready for use in case of attack, and so as to ensure retreat. 

In this fashion they floated down, carried along by the gentle current, not a word being spoken, and the midshipman hardly daring to breathe ashe listened to the strange nocturnal sounds which came from the banks oneither side--weird croakings, pipings, and strange trumpeting noteswhich sounded like a challenge to the strangers who were daring topenetrate the thick darkness of the night. 

More than once there was a sudden motion, a heaving and a rising wave asof some huge fish or reptile which had been disturbed from its slumbers, and from which attack was expected at any moment. 

It was a strange ride, with the black water whispering by the boat'sside, while the men as they listened hardly seemed to breathe. 

Murray had laid down his plan of action to the men before starting, andthat was to plunge oars and back-water with all their might to get outof the sphere of danger, for to press on in the darkness seemed toogreat a risk to run. But for quite two hours nothing occurred thatcould be attributed to the agency of man, and the midshipman, who hadbegun to grow used to the cries, croaks and movements of bird andreptile, felt his spirits begin to rise, his heart to swell with hope ofreaching the mouth of the river unmolested, where he felt sure thatanother boat would be awaiting them, and then and there he would at lastbe able to perform his long-delayed mission. 

"I've done wrong, " he said to himself, "and alarmed myself withoutreason. There have been no enemies waiting for us. They have settledin their own minds that we should not venture to come down the river inthe darkness, and we might very well have had the oars out and comequickly. "

He had no sooner thought this than he mentally retracted his notion asbeing so much folly, feeling as he did that it would have beenimpossible to steer, and that in all probability they would have beenaground--perhaps wedged in amongst the trees or shrubs of the bank. 

"I don't know what to do for the best, " said the lad to himself. "Onemoment I feel one way; the next something seems to tug at me the other. I wish I could come to a decision that I knew was for the best. "

He had his wish, for he had hardly had the desire when as the boatglided on through the profound darkness it came in contact withsomething hard with a heavy shock. 

For the moment all was excitement. To the men it seemed as if thecutter was rising up to ride over some huge tree-trunk that was floatingacross the centre of the stream--some obstruction that had been washedout of the bank during a flood and whose roots still clung to the placeof its growth. 

"Boat-hook, " said Murray, in a low business-like tone. "Steady, lads. Try if you can shove her off. "

Then like a flash the lad grasped the reality of their position, forvoices rose from the right bank of the river, to be answered from theleft, and as the occupants of the boat came to the same conclusion, thatthe great trunk against which the boat had struck must have been placedthere by their enemies, so many flashes of light streaked the darkness, followed by loud reports, and then came a fierce yell of despair or painand a loud adjuration full of rage. 

"Shove all you know with that boat-hook, " whispered Murray, "and strainall with those oars. Do you hear? Back-water!"

There was no question about the men hearing, for every one was strivinghis best in a fierce struggle to get free from a tangle of sharpwater-washed boughs; but the boat, after running stem on to the floatingtrunk and making as if to climb over the impediment, had swung roundalmost parallel; the water pressed heavily all along its side, and thenseemed to be engaged in heaving it over, so that when Murray thrust onehand down over to his left he found that the stream was rippling withinan inch of the gunwale, and in another few moments would have been overthe side. 

It was a question of decisive action, and Murray shouted--

"Trim the boat starboard, all!"

That saved them for the moment, but at terrible risk, for it spokeloudly to the enemy of their position, and in rapid succession almostsimultaneously three more streaks of light came from the right bank ofthe river with their reports. 

Murray gave vent to a low hissing sound, and then remained silent, striving his utmost the while to thrust the boat away from the strongtree-trunk; but his efforts, like those of his companions, were in vain. 

"It's no good, sir, " whispered Tom May; "we're a-shoving against oneanother. Let me lead, sir, and I think I can do it. There's hardbottom here, sir, and we're almost aground. --Fire away, you lubbers, " headded, in a whisper; "you can't hit us in the dark. Now then, MrMurray, sir, you take an oar along with the lads and wait till I say`Pull. ' Then all on you do your best. "

"But what about you?" whispered Murray. 

"You leave that to me, sir. I'm big enough and old enough to take careo' mysen. "

Murray was silent, for it was no time to dispute. Every now and then--as fast as their enemies could reload--there was a shot from the bank, and the bullets whizzed just over the heads of the men. The youngofficer's disposition was to ask what the sailor intended to do, but hecontained himself, and, feeling for an oar, thrust it over the side andinto the rowlock, conscious the while that the others had done the same, but in his case and that of the man in front for the oar-blades to restupon branches of the submerged tree. He realised, though, that his wasthe bow oar, and for a few moments that was all he could grasp. Beyondthat everything was confusion, and he sat ready to pull, and in spite ofhimself starting violently at every shot from the shore when the bulletstruck the boat or splashed in amongst the branches of the ingeniouslycontrived dam. 

Then the lad felt something like a hysteric sob escape from his breastas the puzzle and confusion from which he suffered gave place to clearmental light, and he grasped the full force of the big sailor's plan. 

The noise of panting and splashing which accompanied what felt like asudden lightening of the boat was caused by Tom May lowering himselfover the side, after laying down the boat-hook with which he had beensounding the depth; and then Murray felt that the brave fellow had begunto wade with the water close up to his arm-pits, forcing the bows of theboat away from the tree-trunk against which it was pressed by the water, and gaining a little. 

"That'll do it, " he said, with a deep grunt. 

"Shall I get to the boat-hook, messmate?" whispered Titely. 

_Bang_! came from the bank. 

"There's your answer, " growled Tom May fiercely. "You 'bey orders andstick to your oar. That was precious nigh, though. "

Murray heard every word, and it was to him as if he could see everythingthat the big sailor did, as with one arm over the cutter's bows heforced it a little more and a little more away, fighting against thepressure of the water and meaning to get the boat at right angles to thedam and her stem pointing straight up stream before he gave the order topull. 

But it was slow work, for the pressure of the water was so great and theman's foothold on the bottom so insecure that at last, and just as hewas about to call upon the middy and the man who handled the third oarto try and pull, there was a slip and a splash, May's feet glided overthe bottom, and he was swept back, fortunately still clinging to thebows, back to where he had started from--close against the trunk. 

"Are you there, Tom?" whispered Murray excitedly, for he feared theworst. 

"Here I be sir, " growled the man. "I'm sticking tight enough. "

"Hah!" ejaculated the lad. "If it were only light!"

"Jolly for us it ain't, sir, " said the man. "Bad if they could see. Hear that?"

_That_ was another shot from the right bank of the river, followed by acouple more, and the bullets splashed up the water not far from theirheads. 

"Are you going to try again?" whispered Murray. 

"Arn't I, sir! I'm a-going to try till to-morrow mornin' if I don't doit afore. Now then, all on yer, I'm going to begin shoving off her bowsagain, and this time don't wait, my lads, for any orders from me. Useyour own gumption, and all on it at once. It'll take all my wind tokeep me going. You, Mr Murray, you get hold of the water first charnshand pull, and you t'others back-water; on'y just remember this: a brokenoar means done for. --Now here goes. "

Once more Murray felt right through his brain every movement of the bigsailor as he began to wade, holding the cutter's bows nipped between hisarm and his broad chest; and as the boat began to move the middy feltamong the boughs and twigs with the blade of his oar to such good effectthat at the risk of breakage he turned the oar into a lever whichslightly helped to move the boat's head from its position. 

"Good!" grunted Tom May softly, and he thrust away steadily a little anda little, while the two who held the stout ash blades on the other sidebegan to back-water. 

"Good!" grunted Tom again, and, as if in answer, _Bang! Bang_! camefrom the shore, and a couple of splashing sounds rose from the woodworkwhere the bullets struck. 

"All together, " whispered Murray, as he bent forward and got a freshhold of the boughs, while to his intense satisfaction he felt that theman behind him had got a good grip too, and the boat's head was thrustfarther and farther away. 

"Good!" grunted Tom May again, and Murray could not refrain fromuttering a low Hurrah! for at his next bending forward his oar cut downinto the water so that he got a good hold and pulled with all hismight--steadily too. 

"Back-water hard!" he panted, and the men whose oars dipped on the otherside thrust with all their might. 

"Hooray!" came now from the man behind Murray. "I've got water!"

"Then pull all you know, " panted Tom May as he gave the boat's head whathe intended to be one last tremendous thrust, "for you've got it allyour own way now. "

"No, no, " whispered Murray excitedly. "Keep on, Tom!"

"Can't, sir, " said the man, with a low hiss. "I'm off the bottom. Pullall!" he shouted now, and Murray felt the boat lose its trim, and sankover on his side bending down, knowing full well now that the bravefellow was heaving himself up so as to get over and seize an oar. 

But it was dark, black darkness. Every one was pulling his best now inobedience to the cry "Pull all!" There was no regular swing, but plentyof confusion, while a thrill of excitement half intoxicated the men, asthey felt that they had mastered the pressure of the stream, andconsequently they pulled away madly, conscious as they were that theywere moving up stream and leaving the enemies, who were still firing, though with no effect, behind. 

"Starn all, you lubbers!" literally roared Tom May. "D'yer want toscrat me right out of the cutter's bows?"

"Stroke there!" cried Murray to the man who wielded that blade. "Getyour oar over astarn and steer. We're running into the bank. "

There was a quick movement, the boat rocked, and a scraping sound and asplash told that the order had been obeyed. 

"I can't see, sir, " cried the man, who had begun to steer. 

"Do your best, my lad. Pull gently, my lads. We must feel our way. What about you, Tom May? Are you all right?"

"Me, sir? I'm no use to steer, " grumbled the man. "Let me come andtake stroke oar; the lubbers pretty well scratted my eyes out. "

_Bang! Bang! Bang_!

Three shots came quickly now in succession, but the flashes were fromfully fifty yards back. 

"Keep silence, my lads, " whispered Murray. "They're firing at thesplashes of our oars. "

A minute later those scattered irregular splashes became almost as one, and though they were given slowly, the effect was steady and thesteersman proved to be doing his part so carefully and well that theflashes from behind became more distant and sounded fainter, and thelast seemed to come from round a bend of the river. 

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. 

LOST. 

"Now, my lads, " said Murray, at last; "speak out; let me know the worst. Who is hurt?"

There was no reply, the men tugging slowly and regularly at the oars. 

"Well, speak out, " cried the middy. "Don't be too modest to let meknow. You, Tom May, what about your eyes?"

"Don't want 'em now, sir, " said the man, in his deep, low growl. "Won'tbe daylight yet awhile. "

"I know that, " said Murray testily; "but you said that you were gettingthem scratched out. "

"Yes, sir, but I just spoke out in time, or else they'd ha' gone. I'mall right, sir; don't you worry about me. "

"But I shall worry about you, Tom May, " said the lad, "especially when Imake my report. You saved us all when it seemed all over with ourchance of escape. "

"Did I, sir?"

"Ay, ay, that he did, " chorussed the men. 

"Well, don't make such a fuss about it, messmets, " grumbled the man. "Mere's two on 'em got a scrarp from that shooting, sir. "

"Ah!" cried Murray. "Well, the wounds must be seen to as soon as it'sdaylight. Can you tie the places up for the present?"

"Ay, ay, sir, " said one of the men. "A hankychy's been teared up, andthere's nothing bad, sir. "

But though nothing could be seen till daybreak, the young officer, knowing his men as he did, insisted upon making an examination by touchduring a short rest in the darkness, with the boat hitched up to anoverhanging tree, after which the slow pull was resumed hour after hour, till overhead the stars began to pale, and Murray sat trying to schemeout some sensible course to be carried out in the daylight. 

The lad thought and thought, gradually growing more low-spirited, as hewas always face to face with the thought that he had made a miserablefailure of the task he had attacked in such high spirits. He had hopedto reach the boat-keepers and take them down the river to the _Seafowl_, and return with the second lieutenant and a strong party of men to theaid of Mr Anderson and his lads, who would probably proceed to rout outthe slaving nest. In fact, he had started full of glee to carry out hisinstructions, but only to be dogged at every step by mischance. 

Murray sank down in his seat, the image of despair. He had pulled onfor some hours, only to give up faint with hunger, and wearied by hisefforts during the night; but all these were as nothing to the troublethat was to come with the rising sun. He would sooner or later have toface the first lieutenant, who would say to him, "I sent you forreinforcements and to make a report to the captain; and what have youdone?"

"It is of no use to make excuses, " the lad said to himself; "I havefailed. "

He was bending very low now with his elbows resting upon his knees, andthe only comfort he could find was in the thought that if Dick Robertshad been sent instead, he could have done no better, when he rousedhimself with the thought that he must not run any more risks; he mustreach the place where the boat had been left the previous day, and hewas now face to face with the thought that he might over-run the spotduring the dark hours, or, when full daylight came, be in the troublousposition of incertitude as to whether they had rowed too far or not farenough. 

The daylight at last, and the cane brake alive with the cries of thevarious strange occupants of its wilds. A light mist was floatingoverhead, the leaves were drenched with dew, and when the pale mistbegan to grow opalescent, shot as it were with purple, ruby and gold, everything was so beautiful that the lad's spirits rose with a bound. 

"I did my best, " he said to himself, "and though I shall get a goodbullying for not doing more, old Anderson will come round and make metell everything I have gone through, and then nod his head and say thatI could have done no more. "

There was a good deal too in the way of making the subject appear morecheerful, for the men were pulling at their oars easily and looked fullof contentment, in spite of a few bruises, blood-smears and bandages, ready, too, to smile at him, when he fully expected to encounter surlyglances full of reproach, while as soon as a question arose fordiscussion they plunged into it full of eagerness and excitement. 

The first boat-keeper was thoroughly decisive about the spot where theboat had been left. 

"Further on yet, sir, " he declared. "I can recollect going along hereyesterday. "

"No, you don't, " said Tom May surlily. "You don't know nothing aboutit, lad. "

"Not know? That I do, messmate! Why, I'm sure on it. "

"On'y a-guessing, sir. Don't you believe a word he says. "

"Oh, come, mate, " said Lang, the other boatman; "he's right enough. Weought to know better than you, because we stopped with the boat. "

"Well, that's why you don't know, my lad, " said the big sailor. "Allyou did was to stop and sit cutting sticks or pegs. We others knowbetter because we landed and went with the first luff right inland. "

"What of that?" said Lang. "You didn't go about the river high-up orlow down; so now then!"

"Don't argue, my lads, " cried Murray sharply. "Pull, and let's see ifLang and his fellow are right. For my part, I think we must be justabout the place where we landed now. Why, yes; there, it's just beyondthat overhanging tree. "

"To be sure, sir, " said Tom May excitedly. "That's the landing-place. "

"Right you are, mate, " cried the boat-keepers in a breath, "and there'sthe sticks we whittled when we cut down that furren sapling to makepegs. "

A very few minutes' pulling brought the little party to thelanding-place from which the start had been made for the plantation, andMurray stood up in the boat, trying to settle in his own mind what thenext step ought to be. 

It was his greatest crisis of responsibility, and his face puckered upas he glanced at his men and grasped the fact that they were looking tohim to lead. They were ready enough to obey his orders, but not to givehim the advice which he needed at such a crucial time. 

"What can I do?" he asked himself. "It is a horrible task, but I mustlet Mr Anderson know of my failure. I feel as if I could find my wayup to the plantation house now; but I can't leave the boat here, knowingthat the enemy may follow us up the river and attack and capture it. That would be like cutting off Mr Anderson's retreat. I can't send oneor two of the lads up to the house, for Tom May and Titely proved thatthey could lose themselves hopelessly, and if I sent the others theydon't know the way at all. There's only one I feel as if I couldtrust--myself; and I can't trust him. Oh, was ever a fellow in such ahole before!"

He stood thinking, and the longer he thought the worse off he seemed tobe; and his position grew more painful as he realised the fact that hismen were waiting for his orders; and, though they remained silent, theykept on casting glances down stream as if expecting to see the armedparty of the enemy in pursuit. 

"It's of no use, " he said to himself; "the more I think the worse thedifficulties seem to grow;" and pulling himself together, he turnedsharply upon May. 

"Look here, my lad, " he said sharply, "you must find your way up to theplantation and tell Mr Anderson how I am fixed. I can't leave theboat, for I must hold that in case the enemy comes on; and I can't spareany one to go with you, for three fellows will be small enough force tobeat the enemy back. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" said the sailor promptly. 

"You can tell Mr Anderson everything, and then he will settle whetherhe will hold the plantation house or come here and help us to get backto the sloop. "

"Ay, ay, sir! Start?"

"One moment, Tom. You mustn't lose your way, but try and recollect thetrack that black fellow led us; and one word more--this is not a timefor fighting, but for cunning. Now, off!"

The man stood for a few moments to thrust the ramrod down his piece andmake sure that it was well loaded; then throwing it over his shoulder, he sprang ashore as lightly as if neither his rest nor his regular mealshad been interfered with, gained the track, which now seemed plainenough, and disappeared. 

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. 

"WHERE'S YOUR DESPATCH?"

"It's all right, sir, " cried Roberts. "Our lads coming. "

"Well done!" said the lieutenant, with a sense of relief running throughhim. "Can you see who it is?"

"Tom May, sir. "

"Only May? Well, he brings a message, I suppose. --Where's yourdespatch, man?" he cried, as the big sailor came within hearing. 

"Not got none, sir; on'y a message from Mr Murray, sir;" and the manrelated his experience. 

"A regular fight, then?"

"Yes, sir. "

"But no one badly hurt?"

"No, sir. "

"Tut, tut, tut! Whatever has Mr Murray been about to go astray likethat? I did think I could trust him! And now it is quite open to hisbeing taken, boat and men, by these scoundrels before I can get down tohim?"

"Yes, sir, " replied the messenger. "I don't think they'll be long aforethey come up the river after him. "

"Then how could he be so absurd as to send you, when either of theothers would have done? He ought to have kept you. "

"Thought I was a bit crippled, sir, " said the man. 

"But you didn't say you were much hurt. "

"No, sir; no good to holloa, as I see. "

"What to do?" muttered the lieutenant; and his first thought was to firethe building, his second to gather his men together and make a start. 

He paused for a few moments to glance round in the full expectation ofseeing a movement among the trees or some sign of their being watched;but the place was perfectly quiet and apparently deserted. 

"Well, May, " he said, as he caught the man's eyes fixed questioninglyupon him, "what is it?"

"Thought perhaps you might be going to give orders to fire the place, sir. "

"What for, man?" said the lieutenant, starting at the sailor'ssimilarity of idea. 

"Keeping 'em from holding it, sir. "

"We may want to hold it ourselves, and there seems to be a want offortification. "

The next minute the big seaman was ordered to the front to act as guide, and being thoroughly now in an enemy's country every needful precautionwas taken--precautions which soon seemed to be highly necessary, for thelittle party had not proceeded far before, as Roberts with a couple ofmen brought up the rear, he became aware of the fact that they werebeing followed by what seemed to be a strong body of men stealing afterthem through the plantation. 

A halt was called, and the rear-guard faced round, with the effect thatthose who followed could be seen to retire amongst the long lines ofsugar-canes and maize, which offered plenty of cover. 

The lieutenant impatiently gave the order again to advance, and this wasfollowed by halt after halt; but the enemy seemed to be content withkeeping just in touch, no attack being made; but it was evident thatwhoever was answerable for the tactics was pretty keen and ready, andthe lieutenant thoroughly realised the precariousness of his positionand the need for care if he intended to reach the boat. 

"Nothing better can be done, Mr Roberts, " he said. "We must let themsee that we are ready for them. It seems to check them every time. "

"Yes, sir, " replied the middy; "but doesn't it mean that they arewaiting till we reach some other party hidden between here and theriver, and that as soon as we get close up they'll make a dash for us?"

"Very likely, Mr Roberts, " said the lieutenant; "but if it does we mustmake a dash for them. Anyhow we must not let them think we are afraid. "

"Oh no, sir, " replied the middy excitedly. "But what about me lettingmy fellows give them a volley to drive them back a little faster?"

"A volley of two, Mr Roberts, " said the lieutenant sarcastically, "anda waste of ammunition that we must husband. "

"Beg pardon, sir; only what I thought, " said the middy. 

"Quite right to speak, my lad; but tell me, can you make out what ourpursuers are like?"

"Mixed lot, sir. They seem to be sailors and blacks. "

"Humph! Well, we are pretty well surrounded. I don't like thesecowardly-looking tactics, but I must get back to Mr Murray and theboat. We are gaining a knowledge of the country, and when we come againit must be in force. Much farther, May?" said the lieutenant, afterpressing on to the front to where the big sailor was trudging steadilyon. 

"'Bout two hours, sir, " replied the man. 

"Two hours? Surely not!"

"Yes, sir; quite that. "

"Are you certain? Surely you have not lost your way?"

"Not this time, sir, " replied the man confidently. "It's much furtherthan you thought. "

The officer was silent, and always with the signs behind of a partygetting ready to close up, the retreat was kept up, till all at once TomMay stopped short, and once more the lieutenant hurried to his side. 

"What is it--enemy in front?"

"No, sir. All clear; but that comes from about where the boat lies, sir. "

"Firing?"

The answer came at once in the sound of a distant shot, a faintly heardreport which sent a thrill through every man of the party, who needed noincitement to stretch out in a quicker step, one which would have beenincreased to a trot but for the checking of the officer in command, whokept the sturdy fellows well in hand so that they might come up to theircompanions with the boat, cool and ready to take action. 

But as the pace was increased somewhat, Roberts was made fully aware ofthe presence of the secretive enemies, who still kept under cover--coverthat was fast becoming cane brake and wilderness, as cultivation grewmore sparse. 

"It means a rush before long, " thought the lad, and he did not fail toutter a few words of warning from time to time as his heart began tobeat heavily with excitement, and at the same time he had hard work tocontrol the longing to hurry forward to the help of those who wereplainly heard to respond to a steadily-kept-up fire which all felt mustcome from the enemy. 

"We're getting pretty close now, sir, " said May, in answer to a questionfrom the lieutenant, who was marching by the guide's side. "Enemy's gota boat up the river, sir, I'm sartain, and that's our Mr Murray and thelads keeping 'em in check. Don't you think it might be double, sir, now?"

"I'd say yes, my man, but we must get in cool and steady. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" replied the big sailor, and he gave a sidelong glance athis officer as he spoke, shifted his musket from his right shoulder tohis left, and passed a hand over his streaming face in a way which madeMr Anderson smile. 

Another five minutes, during which the fire on both sides was evidentlygrowing hotter, and then with a cheer which was answered from the river, the party of relief dashed forward, and the firing ceased as if bymagic, while the lieutenant, as he reached the water's edge at the headof his men, looked down the slowly gliding water in vain for signs ofthe enemy, the long curve of the bend to his right being unoccupied, and_no trace_ of a boat in sight. 

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. 

WHERE IS THE SLAVER'S LUGGER?

"Murray!" came from the _Seafowl's_ boat, as Murray gave orders for themen to let it float down from beneath the trees where he had kept itmoored with his men, partly screened by the overhanging boughs, whilelying down in the bottom firing from behind the bulwark. 

"Thankye, sir, " cried the lad excitedly. "We have been longing foryou. "

"But the enemy, my lad?"

"Place four men behind the trees there, sir, ready to fire. You'll seetheir boat come stealing out from round the bend, sir, directly. Wehave driven them back for the moment. "

"A boat attacking from below?"

"Yes, sir; a lugger, full of men. We were quiet for some time;" and thelad hurriedly explained to his chief how that the enemy must havecleared away the tree-trunk with which the river had been dammed, andbrought up a boat, from which for quite an hour they had been firing, after making one fierce attack, and being met with a steady fire whichdrove them back. 

"Bravo! Well done, my lad!" said the lieutenant warmly. 

"But it was quite time you came, sir. We couldn't have held out muchlonger. "

"Nonsense!" said the lieutenant, laughing encouragement. "You wouldnever have given up. Why, you had plenty of water. "

"Yes, sir, " said Murray, with a grim smile; "but the cartridges hadnearly run out. "

"Ours have not, Murray, " said the lieutenant, for the men whom he hadposted according to the middy's advice just then opened fire upon aboat, which looked at the first glance uncommonly like the dismastedlugger which had been seen lying in the mouth of the little river whenthe _Seafowl_ first entered the river. 

A shot or two came in reply from the enemy before the lugger drew backround the bend, to be followed by the cutter, which came in sight of theenemy at last in time to see that the lugger's masts had been steppedand her sails hoisted, to be filled out by the breeze, which sent theboat rapidly gliding down stream. 

The men looked sharply at their commander, as if fully expecting toreceive orders to row with all their might; and Mr Anderson noticed it, for he turned to the two middies, and by way of answering the silentquestion--

"No, " he said; "we're all fagged as it is, and no pulling on our partwill bring us alongside of a boat that can sail like that. Pullsteadily, my lads, and let the stream do the rest. The chances are thatthe captain has sent a boat up the river to look after us, and that weshall catch the lugger between two fires, if Mr Munday has not beenfirst. "

A good lookout was kept as the cutter dropped down the stream, and atevery bend the men were ready to fire, but they searched with eager eyesin vain, and a general feeling of disappointment had attacked the hungryand exhausted party, while the lieutenant's countenance was over-cloudedby a stern look which betokened the bent of his thoughts in connectionwith the coming meeting with his chief, when a glimpse was seen throughthe trees at a sharp curve which sent a thrill of excitement through theboat and made Murray spring to his feet. 

"What's that?" cried the lieutenant. 

"The lugger, I think, sir, " whispered the middy. "I just caught sightof one of her masts. "

"Hist! Silence!" said the lieutenant. "Dip as quietly as you can, mylads. Two of you there, Titely and Lang, be ready to fire, and drop thesteersman if they don't lower their sails. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" came back, in a whisper, followed by the clicking ofmusket locks, and the oars dipped into the water with scarcely a sound. 

"I can't make her out, Mr Murray, " whispered the lieutenant. "Are yousure that you were not deceived?"

"Certain, sir, " was the reply. 

"I saw her too, sir, " put in Roberts, "but the trees were very thick andthere's a big bend there. "

"Humph! Yes; the stream winds and doubles upon itself like a snake. You, Tom May, you've got a voice like a speaking trumpet; be ready tohail them, and if they don't lower their sail directly, fire, as I saidbefore, at their steersman. "

The minutes which followed were full of excitement, and then a lowmurmur arose, for one of the men forward turned to draw the attention ofthe officers in the stern sheets to the head of a mast which was seenfor a few moments passing along above the bushes apparently at the edgeof the river, and only some five hundred yards from where the cutter wasgliding swiftly down. 

"We shall do it, my lads, " whispered the lieutenant to the middies. 

"But they've altered their course, sir, " said Roberts softly. "They'recoming to attack. "

"No, no; that's only because the stream winds so; or else--yes, that'sit. They've caught sight of one of our boats coming up, and, bravo! weshall take the scoundrels, as I expected, between two fires. "

The lieutenant sprang to his feet and clapped his hand to his sword, fora clean white lug sail came fully into sight. But he thrust his swordback into its sheath before dropping into his seat, for Tom May growledout in his siren-like voice--

"Second cutter, sir, and yon's Mr Munday, sir, in the starn sheets. "

"Then where's the slaver's lugger?" cried the first lieutenant, and avoice from the man-o'-war boat which was coming up stream under oars anda couple of lug sails shouted--

"_Seafowls_ ahoy!"

"Bah!" cried Mr Anderson. "Then we must have passed some branch of theriver; and I'm sure we kept a sharp lookout. How stupidly blind!"

"Perhaps Mr Munday's lads passed a branch, sir, " cried Murray eagerly. 

"Thank you, Mr Murray, " said the lieutenant, clapping the lad on theshoulder. "I hope you're right, for I could never have forgiven myselfif we had been met by this fresh misfortune. "

CHAPTER THIRTY. 

BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME. 

"Why, where have you been?" cried the second lieutenant, as the twoboats ran alongside. "The captain's been nearly mad with excitement andanxiety. "

"Oh, don't ask me, " cried Mr Anderson. "But tell me this, has thestream forked anywhere as you came up?"

"Yes, once: about a mile lower down; but the river was very shallow andinsignificant, and I did not think it was worth while to explore there. But why?"

"Shallow--insignificant!" said the lieutenant bitterly. "It was big andimportant enough to float a large lugger--the one we are pursuing. "

"The one that we saw at the mouth of the river when we entered the bay?I was wondering where that had gone as we came up. "

"No doubt the same, " replied Mr Anderson. "Well, you've let the enemyslip, Munday. "

"Nonsense! You don't mean that, man?"

"There's no mistake, " said the lieutenant; "and it means this, that youwill have to share the captain's anger and disappointment over myfailure. "

"I? But why?"

"For not catching the gang of scoundrels I was driving down before me. Oh, Munday, you ought to have taken that boat!"

"But how was I to know, man?"

"Don't stop to talk. Run on back and find the lugger if you can, whileI keep on down the main stream. We may overtake the wretches after all, and if either of us sees the enemy in the offing of course we mustpursue, even if it's right out to sea. "

"But the captain--the _Seafowl_? We must report what has happened. "

"I will, of course, in passing. You, if you come up first, need onlysay that there is a nest of slavers up the river, and that I have had asharp fight. If the captain has seen the lugger, tell him it is full ofa gang of scoundrels who have fired upon us, and that the vessel oughtto be sunk. "

"You had better tell him all this yourself, Anderson, " said the secondlieutenant, in a whisper that the men could not hear, "and I wouldn'tsay a word about my missing the lugger on the way, for he's in atowering rage, and will only be too glad to drop on to me for what Ireally could not help. "

"No, I suppose not, " said the first lieutenant good-humouredly; "but youmight take your share of his ill-humour. "

"But it is all on account of your being so long away. "

"Well, that was not my fault, man. We've had a rough time of it; but beoff sharply, and as to the missing business, follow and catch thescoundrels, and I won't say a word. "

"Oh, I say, Anderson!" protested the second lieutenant. 

"Well, there, be off and I'll see. " The second cutter's sails weresheeted home, and she glided off without more being said, while atlittle more than half the rate the first cutter went on under oars, butwell helped by the current; and they had not gone far down the windingriver before the silence of the cane brake was broken by a dull reportwhich made the two middies half rise from their seats by their leader. 

"That means the _Seafowl_ firing at the lugger to heave to, sir, " saidMurray. 

"May you be right, my lad, " replied Mr Anderson. "Step the masts, mylads, and hoist sail. "

The orders were obeyed, and sometimes catching the light breeze and atothers helped by the sturdy pulling at the oars, the cutter sped on, heroccupants hearing shots fired from time to time, and reading clearlyenough that the occupants of the lugger, if it was she who was beingsummoned to heave to, had not obeyed, but were racing on and trying tomake their escape. 

This grew more and more certain as the time glided on, and Roberts wentso far as to assert that he could tell the difference between theunshotted and the shotted guns which followed. 

Then, to the delight of the two lads, the firing ceased, and as they satanxious and excited, they compared notes and passed opinions, while thelieutenant sat sombre and silent, looking straight out before him, onlyuttering an ejaculation of impatience from time to time as the winddropped in some bend of the river, or filled the sails again upon afresh tack. 

Only once did the lieutenant rouse himself a little, and that was whenthey came in sight of the place where the river forked and down whichthe second cutter had long passed. Murray pointed it out, while Robertsexclaimed--

"Of course! I remember that well now; but I had forgotten all about itbefore. "

"Yes; I can recollect it now, " said the lieutenant bitterly; and herelapsed into silence again, though he was listening to the conversationof the two middies all the same, as he proved before long. 

"You may be right or you may be wrong, " said Murray, after a time. "Ithink you are wrong and haven't told the difference between the shottedand the unshotted guns; but the firing has quite ceased now, and thatmeans that the lugger has given up, and lowered her sails. "

"Maybe, " said Roberts, "but more likely after holding on so long she hashad an unlucky shot and been sunk. "

"Lucky shot, " said Murray grimly. 

"Ah, that depends upon which side you take. I believe that our ladshave grown pretty savage, and sunk her. "

A low murmur of satisfaction arose from amongst the men who overheardthe conversation, and then there was silence again, till the lieutenantsuddenly spoke out. 

"You've only provided for two alternatives, gentlemen, " he said. 

"Do you mean about the lugger, sir?" asked Murray. 

"Of course. You settled that she had lowered her sails or been sunk. "

"Yes, sir; there is no other way. "

"Indeed, Mr Roberts?" said the lieutenant. "It seems to me that thereis another alternative. "

"I don't understand you, sir, " said the lad. 

"Perhaps Mr Murray does, " said the lieutenant sadly. "What do you say, my lad?"

"I'm afraid so, sir, but I hope not, " cried the lad; "but we shall soonknow, for the river is opening out fast. "

"Yes, that will soon be proved, " said the first lieutenant; and herelapsed into silence. 

"I say, " whispered Roberts, giving his companion a nudge, "what do youmean by your alternatives? The lugger must either have lowered hersails or been sunk. "

"What about the coast here?" replied Murray. 

"Well, what about it?"

"Isn't it all wooded and covered with jungle?"

"Of course: don't we know it well!"

"Yes, and don't the slaving people know it well?"

"Of course they must. "

"Then isn't it possible for them to have held on, sailing all they knew, and made for some other river or creek running into the shore right upperhaps into some lagoon or lake known only to themselves, and where wecould not follow, knowing so little as we do of the country?"

"Oh, I say, " cried Roberts, "what a miserable old prophet of ill youare, Frank! You shouldn't go on like that. Haven't we beendisappointed enough, without coming in for worse things still? Youmight as well stick to it that the lugger has been sunk. "

"I can't, old fellow, " said Murray, "for I honestly believe--"

"Oh, bother your honest beliefs!" cried Roberts pettishly. "Bedishonest for once in a way. You might give us a bit of sunshine tofreshen us up. Haven't we got enough to go through yet, with thecaptain fuming over our failure and being ready to bully us till all'sblue?"

"Can't help it, old fellow; I must say what I feel. But there, weneedn't talk, for we shall soon know now. "

The lieutenant was of the same opinion, for he suddenly rose from wherehe was seated, and pressing the sheets on one side as he went forward hemade for the bows, where he stood looking out where the mouth of theriver became a wide estuary, and then came back to his place in thestern sheets, and as he sat down he pointed past the sails. 

"There, gentlemen, " he said; "there lies the _Seafowl_, in quite adifferent position; but there is no lugger. "

"No, sir, but there lies the second cutter, " cried Roberts; and hepointed to where their fellow boat was sailing far away and close inshore. "That means she had been chasing the _lugger_ until a lucky shotfrom the sloop sunk her. "

"No, my lad, " said the officer gravely. "I hold to Mr Murray's idea--that the second cutter chased the scoundrels till they dodged into oneof their lairs, and they have by this time penetrated far up thecountry, perhaps been able to get round by some back way through someforest labyrinth to where the plantation house is. "

"Well, sir, we know our way better now, " said Murray, "and we must goagain. Better luck next time. "

"Thank you, Mr Murray. Better luck next time. Now to hear what thecaptain has to say!"

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. 

MR ALLEN'S VISIT. 

The captain had too much to say when the first cutter's crew went onboard and learned that matters had taken place just as had beenanticipated, the lugger having suddenly glided out of what had seemed tothose on board the sloop to be a patch of dense tropical forest, andthen sailed away as if to reach the open sea, paying not the slightestheed to the repeated summonses which she received from the _Seafowl_. 

More stringent commands in the shape of shot would have followed, butfor the fact that the second cutter, which had been despatched up theriver in search of Mr Anderson's expedition, suddenly, to the surpriseof all on board, glided out of the same patch of forest as the luggerhad appeared from some little time before, and upon catching sight ofthe sails of the craft they had followed, had continued the pursuit asrapidly as the crew could force their boat along. 

"The place is a regular maze, Mr Anderson, " said the captain, as hedescribed all that had taken place, "and the scoundrel who commands thelugger--I'll hang him to the yard-arm, Mr Anderson, whether he's aYankee or English born, and the bigwigs of the United States and inParliament at home may settle among themselves whether I've done rightor not, for he has got the wrong man to deal with if he thinks he isgoing to play with me. He played with me, Mr Anderson, and tricked meinto the belief that he had surrendered, so that I should not fire uponhim, and manoeuvred his lugger so as to keep Mr Munday with the secondcutter between us. Bah! I'll never forgive Mr Munday for lettinghimself be so out-manoeuvred. He has been as bad as you have, sir. "

"I'm very sorry, sir, " said the first lieutenant meekly. 

"And so you ought to be, sir! But, as I was telling you, the scoundrelled the second cutter a pretty dance, Munday following him till from thedeck here it seemed that all he had to do was to tell his coxswain toput his boat-hook on board the lugger and bring his prisoners alongsidehere. "

"Well, sir, and he did not?" asked the chief officer. 

"No, sir, he did not!" cried the captain angrily; and then he stoppedshort for a few moments. "Well, " he continued then, "aren't you goingto ask why he didn't take the lugger a prize?"

"I was not going to interrupt you, sir, but I should be glad to hear. "

"Very good, then, Mr Anderson, I will tell you. It was because thescoundrel played a regular pantomime trick upon us--yes, sir, a regularpantomime trick. Look yonder, " continued the captain, pointing towardsthe shore. "What can you see there?"

"The edge of the forest that comes down to the bay nearly all round asfar as I can make out, sir. "

"Exactly. Well, somewhere over yonder the lugger suddenly sailed out, and of course we were astonished, for no glass that we have on boardshows the slightest sign of an opening, while before we had got over oursurprise, all of a sudden the second cutter, which went up the river tofollow you, popped out of the same place as the lugger. Now, sir, howdo you explain? Could you come out of the mouth of the river where youwent in, while the second cutter, which I sent up the river after you, came out at the same spot as the lugger? Explain that, if you please. "

"It is simple enough, sir; the little river forks and forms two mouths. I sailed down one, and Mr Munday after we had met sailed down the otherin pursuit of the enemy, and came out as you saw. It is quite simple, sir. "

"Then I must be too dense to understand it, Mr Anderson, " said thecaptain angrily; "and now look here, sir, " he continued, "you tell methat the river has two mouths?"

"Yes, sir. "

"There's one, then, " said the captain, pointing to where it could beplainly seen. 

"Yes, sir. "

"Then where's the other, sir?"

"Really, sir, " replied the first lieutenant, glancing round and seeingthat the two middies were hearing every word and striving hard to keeptheir faces straight in spite of an intense desire to laugh--"Really, sir, I cannot point out the exact spot, but I suppose that it is wherethe lugger and the second cutter came out. "

"You suppose that, sir, do you--suppose it!" roared the captain, thumping the rail with his open hand. "Well, that's what Mr Mundaysupposes; but where is it, sir--where is it?"

"I must ask Mr Munday, sir, for I suppose he examined that part of thecoast when he came out himself. "

"Suppose--suppose--suppose!" cried the captain. "I'm sick of all thissupposition. Mr Munday knows nothing whatever about it. The luggersailed out, and after a bit the second cutter sailed out and continuedthe pursuit--for I suppose it was a pursuit?"

"Yes, sir, of course. "

"Don't say of course, Mr Anderson. I tell you it was all like apantomime trick. He has thoroughly examined the coast there, and he canfind no second mouth. "

"River's shut it up again, Dick, " whispered Murray. 

"He has regularly muddled it, Mr Anderson, " continued thecaptain--"just as you muddled your part of the expedition; and thefact is that these slaver people have here an intricatewhat-do-you-call-it?--the same as the classical fellow. Here, you boys, it is not long since you left school: What did they call that puzzle?You, Mr Roberts. "

"I forget, sir, " said the midshipman, upon whom the captain had turnedsharply. 

"More shame for you, sir! Now, Mr Murray, I hope you have a bettermemory. "

"Labyrinth, sir, " replied the lad. "Of course--labyrinth! A childcould have answered such a simple question;" and the speaker turned tothe first lieutenant again, while Murray cocked his eye at Roberts andRoberts made a derisive "face" suggestive of scorn and contempt, and asmuch as to say, Then if a child could have answered it, why couldn'tyou?

"Yes, " continued the captain--"a labyrinth, Mr Anderson, and it is veryplain that the slaving scoundrels believe that their place is _so_confusing and strong that they can set his Majesty's sloop of war atdefiance, and continue to carry on their abominable traffic as theyplease. But I think not, Mr Anderson--I think not, sir, for we aregoing to show them that we laugh at all their slippery talk about theisland, or whatever it is, belonging to the American Government, andthat we are a little too sharp to be deceived over their hiding-places. Only narrow ditches like so much network through swamps. Dreadfullyconfusing, of course, till you have been through them once, andafterwards as easy to thread as a big packing-needle. I'm disappointedin Mr Munday, I must say, but here is a splendid opportunity for you, you young gentlemen. You are not going to allow yourself to be baffledby a bit of a maze, Mr Murray?"

"No, sir; I hope not, " said the lad. "And you, Mr Roberts?"

"No, sir, now we have been through forest, or cane brake, as Murraycalls it. "

"Of course you will not let such trifling obstacles stand in your way, "said the captain, beginning to pace up and down now, and rubbing hishands. "We are going to find out here more than we expect, and afterlong disappointments make up for the past. Now, Mr Anderson, it isvery plain that this Mr er--What do you say the American scoundrel iscalled?"

"His principal, Allen, addressed him as Huggins, " replied the firstlieutenant. 

"Huggins! Bah! What a name! It suggests a convict of the worst type. It is a name bad enough, young gentlemen, to condemn any ruffian. Huggins! Why, it literally smells of villainy. But as I was going tosay, this Huggins has placed himself completely in our hands by firingupon his Majesty's forces, and we are now going to give him a thoroughlysevere lesson. "

"I hope so, sir, " said the chief officer. "Hope so, Mr Anderson!"cried the captain, turning. "We are going to, and at once. But lookhere, you tell me that the man's principal owns quite a handsome countryseat up yonder?"

"Yes, sir. "

"And you saw the slaving barracks where they collect the unfortunatewretches which are brought over from the West Coast of Africa?"

"No, sir; we saw nothing of that kind, but the surroundings are thicklywooded as well as highly cultivated, and this must all be done bynumbers of slaves. "

"Exactly, and this--what do you say his name is?--Allen?"

"Yes, sir. "

"--lives the life of a wealthy slave-owner there?"

"Boat just slipped out from among the trees, sir!" cried Murrayexcitedly. 

"How dare you interrupt me in that rude--Eh? Yes, of course! A boat, Mr Murray? What do you make her out to be?--Not coming to the attack?"

"No, sir, " replied the middy, giving his fellow a quick glance full ofmirth. "Row-boat, sir, pulled by a dozen black fellows--six oars aside. Man holding the ropes in white. Looks to me like--"

"The scoundrel Huggins coming out to surrender?"

"No, sir, " said the lad eagerly. "I can't quite make out at thisdistance, but I think it's like the thin delicate-looking Mr Allen whomHuggins was so insolent to. "

"What!" cried the captain. 

"Yes, sir, " said the chief officer, who had had his glass to his eye;"Mr Murray is quite right. This is the head man--proprietor, Isuppose--of the plantation. "

"Come to surrender, " said the captain, rubbing his hands, and thentaking the glass his chief officer offered to him. "A nice scoundrel!"muttered the captain, as he scanned the boat. "Everything in style, eh, and a black slave to hold a white umbrella over his head for fear thesun should burn his cheeks. Well, things are going to alter a good dealfor him. The cowardly dog! This is showing the white feather, and nomistake. Well, Mr Anderson, I did not expect this. "

The captain tucked the telescope under his arm and drawing himself up, marched off, while preparations were made for the coming boat'sreception. The men were at their stations, and a couple of marines tooktheir places at the gangway, while the young officers eagerly scannedthe chief occupant of the boat, the doctor, who had just come on deckafter seeing to the slight injuries of the first cutter's men, joiningthe midshipmen. 

"Thank you, Murray, " he said, handing back the glass the lad had offeredhim. "So this is the diabolical ruffian whose men fired upon hisMajesty's able seamen and officers, is it? Well, he doesn't look veryterrible. I think I could tackle him with a little quinine. "

"Yes, doctor; he looked to me like a thorough invalid, " whisperedMurray. 

"He is an invalid, my lad. Had fever badly. The fellow's come foradvice. "

"What's that?" said the captain sharply, for the doctor had made noscruple about giving his opinions aloud. 

"I say your slaver or pirate captain looks as if he had come to visitthe doctor and not the captain, " replied the gentleman addressed. 

"Come to go into irons, " said the captain. 

"Not he, sir. He doesn't want iron; steel is more in his way. Poorfellow! He looks as if you could blow him away. "

"From the mouth of a gun? Well, he deserves it. "

"But surely this is not the ruffian you folks have been talking about--firing upon the boats, and--Ah, here he is!"

For the well-made cutter now came alongside, the slave crew who rowed itand the coxswain being well-armed, and hooking on quite as a matter ofcourse, the latter showing his white teeth, an example followed by therest of the crew, while the occupant of the stern sheets rose feebly andpainfully, gladly snatching at the hands offered to him, by whose aid heclimbed the side with difficulty and stood tottering on the deck. 

"The captain?" he said to Mr Anderson. "No; I saw you ashore, sir. Thanks, " he added, taking the arm the chief officer extended to him. "Iam greatly obliged, sir, for I am very weak. "

"Yes, " said the doctor, stepping forward. "A deck-chair, there. That'sright, Mr Murray; a little more under the awning. Sit down, sir. MrRoberts, a glass of water, if you please. "

"You are very good, gentlemen, " said the visitor, recovering a little, for he was evidently on the point of fainting. "I am better now. Can Ispeak to the captain?"

"Yes, sir, " said that gentleman, coming forward frowning, and rathertaken aback by the aspect of one he looked upon as a surrenderedprisoner. "Now, sir, what have you to say?"

"Only that I wish to express my grief, captain, that the untowardbusiness of the past twenty-four hours or so should have occurred. "

"Very pretty, sir, " said the captain sternly. "You set me at defiance, fire upon his Majesty's forces, and then presume to come aboard my shiphaving the insolence to suppose that all you have to do is to offer anapology. "

"No, sir, " said the visitor sadly. "This has all been none of my doing. I think your officers will bear me out when I tell you that it was farfrom my wish that any resistance should be made to one of the King ofEngland's ships. "

"Indeed! To one of your king's ships?"

"Yes; I own myself to be one of his Majesty's most unworthy subjects. "

"Indeed!" said the captain sharply. "Why, Mr Anderson, I understoodyou to say that this man claimed to be a subject of the United StatesGovernment. "

"No--no!" interrupted the planter. "I can bear this no longer; the endhas come. All this trouble, sir, has arisen from my weakness inallowing myself to be subjected to the oppression and led away by thevillainy of the man whom I at first engaged to manage my plantation. "

"Look here, my good fellow, " cried the captain sternly, "I do not wantto know anything about your overseer, but I take it that you are aslaver. Answer me that--yes or no. "

"Unwillingly, sir, yes. "

"And you confess to having fired upon his Majesty's forces?"

"No, sir; no. "

"What, sir!" cried the captain. "Do you deny that your servants--yourslaves--have done this thing?"

"Sir, " cried the planter bitterly, "for long enough my chief servant hasmade himself my master. I, the slave, have fought hard against what hasbeen carried out in my name. "

"Indeed?" said the captain sharply. "But _qui facit per alium jacit perse_. Eh, Mr Murray? You can render that for this gentleman if herequires an interpreter. "

"I need no rendering of the old Latin proverb, sir, " said the plantersadly, "and I know that I am answerable. I am a sick man, sick todeath, sir, of the horrible life I have been forced to lead for the pasttwo years, and I come to you ready to render you every assistance I cangive in clearing away this plague spot. "

"Indeed, " said the captain, after exchanging looks with Mr Anderson, "but this plague spot is, I understand, a very prosperous one, and youseem to lead rather a lordly life with your state barge and retinue ofslaves. "

"I beg that you will not mock me, sir, " said the planter. "I am indeedsincere in what I say, and I offer to do everything possible to enableyou and your men to root out this nest of slavery. "

"Exactly, " said the captain; "now that I have found it out and do notwant your help. Yours is rather a late repentance. Upon what terms doyou propose this?"

"On very easy terms for you, sir, " replied the planter; "only that youwill let a broken man die in peace. "

The captain looked at his visitor searchingly, and then turned to thedoctor. 

"What is your opinion of this gentleman's state?" he said. 

"Most serious, " replied the doctor, after a very brief examination ofthe visitor. 

"Humph!" ejaculated the captain. "And I understand, " he continued, "that you are ready to give me every assistance I need to root out thisplague spot, as you term it?"

"Every help I can, " replied the planter. 

"Now that I do not need it, eh?"

"I beg your pardon, sir, " said the planter; "you do need it. You havemade your way to my house and plantations without help. "

"Yes; my officers soon made their way there, " said the captain. 

"And it will be easy to burn and destroy there; but you will not be ableto deal with the slave quarters in different parts of the island, norwith the three well-equipped slaving schooners that voyage to and fromthe West Coast of Africa and carry on their sickening trade with thisdepot and the other stations. "

"H'm!" ejaculated the captain. "Perhaps not; but I have no doubt thatwe shall soon find out all I require. "

The planter shook his head sadly. 

"No, sir; the task will prove more difficult than you anticipate. Yourofficer here has some little experience of one of your opponents. "

"Oh! There is more than one to deal with, then?" said Mr Andersonsharply. 

"There are two, sir, who act as heads of the traffic--my overseerHuggins, and his twin brother. "

"Ah! I see, " said the chief officer, smiling. "I am of opinion, then, that we have met the brother yonder upon the West Coast. "

"Most likely, sir, " said the planter feebly. "If you have, you haveencountered another of the most cunning, scheming scoundrels that everwalked the earth. "

"And these are your friends that I understand you are ready to betray tojustice?" said the captain sternly. 

"My friends, sir?" said the planter bitterly. "Say, my tyrants, sir--the men who have taken advantage of my weakness to make me a loathsomeobject in my own sight. Captain, " cried the trembling man, "I mustspeak as I do to make you fully realise my position. I am by birth anEnglish gentleman. My father was one of those who came out here likemany others to settle upon a plantation. In the past, as you know, ideas were lax upon the question of slavery, and I inherited thoseideas; but I can answer for my father, that his great idea was to lead apatriarchal life surrounded by his slaves, who in their way were welltreated and happy. "

"As slaves?" said Mr Anderson sternly. 

"I will _not_ enter into that, sir, " said the planter sadly, "and Igrant that the custom became a terrible abuse--a curse which has exactedits punishments. I own fully that I have been a weak man who hasallowed himself to be outwitted by a couple of scheming scoundrels, wholed me on and on till they had involved me in debt and hopelessly so. In short, of late years my soul has not seemed to be my own, and bydegrees I awoke to the fact that I was nominally the head of a horribletraffic, and the stalking-horse behind whose cover these twin brotherscarried on their vile schemes, growing rich as merchant princes andestablishing at my cost this--what shall I call it?--emporium of fleshand blood--this home of horror. "

"Do I understand you to say that in this island there is a kind ofcentre of the slave-trade?"

"In this island and those near at hand, sir, " said the planter. "Inaddition there are depots on the mainland which the slavers visit atregular intervals, and from which the plantations are supplied. "

"And you are ready to give information such as will enable me to rootout a great deal of this and to capture the vessels which carry on thevile trade?"

"I can and will do all this, sir, " replied the planter feebly. "Ithought I had explained as much. "

"Yes, yes, " cried the captain impatiently, "but I want to know moreabout the bargain you wish to make. "

"What can I say more, sir?" replied the planter. "Your protection, sothat I may die in peace, trying to make some amends for the past. "

"H'm!" ejaculated the captain thoughtfully. 

The planter smiled. 

"You are thinking, sir, " he said, "that you cannot trust me, and thatyou will be able to root out this accursed trade without my help. "

"Perhaps so, " said the captain drily. 

"Let me tell you, then, that you are setting yourself to cleanse anAugean stable. You are pitting yourself against men who have made theseswampy forests, these nets of intertwining water-ways, a perfect maze ofstrongholds in which your little force of sailors would be involved in adesperate fight with Nature at her worst. Your officers and men herehave had some slight experience of what they will have to deal with, buta mere nothing. I tell you, sir, that you have no idea of thedifficulties that await you. I am speaking the plain truth. You cannotgrasp what strong powers you would have to contend with. Ah, you, doctor, you should know. Tell your captain. You must have someknowledge of what Nature can do here in the way of fever. "

"Humph! Yes, " said the gentleman addressed. "You are a proofpositive. "

"Yes, " said the planter sadly; "I am one of her victims, and an exampleof what a strong man can become whose fate has fixed him in these swampyshades. "

"I'll trust you, sir, " said the captain suddenly. "I must warn you, though, that at the slightest suspicion you arouse of playing anytreacherous trick upon me, your life will be the forfeit. "

"Of course, sir. "

"Then tell me this first; how am I to lay hands upon this overseer ofyours? He is away somewhere in hiding, I suppose, on that lugger?"

"Oh no; that lugger is under the command of one of his men, a mulatto. He has gone off in a canoe, as I expect, to bring round one of hisschooners. "

"What for? Not to attack us here?"

"I expect so; but I can soon tell. "

"Ah, how?" asked the captain eagerly. 

"By sending a couple of men whom I can trust, to find out. "

The captain rubbed his ear and stood looking at the planterthoughtfully, and then turning to the first lieutenant, he took his armand led him right aft, speaking to him hurriedly for a few minutesbefore they returned to where the doctor stood evidently looking upontheir visitor in the light of a new patient. 

"Now, Mr--Mr Allen, " said the captain sharply, "I have been consultingmy chief officer, and he agrees with me that it will be wise to acceptyour offer; so tell me what you propose first. "

"To return to my little house. "

"How can that help us?" exclaimed Mr Anderson sharply. "How are we tocommunicate with you right away in that swampy forest?"

"You misunderstand me, " said the planter. "I mean I shall return to theplace I have by the side of the bay here;" and he pointed across thewater. 

"I do not see where you mean. "

"Not from here. It is up one of the little rivers quite hidden amongstthe trees. "

"Everything seems to be hidden amongst the trees, " said the lieutenant. 

"Exactly, " replied the planter, smiling; "that is what I wish you tounderstand. You must trust me, sir. "

"Well, " said the captain, "I will trust you, but you understand that youare offering to serve me at the peril of your life?"

"It is at the peril of my life I am offering to help you, sir. EzekielHuggins will not scruple about shooting me like a dog as soon as hefinds that I am actively helping you. "

"Then I must place you under my protection. "

"If you please, " said the planter gravely. "Your officer here will giveme the credit of being upon your side from the first. "

"Yes, " said Mr Anderson; "I do that. "

"Then I will go back home at once, " said the planter, "and I shall lookto you as a friend. It would be best if you sent a boat and men to lieup in the little river. When will you land?"

"At once, " said the captain, and he walked slowly to the gangway withhis visitor, saw him into his boat, where, in quite man-o'-war fashion, the black crew sat with oars erect, ready to lower them with a splashand row off for a few dozen yards, and then rest while the first cutterwas lowered again with a well-armed crew, including a couple of marines. 

"You will take command, Mr Murray, " said the captain, "and take note ofeverything, being well on your guard. I trust to your discretion. "

Murray listened, conscious the while that Roberts was looking onscowling blackly. 

"In four hours you will be relieved. "

"That means you're to take my place, " said the middy, telegraphing withhis eyes, greatly to the improvement of his brother middy's aspect. 

"Off with you!" was the next command, and as the sailors lowered theiroars, the black crew waiting received their orders to start, leading offin the direction from which they had come, the cutter following closely, while her young commander kept a sharp lookout for the mouth of thelittle river, which remained invisible, hidden away as it was by thedense foliage which on all hands came right down to the calm, smoothwater of the great crater-like bay. 

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. 

ON DUTY. 

"I didn't expect this, " said Murray to himself, as after sweeping theshore of the bay he once more fixed his eyes upon the well-manned boatin front; and then he started in wonder, for Tom May, who sat close tohim astern, said in a low voice--

"I didn't expect that the captain would send us off again directly, MrMurray, sir. "

"Neither did I, Tom; and, what is more, I did not expect to hear you saythat you were thinking just the same as I did. "

"Was you, sir?"

"Yes. You didn't want to come, I suppose, after going through so much?"

"Not want to come, sir? I just did! But what sort of a game is thisgoing to be?"

"I don't know, Tom, " replied Murray gruffly, "only that we've got towatch this Mr Allen. "

"Don't mean no games, do he, sir?"

"I think not; but I look to you to keep your eyes open. "

"Which I just will, sir. But I say, look at that. "

"Look at what, Tom?"

"That there little creek opening out, sir. Seems to me as if they'vegot little rivers all round the bay ready for going up or coming out on. It's just as if they shut 'em up and no one could see 'em afterwards. "

Some little time later the planter's boat, which was only a shortdistance ahead, turned off at right angles in obedience to a pull at thestarboard line, and seemed to disappear through a beautiful screen oftropic growth, and as the cutter was steered in after her it was to passalong a soft green tunnel, flecked with golden sunlight, into a smoothlake, at one side of which, standing back a short distance from thesilver sandy shore, with its open windows, green shading jalousies, sheltering trees, and scarlet creepers, was as perfect a little Eden ofa home as mortal eye ever looked upon. There was nothing to suggestslavery, sorrow, or suffering in any shape, but everywhere Nature deckedthe place with her richest beauties, and as the middy sprang upinvoluntarily, a low murmur of admiration ran through the crew. Then, as if ashamed of the habit in which he was indulging, Tom May doffed hisstraw hat, placed it upon his knees, thrust his crooked index fingerinto his capacious mouth, and hooked out from his left cheek adisgusting-looking quid of well-chewed tobacco, which dropped into thecrown of the hat and was quickly tossed out, to fall _plop_ into thedeep still water of the lake. The next moment a golden-scaled fish madea rush for what suggested itself to its ignorance as a delicacy, whichit took, delivered a couple of strokes with its tail which sent it tothe surface, flying out and falling back again with a heavy splash, andthen disappeared beneath the glittering rings which began to open outand widen more and more towards the borders of the little mirrorlikelake. 

"And sarve you jolly well right too, " growled the big sailor, as iftalking to himself. "What call had you to meddle with luxuries as ison'y sootable for eddicated people?"

Murray suppressed a smile and looked as serious as he could, givingorders to the men to pull a few strokes with their oars, sufficient tosend the cutter into the place that had been occupied by the planter'sboat, which was now gliding away from the great bamboo piles driven inby the rustic steps and platform upon which their guide had landed, while he now stood resting upon a rail beneath the verandah, whichoffered ample shade for the cutter and her crew. 

Murray gave a few further orders, sprang out and stepped to theplanter's side as the feeble invalid signed to him to come. 

"I heard the commands given to you, sir, " he said, "and you will, Ihope, forgive me if I do not seem hospitable. "

"I know you are ill, sir, " said Murray coldly, "so you need not troubleat all about me and my men. "

"I thank you, " said the planter, "and of course I know enough of theNavy and its discipline not to proffer drink to your men. "

"Certainly not, " said Murray stiffly. 

"Still, " continued the planter, "in this hot climate the shelter will beacceptable. There is a spring of excellent water in the rockery behindthe house, of which I beg you will make every use you desire. I amgoing to lie down in the room to the left. You have only to ring, andmy slaves--well, servants, " said the planter, smiling sadly as he sawthe lad's brow knit--"my servants will attend to your summons directly, and bring fruit--oranges, and what your men will no doubt appreciate, fresh green cocoanuts. They will make you fresh coffee and bringanything else you desire, sir. "

"I am much obliged, " said Murray, rather distantly, "but you mustrecollect that I am on duty. "

"I do not forget that, sir, " replied the planter, smiling; "but you willnot find your duty a very hard one--to guard a poor feeble creature suchas I. There, sir, you and your superiors are masters here, and I am, Iknow, only a prisoner. "

"I shall make your position as little irksome as I can, sir, " saidMurray; and then, feeling a certain amount of pity for the wretched man, he added, "Not a very terrible-looking prison, this. "

"No, " replied the planter, "and when you begin to go amongst theslave-huts, you will, as a stranger, begin to wonder at their aspect, for the simplest shelter made with a few bamboos is soon turned byNature into a home of beauty. "

"But all the same it is a slave's prison, " replied Murray. 

"We had better not discuss that question, young gentleman, " said theplanter bitterly, "for I am sure that I could not convince you that Ihave tried for years past to render the slaves' lot more bearable. "

"Nothing could make it more bearable, " said Murray sternly. 

"Certainly not, " said the other sadly, "as matters are here. "

He raised his broad-brimmed Panama hat and turned to leave the bambooplatform, but, misjudging his strength, he reeled and would have fallenheadlong into the placid water if it had not been for Murray's promptaction. For, starting forward, he flung his arm round the sick man'swaist, and supported him to the doorway that had been pointed outbeneath the broad verandah. 

"Thank you! Thank you!" panted the sick man; and with a painful smilehe continued, "Ah, it is a great thing to be young and strong, with theworld before you and nothing to repent. --If you please, through thatdoor to the left. "

They were standing now in a simply but handsomely furnished hall, whoseprincipal decorations caught the lad's eyes at once, being, as theywere, sporting and defensive weapons of all kinds, and of the bestmanufacture, hung about the walls; but for the moment Murray had noopportunity for inspecting these objects of interest, his attentionbeing taken up by the planter, who availed himself of his guardian'shelp to pass through the door upon their left, where he sank upon acouch at one side of the room and closed his eyes. 

"Would you like to see our doctor, sir?" asked Murray. 

"No, no; thank you, no; it is only weakness, " was the reply. "I haveoften been like this, and it will soon pass off. I shall go off tosleep before many minutes have passed, and wake up rested andrefreshed. "

"Then you would like me to leave you for a while?" asked Murray. 

"I should be most grateful, sir, " was the reply, "and I shall sleep inpeace now, feeling safe in the knowledge that I have the protection of aguard. "

The planter had opened his eyes to speak, and now closed them tightly, leaving his guardian to glance round the room, which had but the onedoor, that by which they had entered; while the window was open savethat one widely arranged green jalousie shut out some of the sunshineand subdued the light that floated in. 

Murray stepped out, after noticing that an oblong, shallow, brass-boundbox lay upon a side-table--a box whose configuration had but one meaningfor the lad, and that was of a warlike or self-protective character, anidea which was strengthened by the fact that an ordinary military swordwas hung above the mantelpiece. 

"Sword and pistols, " thought the lad. "What does he want with so manyweapons? I should have considered that there were enough in the hallwithout these. "

He noticed that there was a hand-bell upon the side-table, a fact whichsuggested that a servant was within reach, and as the lad stood in thehall once more he looked about him, and then, feeling that he hadentered upon a special charge, he crossed to the next door, that facingthe one he had just left, and upon thrusting it open found himself inwhat was evidently used as a dining-room, being about double the size ofthe other, and having two windows whose lath-like shutters half darkenedthe room. 

"I don't want to play spy all over the house, " said Murray to himself, "but I am in charge of this planter fellow, and I ought to know who isabout the place. But I don't know, " he muttered; "it isn't the duty ofa naval officer. "

Frowning slightly, he stepped out on to the bamboo platform again andsigned to the big sailor to follow him back to the door. 

"Here, Tom, " he said, and glancing down at the man's bare feet, headded, in a low tone, "You have no shoes on, so just go quietly throughthe bottom of the building and see what rooms there are and what blackservants are about. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" said the man softly. 

"Go quietly, " added Murray; "the owner is ill and has dropped asleep. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" replied the sailor, and in regular able-seaman swing uponthe points of his toes he stepped out of the hall-like central room ofthe place, taking in the little armoury the while, and left his officeralone, the door closing behind him as silently as he stepped. 

"How still it all is, " thought the middy, and he went cautiously back tothe little room which he looked upon as the planter's study, pressed thedoor slightly open, and peered in, to see that the occupant had notstirred, while his deep breathing now sounded plainly, till Murray letthe door fall to and went back towards that through which Tom May hadpassed upon his mission. 

As the middy approached, it was drawn open again. 

"Hallo, Tom!" said the lad. "Back already?"

"Ay, ay, sir! There's on'y two cabins to look at there, and one's acook's galley, and t'other's stooard's pantry. "

"Did you see the black servants?"

"No, sir, and there ain't no white uns neither. "

"Sort of summer-house, " thought Murray; and then in connection with hisduty he told the sailor to go up-stairs and examine the bedrooms. 

"Which way does the cabin ladder lie, sir?" asked the man. 

"I don't know, Tom, " was the reply. "Try that door. "

He pointed to one that was on the far side of the hall and had struckhim at first as a movable panel to close up a fire-place; but upon thelight cane frame being drawn out it revealed a perpendicular flight ofsteps, up which the sailor drew himself lightly and lowered himself downagain. 

"Well?"

"Arn't no rooms there, sir, " whispered the man, with rather an uneasylook in his eyes. 

"What do you mean?"

"It's just the ship's hold, sir, turned upside down like. Sort o' cockloft of bamboo spars jyned together at the top--rafters, don't they call'em, sir?"

"Yes, of course. "

"That's right, then, sir, and they're all thatched and caulked with palmleaves. "

"Not a bedroom at all, then, Tom. "

"No, sir, but it's a sort o' sleeping accommodation all the same, 'causethere's a couple o' netting sort o' hammocks slung all ready; but Ishouldn't like to have my quarters there, " continued the man uneasily. 

"Why not? It must be cool and pleasant. "

"Cool, sir, but not kinder pleasant. "

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you see, sir, it's so plaguey dark. "

"What of that? So's the sloop's hold. "

"Yes, sir, but this here's so unked dark. "

"Well, you don't mind the dark?"

"No, sir, I dunno as I do so long as I've got my messmates nigh athand. "

"Look here, Tom, I don't understand you, " said Murray. "You're keepingsomething back. Why are you hesitating? You don't mind the dark. "

"No, sir; it's the rustling sounds as I don't like. "

"Pooh! Rats, " said Murray. 

"Nay, nay, sir. I knows what a rat can do in a ship's hold as well asany one who has been to sea. What I heered arn't no rats. "

"Birds, then. "

"Tchah, sir! That arn't no birds. "

"What is it, May, since you seem to know?"

"Some'at oncanny, sir. "

"_Uncanny_? What can it be uncanny?"

"I dunno, sir. Some'at as arn't real. "

"What do you mean?"

"I dunno, sir, and I 'spects--"

"Suspect what? Why, Tom, you don't mean to tell me that a great strongsailor like you fancies that the place is haunted?"

"Oh no, sir, I don't go so far as to say that, " said the man. 

"Then what do you mean?"

"That's what I can't exackly tell you, sir. All I knows is that as soonas I got my head and shoulders well up among them bamboos there was aroosh as if half-a-dozen people was a-comin' at me, and then some onewhispered something to the others, and they whispered back. It was jestfor all the world, sir, as if some one said `Hist! It ain't him, ' andt'others whispered back and that settled 'em into going on talkingtogether oneasy like; and then I come down. "

"Without making out what it was, Tom, " said Murray, laughing softly. 

"Nay, sir; I seemed to know right enough; and it arn't nothing to laughat. "

"What is it, then, Tom?"

"Why, sir, I don't go for to say as it is, but it sounded to me likeoneasy slaves as had met their ends aboard some o' they slaving craft, and couldn't rest. "

"Tom May!" said the middy; and he would have burst out laughing, but forthe thought that he might awaken the sick man in the room where he hadlain down to rest. "Come out here. "

"It's of no use to say anything to the lads outside, " grumbled the bigsailor, "for they think just the same as I do, sir. "

"Why, you haven't spoken to them, " said Murray. 

"Not to-day, sir, but we often have talked about it, sir, and what mighthappen to them fellows as man the slaving schooners. Something mustcome to 'em some time or another after what they've done to the niggers. Stands to reason, sir, as they can't go on always as they do. "

"I'm not going to argue about that at a time like this, but I do wonderat a big sensible fellow like you are, Tom--a sailor I always feel proudof--beginning to talk about ghosts and rooms being haunted, just likesome silly superstitious old woman. "

Tom May drew himself up proudly and smiled at the first portion of hisyoung officer's speech, but frowned at the latter and shook his head. 

"Ah, it's all very well, sir, for a young gentleman like you to talkthat how, and you and Mr Roberts, sir, has been at me before andlaughed at me and my messmates; but, you see, we're a deal older thanyou are, and been at sea two or three times as long. We've seen badstorms, and all sorts o' wonders such as young people don't comeacross. "

"No doubt, Tom, " said Murray quietly; "but come along outside. I wantto station my posts. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" said the man, with a sigh of relief; but before hefollowed his officer he stepped on tiptoe to the opening leading up tothe loft, and made an offer, so to speak, shrank back, then advancedagain, and ended by sharply and shrinkingly closing the screen-like doorand backing away with a sigh of relief. 

"Feel better, Tom?" said the middy, with mock seriousness, as they stoodout in the full light of day again. 

"Ah, you're a-laughing at me, sir, " said the big sailor, shaking hishead. "I know, sir, though you're a-pretending to look as serious as ajudge. "

"Enough to make me look serious, Tom. But are you sure that any of therestless ones didn't slip down after you before you shut the door?"

"Eh? What, sir?" whispered the man hurriedly. 

"You don't think as--" He looked behind and round about him, beforecontinuing. "Why, of course I am, sir. You're a-making fun of afellow, sir. But if you'd been up yonder and heered 'em--"

"I should have poked about with the barrel of my musket and found thatthe rustling was made by birds or rats. "

"Nay, sir, " said the man confidently, "'twarn't neither o' they things. If it had been they'd ha' skilly wiggled away at once. And besides, sir, they wouldn't ha' made a man feel so 'orrid squirmy like. I feltall of a shudder; that's what made me know that they were something asdidn't ought to be. "

"Snakes, perhaps, Tom. "

The man started, stared, snatched off his straw hat, and gave his head avicious rub, before having another good look back at the thatch-roofedsummer-house of a place. 

"Say, Mr Murray, sir, " he said at last, "did you say snakes?"

"Yes, Tom; perhaps poisonous ones. "

The man gave his head another rub, and then ejaculated in a strangelong-drawn way the one word--

"Well!"

"I've read that in places like this they creep in under the flooring, and then make their way up the holes and into the thatch after the birdsor rats upon which they live. "

"Do they now, sir?" said the man excitedly. 

"Yes, and some of them are horribly poisonous; so you must take care howyou deal with them. "

"Poisonous, sir?" continued Tom. "Them sort as if they bite a man it'sall over with him and the doctor arn't able to save his life?"

"Yes, Tom, " continued Murray; "in one of these islands particularly thepeople call the serpent the _fer de lance_, a bite from which is veryoften fatal. "

"Kills a man, sir?"

"I believe so. "

"Then I arn't surprised at them calling it so, sir. Nothing could betoo bad for it. That's it, sir, and now I arn't a bit surprised at myfeeling as I did, sir. I wondered what made me come so all-overish likeand fancy there was something about as oughtn't to be. I arn't a chapas gets skeared about a bit o' danger, sir; now, am I, sir?"

"No, Tom; I believe you to be a brave fellow that your officers canalways trust. "

"Thankye, sir; that's what I want to be--chap as can stand a bit o'fire, sir, eh?" said the man, with a broad grin. 

"Yes, Tom, and that's what made me feel vexed at your being sosuperstitious. "

"Sooperstitious, sir?" said the man, giving his head another rub. "That's what you call it, is it, sir? Well, but arn't it enough to makea fellow feel a bit creepy, sir, to have them dry-land eels squirmingabout overhead ready to give him a nip as means Dr Reston shaking hishead all over you and calling your messmates to sew you up in yourhammock with a twenty-four pound shot at your feet, and the skipperreading the sarvice over you before the hatch upon which you lays istilted up, and then _splash_, down you goes out o' sight at gunfire. Idon't see, sir, as a fellow has much to be ashamed of in being a bitshivery. "

"Nor I, Tom, if he shivered from an instinctive fear of a poisonousserpent. But you were not afraid of that, eh?"

Tom May screwed up his face again with a comical grin, shook his head, and then, after a glance here and there at his messmates who were to bestationed as sentries--

"Well, not azackly, sir, " he said. "I was reg'larly skeared atsomething, and I did not know what; but I see now, sir. It was mynatur' to--what you called 'stinctive. "

"Well, we'll leave it there, Tom, " said Murray smiling, "but I'm notquite satisfied. I'll go and have a look by and by. "

"Ah! But Mr Murray, sir, you won't go and think I was a bit--"

"Never mind what I thought, Tom; and now come on. I want to see aboutthe positions the men are to be in. To begin with, I should like thetwo men in the cutter to lie off a bit further. "

The order was given, and a fresh position was taken up before the middywalked carefully all round the planter's rest-house and carefullystationed his men on duty, adding a few words about keeping a sharplookout for the approach of danger, and at a whisper from the bigsailor, including snakes. 

This done, the lad began to amuse himself by examining the attempts thathad been made to render the place beautiful, and it was while thusengaged, and noting that the forest all round the clearing andcultivation was apparently impenetrable, giving the idea that thecottage could only be approached by water, that Tom followed up three orfour rather peculiar sniffs by one that was most suggestive of a desireto call his officer's attention to something he wished to say. 

Murray, who was pretty well acquainted with the sailor's peculiarities, turned upon him at last sharply--

"Well, Tom, " he said, "what is it?"

"Oh, nothing, sir, on'y I didn't want to seem imperent. "

"I'm glad to hear it, my lad; but what did you want to say?"

"I was on'y thinking, sir. "

"What about?"

"Why, sir, it seemed to me as if we was taking so much trouble to keepwatch over this here sick gentleman. "

"Well, go on; don't hesitate so. "

"Beg pardon, sir; I hesitate like 'cause I don't want to seem imperent. "

"Then I'll forgive you if it is, Tom. Now then, what were you going tosay?"

"Only this, sir; wouldn't it have been handier like to ha' kep' himaboard the _Seafowl_ where the watches are going on reg'lar, and thedoctor could ha' looked in upon him now and then?"

"Perhaps it would, Tom, " replied Murray, "but Captain Kingsberry and thefirst lieutenant may have had special reasons for what they are doing. "

"Of course, sir; azackly, sir; but somehow this here does seem a bitquiet like after what we was doing before. "

"Less exciting, Tom?"

"Yes, sir. Don't think it likely, do you, sir, that the Yankee chap whohas been giving the gent inside so much trouble and nearly wherritinghis life out over the slaver, may drop in to see him, do you, sir?"

"No, Tom, I don't, " said the middy shortly. "Neither do you. "

Tom May shook his head and looked very hard at his officer. 

"Beg pardon, sir, but you arn't quite right like, because that's justwhat I was thinking, and that you might like for us all to be quiteready for him if he did come. "

"What more could I do, Tom?" said the lad anxiously, for the man's wordsmade him think that he had been neglecting some precaution. "A goodlookout is being kept, isn't it?"

"Seaward, sir, " replied the man, "but I was thinking as the lads roundthe back arn't in sight of one another. "

"Oh!" cried Murray. "And you think that the enemy might come stealingdown one of the paths through the forest?"

"Didn't see no paths, sir, " said the man, looking at him wonderingly. 

"Neither did I, Tom. "

"O' course not, sir, " said the man, giving himself a punch in the ribswith his doubled fist. "Here, I don't know what I could be thinkingof. "

"Nor do I, Tom. Mine's rather a curious duty, namely, to take care thatthis gentleman does not leave this place, and to treat him as it seemsto me so that while he is a prisoner he shall not in his state of healthfancy that he is one. "

"Skipper wants to keep friends with him so as he'll show us where allthe niggers are, sir, and give us a chance to make a good haul of prizemoney?"

"Perhaps so, Tom. "

"Well, sir, captain knows best, and the first luff knows what's secondbest. I dunno about Mr Munday, sir, but I wish some un else had mywatch, that I do, sir. Our job burning out the black chief's place overyonder was a bit too hot a job, but I'd rather have orders to do thesame sort o' thing again than be doing this here. It's too sleepy forme. Can't you set me 'sploring, sir, or something of that kind? ForI'm no good at all onless I'm on active sarvice. "

"You'll have plenty to do by and by, Tom, depend upon it. "

"Hope so, sir, but I want something to do now. Couldn't do a bit o'fishing, could I, sir?"

"No, Tom; we have no hooks and lines. "

"That's a pity, sir. Seems to me that one might catch a good dish forthe gunroom mess, and a few over for the men, judging from the way theybit out in the lagoon there, sir. "

"We're on duty, Tom. "

"O' course, sir. What do you say to me and a couple of the lads cuttingbamboos and routing out the snakes I heered yonder in the roof. Toodangerous, perhaps, sir?"

"Much, Tom, and I don't think it would accord with our duty here. "

"No, sir; o' course not, but you'll excuse me, sir?"

Murray nodded, and then, feeling hot and drowsy with the heat andsilence, he suddenly recalled what the planter had said about summoningthe servants if he wanted anything. 

"Fruit!" he said to himself. "Well, I'll begin with a good drink ofwater. --I'm going to have a look round, Tom, " he said quietly. 

"Thankye, sir; I'm glad of it, " said the man eagerly; and he followedhis officer promptly as he walked round the cottage, and said a fewwords to his sentries, who seemed to gladly welcome the coming of someone to relieve the silence and monotony of their task. 

As he passed round the extreme pale of the garden-like clearing, Murraynoted more than ever how the grounds were enclosed by a natural hedge ofthe densest kind, so that it was like a wall of verdure which wasadmirably tended and for the most part of the tropical kind, being keptclipped and intertwined to such an extent that it would have beenimpossible for wild creatures if they haunted the island to passthrough. 

Returning to the front, and after glancing at his boat, Murray signed tothe big sailor to follow him, and entered through the verandah and theporch into the armoury-like hall, where he stood listening for a fewmoments before making a gesture to silence his man, who was about tospeak. For Tom stood with wrinkled brow gazing hard at the screen whichcovered the way up to where the hammocks hung, as if rather uneasy inhis mind about what that screen covered. 

"I'll be back directly, Tom, " said Murray, and then he went on tiptoeinto the room he had mentally dubbed the study, and found thatapparently the planter had not stirred, but was plunged in the deepsleep of exhaustion. 

"I will not wake him, " thought the lad, and after gazing down at theworn and wasted countenance before him, his eyes again wandered over thewalls and their decorations. He again noted the case upon the table, and then stepped back to where his man stood musket in hand watching thescreen. 

"Well, Tom, " said the lad; "heard anything of the snakes?"

"No, sir, and I've been listening for 'em for all I'm worth. I don'tthink they'll stir onless they hear the way up shook. Seems a rum placeto get up and sleep. I should expect to find the snakes had took thehammocks first. "

"Well, we're not going to disturb them, my lad; but come into that otherroom; I want a glass of water, and I suppose you could manage a drinktoo. "

"Thankye, sir; I just could--a big one. I should ha' ventured to ask ifI might get one, only I'm pretty sure that lake water's as salt asbrine. "

"There must be a spring somewhere, " said the lad, and making his wayinto the room that was used for meals, he advanced to the table at oneside, where there was another hand-bell. "I don't want to awaken ourprisoner, Tom, " he said. "Here, take up the bell and go through to theback where the pantry place is, and ring gently. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" And the man softly raised the bell, thrusting in hishand so as to secure the tongue, and then the pair stepped back into thehall and through the door at the back, Murray closing it after them, before he signed to his follower to ring. 

The man obeyed, at first gently, but as there was no reply he rang moreloudly, and followed up his summons by thrusting the bell through awindow at the back and sounding it vigorously. 

"Can't be no one at home, sir, " said the big sailor, turning to gaze athis officer. 

"So it seems, " said Murray, as he stood in the intense silencelistening; "but that Mr Allen said that his servants would come andattend to any of my wants. "

"Them chaps as rowed was all his servants or slaves, I suppose, sir?"said the man. 

"Yes; but it is the hottest time, and these people out here always sleepin the middle of the day. Go out and follow up the side of that streamwhere they poled up the boat. "

Tom May looked at him in a peculiar way. 

"Well, what are you waiting for?" said Murray. 

"I warn't with you when the blacks pulled the boat away. "

Murray started, and stared at his man in turn. 

"Neither was I there, " he said, with a strange feeling of being puzzledassailing him. 

"You said poled up the stream, not pulled, sir, " said the man. "Ididn't think when I spoke. "

"How absurd!" said Murray. "Here, let's go out this way round to thefront and hail the cutter. The boat-keepers will know. "

"It's all right, sir, " said May, for there was a rustling sound at theback and light steps, and the man exclaimed, "Here's one of them. "

"Why, it's one of our lads, " said Murray excitedly. 

"There's a bell ringing somewhere, sir, " said the sailor, who now cameout of the deep shadow at the back of the cottage. "Was it you, messmate?"

"Yes, my lad, " said Tom, speaking to his brother sailor, but staringhard at his officer the while. "This here's the bell, lad, and it wasme. "

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE. 

BOILING OVER. 

"Have you seen any of the black servants about?" asked Murray. 

He was going to say slaves, but the word sounded so repugnant that hechanged it. 

"Them black chaps, sir?" replied the man. "You mean them as rowed theboat?"

"Yes, or any other ones about the place. "

"No, sir, only them as rowed, sir, and I was wondering where they gotto. They seemed to go out, boat and all, like a match. I see 'em oneminute, and the next they'd gone in amongst the trees; but where it wasI couldn't make out, and when I asked one of my messmates he didn't seemto know neither. "

"Go back to your post, my lad, " said Murray. "Keep a sharp lookout, andreport everything you see. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" said the man, saluting and going back amongst the trees, watched by Murray and May till he disappeared, when their eyes met in aquestioning look. 

The sailor was the first to speak. 

"Yes, sir!" he said. "Was you saying anything?"

"No, Tom; I thought you were going to speak. "

"No, sir. I was only thinking it seemed precious queer. "

"Yes, it does--queer is the word, Tom. I can't quite make it out. "

"That's what's the matter with me, sir. Seems so lonesome like. Makesme feel as if somebody was dead here, and I was precious glad when youspoke. Something arn't right somehow. "

"The place is lonely because the people have taken fright at our comingand gone off into the forest, I suppose. It is a lonely place, as wefound out for ourselves when we had lost our way. "

"Oh, that's it, is it, sir? Well, I'm glad to know it, but somehow thatdon't seem quite enough for me. I still keep feeling as something'swrong, and as I said sir, --don't laugh at me, sir, 'cause I can't helpit. I arn't got a head like you as eggsplains everything for you. Iget a bit silly and puzzled like sometimes, and just now it seems to melike a man might feel if some one was dead here. "

As the sailor spoke he pushed his straw hat back from his forehead andwiped the big drops of perspiration away. 

"Tom, " said Murray sharply, "you're about the most superstitious fellowI ever ran against. You're frightened of shadows. "

"Yes, sir, you're right, " whispered the man eagerly, and he glancedsharply about him. "Shadders--that's it, sir; that's just what I am:things as I can't understand and feel like. I allers was, sir, and fellfoul o' myself for it; but then, as I says to myself, I ain't 'fraid o'nothing else. I'm pretty tidy and comf'table in the wussest o' storms, and I never care much if one's under fire, or them black beggars ischucking their spears at you, because you've got some'at to shoot atagain. "

"No, Tom; you're stout enough then. "

"Thankye, sir; I am, arn't I? But at a time like this, when you've gotpyson sarpents crawling about over your head, and what's worse, the sorto' feeling comes over you that you're in a place where as we know, sir, no end of them poor niggers as was torn away from their homes has cometo a bad end, I'm that sooperstitious, as you call it, that I don't knowwhich end of me's up'ards and which down. I don't like it, Mr Murray, sir, and you may laugh at me, sir, but I'm sure as sure that there'ssomething wrong--some one dead, I believe, and pretty close to us too. "

"Not that Mr Allen, Tom?" said Murray, starting, and in spite of hisfair share of common sense, lowering his voice, as for the moment heseemed to share the sailor's fancies. 

"Him, sir?" whispered the man. "Like as not, sir. He looked bad enoughto be on his way for the locker. "

"Yes, " agreed Murray; "he looked bad enough. But pooh! Nonsense!"

"Pooh! Nonsense it is, sir. But mightn't it be as well to go in andsee how he is, sir, and ask him 'bout where the black servants is?"

"Wake the poor fellow up from a comfortable sleep just because you havetaken a silly notion into your head, Tom? Why, you are going to make meas fanciful as you are yourself!"

"Yes, sir, I wish you was, " said the man. "I should feel a deal betterthen. "

"But I don't know, Tom, " said Murray suddenly. "I don't want to disturbhim; still, as he told me to do just as I pleased here, and when Iwanted anything to ring for the servants--"

"Yes, sir, and they don't obey orders, sir, as they should; it's likedoing him a good turn, sir, to let him know that his crew's a bitmutinous, being on'y slaves, you know, and like us, sir, agen him. "

"Come with me, Tom, " said the lad, yielding to a sudden resolve. "Iwill just wake him and ask a question or two. "

"Come with you, sir!" said the man to himself. "I just think I will!You don't ketch me letting you leave me all alone by myself in this hereunked old place;" and after a sharp glance in the direction of the wayup, he followed his young officer on tiptoe into the room where they hadleft the planter asleep; and then both started back in astonishment, tostare one at the other. For the couch was vacant, and for a few minutesthe surprise sealed the middy's lips. 

"Why, Tom, " he said at last, "we left that Mr Allen there asleep!"

"He'd got his eyes shut, sir, " said the sailor dubiously. 

"And now he has gone, Tom. "

"Well, he arn't here 't all events, sir. "

"But where can he be?" cried Murray. "I did not see him come out. "

"No, sir, I didn't neither, " said the man, shaking his head verysolemnly. 

"I--I can't understand it, Tom. Can he have--"

"Gone up-stairs to get a nap there, sir, 'cause the hammocks is morecomf'table?" suggested the man. 

"Impossible. "

"I dunno, sir. He's used to snakes, o' course, and they knows him. "

"But we must have seen him go, Tom. We have been about all the time. "

"Must ha' been when we was out at the back, sir, ringing the bell. That's it, sir; you woke him up, and he turned grumpy like and wentsomewheres else so as not to be disturbed. "

"That must be it, Tom, and you have hit the mark. There, slip up thestairs quietly and see if he is in one of the hammocks. "

The sailor's face crinkled up till it resembled the shell of a walnut;then he twisted his shoulders first to the left, then to the right, andfollowed up that movement by hitching up his trousers, staring hard athis young officer the while. 

"Well, Tom, look sharp!" cried the latter. 

"Ay, ay, sir!" replied the sailor. 

"Why don't you go?" cried Murray severely. "What are you thinking of?"

"Snakes, sir, " said the man laconically. 

"Bah!"

"And I was a-thinking, sir, that p'raps you'd do it easier than me. "

"Why, Tom, " cried Murray angrily, "that is disobeying your officer'sorders. "

"Disobeying, sir?" said the man sharply. "Nay, sir; not me. Only yousee, sir, you was a-telling me about the way in which them snakespricked a man with their tails. "

"Tails! Nonsense, man! Teeth. "

"I didn't 'member for sartin, sir, which end it was; but you said theydid it so sharp, sir, that it killed a man out-and-out before the doctorcould 'stract the sting. "

"Yes, I did tell you something of the kind, Tom. "

"Nay, sir, not something of the kind, " cried the sailor reproachfully;"that's what it was azackly. And then you see, sir, I don't want tobrag, but you telled me yourself another time that I was a werry usefulman. "

"That must have been a mistake, Tom, for you are not proving it now, "said Murray, speaking sternly but feeling amused by the man's evasionsall the while. "Why, Tom, I thought you were not afraid of anythingthat was solid. "

"No, sir, but you can't call them squirmy tie-theirselves-up-in-a-knotthings solid; now, can you?"

"Tom May, you're a sham, sir, " said Murray sternly. "There, I amdeceived in you. I'll go myself;" and he made for the screen quickly. 

But the man was quicker, and sprang before him. 

"Nay, you don't, sir! I am mortal skeared of snakes and sarpints, but Iarn't going to let my officer think me a coward and call me a sham. Case I do get it badly, sir, would you mind 'membering to tell DrReston, sir, as they say whiskey's the best cure for bites? And asthere's no whiskey as I knows on aboard, p'raps he wouldn't mind tryingrum. "

"I'm sure the doctor wouldn't like me meddling with his prescribing, Tom, " said Murray shortly. "Now then, up with you!"

"Ay, ay, sir!" cried the man, in tones which sounded like gasps; andMurray stood by, dirk in hand, ready to make a chop at any reptile whichmight appear, while Tom drew himself up into the shadowy loft, and aftera good look round lowered himself down again with a sigh of relief. 

"No Mr Allen's up there, sir, " he said. 

"Then where can he be?" cried the middy excitedly, and he ran backacross the hall and into the study, to pass his hand over the couch, which still felt slightly warm. 

"P'raps he's gone into the gunroom, sir, " said Tom respectfully. 

"What, the hall where the guns and things are?"

"Nay, nay, sir; I meant the eating quarters--the dinin'-room, as youcall it. "

Murray ran back across the hall to see at a glance that no one wasbeyond, and he turned upon his follower again. 

"Tom, " he exclaimed angrily, "what do you make of this?"

The man shook his head. 

"But he can't have come out of the study while we were looking out atthe back. "

"That's so, sir, " said the man, shaking his head the while. "It's quiteonpossible, sir, but he did. "

"Tut, tut, tut!" ejaculated Murray quickly. "We must visit all theposts and see if any one saw him pass. "

"They couldn't, sir, 'cause if they had they'd have challenged andstopped him. "

"Of course they would, " cried the lad excitedly. "Here, let's haveanother look round the study. He must be there. "

"That's just what I'm a-thinking, sir, " cried the man solemnly. 

"Then where is he? Don't stand staring at me like a figure-head!Haven't you anything to say?"

"No, sir; only you 'member how all-overish I come, sir. "

"Yes, when you declared it was as if there was a dead man in the place. "

"Yes, sir; I knowed there was something wrong. "

"Well, then, stupid, " cried the lad, in a passion, "there's no live manhere. "

"No, sir, " said Tom, shaking his head. 

"Well, then, " cried Murray, passionately, striking his open palm withthe blue and gold inlaid blade of his dirk, "where's your dead man?"

"Can't say, sir, " replied the man, speaking very slowly. "Seems to meit's a mystery. "

"A mystery?" cried the middy, looking round at the pictures and otherdecorations of the place and addressing them as if they were sentient, listening creatures. "Here's a big six-foot strongly-built Britishsailor talking to his officer like an old charwoman about mysteries!You, Tom May, if ever you dare to talk such nonsense to me again, I'llpunch your silly head. "

"Beg pardon, your honour, " said the man coolly, "but don't the articleso' war say something 'bout officers not being allowed to strike theirmen?"

"Bother the articles of war!" roared Murray, leaping at the man, seizinghim by the shoulders, and shaking him to and fro with all his might. "Bother the articles of war!" he repeated, breathless from hisexertions. "They don't say anything about knocking an idiot's headoff!"

"No, sir, " said the man humbly and respectfully; "not as I knows on. "

"Then I feel disposed to do it, " cried the middy passionately. Thenstooping to pick up the dirk, which had slipped from his hand, to fallwith a loud jingle upon the polished floor, "No, I don't, " cried thelad, in a vexed, appealing way. "I couldn't help it, Tom! Look here, old lad; you've always been a good stout fellow, ready to stand by me introuble. "

"Ay, ay, sir, I have, " said the man quietly, "and will again. "

"Then help me now, Tom. Can't you see what a mess I'm in? Here has thecaptain entrusted me with the care of this prisoner--for prisoner he is, and you can't make anything else of him. "

"Ay, ay, sir; prisoner he is, and you can't make nowt else of him. "

"That's right, Tom, " cried the lad, growing quite despairing in histones. "Sooner or later Mr Anderson or Mr Munday will be coming torelieve me of my charge, and the first question whoever it is will askme will be, Where's your prisoner?"

"Ay, ay, sir! That's right enough. "

"There, there! Look at it in a straightforward business-like way, "cried the lad, and to his disgust the man slowly turned his eyes allabout the place. 

"Bah!" cried Murray angrily. "What are you thinking of? Can't youunderstand that I want you to help me?"

"Ay, ay, sir, and I'm a-trying as hard as nails, sir, " said the man, rousing himself up to speak more sharply; "but somehow my head don'tseem as if it would go. "

"Think, man--think!" cried the middy appealingly. 

"That's what I'm a-doing of, sir, but nothing comes. "

"He must be somewhere, Tom. "

"Yes, to be sure, sir; that's it, " cried the man excitedly. "You've hitit now. I couldn't have thought that myself. "

"Oh-h-h-h!" groaned Murray. "Was ever poor wretch so tormented! Whatshall I do?"

"Lookye here, sir, I want to help you. "

"Oh, I feel as if I could knock your silly old head off!" cried themiddy, with a stamp upon the floor. 

"Well, sir, do. You just do it if you think it will help you. I won'tmind. "

"Oh, Tom, Tom!" groaned Murray. "This is the worst day's work I everdid. "

"Think it's any good to sarch the place again, sir?"

"But there's nothing to search, Tom. "

"Well, there arn't much, sir, sartainly, but it'll be more satisfactoryto go over it once more. "

"Come along, then, " said the middy. "Anything's better than standingstill here. "

"Ay, sir, so it is, " said the big sailor; and together the pair wentfrom room to room, Tom May insisting upon looking under the couch in thestudy, under the table, and then lifting up the square of Turkey carpetthat half covered the well-made parqueterie floor, which glistened withthe polishing given to it by busy slave labour. 

But there was no sign of him whom they sought, and a careful examinationof the garden and plantation was only followed by the discovery whichthey had made before, that the place was thoroughly closed in by a densenatural growth of hedge, ablaze with flowers in spite of the fact thatit had been closely clipped and had grown dense in an impassable way. 

"Let's get the boat here, " said Murray, at last; and going to theplatform, Tom May hailed the cutter where it swung from its grapnel. 

"Now then, you two, " cried the middy angrily, "you have been asleep!"

"Nay, sir, " cried the men, in a breath. 

"What, you deny it?"

"Yes, sir, " said one. "It was so hot that I did get precious drowsyonce. "

"There, I knew I was right!"

"Beg pardon, sir; just as I was going off my mate here shoves a pin intome and rouses me up with a yell. I was never asleep. "

"And you are ready to say the same?" cried the middy. 

"Jes' the same sir, " said the other man, "only not quite. It was thesame pin, sir, but he jobbed it into me further. We was both awake allthe time, sir. "

"Then you must have seen that Mr Allen come out of the cottage and berowed away. "

"What, to-day, sir?" said the first boat-keeper. 

"Do you think I meant to-morrow, sir?" cried Murray, who was boilingover with rage and despair. 

"No, sir, of course not, " replied the man, in an injured tone; "but youmight ha' meant yesterday, sir. "

"Of course, " cried Murray--"when you were not on duty here?"

"We done our best, sir, both on us. "

"Yes, yes, of course, my lads. Here, paddle May and me along the edgeof the lagoon. "

The man paddled the boat slowly along, and it was not until severalblind lead places, where the boat could be thrust in amongst thebamboos, had been explored, that a more satisfactory portion of thesurrounding watery maze was found, in the shape of a narrow way openinginto another lagoon which looked wonderfully attractive and proved to bemore interesting from the fact that no less than six ways out werediscovered. 

"Try that one, " said Murray, and the boat's nose was thrust in, when TomMay held up his hand. 

"Well, what have you to say against it?" cried the middy. 

"I only thought, sir, as we might be trying this here one twice if wedidn't mark it somehow. "

"To be sure, " cried Murray. "Don't you pretend to be stupid again, Tom. Now, then, how are you going to mark it?"

"Only so how, sir, " said the man, with a grin; and as he stood up in theboat he bent down some of the over-arching graceful grasses and tiedthem together in a knot. "These here places are so all alike, sir, andit may save time. "

This waterway wound in and out and doubled upon itself for what musthave been several hundred yards, but the middy felt encouraged, for moreand more it struck him as being a way that was used. Every now and thentoo it excited the lad's interest, for there was a rush or splash, andthe water in front was stirred up and discoloured, evidently by areptile or large fish; but whether those who used it had any connectionwith the missing man it was impossible to say. 

"Shouldn't be a bit surprised, sir, if we come upon that Mr Planter'sboat, sir, and his niggers. Looks the sort o' spot where they mighthave built a boathouse to hide their craft in when they didn't want it. "

"At all events, my lad, it is one of their places, and--"

"Well, I'm blest, sir!"

"Eh? What do you mean? Why don't you go on?"

"Why, can't you see, sir?" said the big sailor sharply. 

"No, Tom. Why, you don't mean to say that--"

"Yes, I do, sir, " grunted the man; and he took off his straw hat to havea good puzzling scratch at his closely-cropped hair, while the middystood up to examine two lissome tufts of leafy cane which had been bentover and tied together. 

"Oh, " cried Murray, "anybody might have done that who wanted to mark theplace, my lad. "

"Yes, sir, " said the sailor, grunting, "but anybody wouldn't ha' thoughtto make a clove hitch, same as I did a bit ago. That's my mark, sir--T. M. 's own. I'm T. M. , sir. "

"Don't laugh, man, " said the lad passionately. "I suppose you're right;but it's horrible, for we've been wasting so much time, and come outagain in the same spot that we went in. "

"Can't see as it's wasted time, sir, " growled the man. "I say it's timesaved, for if it hadn't been for my knot we might have gone on roundagain. "

"Don't talk so much, sir. Give way, my lads. Get back into the lagoon, and we'll try another of these wretched cuts. "

Another was soon found and duly marked by breaking down a few of thebamboos level with the water, and plaiting them this time in anunmistakable way, the result at the end of close upon an hour proving tobe just the same. 

"Never mind, " said the middy, speaking through his set teeth. "It'shorribly disappointing, Tom, but these blind water alleys haven't beenmade for nothing. They prove to me that there must be a special onewhich we have to hit, and when we do we shall find that it leads to somehiding-place--perhaps to where the planter has gone, and we must tracehim. "

"I don't see what good it will do, sir, if we do, " said the big sailor, puckering up his brows. 

"We must find him, Tom, and take him aboard as a regular prisoner thistime, for he has been deceiving the captain, and all that he has saidcan't be true. Give way, my lads. "

After further search which led to their passing another opening twiceover, a spot was found where the growth seemed to be very thick; but itproved to be yielding enough at last, for the boat's prow glided throughwith a rush, and they passed into another tiny lagoon, where as thelarge reeds closed in behind them, Tom May slapped his knee loudly. 

"I do call it artful, sir, " he cried. "Why, who's going to show mewhich is the way out again? I've got my eye fixed on it, but if I shutit up I shouldn't be able to find it again. It's just this, " hecontinued. "You holds the bamboos down or on one side, and as soon asyou're gone by up they springs again; and that's why they're calledbamboos, I s'pose--because they bamboozle you. Now for another way ofmarking this here one. "

"Yes, let's have no more mistakes, Tom. "

"No, sir, " said the man, tightening up his lips as he pulled out hisjack knife, before picking out of the biggest giant reeds, one of a tuftwhich towered up some five-and-twenty feet. Through this he drove hisblade, the thick, rich, succulent grass yielding easily, and afterkeeping the wound open by the help of a messmate's knife he cut a slip, and thrusting it through the reed, he drew out the two knives so thatthe wound closed up tightly upon the green wedge. 

"You are taking a great deal of trouble, Tom, " said Murray impatiently. 

"It's wuth it, sir--trust me if it arn't, " said the man. "Saves time inthe end; and I'm beginning to think as we're in the right cut at last. "

"Give way, then, my men, and let's prove it, " cried the middyimpatiently, for the time was passing swiftly, and the horrible feelinggrew upon him that before long some one would appear from the _Seafowl_to demand where the prisoner was. 

The men thrust the boat swiftly across the pondlike place, for on theother side the reeds seemed to have been lately disturbed; but herethere was another disappointment, for though the bamboos which rose uphad certainly been broken away recently, they grew together so denselythat all efforts to pass through were vain, and Tom May declared at lastthat it was only another blind meant to deceive. 

"Let's try t'other side, sir, " he said, screwing up his face. 

"No, no; that looks so easy, " said Murray. 

"That's some one's artfulness, sir. Let's try; it won't take long. "

Murray was ready enough to try any advice now so long as it seemed good, and the word being given, the two boat-keepers placed their oars in therowlocks and rowed straight at the indicated place, with the result thatthey had to unship their oars, for the boat glided right through thelight reeds, which gave way readily here, and almost directly after therowing was resumed again, and they found themselves in comparativelyopen water for a couple of hundred yards. 

"This won't want no marking, sir, " whispered Tom. 

"Mark it all the same, my lad, when we pass out. "

"I will, sir, but we've hit the right way at last. Look how it roundsto starboard at the end, sir. I believe we're going into big waterdirectly. --There you are, sir, " added the man in a whisper, as, afterrowing swiftly onward for nearly a quarter of a mile, the boat glidedround a bend, where, to the midshipman's great delight, they came insight of what was pretty evidently the long narrow barge in which theplanter had paid his visit to the _Seafowl_. 

The well-made, nattily painted craft was lying well away from the reedswhich shut in the open water, moored by a rope whose grapnel was sunknot far distant, and Murray held up his hand to impress the need forsilence. 

"See the crew ashore anywhere, sir?" asked Tom May. 

"No; I believe they're all on board asleep. Run her up quietly. "

The men obeyed, and so cautiously that the next minute the cutter wasclose alongside, and there lay the black crew, sleeping profoundly inthe hot sunshine, eyes tightly closed, mouths widely open, and quite acrowd of busy flies flitting and buzzing overhead, settling upon thesleepers in a way that would have proved maddening to ordinary people, but which seemed to have not the slightest effect upon the negroes. 

"Hook on, Tom, " whispered Murray excitedly. "Take care they don't slipaway. "

The big sailor picked up the boat-hook, and was in the act of reachingout to take hold of the boat's bow, when one of the sleepers closed hismouth, slowly opened it again in a wide yawn, and at the same timeunclosed his eyes, saw the big sailor reaching towards him, and then, showing the whites of his eyes in a stare of horror and dismay, heuttered a yell which awoke the rest of the crew, who sprang up as oneman, to follow their companion's example, for the first awakened as heuttered his yell bounded out of the boat and disappeared. 

"No, you don't, my black friend, " cried Tom, making a thrust with theboat-hook, and getting hold of the startled man by his waist-cloth, hebrought him up again, kicking, splashing and plunging to the surface, and drew him hand over hand along the pole of the boat-hook till he hadhim alongside the now rocking cutter, when a tremendous lurch freed him. He would have got away but for the help rendered by the boat-keepers, one of whom took hold of a leg, the other of a wrist, when he was hauledin over the side, praying for mercy in very fair English, for the factthat the big sailor planted a bare foot upon his chest and pressed himdown into the bottom of the cutter quite convinced him that his time hadcome. 

"Hold your row, you black pig!" growled Tom. "Think it's killing timeand you're going to be scalded and scraped?"

"Oh, massa! Oh, massa! Poor black niggah, sah!" wailed the shiveringcaptive. 

"Be quiet, or--"

Tom May turned the boat-hook pole downwards as if he were going toplunge it at the poor fellow, and his shouting came to an end. 

"No use to go ashore after the rest, sir, eh?" said Tom enquiringly. 

"Not the slightest, " replied Murray, as the last of the crew reached thefringing bamboos and plunged in, to disappear. "But don't let that onego. "

"No, sir; he's right enough. Better let him know that we're not goingto kill him, though. "

"Be quiet, sir!" cried Murray, stepping alongside to where May had hisfoot upon the shivering slave's chest. "No one is going to hurt you. "

"Oh, massa! Oh, massa! Poor niggah, sah!" sobbed the poor fellow, andhe placed his hands together as if in prayer. 

"Hold your tongue! Be quiet!" cried Murray. "Now then, speak out. Where's your master?"

"Oh, massa! You massa now!" sobbed the poor wretch, shiveringviolently. 

"Be quiet, sir!" cried Murray. "Don't be afraid to speak. Now then, tell me. Where is your master?" It was some minutes before the poorfellow could grasp the fact that he was not going to be killed outright, and in the meantime his companions had begun to show themselves, a facehere and a face there, around the edge of the long winding lake, horribly frightened to a man, but fascinated and held to the spot bytheir strong desire to see what became of their companion. 

"See 'em, sir?" whispered Tom May. 

"Oh yes, I see them; but I want to try and get some information out ofthis poor shivering wretch. "

"We might ketch the rest on 'em, sir, " said the big sailor, "by usingthis one as a bait. Shall we try, sir?"

"No, no; this one will know all they could tell, if we can make himspeak. "

"Shall I try, sir?"

"No, no, Tom; you're too big and--"

"Ugly, sir?" said the man, with a grim smile, for Murray had stoppedspeaking. 

"Too ugly to him, " said the middy, laughing. 

"Here, you sir, " he added gently, as he bent down and tapped hisprisoner upon the shoulder. 

"Oh, massa! Poor niggah, sah!"

"Yes, yes; you said that before, " cried Murray. 

"Poor beggars, sir, they've been so ill-used that they think every whiteman is going to murder 'em. "

"Well, let's show the poor fellow that we are not all savages; but we'vebegun pretty roughly, Tom, to win this one's confidence. You did giveit him pretty hard. "

"Well, yes, sir, I was a bit rough to him; but if I hadn't been he'dhave got away. "

"Now then, let me try. Here, my lad, I want your master. "

"Massa, sah?" cried the shivering prisoner. "Yes, sah. Massa, sah!"And as he spoke eagerly he made a snatch at the midshipman's ankle, caught it between both hands, and raising the lad's foot placed itquickly upon his forehead. 

"Hullo! What do you mean by that?"

"Massa! Massa now, sah. Poor niggah massa. "

"Oh, bother! Nonsense!" cried Murray. "No, no. Where's your master, Mr Allen?"

"Massa Allen, sah. Good massa, sah. Sick man; go die soon. "

"Good master?"

"Yes, sah! Good massa, sick bad, sah. Die, sah. "

"Well, where is he--Massa Allen?"

"House, sah. Go sleep, sah, " said the man, growing eager and excited, and making an effort to replace Murray's foot upon his head. 

"No, no; don't do that, " cried the lad impatiently. "Now tell me, whereis your master?"

"Massa Allen, sah. House, sah. Go sleep, sah. "

"It's very evident he does not know, Tom, " said Murray. "What's to bedone? Do you think we could get anything out of the others?"

"No, sir. If he don't know they don't. "

"Well, what is best to be done?"

"Try t'others, sir. I don't think it's any good, but we might try. "

"But we must catch them first. "

"Oh, that's soon done, sir. "

"But how?"

The big sailor laughed. 

"When I was a youngster, sir, we boys used to get out in one of theNewlyn boats, sir--in Mount's Bay, sir, and trail a line behind to get afew mack'rel, sir, for our mothers. Well, sir, it was easy enough totrail the line and hook, but it warn't so easy always to get the bait;for we used to think the best bait was a lask. "

"A what, Tom?"

"Lask, sir, and that's a strip out of the narrowest part of a mackerel, cut with a sharp knife down to the bone, so that when the hook was putthrough one end one side was raw fish and the other was bright andsilvery. "

"I see, Tom, " said Murray. 

"Nay, sir, you only fancy you can see it. If you could see it twirlingand wiggling in the water when it was dragged after the boat and wepulled fast, you'd see it looked _just_ like a little live fish, and themack'rel shoot theirselves after it through the water and hooktheirselves. That's the best bait for a mack'rel, and after the samefashion one nigger's the best bait to catch more niggers. "

"Then you think we can get hold of more of the boat's crew by--"

"Yes, sir, " said Tom, interrupting and grinning the while, "but withoutcutting a piece out of him with either a knife or a whip. Poor chaps, they get that often enough, I'll be bound. You only want to let thisone see that he won't be hurt, and he'll soon bring the others up. "

"But we've been so rough with him already. I'm afraid it will be a hardtask. "

"Not it, sir. They get so knocked about that a good word or two soonputs matters right again. You try, sir. "

"Why not you, Tom? You seem to know their ways better than I do. "

"Nay, sir, you try. See how he's watching of us, sir; he's trying tomake out what we want him for, and he knows a lot of plain English. Youtry him, sir. "

"What shall I say, Tom?"

"Oh, anything you like, sir. You're cleverer than I am, sir. Here, Iknow--tell him you want the other chaps to man the boat. They'll comefast enough if he calls 'em. "

"Here goes, then, Tom; but I don't believe I shall do any good. --Here, Sambo!" he cried. 

The man showed his glistening white teeth in a very broad grin and shookhis head. 

"Not Sambo?" said Murray. "Well, then, what is your name?"

"Caesar, sah--July Caesar. "

"Well, Caesar, then. I want your master, Mr Allen. "

"In de house, sah. De lilly house;" and the black pointed in thedirection of the cottage. "Sick, bad, sah. "

"Not there now, Caesar, " said Murray. 

"Big house, Plantashum, " said the black sharply, and he pointed in quiteanother direction. 

"Oh, at the plantation house?" said Murray. 

"Yes, sah. "

"Call your fellows, then, to row the boat to where he is, " said themiddy. 

The black looked at him doubtfully. 

"Boys run away, sah. 'Fraid massa take 'em sell to bad massa. "

"Oh no, " said Murray, reaching forward to pat the man upon the shoulder;but the poor fellow's action told its own tale. He started violently, shrinking right away with a look of dread in his eyes. "There, don't dothat, " Murray continued, "I'm not going to hurt you;" and following theman he patted his shoulder softly, when the look of horror faded away, to give place to a faint smile, one which broadened into a grin. 

"Massa no take and sell boys away?"

"No; tell them we come to set them free, " said Murray. 

"Set niggah free?" cried the black excitedly. 

"Yes; that's why my ship has come. "

"Massa Huggin say come catch all de boy an' flog 'em heart out. "

"Did your overseer tell you that, boy?" growled Tom May; and the manwinced at the deep fierce voice of the sailor. 

"Yes, sah; flog 'em all, sah. "

"Then you tell your Massa Huggin he's a liar, " growled the big sailor. 

The black showed his teeth in a wider grin than ever as he shook hishead. 

"No tell um, " he said. "Massa Huggin kill um dead. "

"Where is he now?" said Murray sharply. 

"Massa Allen sick, sah. "

"No, no; Mr Huggins!"

"Massa sailor captain tell Massa Huggin--"

"No, no; I'm not going to tell your overseer anything. "

The black looked at the speaker searchingly for a few moments, glancedround as if to see whether they were likely to be overheard; and then, as if gaining confidence, he leaned towards the midshipman andwhispered--

"Massa overseer go to get men from schooner--fighting men come and killsailor and burn up ship. Big fire. Burn ship. Burn, kill sailor. Massa no tell what Caesar say?"

"Oh no; I shall not tell Master Huggins, Caesar, " said Murray, smiling. "Now tell your men to come back and row your boat. I want to find MrAllen. "

The black looked searchingly in the midshipman's face once more, andthen apparently gaining confidence, he turned sharply upon the bigsailor, when that which he had gained seemed to be dying out again andhe glanced at the shore of the lagoon, and Tom read so plainly that theblack was thinking again of flight that he gave him a sharp slap on theshoulder, making him wince violently and utter a low sob. 

"Why, you are a pretty sort of fellow, " cried the sailor, his faceopening out into a jovial smile. "You seem to have a nice idee of aBritish sailor!"

"Bri'sh sailor?" said the black, slowly repeating the tar's words. "YouBri'sh sailor, hey?"

"To be sure I am, my lad--leastwise I hope so. "

"Bri'sh sailor no hurt poor niggah?"

"Not a bit of it, darkie. Can't you understand we've come to set theslaves free?"

"No, " said the black sadly. "Massa Huggin say--"

"Massa Huggin say!" growled the big sailor, frowning fiercely. "Youtell your Massa Huggins that the British sailor is going to--See here, you benighted heathen. I want to make you understand some'at. There, hold still; I'm not going to hurt you. Now see. "

As the sailor spoke he untied the knot of his neckerchief and threw itround the black's neck, made a fresh slip-knot and drew it tight, andwith horrible realism held up one end of the silken rope, while with alow wail the poor shivering wretch sank unresistingly upon his knees inthe bottom of the boat. 

"Don't, don't, Tom! You're frightening the poor fellow to death. "

"Nay, sir; he'll understand it directly. It's all right, darkie, " hecontinued, with a broad grin at the black's fear. "I want to show youwhat a British sailor means to do with your Massa Huggins. "

"Massa Huggin? No kill Caesar?"

"Kill Caesar, darkie?" cried the sailor. "No, no. Hang--yard-arm--Massa Huggins. We'll teach him to talk about burning his Majesty's Ship_Seafowl_. There, now do you understand?" cried Tom, slipping off theblack silk handkerchief and knotting it properly about his own brawnyneck, while as he gave the black another hearty clap on the shoulder thepoor fellow's shiny black face seemed to have become the mirror whichreflected a good deal of the tar's jovial smile. "There, sir, "continued the big sailor; "that's our Mr Dempsey's way o' teaching aman anything he don't understand. `Show him how it's done, ' he says, `with your fisties, and then he can see, and he never forgets itagain. '"

"That's all very well, Tom, " said Murray, smiling, "but it's rather arough style of teaching, and you nearly made the poor fellow jumpoverboard. "

"That was afore he began to grasp it, sir. He's got it now. You cansee now; eh, darkie?"

"Bri'sh sailor kill Massa Huggin, no kill poor niggah, " cried the black. 

"There, sir, what did I say?" cried Tom. "British tar's the niggers'friend, eh, what's your name?"

The black sprang up and executed two or three steps of what he meantmost probably for a triumphal dance. 

"Steady, my lad, or you'll have one of them stick-in-a-brick prettylittle foots of yours through the bottom planks of the boat. "

_Plop_! went the black, letting himself down, not upon his feet, butupon his knees, and laying his head between the sailor's feet he caughtone by the ankle, raised it and began to plant it upon his woolly head. 

"What game does he call that, sir?" cried Tom, in astonishment. 

"He's following up your style of teaching by an object-lesson, Tom, "cried the middy merrily. "It's to show you he's your slave and friendfor ever. "

"Ho!" ejaculated the big sailor. "That's it, is it? Well, that'll do, darkie; we understand one another; but recklect this, you arn'tcivilised enough yet for object-lessons. Here, what are you up to now?"

For the black had shuffled upon his knees to the side of the boat, tohold his hands to the sides of his capacious mouth, while he sent fortha cry wonderfully like the blast given trumpet-like through a conchshell to call slaves to plantation work in the fields. 

No sooner did the deep tone float across the water than there was amovement amongst the giant reeds, and first in one place and then inanother and from both sides, black faces and woolly heads began toappear, while the black who had uttered the cry made for one of theoars, passed it through the rowlock astern and began to paddle the boatalong cleverly enough towards his fellows, who one by one began to taketo the water like so many large black dogs, springing in with heavysplash after splash and beginning to swim. 

This went on, to the amusement of the sailors, till every member of theboat's black crew had been dragged into, or by his own effort hadclimbed into, the planter's boat. 

"Better be on the lookout, my lads, " said the middy. "They may play usfalse and row off. "

"Not they, sir, " said Tom confidently. "You may depend upon it they'vebeen squinting at us through them bamboozling reeds, and took all mylesson in right up to the heft. I begin to think, sir, that when MrHuggins shows his ugly yellow phiz to us again he'll find that we'vebeen making a few friends among the niggers. "

"I hope so, Tom; but all this time we've not been thinking about ourprisoner that we were set to watch. "

"Yes, sir, and that's bad; but just you cheer up, sir, and all will comeright yet. "

"But the prisoner, Tom--the prisoner, " cried Murray sadly. 

"Wait a bit, sir. Anyhow we've got his boat and his crew; and theyknows his ways, and perhaps 'll find out his whereabouts a good dealbetter than we could. "

"Yes, Tom, but--"

"Nothing like patience, sir, " said the man. "You mark my words. "

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. 

THE LOST PRISONER. 

Murray looked angrily at the big sailor for a few minutes, and then, mastering his annoyance at the easy way in which the man took histrouble, he said--

"Oh, I'll have patience enough, Tom; but what is to be done next?"

Tom May scratched his head and his eyes wandered round till they litupon the shiny black face of the negro, who was watching him eagerly. 

"I'd make that chap lead the way back to the cottage place, sir. Heknows all the ins and outs, and he'll show us in half the time we coulddo it. "

"That's good advice, Tom, but what for? I'm in no hurry to meet MrAnderson. "

"But you've got to do it, sir, and the sooner you get it over thebetter. "

"That's true, Tom, " said the middy sadly. 

"'Sides, sir, how do we know but what Mr Allen may have come back whilewe've been gone?"

"Tom!" cried Murray excitedly, and after the fashion of the proverbialdrowning man, he snatched at the straw the sailor held out to him. Turning to the black, who was squatting at his feet, he cried, "Take usto Mr Allen. "

The slave nodded and grinned as he settled himself down, chattering thewhile to his crew, who raised their oars ready to dip them in the placidwater, when a thought seemed to strike him and he tucked the oar he hadseized under one knee and turned to the middy, saying sharply--

"You go kill Massa Allen?"

"Kill him? No!" cried Murray, in surprise. 

The man nodded and gave the black crew an order, and their oars dippedat once, while the little English party in the cutter followed the lead, and to Murray's surprise he found himself taken through an entirelyfresh canal-like lead of water of whose existence he had not theslightest idea. 

"I thought so, sir, " said Tom May, in a low tone of voice. "This chapknows his way about, and it's worth a Jew's eye to have found him andmade friends. You'll see that he'll show us where to go. Shouldn'twonder if he takes us straight to that Mr Allen. "

"If he only would, Tom!" replied the midshipman, speaking as if a greatload was being taken off his mind. 

"Oh, you wait a bit, sir. "

"Bother your wait a bit, Tom! I'm sick of hearing it, " cried the ladangrily. "Why, look here, they're making straight for the cottage afterall. "

"Well, didn't you expect they would, sir?" cried the big sailor. 

"No; what's the good of that?"

"What I said, sir. Maybe the gentleman has come back again. "

"No such good fortune, Tom. Well, we shall soon know;" and the lad satback in the cutter's stern sheets steering and watching the planter'sboat, to which he kept close up, while the black crew threaded their wayin and out amongst the canes, till they pulled up by the bamboolanding-stage. 

"Massa Allen in dere, sah, " whispered the black, pointing at the doorwayof the cottage, and smiling with satisfaction as if delighted at theskill with which he had played the part of pilot. 

Murray sprang on to the creaking bamboo stage, and, ready to believethat the sick man might have returned, he signed to May to follow him, hurried into the place, thrust open the study door and had only toglance in to satisfy himself that the little room was still vacant. 

"Let's look in the other room, Tom, " said the middy sadly, "but it's ofno use; our prisoner has not come back. "

A hurried glance was given to each portion of the cottage, and thenMurray led the way back to the landing-stage, where the black coxswainsat grinning a welcome. 

"He's not there, my lad, " cried Murray, shaking his head. "Master Allenhas gone. "

"Massa Allen gone!" repeated the black, and then, as if placing no faithwhatever in the young officer's assertion, he shuffled out of the boaton to the stage, and then ran up to the cottage doorway, where hehesitated for a few moments before entering cautiously on tiptoe. 

"See that, sir?" whispered Tom May. "He knows all about them pisonoussarpents. "

At the end of a few minutes, during which the midshipman and hisfollower caught a glimpse or two of the black as he hurried from room toroom and evidently made a thorough examination of the place, the manreappeared, with the broad eager grin his countenance had worn entirelygone, to give place to a look of concern and scare. It seemed to Murraythat the black's face no longer shone but looked dull and ashy, as if hehad been startled, and his voice sank to a whisper as he crept up closeto the young midshipman and whispered--

"Massa Allen gone!"

"Well, I told you so, " said Murray sharply. "Where has he gone?"

The black raised one hand to his lips, upon which he pressed all hisfingers together, while he looked behind him and then all about as if tosee if any one could hear his words--words which he seemed afraid toutter. 

"Well, did you hear what I said? Where has he gone?"

The black shook his head violently. 

"There, Tom, your idea is worth nothing, " said Murray sadly. 

"I warn't sure, sir, of course, " said the man, "but still I couldn'thelp thinking he might have come back, 'specially as the darkie here wasso cock-sure. Hallo! What's he up to now?" continued the sailor. "Hi!Stop him, my lads!"

For the black had suddenly made a dash for his boat, and sprung from thestage into his place. 

Murray's first thought was that the black was about to escape with hiscompanions, but directly after he saw the cause of the man's scare, forthere was the quick, steady chop, chop of oars, and the youth's heartsank with a feeling of despair, for the bows of the _Seafowl's_ secondcutter suddenly came into sight, with her crew pulling hard, and therein the stern sat the man, after the captain, whom he least desired tosee, and close by him, sitting up smart and consequential to a degree, and seeming to fix his eyes at once keenly upon those of his brothermidshipman, was Roberts, looking as if he divined that something waswrong. 

"And ready to jump upon me, " said Murray to himself. "Oh, how am I tobegin?" he thought. "I wish I was anywhere out of this!"

But the first lieutenant did not wait for the lad to begin; he openedthe ball himself. 

"Well, Mr Murray, " he cried, "what does this mean? Why have you gotthe planter's boat and crew out here?"

"We found them, sir, by accident, " faltered the lad. 

"Well, I suppose they did not want much finding. Where is yourprisoner?"

Murray gazed at his officer vacantly, trying hard to reply, but, as heafterwards said to Roberts, if it had been to save his life he could nothave uttered a word. 

"What's the matter, my lad?" said the chief officer kindly. "Not ill, are you?"

"No, sir, " replied Murray, finding his voice at last, and watching thelieutenant hard, followed by Dick Roberts, who was grinning as if heenjoyed hearing what he looked upon as the beginning of "a wigging. "

"Then why don't you speak? I said where is your prisoner?"

"I--I don't know, sir, " was the extremely feeble reply. 

"Wha-a-a-t!" shouted the lieutenant. "I don't know, sir, " cried Murray, desperately now. "He's gone. "

"Gone? My good sir, " cried the lieutenant, "you were sent here incharge of him for some cryptic idea of the captain, and you tell me he'sgone? You don't mean to tell me that you've let him escape!"

"I didn't let him escape, sir, " faltered the lad, glancing at hisbrother middy and reading in his countenance, rightly or wrongly, thatRoberts was triumphing over the trouble he was in--"I didn't let himescape, sir, " cried Murray desperately, "for I was being as watchful aspossible; but he was very ill and weak and said that he wanted to liedown in one of the rooms there. Tom May will tell you the same, sir. "

"I dare say he will, sir, when I ask him, " said the lieutenant sternly. "Now I am asking you the meaning of this lapse of duty. "

"I did keep watch over him, sir, and posted my men all round thecottage; but when I came to see how he was getting on--"

"Getting on, sir! Getting off, you mean. "

"No, sir; I did not see him go off, sir, " faltered Murray. 

"Don't you try to bandy words with me, sir, " cried the lieutenant, beginning to fulminate with rage. "There, speak out plainly. You meanto tell me that when you came to look for your prisoner--for that iswhat he is--he was gone?"

"Yes, sir; that is right, " said the lad sadly. 

"That is wrong, Mr Murray. Gone! And you stand here doing nothing!Confound it all, man, why are you not searching for him?"

"I have been searching for him, sir. "

"But you are here, my good sir, and have not found him. "

"No, sir, but I have done everything possible. "

"Except find him, sir. This comes of setting a boy like you to takecharge of the prisoner. Well, it was the captain's choice, not mine. I'll be bound to say that if Mr Roberts had been sent upon this duty hewould have had a very different tale to tell. "

Murray shivered in his misery, and tried to master the desire to glanceat his brother middy, but failed, and saw that Roberts was beginning toswell with importance. 

"Well, Mr Murray, " continued the lieutenant, after pausing for a fewmoments, after giving his subordinate this unkindly stab and, so tospeak, beginning to wriggle his verbal weapon in the wound, "it is youwho have to meet the captain when you go back after being relieved, notI. That I am thankful to say. But I fail to see, Mr Roberts, what isthe good of setting you on duty with a fresh set of men to guard theprisoner, when there is no prisoner to guard. Here, show me where youbestowed the scoundrel. "

Murray led the way into the cottage, with his heart beating heavily withmisery; the lieutenant followed him in silence; and Roberts came last, glancing at Murray the while and with his lips moving in silence as ifhe were saying, "I say, you've done it now!"

"Absurd!" cried the lieutenant, a few minutes later, and after lookingthrough the room where the planter had lain down. "You might have beensure that the prisoner would escape. Then you did nothing to guardhim?"

"Yes, I did, sir, " cried the lad desperately. "I posted men all roundthe cottage. "

"And a deal of good that was! Anything else?"

"I have been examining the place all about, sir, with Tom May and thetwo boat-keepers. "

"Well, and what was the result?"

"Only that I found one of the hiding-places of this maze of a place, sir. "

"With the prisoner safe within it?"

"No, sir; I only found the planter's boat and crew, sir. "

"Of course--just come back after helping their master to escape. And ofcourse they denied it?"

"The black coxswain was as much surprised as I was, sir, " said Murray. 

"Of course he was, Mr Murray; perfectly astounded. Bah, man! How canyou be so innocent! Well, I suppose I must try and get you out of thishorrible scrape, for all our sakes. Which is the coxswain? That blackfellow who has been staring at us all the time I have been listening toyour lame excuses?"

"Yes, sir; and I have been thinking that he would be a valuable help tous in guiding us through the mazes of this strange place. "

"Let's see first, Mr Murray, whether he will be any help to us infinding where the prisoner is. Call him here. "

"I have been trying to use him in that way, sir. "

"Humph!" ejaculated the lieutenant angrily. "Then now let Mr Robertstry. Here, Roberts!"

The midshipman stepped up to the officer quickly, after hearing everyword that had been said. 

"You called me, sir?"

"Of course I did, sir, " said the lieutenant sharply, and speaking as ifannoyed with himself for what he had been about to do. "Go back to theboat. Sharp!" The lad's eyes flashed with annoyance as he went back, and the chief officer turned his back and jerked his head to Murray. "Here, " he said, "you had better go on with this, my lad; it is youraffair. "

"Thank you, sir, " said the lad, heaving a sigh of relief. 

"Not much to thank me for, Murray, " said the chief officer kindly, "butyou've made a horrible mess of this business. Now then, the blackfellow. "

Murray made a sign to the black, who had been listening all through withhis eyes seeming to start out of his head, and he sprang out of the boatand hurried to his side. 

"Look here, Caesar, " he said quickly, "do you know where Mr Allen is?"

The black looked him sharply in the eyes, then gazed at the firstlieutenant, and then all around as if on the lookout for danger, beforehe crept closer and whispered--

"Yes, massa. Caesar know. "

"Hah! This sounds business-like, " cried the lieutenant. "But why inthe name of all that's sensible didn't you examine this fellow before, Murray?"

"I did, sir, " cried the lad, trembling with excitement, as he laid hishand upon the black's arm. Then quickly, "Tell me where he is, my lad. "

"Massa, Bri'sh sailor no tell Massa Huggin Caesar open him moufe?"

"No, my lad. No one shall know that you told me. Speak out. "

"Massa Huggin cut Caesar all lilly pieces when he find out. "

"We will take care no one shall hurt you, " cried Murray excitedly. "Tell him, Mr Anderson, that we will set him free. "

"To be sure, " cried the lieutenant. "You shall be free. "

"Bri'sh sailor officer set Caesar free, --Caesar open um moufe?"

"That's right, then open it wide, my sable friend, " said the lieutenant. "Tell me. "

"No, massa. Caesar tell young buccra officer;" and he turned withsparkling eyes upon Murray. 

"Speak, then, " cried Murray, trembling with excitement; and the blackglanced round him again as if for danger, and then reached forward so asto place his lips close to the midshipman's ear. 

"Massa Huggin come while Massa Allen fas' 'sleep and take um rightaway. "

"Hah!" cried Murray. "But how, my lad, how?"

The black looked from one officer to the other, a smile of cunningoverspreading his features, and he whispered--

"Caesar show Bri'sh officer. Caesar know. "

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. 

BLACK CAESAR. 

Murray made a dash at the black and caught him by the arm, while Tom Maysprang to the other side, for, startled by the sudden movement of themidshipman, the poor fellow winced and looked as if about to run. 

"No, no, " cried Murray; "it's all right, Caesar. Show us directly whereMr Allen is. "

"Yes, " whispered the man; "but no tell Massa Huggin. Him kill Caesarfor sure. Caesar very frighten. "

"You shan't be hurt, boy, " cried the middy. "Now then; lead us to whereMr Allen is. Quick!"

The black nodded his head, gave a sharp glance round, and then withtrembling hand caught hold of Murray's wrist and led him into the hallagain, closely followed by the lieutenant and Tom May, who was aswatchful as if he felt sure that their guide was bent upon making hisescape. 

"Shall I follow with some of the men, sir?" said Roberts, who was in astate of fret from the fear of missing anything that was about to takeplace. 

"No, it is not necessary, " said Mr Anderson. 

"I beg pardon, sir, " cried Murray; "from what this black fellow hassaid, I think you ought to have some of the men with us. "

"Oh, very well, then, " cried the lieutenant, "bring half-a-dozen of thelads with you, Mr Roberts;" and the hall had a very business-likeaspect as, to Murray's great disgust, Caesar led him into the study. 

"Why, what are you doing, man?" he cried. "Mr Allen is not in here. I've searched the place three times. "

The black looked up at him quickly and showed his teeth; but it was inno grin of cunning, for the poor fellow's face looked muddy and strange. 

"Caesar know, " he whispered hoarsely, and the midshipman felt thefingers which gripped his wrist twitch and jerk as he was pulled towardsthe corner of the room just beyond the window. 

Here the black stopped short, trembling violently, and pointed downward, before darting back, loosening Murray's wrist and making for the door. 

"Stop him, Roberts, " cried Murray; but his words were needless, for theway of exit was completely blocked by the midshipman and his men. 

"What does he mean by all this?" said Mr Anderson angrily. 

"I don't quite know, sir, " cried Murray; but he followed and caught theblack by the arm. "Come, " he continued; "show us where Mr Allen is. "

"Caesar berry frighten', massa, " whispered the poor fellow, whose teethwere chattering; but he yielded to Murray's hand and followed him backtowards the corner of the little room, where his eyes assumed a fixedand staring look as he leaned forward and pointed downward at the thickrug of fur which covered that part of the floor. 

"What does he mean?" cried the lieutenant. "Is the planter buriedthere?"

"Show us what you mean, " cried Murray, and he tried to draw the blackforward; but the poor fellow dropped upon his knees, resisting with allhis might, and, with eyes starting and rolling and teeth chattering, hekept on pointing downward, darting his index finger at the floor. 

"I beg pardon, sir, " said Tom May gruffly. "I think I know what hemeans. "

"What is it, then?" cried Murray. 

"It's snakes, sir, same as I heered up-stairs. "

"Perhaps so, " said the lieutenant, "so take care; some of these serpentscreep into the houses here, and they are very poisonous. Mind what youare about, Mr Murray. Let the black pull the rug away. Mr Roberts, acouple of your men here with cutlasses. Be smart, my lads, and strikethe moment the brute is uncovered. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" came in a chorus from the guard; but every Jack stoodfast, waiting for his fellows to volunteer. 

"Pull the rug away, Caesar, " said Murray, as soon as the men had beenordered to advance, which they did after making a great show of spittingin their hands to get a good grip of the cutlasses they drew. 

"No, no, no, massa. Caesar 'fraid, sah. Massa Huggin kill poor Caesardead, for show. "

"Is there a snake there, darkie?" said the lieutenant impatiently. 

"No, massa. No, massa, " panted the poor fellow. "Caesar brave boy; nofrighten snake. Massa Huggin kill um for show. "

"What does he mean? Master Huggin will make a show of him?"

"No, sir, " cried Murray. "He's afraid of being murdered for showing theway. I have it, sir, " he said now excitedly. "That explainseverything. There's a way out here;" and stooping down the middy seizedone corner of the rug, gave it a sharp jerk, and laid bare what seemedto be a trap-door neatly made in the polished floor. 

A murmur of excitement ran through the room, and Murray exclaimed--

"Then the poor fellow has been killed, Tom. "

"And buried, sir, seemingly, " growled the sailor; and without waitingfor orders, he went down on one knee to raise the broad square flap, while the black shrank a little more away where he knelt, and beganrubbing his hands together excitedly. 

"Well, my lad, " cried Mr Anderson, "be smart! You're not afraid, areyou?"

"Not a bit, sir, " growled the big sailor; "but there seems to be somesort o' dodgery over this here hatchway. You see, there arn't noring-bolt. "

"Take your cutlass to it, Tom, " said Murray; and as he spoke he drew hisdirk. 

"Ay, ay, sir; that'll do it, " replied the sailor, and directly after themiddy and he began to force in the edges of their blades so as to tryand prise open the trap. 

"Come, come, come, " cried the lieutenant, "don't bungle like that;" andhe drew his sword. "Let me try. "

Murray made way, and the officer began to try and force in the edge ofhis service blade. 

"Humph! Dear me!" he muttered. "The floor is made of mahogany. Veryhard wood. Not so easy as I thought, May, my lad. "

A broad smile covered the big sailor's countenance as he watched hisofficer's failure. 

"Ay, ay, sir!" he growled. "Beg pardon, sir; you'll be breaking yoursword. "

"Yes, my lad, and I don't want to do that, " said the lieutenant. "Here, hallo! What do you mean by that? Look here, Mr Murray; your nigger istrying to tell you how to do it. He knows all about it. Let him try. "

For, as if recovering somewhat from his abject dread, the black kneltand shuffled about as if longing to perform the task himself. 

"Yes, sir, that's it, " said the midshipman eagerly. "Now then, Caesar, show us how it's done. "

But this only made the black shrink away more and more, and beginshaking his head violently and resuming the pointing as before. 

"Here, he must be made to show how it is done, " cried the lieutenantimpatiently. "We cannot waste time like this. "

"I think I can manage now, sir, " said Murray, for just then the blackcaught hold of his hand, slipped his own up the lad's wrist, and pressedhim to one side of the square trap that refused to open. 

The rest was plain, for it soon became clear that, though the black wasafraid to do anything towards opening the trap himself, he was quiteready to use the hands of another party for the purpose. 

"Oh, that's it, is it, Caesar?" cried Murray, who now submitted himselfentirely to the slave's direction and let him press his hands down witha thrusting movement upon one of the floor-boards, with the result thatthe square trap glided away smoothly as if running upon rollers, while adark opening appeared, showing a flight of ladder stairs running downinto what seemed to be total darkness. 

"A subterranean passage leading somewhere or another. "

"It is the way out by which Mr Allen went, " said Murray excitedly. 

"Escaped, you mean, " cried the lieutenant. 

"Perhaps so, sir; but mayn't it be that he has been taken away by hisenemies?" suggested Murray. 

"Well, that we have to see, " replied the lieutenant. 

"Look here, Caesar, " said Murray, addressing the black, "has Mr Allengone this way?"

The black took a step or two towards the opening, listened, looked roundcautiously, and then took hold of the lad's arm and drew him away, towhisper in his ear--

"Massa Huggin come and fesh him away. "

"Then you think this Master Huggins is down there?"

The black nodded his head quickly and then pointed to the sailors, ranfirst to one and then to another and touched their swords and themuskets they carried, before pointing downward to the concealed flightof steps. 

"I can understand that, Mr Murray, " said the lieutenant. "He wants usto go down armed and follow the steps to where they lead; but we musthave lights. Humph!" he added. "The fellow understands English wellenough. "

For the black darted to a corner closet, opened the door, and took out abottle, a box and a silver candlestick which stood all ready, a waxtaper which the black placed upon the side-table, and then, as cleverlyas if he had seen it done scores of times, he took the stopper out ofthe little bottle, from which a strong odour of phosphorus arose, took amatch from the box, and thrust it into the bottle, with the result thathe brought it out burning, after the fashion of our fathers' time beforethe invention of lucifer matches and congreve lights--a fashion adoptedwhen a letter had been written and the writer, who knew not adhesiveenvelopes and desired to seal his missive, made use of the phosphorusbottle instead of producing a light with a flint and steel. 

"Well done, " said the lieutenant. "Now then, are you going to light theway?"

The black shook his head and shrank away once more. 

"We're to do it ourselves, it seems, Mr Murray;" and the lieutenantdrew his sword. "I'll trouble you to light me, sir, for I must lead theway. Come, Mr Roberts, you can lead the men, and you will keep closeup. Draw--no, no, leave that dress ornament in its scabbard. You too, Mr Murray. Take two of the men's cutlasses, and they can use theirmuskets. Here, darkie, are you coming too?"

"Yes, Massa buccra officer. Caesar come show the way. You no let MassaHuggin kill poor niggah?"

"That I promise you, my good fellow, " said the lieutenant. "Now, MrMurray, forward, please. "

To the surprise of all present the black stepped quickly to the top ofthe stairs, and kneeling down thrust his head over and seemed to listenattentively before placing a hand upon the floor upon either side of theopening and lowering himself down. 

"Massa come along quick. Nobody here. "

"How's that?" cried Murray. "Isn't Mr Allen there?"

"No, massa. Him gone along Massa Huggin--take him right away, so him notell Bri'sh officer where all de slabes hid ashore, and whar to fine deslaber ship. "

"Light is beginning to dawn into my benighted intellect now, MrMurray, " said the lieutenant, following the midshipman, as, carefullysheltering the little taper from the damp wind which seemed to blow upfrom the hole in the floor, the lad stepped down quickly after theblack. "And it seems to me, for your comfort, my lad, that you need notbe in the slightest degree alarmed at the prospect of facing the captainand being called to account for the loss of your prisoner, for your lossis going to turn out a great gain. Here, follow close up with the men, Mr Roberts. No, not next; I'll have May behind me; he's big andstrong, and he's something to depend upon if we have a sudden attack. "

Roberts winced and frowned, for he felt as if his dignity had been alittle touched at being put aside to make way for the big sailor, and inaddition the chief officer had spoken in a way which made matters take adifferent turn from what he had expected. 

If any one had asserted that he was a bit jealous and envious of hisbrother middy he would have denied it with indignation, but all the samethere was a something near akin to envy somewhere in his breast, and hewould have liked it a great deal better if he had been called upon toplay several of the parts which somehow would fall to Murray's share. 

So Dick Roberts frowned as he grasped the clumsy cutlass that had beenhanded to him by one of the men, and then after four of the party hadreceived orders to mount guard at the entrance to the subterranean way, he followed closely upon Tom May's bulky form, ready to help protectthose who had gone before; and grasping his weapon very tightly he stoodat last at the foot of the stairs in a well-paved arched way just litfaintly by the wax taper, and was able to see that the passage wascomposed of the lava which had been quarried from one of the volcanicmasses thrown from a burning mountain ages before. 

"Keep together, my lads, close up, " said the lieutenant; and his voicesounded whispering and strange as it seemed to reverberate down apassage, and finally died away. 

"Where does this lead to, I wonder?" said the midshipman softly, and thewalls repeated "I wonder" in a tone that sounded loud. 

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX. 

"BERRY MUCH 'FRAID. "

Julius Caesar, after getting over his first fear of the white strangersand a natural dread of the fierce American slaver, whose threats seemedto dominate his life, threw himself bravely into the enterprise uponwhich he was engaged and proved himself to be an admirable guide, onetoo with a full knowledge of the risks he ran. He grew more and moreconfident now of the strength to protect him of the man-o'-war's men, and every now and then, as the party continued its way along what provedto be a carefully constructed tunnel, he stopped short and whispered toMurray to shade the light while he hurried on into the pitchy darkness. 

The first time he did this, after laying his black arm across bothMurray's and the lieutenant's breasts, he seemed to be so long gone thatthe latter expressed it as his belief that he had tricked them andescaped; but this opinion had hardly been whispered in the middy's earbefore there was a faint rustling as of bare feet heard, and then, breathing hard, the black was close upon them. 

"Come 'long now, massa, " he said. "Show light now. "

Thrice more this was repeated, and then all at once upon their guide'sreturn he exclaimed--

"Massa put out light now. "

"What for?" said Murray sharply. 

"Candle burn all away sure. Wantum go back. All dark. "

"But how are you going to light it?" said Mr Anderson. 

"July Caesar got lilly bottle o' fire; massa Allen lilly bottle, sah. "

"But we can't see in the darkness, " said Murray. 

"Take hol' hand. Caesar show way. See with one hand run along topwall. "

Setting aside the seeing, the black soon proved to those who followedhim that he could feel his way along the rest of the distance, duringwhich it was quite dark; and he hurried his followers along till theblack gloom gradually became twilight, and that increased in power tillit became possible to follow the dimly seen figure which went on infront. Then the twilight became a pale green, which grew brighter andbrighter till all at once the black stopped short and whispered--

"No make noise. Caesar go first and see Massa Huggin gone take MassaAllen 'way. "

The party stopped and saw the black hurry on for a few dozen yards, andthen disappear through what seemed to be a clump of bushes, which prettywell blocked up the end of the passage. 

"I should like to know what's going to be the end of this, " said thelieutenant; "but I suppose we must go on with it now and trust theblack, for he seems to be proving himself honest. What do you say, MrMurray?"

"I feel sure he is, " replied the midshipman. 

"But his motive? We are almost complete strangers. "

"I think he is a faithful servant of the planter, sir, and wants us tosave him from danger. "

"Yes, that's how it suggests itself to me, Mr Murray, though I canhardly understand such conduct on the part of one of these wretchedill-used slaves towards the oppressor. But there, we shall see. "

He ceased speaking, for just then the black seemed to spring through thebushes, and joined them where they were waiting in the tunnel. 

"Find Massa Allen, " said the black, in a quick excited whisper. 

"Ah!" cried Murray joyfully, for somehow--he could not have said why--hehad begun to feel the greatest interest in the sick man. "Ah! Wheredid you find him?"

"Massa Huggin got um. "

"But where is he?"

The black pointed in the direction from whence he had returned, evidently indicating the forest which closed in the end of the tunnel. 

"What is he going to do with him?" asked Mr Anderson--"Keep him aprisoner?"

"Kill um, " said the black abruptly. "Come! Caesar show um;" and hecaught hold of the middy's arm, gave it a tug, and then signed to theothers to follow. 

"Yes, " said the lieutenant sharply; "it seems to me quite time we had aword to say about that. Let him lead on, Mr Murray. I want to have afew more words with our friend Mr Huggins. We must show him that thereis a difference of opinion upon this question. Here, you darkie, doesMr Huggins indulge himself much in this kind of sport?"

The black, who was moving off sharply, stopped short, dropped his lowerjaw to his breast, and stared vacantly at the speaker. 

"What buccra sailor officer say?" he whispered. 

"Don't speak in that way, " said the lieutenant sharply. "Why don't youspeak aloud?"

"Caesar berry much 'fraid massa Huggins hear um. Den kill poor niggah. "

"That means, then, that Master Huggins does kill people sometimes?"

"Yes, massa often kill pore niggah when cross. "

"Well, look here, my lad; don't you be very much afraid. I want you toshow us all you can, for he is not going to kill our friend MasterAllen. "

"Massa Allen friend, " said the black, nodding his head sharply. "MassaAllen kill pore niggah? No, nebber. Come 'long. "

The man led the way, holding tightly by the middy's arm, and as soon ashe had passed out of the tunnel, plunged into the dense forest, andthreading his way among the trees, followed by the party, whosecountenances were glowing with excitement, he carefully avoided everypatch of earth which threatened to yield to the pressure of footsteps. This he kept on for over half-an-hour, when he stopped short and, bending down nearly double, pointed to where, instead of being firm, theway he had selected had suddenly become boggy, mossy, and of a richgreen. 

"Young officer, look dah, " he whispered. "No speak loud. Massa Hugginmen hear um. "

"Well, " said Murray, "I am looking _dah_, sir, but there is nothing tosee. "

"No see? Caesar see. Massa Huggin men come 'long. Carry Massa Allen, make men foot go down soft. Make mark. "

"Perhaps so, " said Murray, "but I can see nothing. "

"Let him lead on, Mr Murray, " said the lieutenant. "I want to get tobusiness. "

"Caesar show, " whispered the man, and now, walking half doubled and withhis hands hanging down, he broke into a trot, closely followed by theparty, for another few hundred yards, before stopping short so suddenlythat those who followed were on the point of over-running him. 

"Massa officer look now, " whispered the black. "Massa no say can't seenow. "

"No: I can see now, " said Murray. "Look here, sir, " he whispered, imitating the cautious utterance of the black, as the lieutenant closedup to him. 

"Yes, " said the officer eagerly; "this is real trail. So many sealsimpressed in the soft boggy soil; all leading off yonder in a freshdirection after evidently making a halt here. You can make it out, MrMurray, eh?"

"I can make out the footsteps, sir, " replied the lad, "but I can't say Iunderstand them. "

"Oh no, of course not, " said the lieutenant, "but I suppose our blackfriend here can. Tell us all about it, what's your name--Caesar?"

"Yes, massa, " said the black promptly; and he began eagerly to point outthe various impressions in the earth, carefully keeping on one side andnearly touching the ground as he bent down. 

"Dose niggah foots, " he whispered, picking out carefully the trails offour pairs of footsteps which had passed to where they stood, evidentlycoming to an end. "Yes, sah; dose niggah foots. Carry Massa Allen. All 'tick down deep in de mud. "

"Ah, to be sure!" cried Murray. "I see. "

"Dey get tire' carry Massa Allen long way. No, Caesar t'ink Massa Allensay he walk bit now, and jump down. Dose Massa Allen foots. Got shoeon. Massa officer see?"

"To be sure he does, darkie. Well done! You see, Mr Murray?"

"Oh yes, sir; I can see now he shows me. "

"Yes; young buccra officer see Massa Allen shoe 'tick down in de mud. Dose black niggah foots, " continued the black, pointing. 

"How do you know they are black footsteps?" asked Murray. 

"All a toes 'tick out wide, " replied the man promptly; and he raised oneof his own feet with the toes spreading widely, stepped to a soft patchof green-covered mud, and pressed his foot down and raised it again. "Dah, " he continued; "Massa buccra see? Dat black niggah foots, and datare white man foot. Look toopid all queezum up in hard boot. Dat MassaHuggin foots. "

"Ah!" cried the lieutenant eagerly. "How do you know, darkie?"

"Massa Huggin put foots in big hard boot. Caesar know um--kick Caesar. `Get outah way, black dog!' he say. "

As he spoke the black went through something of a pantomime so perfectlythat the lieutenant and Roberts burst out laughing. Murray'scountenance remained unchanged, and he met the black's eyes gravely, andnoted their fierce aspect as his brow wrinkled up and his thick, fleshy, protuberant lips were drawn away from the beautifully perfect whiteteeth. 

"Hurt pore black niggah, massa, " he said, rather piteously. "Kill someniggah. Massa Huggin sabage. Pore niggah die dead. Hurt Caesarsometime. Wouldn't die. "

"Well, go on, my lad, " said the lieutenant; and the black continued hisobject-lesson. 

"Massa Allen say walk now. Look at um foots. Lilly shoe dah, big boot, hard boot, dah. One boot, 'noder boot. Massa Huggin say Come along, sah. Look dah. Walk 'long dah, and niggah foots walk over um. Lot o'niggah foots walk all over cover um up. "

"Well, " said the lieutenant, "now you have found out the trail so well, lead on and let's overtake them. "

"Ah!" cried the black excitedly, for he had suddenly caught sight ofsomething at which he bounded and caught it up to hold it before him andgaze at it with starting eyes. 

"What does that mean, Mr Murray?" said the lieutenant, in a low tone, his attention having been thoroughly taken up by the intelligent black'sbehaviour. 

"I don't quite know, sir. It's a soft piece of plantain stalk notchedat the edge in a peculiar way. Look, sir. "

For, paying no more heed to his companions for the moment, the blackbegan to search about to the right of the trail, till he suddenlybounded on for a few paces and caught up a piece of green cane about sixinches long and evidently scratched in a special manner. 

"What's that, Caesar?" asked the middy. 

The black, who was gazing at the piece of cane with fixed and staringeyes which seemed to glow, started at the lad's address, and pressedforward to look him questioningly in the eyes, hesitating. 

Then he smiled and nodded. 

"Massa buccra. Good Bri'sh sailor. Come set pore niggah free. Him notell Massa Huggin. Him no kill pore black darkie. Iss, Caesar tellum, " he whispered now, with his lips so close that the lad felt the hotbreath hiss into his ear. "Dat Obeah, massa. Dat black man's Obeah. Come along now Caesar know. Find fetish. Plenty many black boy speaksoon. "

"But you are going the wrong way, " said Murray, clapping the black uponthe shoulder to draw him back. 

"No, sah. Caesar go right way. Way Obeah tell um. "

"But Mr Allen: we want to follow Mr Allen. "

"No can, sah. Not now. Come back. Not time yet. "

"But you said that this Huggins would kill Mr Allen now that he has gothim away. "

"No, " said the black, shaking his head. "No kill um now. Plenty blackboy 'top um; no let um kill Massa Allen. Come back now. Massa wait. "

"Oh, nonsense!" cried the lieutenant. "I am not going to be treatedlike this. Look here, you sir; you must go on and follow up the trailtill we overtake this slaving scoundrel and make him prisoner. Do youhear?"

The black listened, and looked at the speaker gravely, but made noreply. 

"Do you hear, sir?" cried the lieutenant again. "Speak to him, MrMurray; he seems to listen to you better than he does to me. "

"I'll try, sir, " said Murray, "but I'm afraid he will not stir now. "

"You tell him that he must, sir. "

Murray repeated the lieutenant's words, with the result that the blacklistened to him with a face that for a few moments looked dull andobstinate, but which changed to a softer aspect as his bright eyeslooked full in those of the frank young midshipman, before they closedslowly and their owner shook his head. 

"Come, Mr Murray, " said the chief officer; "you are not making thefellow understand. "

"No, sir, " said Murray gravely, "and I am afraid he is not to beforced. " Then the lad's eyes flashed with annoyance, for Robertsglanced at him and said to his leader--

"Shall I try, sir?"

"Yes, do. These people want to be made to understand that when theyreceive orders they must obey them. "

"Yes, sir, " cried Roberts, making the most of himself, as he frowned attheir black guide. "Murray is too easy with them. Here, you sir--"

Here Roberts's speech was cut short by the lieutenant, who had beenwatching the change in Murray's countenance, and he exclaimed--

"That will do, Mr Roberts, thank you. I think I can manage the matterbetter myself. Here, what's your name--Caesar?"

"Yes, sah; Caesar, " said the black; and Murray looked at him sharply, for the man's manner seemed completely changed. 

"Then listen to me. You ought to have learned with the power to speakEnglish that a servant must obey his master. "

The black drew himself up with his face growing hard from his settinghis teeth firmly. 

"Massa Huggin make me servant and call me slabe; beat me--flog me--but Iwas prince once, sah, in Obeah land. "

The lieutenant's face flushed and he was about to speak angrily, butthere was something in the slave's manner that checked him, and the twomiddies looked at him wonderingly, as instead of giving some stern orderhe said in a quiet, matter-of-fact, enquiring way--

"Indeed? So you were a prince or chief in your own country?"

"Yes, sah, " was the reply; and it was given with such calm dignity thatcolour, the half-nude figure, and the blur of slavery were forgotten bythe lookers-on, and the feeling of wonder at the lieutenant's treatmentof their guide died out. 

"How came you here?" said the lieutenant quietly. 

"There was war, sah, and my people were beaten. There were manyprisoners, and we were sold to the man--sold. "

"Hah! Hard--very hard for you, " said the lieutenant, looking at theirguide thoughtfully. "How long is that ago?"

"Twenty year, sah. "

"And you have been this Mr Huggins's slave ever since?"

"No, sah; not long time. Caesar sold free time before Mr Allen boughtme; and he was good massa. He call me Caesar, and make me lub him. "

"Not for christening you Caesar, of course. Then he treated you well?"

"Yes, sah. Then Massa Huggin come and make Massa Allen like slave. "

"Indeed! Well, I have heard something of this from Mr Allen himself, and you will most likely see that this slave-driving scoundrel's reignis over. Do you understand my English?"

"Yes, massa, " said the black quietly. 

"Then you quite understand that you have been helping me as guide sothat we can save Mr Allen from this man, and punish him for all theevil he has done--I mean for this buying and selling of the poor blackswho are brought from Africa here?"

"Yes, massa. "

"Then why do you refuse to go on guiding us to find Mr Allen?"

"Massa no understand, " said the black quietly. "Caesar want to saveMassa Allen. Caesar want to kill Massa Huggin. "

"Do you?" said the lieutenant, smiling. "Well, we do not ask you to dothat. We will manage the punishing; but I want you to go on guiding meand my men to where this slave-dealer is. "

"Yes, massa. Caesar want too, but massa mus' wait. "

"What for? Why should we wait?"

"Massa no understand. "

"I understand from your behaviour that you are afraid, " said thelieutenant sternly. 

"No, massa; not now. Caesar drefful 'fraid lil bit ago. Not now. Caesar want to save Massa Allen, but not time yet, massa. Bri'shofficer wait lil while. "

"Why?" said the lieutenant sharply. 

"Massa no understand. Massa go now and find Massa Huggin. Take one, two--five, ten man Bri'sh sailor; Massa Huggin got ten, twenty, forty, fifty men sword gun plenty powder shot. Plenty 'nough to kill officerand Bri'sh sailor. Plenty strong; two ship. Kill everybody; MassaAllen too. Massa no good. "

"But how do I know that my men would not be too many for thisscoundrel?"

"No, not many. Not 'nuff, sah, " said the black, shaking his head. 

"Then you think we had better go back to the ship and fetch more men?"

The black shook his head and smiled sadly. 

"Caesar 'fraid massa get killed, sailor get killed, Caesar too getkilled. Massa officer must wait. "

The lieutenant gazed at the speaker searchingly, while the blackreturned his keen examination without flinching. 

"Why must I wait?" he said. 

"Too soon, massa. Time not come. "

"Time for what? To give Mr Huggins time to collect his men? He hasplenty of black sailors, has he not?"

"Yes, massa. Hundred, two hundred, tree hundred. "

"So I supposed. Well, I do not feel disposed to wait longer than itwill take me to get up some more of my men--as many as the captain canspare--and then I shall attack at once. "

"No massa can, " said the black quietly. 

"Oh yes, I can, because you who have served us as guide so well, and whowant to save your master, will show us the way. "

"No, massa. Caesar no show the way. "

"Why not?" said the lieutenant angrily. 

"Massa Bri'sh officer and all men be killed. Massa must wait. "

"And if I say I will not wait?" cried Mr Anderson. 

"Caesar show Massa Bri'sh officer why must wait. "

"When will you show me?" asked the lieutenant sharply. 

The black stood silent for a few moments as if debating within himselfsadly and doubtfully. Then turning his eyes upon Murray, his ownbrightened, and he thrust his hand within the cotton shirt which looselycovered his breast and shoulders. Then quickly drawing out the piece ofyoung notched cane and the marked plantain leaf, he looked at themeagerly, turning them over in his hands and seeming to read the marksthat were cut through rind and skin. 

As he did this the black's face brightened and he seemed to have foundthe way out of a difficulty as he held out the tokens of something oranother to Murray. 

"What have you there, my man?" cried the lieutenant. 

"Obeah, massa. Fetish. Massa officer come with Caesar to-night, Caesarshow him why wait. "

"Come with you alone?" said the lieutenant. 

The black shook his head. 

"No, massa come bring massa officer, Bri'sh sailor. Come and see. Caesar not 'fraid now. Massa come to-night. "

"Come where?" cried Mr Anderson. 

"Caesar show. "

"You will show me a good reason why I should wait?"

"Yes, massa. Come 'long now. "

"Come now? Where to?"

"Massa Allen sleep house. Come 'long. Caesar show. "

And without waiting for further question or order, the black thrust thetokens he had found into his breast as he made his way back into thetunnelled passage, where he drew out the phosphorus bottle and taper, lit the latter and then led the way as swiftly as his companions couldfollow, the taper just lasting long enough to light the party back towithin hearing of a call from the guards awaiting them anxiously at theentrance. 

"Now for our rations, my lad, and a rest, " said the lieutenant, as allstood once more in the cottage room and watched the black deftly replacethe trap, drawing over it the rug and making all that had passed seem tothe two midshipmen and the chief officer as if they had been taking partin a dream. 

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN. 

OBEAH. 

"This man is a puzzle, " said the lieutenant. "One hour he is ashivering cowardly slave, the next he plays the part of a hero; and nowhe is like a clever household servant who does the best he can forvisitors in his master's absence. Why, Murray--Roberts--we neverexpected such treatment as this. "

"No, sir, " said the two midshipmen together. 

For Caesar had been bustling about, and one way and another had spreadquite a supper in the planter's little dining-room for the officers, andafterwards supplied the men in one of the back rooms with deliciouscoffee and bread, to the great refreshment of the tired adventurers. 

"What are you thinking about, Mr Murray?" said the lieutenant. "Come, out with it, my lad;" for the middy had hesitated and turned red. 

"I was only thinking, sir, that we ought to send a messenger to the_Seafowl_. "

"Humph! Strange, my lad. I have been thinking just the same, but I canspare neither man nor boat, and I have come to the conclusion that ifCaptain Kingsberry wants news he must send to us for it. What's thatyou are muttering, Mr Roberts?--He will be angry?"

"I didn't say so aloud, sir, " replied the lad. 

"No, but you thought it, sir. Well, if he is he will soon be in a goodhumour again when he finds how busy we have been and what we have madeout. Ah, here is our guide. Well, Caesar, what now?"

"Berry dark now, massa. Come see. "

"Come and see in the dark?" said the lieutenant, who appeared to be inthe best of humours. "Well, what have you to show us?"

The three officers rose from the table and followed their guide out onthe platform, where he pointed to a ruddy glow which rose from beyondthe trees. 

"Fire!" said Murray excitedly. "Can that be where the plantation houselies, sir?"

"No, Mr Murray, I think not. But if it is I should not be surprisedif, taking advantage of their master's absence, the blacks have firedhis house to burn it down. Here, Caesar, are they burning the place?"

"No, massa, " replied the black. "Massa bring all sailor. Come see. "

The lieutenant nodded, and said in a low tone to Murray--

"Look here, my lad, I believe this fellow is to be trusted, but one'scaution and discipline will whisper that we ought to be careful, and itwill not do for us to come back and find that our boats are burned. "

"No, sir, " replied the lad quickly. "Whom will you leave in charge ofthem?"

"I should like to leave May, but I want him with us. What do you say, Mr Roberts? It is an important charge. "

"Yes, sir, " faltered the midshipman, "but--"

"You want to go with us, eh? Well, it is only natural. Murray too, Isuppose, feels the same. But you must take into consideration that thismay be a very dangerous expedition we are going upon. "

"Do you think so, sir?"

"I do, Murray, and I cannot help hesitating now and then--fromignorance, of course, for though our guide seems to be trustworthy, weknow absolutely nothing of what his feelings may be towards us. Well, Ishall leave six men in charge of the two boats, with Titely at theirhead and instructions to keep well off shore. "

These arrangements were quickly made while the black stood looking onimpatiently; and then Murray heard him utter a sigh of relief, for MrAnderson told him to lead on. 

The man sprang to the front at once, and was closely followed by theblacks who formed the crew of the planter's boat. 

"Massa keep close to Caesar, " said their guide, "and tell men not totalk and make noise. Soon get not dark. "

For the time being the darkness seemed to be impenetrable, but somehowthe black leader was quite able to thread his way along an invisibletrack, which however soon grew easier, for the glow in the distanceincreased till the tops of the forest trees began to stand out clearlyagainst the ruddy light. 

Murray had received whispered instructions from his officer, whosecaution seemed to increase as they went on, and those instructionsturned the midshipman into the head of a rear-guard made up of himself, Tom May and two men, with instructions to report upon anything thatseemed to be suspicious. 

It was not long before the lad began to follow out his instructions byleaving the big sailor for a few minutes and hurrying forward to jointhe lieutenant. 

"That you, Mr Murray?" he said. "You've come to say that the fire isincreasing, and that there is another one away to the left?"

"No, sir; I saw that, " replied the middy. 

"Then why have you left your men?"

"To tell you, sir, that we are being followed very closely by a body ofblacks who are hemming us in. "

"Hang it! You don't mean that!"

"I do, sir. Twice over we have seemed to pass through men who arehanging back on either side to let us pass, and who then close in behindus and follow up silently. "

"Humph! Unarmed, I suppose?"

"No, sir; I have not had much opportunity, but I am pretty well surethat, some of them have muskets, while all have those clumsy hangerswith which they clear away the canes and growth from the forest paths. "

"Well, we are in for it now, Mr Murray. But look here, they are notmany, I suppose?"

"They are, sir, and keep on increasing in numbers. "

"But they seem peaceable?"

"Yes, sir, quite; but I can't help feeling suspicious. "

"Yes, it is suspicious, but they may not mean harm. I believe in thatblack Caesar all the same. If I did not I should give the order toretreat at once. There, go back to your men, and keep close up. Takespecial care not to let the blacks get between you and us. "

"There is no need, sir. They hang back to let us all pass. "

"That may be part of their plan to shut us in. But I will go onbelieving in the fellow till I have good cause to turn upon him, andthen it will be very hard if our lads can't keep any number at bay. There, stand fast till your men overtake you. "

Murray halted and let the men march by till Tom May and his messmatesjoined him; and then as he resumed his place he became aware that theblacks in their rear had increased greatly in number. Short as had beenhis absence, it was now much lighter, so that it was plain to see thatthey were being followed by a dense mass of white-cotton-clothedplantation slaves, all bearing arms of some kind or another, and movingin comparative silence, their bare feet making hardly a sound upon thesoft earth. 

"They seem to be increasing fast, Tom, " whispered Murray, as the sailorstramped steadily on. 

"Yes, sir; tidy--tidy, " replied the big fellow. 

"But they don't seem to mean mischief, Tom. "

"No, sir, not yet; but if that was their game they could eat our littlelot without salt. "

"You don't seem to be a bit alarmed, Tom. "

"No, sir; no, sir, only a bit bothered. "

"What about--the darkness?"

"Nay, sir; that's getting easier. It's twice as light as it was. Imeant about what game's up. We seem to be going on some expedition oranother, and I've been trying to settle it down in my mind. Don't thinkit's a coon hunt, do you, sir?"

"No, Tom; they are all too grave and serious for that. "

"Yes, sir, but that might be 'cause they don't want to scare the game. "

"No; this is no hunt, Tom. "

"P'raps not, sir, and I only fancied that's what it might be. No, sir, I don't feel much worried about it--oneasy, you may say. Do you, sir?"

"Well, to be honest, Tom, I don't like to be shut up like this amongthese blacks. Why, they're growing thicker and thicker!"

"That's so, sir. They're hundreds upon hundreds strong. What does thechief officer think of it?"

"He doesn't say, Tom, but I could see that he felt the need of cautionby the order he gave me about keeping close together. "

"Oh, he did that, sir, did he? But I say, I wonder what the skipperwould say about our being in such a hole. "

Murray looked sharply round at the speaker, who to his surprise began tochuckle softly. 

"I don't see anything to laugh at, Tom May, " said the middy sharply. 

"No sir, " replied the man; "I s'pose not. There aren't really nothing. "

"Then why do you laugh?"

"Couldn't help it, sir. Only you see it does seem such cheek on ourpart, just a boat and a half's crew and our orficer marching right inhere no one knows where, only as it's forest and just as cool as youplease, and all these here niggers--reg'lar black thunderstorm of 'em--shutting us in, and all as quiet as mice. We're not a bit frightened of'em, but I'll be bound to say as they're scared of us. It do make melaugh, it do; but I s'pose it's because we've got what they arn't, sir--discipline, you see. "

"I think it takes something more than discipline, Tom, " said themidshipman. "Our men's pluck has something to do with it. "

"Well, sir, I s'pose it has, " replied the man. "But look here, howthey're standing on each side for us to pass through. Talk abouthundreds, why if it goes on like this there'll be thousands soon. "

For the rich red glowing light became stronger and stronger, until atthe end of half-an-hour the trees grew more open and the party couldmake out flame and smoke arising, while the silence of the marching menwas at times broken by the crackle of burning wood. 

"Well, sir, " exclaimed the big sailor, "I can't say as I can make it outyet what game this is going to be, but anyhow we're in for it whateverit is. I say, Mr Murray, sir, these here black African niggers arn'tcannibals, are they?"

"Some of them, Tom, I believe. "

"Then that's it, sir; they're all gathering up together for a greatfeed. Over yonder's a big opening like with the fire in the middle ofit, and we're in for it now, and no mistake!"

"Oh, nonsense, Tom!"

"Is it, sir? Well, I never see such a turn out o' nonsense before. It's going to be a feast they're set upon, and it don't seem to me aswe're going to have a bit o' room if the first luff makes up his mind tofight. All I can say is that cook me how they please, I'm sorry for thepoor beggar of a black who's got to stick his teeth into me. Talk abouta tough un, Mr Murray, sir, I'm one, " chuckled the big fellow. "They're gathered together for a big feast, as I said afore, and it's nouse to show fight, for there arn't room. They'll squeeze us all uppretty tight before the cooking begins, and that may make a bit o'difference in the way of being tender, but I shall give some of them thetoothache for certain, and I don't think after the feed's over many of'em'll want to try British tar again. British tar!" repeated the manjocosely. "Wonder whether I shall taste o' best Stockholm tar. I'vegot pretty well soaked in it in my time. "

"Hush, Tom! Here's Mr Anderson waiting for us to join him. "

For it had proved to be as the sailor had said. They had been marchedinto a wide amphitheatre of trees, in the midst of which a tremendousfire was burning brightly, and by its light the English party could makeout the long serpentine line of men who were marching into theamphitheatre, which was lined with hundreds upon hundreds of blacks, whose eyes glowed in the firelight, while whenever lips were partedthere was the glistening of the brilliantly white teeth. 

It was a strangely impressive sight, as the lieutenant said when Murrayjoined him. 

"I don't know even now, " he added, "what it signifies. They don't meanharm to us, my lad; but if they did we should have small chance ofresistance. It seems to me that they have gathered for some specialreason. It is a sort of feast, I suppose. "

Murray caught sight of Tom May's eyes fixed upon him, and he closed oneeye very slowly and solemnly as he frowned at the midshipman, as much asto say, "There, sir, I told you so!"

"What is your opinion of it, Mr Murray?"

"It looks to me, sir, like a rising of the blacks, for they are allarmed. "

"Well, " said the lieutenant, "they are not rising against us. If theywere they would not be so civil. Besides, they have nothing against usto rise about. They can't rebel against those who have come to givethem their freedom. Let's go and see what is going on there. "

Just then their black guide came forward and stood before them, evidently for the purpose of stopping their progress, for the lieutenanthad begun to cross the middle of the wide opening in the woods to wheresomething important was apparently taking place. 

"Well, Caesar, " said the lieutenant, "what is going on there?"

The black shook his head and looked anxiously from one officer to theother. 

"Massa not go dah, " whispered the man. "Massa just look, see, andlisten to what Obeah man say. "

"Obeah man?"

"Yes, massa. Obeah man. Snake fetish. Big snake in great box dah. Priest Obeah man take snake out o' box soon. Not good for massa. "

"Oh, that's it, is it?" said the lieutenant. "Do you know anythingabout all this, Murray?"

"No, " replied the lad, "only that I have heard something of serpentworship which the blacks have carried with them to Barbadoes andJamaica, sir. "

"Say Hayti too, my lad. "

"No, sir, " said Murray, smiling, his face looking bright in the warmglow spread by the tremendous fire now burning. "I can't say any more, for I have heard so little about these people and their religion. "

"I expect you know as much as I do, Murray, my lad. This is Obeah, isn't it? Serpent worship, Caesar?"

"Yes, massa. Not good for Bri'sh officer and brave sailor. Snake inbig box. Priest show um to people. Obeah. Berry dreadful, sah. "

"Very dreadful nonsense, Murray, " said the lieutenant to his companion, in a low tone. Then speaking aloud: "And what is it all for?"

The black shook his head. 

"Caesar can't tell, massa. Priest show big snake Caesar people. Makeall see fire and fight. "

"Aha! Fight, eh?" said the lieutenant, after a glance at Murray. 

"Yes, massa; make people fight--kill. "

"Fight and kill us?" said Mr Anderson. 

The man showed his white teeth and shook his head. 

"No, massa; Caesar people no fight Bri'sh captain, Bri'sh officer. Allcome do poor black fellow good. Massa want know why not go fesh MassaAllen. Not good time. Caesar people all come to snake fetish. Obeahpriest call people to come not know who Massa Huggin friend, who MassaAllen friend. Caesar bring Bri'sh officer, Bri'sh sailor, see Obeahnight. See Obeah priest show big snake. Snake fetish. Caesar go now. "

The black turned away and walked quickly to where severalstrange-looking negroes--probably Obeah men--had now begun to walk inprocession around the blazing fire, in front of which a longcoffin-shaped box had been placed, and behind which a black, who musthave attained to some consequence among his superstitious brethren onaccount of his gigantic height, stood now in the ruddy glow tossing hisarms on high, gesticulating and uttering a weird strange chant, untilthe English party saw that their guide had approached quite close to thehuge giant, and was evidently talking to him eagerly and with a greatshow of respect. 

"Well, we know where we are now, Murray, " said the lieutenant. "Ourguide has brought us here to see the mummery of their barbarousreligion, and there is no doubt that the people have met to be stirredup to some rising against the planters who own them as slaves. "

"You think so, sir?" asked Murray. 

"Yes, I feel sure of it, my lad. But look here, Murray; the people arequite friendly towards us, so help me in making our lads behavethemselves. I mean, there must be no ribald laughing at the poorwretches. That is not the way to appeal to their better feelings. Lookat that! Poor benighted creatures. These slave-owners must keep themin a darkness as black as their skins. "

For as the party from the _Seafowl_ stood looking on, the strange chantrose and fell, while the huge black, who seemed to be the priest andleader, marshalled the people into a procession which he led round thefire, the blacks gesticulating, raising their arms in the air, and thenbowing themselves down as they marched in a slow and solemn tramp aboutthe blazing embers. Stamp, stamp, stamp; the vibration of the earth andthe movement of the concourse of the excited people raised a current ofair which fanned the flames and sent the sparks flying upwards eddyinginto the black night, while flakes of fire that were now and thendazzling in the brilliancy of their colour flashed and fluttered as theyrose on high. 

There was no need for the lieutenant's words to his young officer, for, far from giving vent to mocking laughter, the sailors stood togetherlooking on with wonder and something like awe at the intensity offeeling displayed by the people, who as they marched slowly onward inthe weird procession, kept on pausing with wonderful unanimity to stampand utter a wild and stirring moan as if of despair. Then they tossedtheir hands on high in obedience to the movements of their leader, whoseemed to tower up above them, and whose black skin, which had mostprobably been heavily anointed with palm oil, glistened in the firelightuntil when every now and then he stopped short and stood motionless, helooked like some great image cast in ruddy bronze. 

Onward and onward tramped and stamped the great procession; the strangethrilling chant rose and fell, now uttered as a wild shrieking yell, andthen descending gradually until the sailors were listening to a wail ofdespair, as if the wretched people were appealing for pity in theirterrible position and asking for help to relieve them from their piteousbondage. 

"And I was afraid my lads would laugh, Murray, " whispered the lieutenanthuskily. "Why, my lad, there's something so terrible, so horrible, about it all that one seems to want no explanation. It tells its owntale of the poor wretches' sufferings. "

"Yes, sir, " whispered back the middy, "and I'm glad to hear you saythat. "

"Glad, boy!" cried the lieutenant, in an angry whisper. "What do youmean by that?"

"Only that it makes me feel choky, sir, " whispered Murray, "and I was abit ashamed. "

"There's nothing to be ashamed of, my lad. I feel as if I should beglad of a chance to set our lads at some of the torturing, murderouswretches who drag the people from their own country and treat them asthey do. "

"I feel the same, sir, " replied Murray, as he stared straight before himat something that had caught his eye; "but we shall have our chance, Ifeel sure, sir, and have the blacks to help us, for they are not workingthemselves up like this for nothing. "

"Working themselves up, " whispered the lieutenant, as the weird chantwent on and the heavy beat of the people's bare feet grew more and moreimpressive, while the rate at which they now tore on increased. "Why, they are working my men up too. The great baby! I shouldn't havebelieved it possible that a big strong fellow like that could have beenso impressed. "

"What, Tom May, sir?" said Murray. 

"Yes, my lad. There were two great tears rolling down his cheeks, and Isuppose he didn't know how they were shining in this dazzling light, forhe rubbed them away with his great ugly fists. Don't let him see thatwe noticed it, for I suppose it is genuine emotion, and no one can saythat he is not as big and brave a fellow as ever stepped. Here, look, boy--look!" whispered the lieutenant excitedly. 

"I am looking, sir, " replied the middy, "and so is every one else. Oh, Mr Anderson, I am glad I didn't miss seeing this. "

"I don't know, my lad, whether I am glad or whether I am sorry, " repliedhis leader, "but I should not have thought it possible. It sets onethinking about what we read regarding the worships of the old idolaters, and I never imagined that such things could be going on now. Look, look; they seem to be growing frantic. It can't last long like this;the poor wretches are growing mad. "

For the chant had grown louder and wilder, the wails in chorus morepiercing and thrilling, and the heavy stamping of the bare feet moreheavy and deep-toned, so that all round the great circle in which theslaves were stamping, the earth vibrated more thunderously than ever. 

Then, as if by one impulse, every actor in the weird scene stopped shortin response to a signal given by the huge leader, who threw up his armsjust when the fire, fanned so strangely by the hundreds of figuressweeping round it, tore upward in a vast whirl of fluttering flame andeddying sparks, and all with a low, deep musical hum which strangelydominated the silence. 

It was as if the multitude had ceased to breathe, and all present werereflecting from their staring protuberant eyes the ruddy light of theroaring cone of flame. The great bronze figure formed the centre uponwhich all eyes were fixed, and he stood now with his hands raised onhigh as if to hold his followers' attention and make them as statue-likeas himself. 

Murray felt impressed and held as it were by the gesture of the greatleader, and for one brief moment turned his eyes upon his brother middy, to see that his face was thrust forward, his lips were apart, and hiseyes and teeth were glistening in the light. 

It was but a momentary glance, and then his own eyes were watching thegreat glistening black, who, perfectly nude, now lowered his arms tillthey were horizontal, and, with levelled and pointing fingers stalkedtowards where the great coffin-shaped box lay in the full light of theglowing and roaring fire. 

He stood with his hands outstretched above the chest for what seemed tobe long-drawn endless minutes; but no one stirred, and then, with onequick movement, he seemed to sweep off the long lid before him, stooped, and plunged his hands into the chest, just too as the fire burned thebrightest; and as he rose erect again he tore from out of where itrested, a great writhing serpent, whose myriad scales flashed in thebrilliant light as if it were of gold. 

And then, and then only, a deep, low, moaning murmur rose from the manythroats and died away as if in the distance in one deep sigh. 

Silence again, and Murray's eyes were fixed, his breast thrilling, and asensation ran through him as if some strange force were plucking at hisnerves and making them vibrate throughout his frame. 

For as the great bronze figure stood erect those who watched could seethat the serpent was all in motion, gliding, twining and crawling allover the priest's stalwart frame, while he too seemed to be working hardwith his hands, trying to control the reptile's movements, but only forit to go on gliding rapidly through his fingers; and as the midshipmanwatched, he kept on getting glimpses of an oval flattened head glidingover the negro's breast, passing beneath his arms, reappearing againover his shoulders to pass round his neck, and always eluding the busyhands which tried to restrain it. 

The scene was wonderful. Murray had watched the black snatch thereptile from the box which held it, and then it was as if he hadsnatched forth a dozen serpents which were ever after twining andintertwining in continuous motion and flashing the while in a wonderfulquivering, endlessly moving flame of glistening scales which seemed tothrow off a phosphorescent mist of light that enveloped both reptile andman. 

As Murray gazed, fascinated by the weirdly strange scene before him, itseemed to him a dozen times over that a deadly struggle was going onbetween the two writhing creatures, and that every now and then, as thegolden oval head darted out of the confusion of movement, it was only togather force for a dart at the man and fix its fangs in the quiveringflesh. But there was no cessation; the reptile was ever strong, and theman as vigorous as ever. Darting at the struggling figure about whichit was twined, and then--perhaps it was the boy's imagination--gapingwide to fix upon some part of the quivering flesh, breast, back, shoulder, or side, perhaps most often at the hands which kept on movingabout as sharply as the flat head which played around with suchwonderful rapidity. And the motion was ceaseless, always glistening andflashing with light, and watched by the hundreds upon hundreds ofglowing opal eyes which reflected the cone of flame still going onspiralling upwards and burning more fiercely than ever. 

What is going to be the end? Murray asked himself. Will the serpentconquer and the great black priest fall faint and powerless, strangledto death by the folds of the reptile, which were ever tightening roundbreast and neck? But they were ever loosening as well, and at one timethe boy's chest expanded with a glow of satisfaction, for it seemed tohim that the man was gaining the mastery over his enemy, havingsucceeded in grasping the serpent's neck with both hands, and begun toswing and whirl it round and round, whizzing through the air level withhis neck. Murray could almost believe that it was whirled round so fastthat he could even hear it hum and then snap and crack as if it weresome mighty whip-lash with which the great black was flogging the goldendarkness of the night. 

The middy panted again, and there was a feeling of constriction abouthis chest, just as if the serpent or one of the many serpents that attimes, it seemed, had thrown a fold about him--yes, and another had beencast about his neck, for in the struggle going on before his eyes thereptile seemed to be gaining the best of it once more, and the man wasweakening rapidly. 

He wondered too that the crowd eddying around remained so silent. Itseemed to him only natural that they should give vent to their feelingswith shouts of joy when the priest looked successful, and groanings whenthe serpent had him circled tightly in its toils. 

But all the same the midshipman in his excitement realised that he wasas silent as the rest, and stood there, with the perspiration tricklingdown from brow to cheek, watching and watching for the end which seemedas if it would never come. 

It must be, he was sure, a struggle that could only end in one way--death for one of the combatants. And yet the lad felt doubt creep in, and he asked himself whether it might not end in death for both. 

There were moments when, as he saw the great negro struggle and freehimself partially from the serpent's folds, he foresaw the reptile's endin the glowing fire, which would become man's colleague as well asservant, and he could almost see the monster writhing and curling up inthe roaring flames to which it was apparently adding fresh fury. 

But the next moment there was another phase of horror, for one fold ofthe many convolutions seemed to be tightened about the man's arm, and hewas evidently about to be dragged into the fire too, and, as he hadbefore imagined, it was to be death for both. 

But no; the serpent snatched itself away from the impending danger andtightened itself about the man, who was the next instant bound by thegreat living thong about and about his heaving body, and the strugglewas resumed upon equal terms. 

Was it never going to finish?

The end was at hand in a way that the watcher had never for a momentanticipated, for all at once, when the silence, save for the hummingnoise of the fire, was at its greatest depth, there arose the suddenhollow trumpet-like blast of a great conch shell, followed by a savagefiendish yell, and for one brief moment Murray saw the huge black, golden red in the fire's glow, standing wiping, as it were so to speak, the folds of the great serpent from off his arms, then from his neck, and again from his breast, about which it heaved and twined, before itwas gone, as it were, twisted up by the great knotted arms of the hugenegro, and thrown into the long coffin-shaped chest, whose lid wasslammed down with a noise like the report of a gun; and this wasfollowed by a noise as of a great wind passing over the amphitheatre, and Murray looked to see the fire swept away and growing extinct beforethe force of what sounded like a storm. 

But the fire blazed still, and dominating the rushing wind a voice arosefrom close at hand with the familiar cry of--

"_Seafowls_ ahoy!"

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT. 

A NIGHT IN THE WOODS. 

The summons given in hearty English was responded to by a ragged volleyof so many muskets, whose flashes came faintly from the edge of theamphitheatre, and wondering what it meant, Murray, as he looked round, was just in time to see the big black giant of a negro spring high inthe air, come down with a crash upon the coffin-shaped chest, roll over, and writhe for a few moments before lying perfectly still. 

As the big negro was seen to fall, the crowd of blacks who were hurryinghere and there as if in dismay, uttered a series of shrieks and yells, and began to run in confusion towards the end of the woody amphitheatrefarthest from the fire, but only to encounter another ragged volley ofmusketry which checked them and drove them back, leaving several oftheir number to fall struggling upon the ground, while Murray saw twomore totter and go down as they ran shrieking, half mad with fear, towards another portion of the lit-up ring of light, for they avoidedthe little party of armed seamen as if they took them for one of thecauses of the sudden attack. 

"Stand fast, my lads, " cried the lieutenant. "Now then, forward!"

He placed himself at the head of his men, who followed him with theirmuskets shouldered, but at the end of a few yards their commandercalled--

"Halt--I'm not at all sure of our way, gentlemen, " he said, addressingthe two midshipmen, "but I think we ought to take that end--yonder wherethe blacks are collecting. "

"No, sir, I don't think that's right, " cried Murray. "You see, everypart of the circus-like place looks like the rest. "

"Yes, I see that, Murray, but surely there is the path yonder by whichwe came. "

But as he spoke, half-a-dozen more musket flashes came from the veryspot to which he had pointed, and what might be called a wave of blackfigures came, dotting the earth with as many white cotton-clad woundedor dead unfortunates as shots had been fired. 

"Bah! I'm wrong, " cried the lieutenant angrily. "This looks like aplanned massacre of the poor creatures gathered at this meeting. If wecould only find our guide we might have a chance to get out of thehorrible confusion. Here, let's try this way. "

"Yes, sir; that is the way, I am sure, for it is just opposite to thatchest out of which that poor fellow took the snake. "

"You are right, sir, " cried the lieutenant; "and we must retreat in thatdirection, for it is of no use to try and make a stand against a hiddenenemy. "

"Why don't those poor wretches show fight, sir?" cried Murray excitedly, as the little party began their march. 

"Because they have no one to lead them, my lad. "

"Can't we, sir?"

"We could if they knew us, Murray; but we are strangers, and it would bemadness to try and head such a confused mob. "

"I suppose so, sir, " said Murray sadly, as he marched on beside hiscommander, who now gave an order to the men he led, which was heardplainly above the shouting and yelling of the blacks, who in their fearand confusion had cast away the heavy machetes with which they had armedthemselves. 

"Make ready, my lads, in case the enemy has taken possession of our lineof retreat. "

But all seemed perfectly still amongst the trees they approached, andtheir lit-up trunks and boughs offered shelter as well as a way ofretreat, when at one and the same moment, just as Mr Anderson calledout, "Forward, my lads! That is the right path, " Tom May shouted fromthe rear--

"Here's that there Caesar, sir, coming after us full pelt. "

"Yes, " cried Roberts, "and he's bringing all the blacks with him to thisend. "

Then it was that a fresh burst of flashes came from the now plainly seenopening for which the _Seafowls_ made, checking their advance and layingtwo of them low. 

"Retreat!" shouted a voice which sounded father strange, and it wasfollowed by a fierce roar from the lieutenant bidding the men reply. 

In an instant a good steady volley was fired at the spots from which thelast shots had come, and then obeying the order that followed, the wholeparty, cutlass in hand, with Tom May roaring "Go on, my lads--forrard!"charged into the heavily-beaten forest path, trampling over three fallenblacks who lay struggling, faintly seen, upon the earth. 

"Why, we're firing upon the wrong men, " cried Mr Anderson. 

"No, massa, " said a familiar voice, hoarse with shouting. "All MassaHuggin men. Our boys no got gun. "

"Then we're all right?"

"Yes, massa. "

"And who are these coming on here?"

"All pore boy run away. Massa Huggin men come out of trees long behind, massa listen. "

There was occasion to hearken, for above the murmurs, wails and shoutsof the blacks who were flying from pursuit came the scattered firing ofthose who had been busy in the massacre that had been taking place. 

"Guide us back along the path to Mr Allen's house, " cried thelieutenant. 

"No, massa; boy here do that. Caesar must stop fight. "

"Good! Brave fellow!" cried the lieutenant. "Here, I'll give those whofired upon us a few shots first to clear the way. "

"No, massa; all gone, " cried the black; "all run away. Massa let poorblack boy come 'long here. Make sailor man shoot Massa Hugginslave-catch-man. Hark! Um come 'long fast. Shoot, shoot!"

"Do you understand what he means, Mr Murray?" said the lieutenant, rather breathlessly. 

"Yes, sir. He means let the poor wretches go by us and we hold the pathtill the enemy comes up, and give them a volley or two to check theadvance. "

"Very good tactics if you are right, " said the lieutenant. "At any ratewe'll try it. But what does this mean?"

The light from the fire barely penetrated to where they stood, but therewas enough to show that Caesar was in a confused fashion sorting theflying blacks into two parties, --those who were unarmed he hurried downthe path in the way of retreat, while those who had maintained enoughcourage to keep their machetes, he ranged upon either side of the path, while, to Murray's wonder and surprise, for they had been forgotten forthe moment, four of the blacks came forward supporting two of thewounded man-o'-war's men. 

"Oh, my poor lads!" cried the lieutenant eagerly. 

"You, Mr Roberts, and you, Seddon. Are you badly hurt?"

"No, sir, " cried the middy cheerily. "Only two _Seafowls_ winged, sir!"

"Nay, sir, not me!" growled the seaman belonging to the second cutter. "I arn't winged, sir; I'm hind-legged, and I should have had to hop ifit warn't for these niggers here. "

"Mr Murray, I can't spare you. Tom May, you take Mr Murray's placeand help me cover the retreat with all the men. Mr Murray, do the bestyou can with the wounded, and then join us here. "

"No, no, sir, " cried Roberts. "I've got a handkerchief round my arm, sir; Seddon tied it, and he's done his own leg up himself. "

"Bravo!" cried the lieutenant. "Keep together, my lads. Here, youCaesar, can't you make some of your fellows fight?"

"Caesar try, massa; try berry hard. Much frighten of Massa Huggin. "

"Tell them to fight for their lives if they won't for their liberty. "

"Yes, sah. Caesar try all he can;" and the black made a rush at one ofhis retreating companions whom he saw in the act of throwing away hisrough cutlass; and catching him by the shoulder he gave him a heavy cuffon the ear and then forced him to pick up the weapon he had discardedand join a few compatriots who were making something of a stand. 

"There's no trusting them, sir, " said Murray, who was breathing hardwith excitement. 

"And no wonder, Murray; all the courage has been crushed out of them, poor wretches. "

As Mr Anderson spoke there was a burst of startled yells and cries, following directly upon the reports of several muskets, and what seemedto be quite a crowd of the retreating blacks came rushing along the pathright upon where the _Seafowl's_ men were making a stand. 

"Here, where are you coming to?" roared Tom May, in his deep-tonedvoice. "Keep back, or go round, or crawl, or do something, or we'llgive _you_ a blessed good dose of butt-ending. --Who's to fire, do youthink, " continued the big sailor, "with you all coming in the way?"

At that moment Caesar made a rush in amongst the shivering retreatingparty, striking to right and left with the flat of his machete. 

"Here, what are you up to, darkie?" cried the big sailor. "Them'sfriends. "

"Yes, sah, " panted the black. "Caesar know. Make 'em fight. "

"Oh, that's it, is it?" growled May, "but I don't see as you will do anygood. They won't fight, and I don't know as I want 'em to; but theymight let us. "

"Do what you can to clear the way, man. "

There was the sound of more trampling feet, a burst of yells, morefiring, and Tom May shouted in protest--

"Beg pardon, sir; what are we to do? Some more of our fellows will bedown directly, and we can't fire a shot for fear of hitting our friends. I never see such friends, " he growled; "they're worse than enemies. "

"Look out, my lads, " shouted Murray excitedly. "Fire! Here they come!No, no--over their heads, " he cried. "These are more friends. "

In his excitement the middy struck up a couple of presented muskets withthe cutlass he handled, his example being followed by the lieutenant, doubtless the saving of Caesar's life, for the brave black had dashed inamongst his companions, thrusting them to the right and left in amongstthe trees, just as several of the sailors fired, fully half of themfiring in the air. 

Fortunately the reports were as effective as a volley would have beenaimed right into the advancing enemy, who pulled up short and then beganto retire, giving the poor flying wretches an opportunity to recoverthemselves a little, and realise that there was some shelter to beobtained behind the sturdy English sailors, who stood firm, while Caesarworked hard at forming them up where they stood, and with such goodeffect that about forty of them grasped their rough cutlasses morefirmly and showed some signs of using them against their foes now thatthese latter had ceased to advance. 

"Well done, my lad, " cried the lieutenant; "if you can find a couple ofscore like yourself we'll send these black fiends and their whiteleaders to the right-about. "

"Steady there!" cried Murray, the next minute, for the effect of thevolley had died out, and the enemy advanced again, shouting, and firedonce more. 

"Fire!" cried the lieutenant, for there was no sign of the retreatingblacks in front, and the levelled muskets of the sailors poured out awell-levelled volley, which was received by the slavers with a yell ofsurprise and the rush of feet in full retreat; and then once more therewas silence. 

"That has done its work, my lads, " cried the lieutenant, as the menreloaded rapidly, the sound of the thudding ramrods as they were drivendown raising a low murmur of excitement through the black fugitives, among whom, as far as could be made out in the darkness, Caesar was busyat work, talking loudly, and ending after dragging and thrusting hiscompatriots, by getting them well together and then making his way towhere the lieutenant and Murray stood some little distance in advance, listening and trying to make out when the planter's men were coming onagain. 

"Boys say won't run away any more, massa, " whispered the blackbreathlessly. 

"Glad to hear it, my friend, " said the officer bitterly. 

"Yes, massa; so Caesar. Not frighten now. Ready 'tan' fast. Readykill Massa Huggin sailor fellow. "

"But I can't trust them, Caesar; can _you_?"

The black was silent for a few moments, and then he said sadly--

"Caesar do um bes', massa. "

"So you have, my lad. But the next time the enemy come on your menshall try what they can do. "

"Here they come again, sir, " whispered Murray. 

"Keep silence then, " said the lieutenant. "May, all of you wait and letthem come on till you hear their leaders' orders to fire, and let themhave it first. "

Then turning to the black, the speaker bade him head his men, who nowbegan to be pretty steady, and lead them along the path in the directionof the planter's cottage. 

"No, no, massa. Caesar make boys fight now. "

"You do as I tell you, sir, " replied the lieutenant sternly. "Go onback, collecting as many more of your men as you can, and my lads shallcover the retreat and check the slaves. "

"Massa want Caesar do this?" said the black sadly. 

"Yes, and I want you to obey my orders. "

"Yes, massa, " said the black, with a sigh, "only Caesar feel like fightand die for massa now. "

_Crash_!

There was the sound of a volley, so many muskets going off together likeone, while as the sound began to die away, it was mingled with loudyells and curses, and emphasised as it were by the rattling of theramrods in the barrels of the muskets. 

"I think that's checked them, sir, " said Murray; but almost as he spokethere came three shots from some of the boldest of the enemy who hadstopped short to snap off their vengeful retreating replies to thesailors' volley. 

"Waste of powder, " growled Tom May. "Hear 'em running through thetrees, Mr Murray, sir?"

"Yes, and I should like to give them another volley. "

"So should I, sir, " panted the big sailor, as he drove down his ramrodtill it nearly hopped out of the musket-barrel again; "but we can'tafford it. "

"Any one hurt there, May?" cried the lieutenant. 

"Yes, sir; lots, " replied the big sailor, with a chuckle ofsatisfaction. 

"What's that?" cried the lieutenant, in anxious tones. 

"Beg pardon, sir, " growled the sailor hastily. "I didn't mean us. "

"Silence, sir!" cried the lieutenant sternly. 

The next minute, in the midst of that which the officer had commanded, they heard him giving orders to the black. 

"You'll hear of this again, Mr Tom May, " said Murray. 

"Yes, sir, I s'pose so, " said the big sailor grumpily. "That's justlike me. It's just as an old mate of mine once said. `You've got ahorkerd sort o' mouth, Tommy, you have, ' he says. `You never opens itbut you puts your foot in it. '"

"Hist! What does that mean, Tom?" whispered the middy. 

"Means it's so plaguey dark that you can't see what's going on. "

"Yes, but you can listen, sir. "

"Oh, Mr Murray, sir, don't you come down upon me too. Just then it wasMister Tom May; and now it's _sir_. I didn't mean no harm, sir. Itcheers a man up, to try and think a bit cheery, 'specially when you'reexpecting a bullet every minute to come in for'ard and pass out astarn. "

"Don't talk, man, " whispered Murray. "Can't you hear the enemy?"

"Yes, sir: that's them, sir, creeping up towards us through the bushes. "

The man spoke with his lips close to the middy's ear. 

The silence seemed to be terrible, and to Murray the feeling was that hecould not breathe. 

"Won't you give us the order to let 'em have it again, sir, withoutwaiting till the first luff comes back?" whispered the sailor. 

"Isn't he there, Tom?"

"No, sir, he's gone off with them poor shivering niggers, sir, to try abit o' manoeuvring o' some kind; but he won't do no good, sir. Theyarn't got a bit o' fight in 'em. But what can you expect of a poorbeggar as lives on yam and a chew o' sugar-cane? It don't give a manpluck, sir. If I had 'em fed up a bit on salt horse and weevly biscuitI'd make 'em something like in a few weeks. There, sir; hear that?"

"Yes, " whispered Murray. "Ah, they're getting ready to fire. Makeready. Each man aim at where he thinks they're coming on. Fire!"

A capital volley was the result, followed by the rush of feet of thosewho had been creeping up through the trees; and then above the cracklingand breaking of leaf and twig, arose a furious yell and the groaning ofhuman beings in intense pain. 

"How horrible it sounds!" said Murray, as the thudding of ramrods arose. 

"Does it, sir?" grunted Tom May. "Oh, I dunno, sir. Sounds to meblack. Dessay it would ha' seemed to me horrid if it had been white. There, sir; Mr Anderson don't seem to think bad on it, " growled theman. 

For at that moment the chief officer hurried up to where they stood, uttering a few quick enquiries and listening to the results. 

"No one hurt then?" he said, with a sigh of satisfaction. "That's good, Mr Murray. Oh, by the way, Thomas May, I shall want a word or two withyou when this business is over. Mr Murray, you will bring up the rear. Keep together, and follow me as silently as you can. Mr Murray, theblacks are well together now, following the planter's man, and we haveto follow him, for I have to depend upon him to lead us back. I neednot say that you must keep your ears well open, for in spite of thechecks we have given them the enemy may come on again. "

"The first luff don't seem to think it's very horrible, Mr Murray, sir, " whispered the big sailor, as he trudged as silently as he couldbeside his companion of the rear-guard. 

"No, Tom, " replied the middy; "but this fighting in the dark is veryhorrible all the same. "

"Well, I dunno, sir. 'Tarn't nice, of course; but 'tarn't our fault, and wherever we've left one o' them black or white slaver chaps a bitsore on the nat'ral deck yonder you may say as he desarves all he'sgot. "

Murray made no reply, for he had stopped short for a few moments tolisten; and finding this, the big sailor followed his example. 

"Hear 'em coming, sir?"

"No, Tom; I thought I did, but all seems quite still again. Here, Iwish you'd listen. I don't know how it is, but you seem to hear muchmore plainly than I can. "

Tom chuckled. 

"Well, what is there to laugh at in what I said?"

"Oh, I dunno, sir, on'y it sounded rum to me. "

"What did, sir?"

"You saying you couldn't hear so plain as I can. "

"Well, what is there rum, as you call it, in that?"

"Nowt, sir, only the reason why. I can hear sharp as sharp, sir, because I was always getting my ears boxed when I was a boy. I was sentto what they call a Dame school, and I s'pose I was a very tiresome boy, for she used to box my ears--both on 'em--with the book. Then when Igot bigger and I was at the school where there was a master he used togive it my ears precious hot, I can tell you, sir; but it made 'em assharp as sharp, and I used to be so quick with 'em that I could hear hishands coming when he was going to hit me; and then he used to miss, andinstead of hitting 'em he used to warm my ears with words. "

"Then you can't hear the enemy following us, Tom?" whispered the middy. 

The man stopped short and dropped upon one knee to listen. 

"N-n-n-Yes, I can, sir, " whispered the man quickly. "Come on, sir; thesailors, they're not far behind. Gently; I don't think they can hear usthen. Let's get up to the first luff and see what he says about givingthem another shot or two. "

"Yes, press on. We've let them get too far ahead, " said Murray hastily. "We ought to have kept close up. "

"Would ha' been better for some things, sir; but you can't keep close upwhen you're in the rear and hear the enemy too. Wish the first luffwould let us have that nigger chap with us. He can feel his way in thedark when it's black as black. "

"But he can't be spared. Can you tell how near the enemy are?"

"No, sir. Can't hear 'em now. Let's ketch up to our chaps, and then assoon as we're within touch with 'em we'll stop again and listen. "

"Halt there, or we fire!" said a voice sharply, out of the blackdarkness in front. 

"Hush! The enemy are close at hand, " whispered Murray, in a lowsuppressed voice. 

"Who's yon?" whispered another voice. "Look out, sir. "

"Here, Tom, what does this mean?" said Murray excitedly. 

"Means it ought to be my messmate, Billy Titely sir, only he's gotwinged, sir, and gone right on ahead. "

"Nay, he arn't, Tom, lad, 'cause he's here, " came in the familiar tones. "Say, Mr Roberts, sir, is that there Tom May talking, or has my woundmade me a bit dillylerous. I wish you'd just say. "

"Is Dick Roberts there?" whispered Murray excitedly. 

"I should say he was, sir, only I keep on going off giddy like. "

"But you ought to be right on ahead of Mr Anderson and the men, " criedMurray. 

"There, I telled you, sir, Mr Roberts, sir, " said Titely. "I couldfeel like as we was somehow got into the wrong watch, and I did say so, sir. "

"Oh, bother!" cried Roberts. "It was so dark, and my head was all of aswim. Well, never mind; let's get into our right place again. Where isit?"

"I dunno, sir. These here black chaps as is guiding us will show usright enough. "

"Hist! Hist!" whispered Murray. "Can't you understand? We're therear-guard of the column, Tom May and I, and the enemy is somewhereclose behind. Haven't you got your men with you, and some blacks?"

"We had, " replied Roberts, "but somehow we've got separated from them, or they've got separated from us; I don't know how it is. It's allthrough my wound, I suppose. Here, Murray, old chap, you'd better putus right again. "

"Will you hold your stupid tongue, Dick?" whispered Murray excitedly. "Here, both you and Titely follow me. Get behind them, Tom May, andlook sharp, or we shall be too late. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" replied the big sailor; and Murray heard him throw hismusket from one shoulder to the other before seeming to loosen hiscutlass in the scabbard, which the lad could only interpret as puttinghimself in readiness for an immediate encounter. 

"Listen again, Tom, " whispered Murray. 

There was a pause, and for a few minutes nothing broke the strangesilence which reigned. 

"Well?" whispered the middy impatiently. 

"Well, sir, I can't make nothing of it, " replied the sailor. 

"Not so loud, Tom. "

"All right, sir, but I don't think that was much of a pig's whisper. "

"Oh, nonsense! What do you make of it now?"

"Nowt, sir, only as we've got ourselves into a great hobble. I can'thear nothing of our chaps. "

"No; they've gone on, and we must overtake them and let Mr Andersonknow that Roberts and Titely have lost their way, and have doubled backso that we have met them. "

"Ay, ay, sir, that's the way; but how are we going to do it?"

"You take Titely by the arm, and I'll hurry on Mr Roberts. Let's startat once. "

"Right, sir. Which way?"

"Follow Mr Anderson's track at once. "

"Yes, sir, of course; but which way's that?"

"Why, you don't mean to say you've lost touch, Tom?" said Murrayexcitedly. 

"Nay, sir, I arn't had nothing to touch lately. I s'pose I've turnedstoopid through coming upon them two so sudden. But just you start me, sir, and then I shall go on as steady and reg'lar as can be. "

"Tom!" groaned Murray. 

"Ay, ay, sir! Which way?"

Murray uttered a gasp as he stood trying to pierce the darkness, turningslowly in different directions the while. 

"Ready, sir, " said the sailor. "I've got hold of Bill Titely, sir, quite tightly too, " added the man, with a low chuckle. 

Titely groaned aloud. 

"Steady, sir!" whispered the man. "That was a regular pig's whisper, and no mistake. --Quiet, you lubber!" he added, giving his messmate ashake. "Don't bully him, sir; his wound's made him a bit silly like, and he don't quite know what he's about, or he wouldn't howl aloud likethat. "

"Here, stop that, " came from out of the darkness. "Who is it--you, Frank? Don't play the fool with a fellow. It makes me so jolly giddy, and it hurts. "

"I'm not doing anything, Dick, " whispered Murray. "Oh, do be quiet, oldchap! Can't you understand that your wound has made you turn weak, andthat the enemy are somewhere close at hand?"

"No! It all goes round and round and round. Stop it, will you?"

"Dick, I'm doing nothing, " said Murray despairingly. "Be quiet, oryou'll betray us to the enemy. "

"Hang the enemy! Who cares for the enemy? I'm not going to run awayfrom a set of woolly-headed niggers. Let's fight them and have donewith it. "

"Say, Mr Murray, sir, we've got in a hole this time. Arn't you 'mostas bad as me?"

"Worse, Tom--worse!" groaned Murray. 

"Oh, you couldn't be worse, sir, " said the man hastily; "but you can'ttell me which way to go, can you?"

"No, Tom; the darkness seems to have quite confused me, and if I tellyou to make a start we're just as likely to run upon the enemy as to goafter Mr Anderson. "

"That's so, sir; and that arn't the worst of it. "

"There can be no worse, Tom, " said Murray despondently. 

"Oh yes, sir, there can, for you see it arn't you and me alone to lookafter one another; we've each got a messmate on our hands, for I s'poseit wouldn't be right for you to leave Mr Roberts to shift for hisself, no more than it would for me to leave Billy Titely. "

"Of course not, poor fellows; we must stand by them to the last. "

"That's your sort, sir. A sailor allers stands by his messmate; butthey are a pair of okkard ones just now, just at a time when it's darkas the bottom of a pitch kettle full right up to the very top. But dosay something, Mr Murray, sir. "

"Say, Tom! I've got nothing to say. "

"I know some one who will have, sir, when we come acrorst him, andthat's Mr Anderson, sir. " Murray groaned. 

"I think I shall get behind you, sir, " said the big sailor, with achuckle, "so as he can take the sharp edge off his tongue on you first. "

"Tom May!" whispered the midshipman bitterly. "How can you laugh at atime like this!"

"I dunno, sir, but I don't mean nothing disrespectful to my officer, sir. I thought a bit of a joke would cheer us up a bit. But it arn'tnat'ral like, for I feel as if I could lay my cocoanut up again' a treeand howl like a sick dog as has got his fore foot under a wheel. But itis a muddle, sir, arn't it? What shall we do?"

"I can only think one thing, Tom, and it is horrible. It seems likegiving up in despair. "

"Never mind, sir: let's have it, for I want to be doing something. "

"I can think of nothing but waiting till daylight. "

"Can't you, sir? Well, I thought that, but it seemed to me too stoopid. But I don't know as there isn't some good in it, for we might get themtwo to lie still and sleep, and that's about all they're fit for. It'sorful dark, but that don't matter for the sick bay, and when they wakeup again in the morning, perhaps they won't talk silly. You're right, sir; let's put our wounded to bed, and then divide the rest of the nightinto two watches. I'll take the first, and you take the second watch, which will carry us well on till daylight. What do you say to that, sir?"

"That it is the best thing to be done; only we'll watch together, Tom, and rest. "

"Not you go to sleep, sir?" said Tom dubiously. 

"I could not sleep, Tom. We'll talk in whispers about the blacks'meeting and what they were planning to do. "

"Very well, sir. --What say, Billy? No, no! No answering, my lad. You'll be telling the niggers where we are. You've got to lie down, forit arn't your watch. --That's the way. --Now, Mr Murray, sir, you letyour one down easy. That's the way, sir--close up together. It'll keep'em right, and p'raps ward off the fever. Now you and I sit down andhave our palaver. I should say let's sit on 'em as soon as they'reasleep, but I s'pose you wouldn't like to sit on Mr Roberts. "

"Oh no, of course not, " said the midshipman. 

"All right, sir; you think it wouldn't be fair to your messmate, but itwould, for it would keep him warm. But I shall do as you do, sir; orlet's try t'other way. "

"What other way, Tom?"

"Sit up close to one another, back to back; then I warms you and youwarms me, and that keeps away the chill. You gets a bit tired after atime and feels ready to droop for'ard on to your nose, but when thatcomes on you can hook elbers, and that holds you upright. --Now then, sir, how's that? Right? Wait a minute; let's have a listen. Threecheers for well-boxed ears!"

The big sailor sat upright and listened intently for a few minutes, before he whispered--

"I can just hear the beetles crawling about among the dead leaves andthings, sir, and seeming to talk to one another in their way, but Ican't hear no niggers coming arter us. Strange thing, arn't it, sir, that one set o' blacks should take to capturing another set o' blacksand selling 'em into slavery? Them's a savage lot as that Huggins hasgot together, and it strikes me as we shall find 'em reg'lar beggars tofight if it's all right as Master See-saw says about their manning hisships. So far as I could make out he's got schooners manned with whiteruffians as well as black blacks, and all as bad as bad can be. "

"Yes, Tom, " said Murray thoughtfully. 

"Nice beauties, " continued Tom, "and so far as I can make out, sir, there was going to be a reg'lar rising to-night, or last night. Theplantation niggers had come to the way of thinking that it was time tomutiny and kill off them as had brought 'em here, and so that thereHuggins--my word, shouldn't I like to have the job of huggin' him!--gotto know of it and brings his schooners' crews to show 'em they was notthe sort of chaps to carry out a mutiny of that kind. "

"Poor wretches, no, " said Murray sadly. 

"That's right, Mr Murray, sir. Poor wretches it is. You see, sir, they're a different sort o' nigger altogether. I got to know somehowfrom a marchant skipper as traded off the West Coast that there's twosorts o' tribes there, fighting tribes as fights by nature, and tribesas 'tisn't their nature to fight at all. Well, sir, these here firstones makes war upon them as can't fight, carries off all they can asprisoners, and sells 'em to the slave-traders. Then it comes at last toa mutiny like this here we've seen, and the poor wretches, as you callsthem, is worse fighters than they was afore, and slaving skippers likeHuggins collects their schooners' crews together and drives the blackmutineers before 'em like a flock o' Baa, baa, black sheep, kills a lotand frightens a lot more to death, and then things goes on just the sameas before. --Comfortable, sir?"

"No, Tom. Are you?"

"No, sir. But that's about how it is, arn't it?"

"Yes, I believe so, Tom. "

"Then it goes on as I said till their medicine man--sort o' priest, Isuppose--stirs 'em to make another try to get the upper hand. Talks alot o' that nonsense to 'em about fetish and Obeah, as they calls it, and shows the poor benighted chaps a bit of hanky panky work with a bigsnake like that we saw to-night. Makes 'em think the snake's horridpoisonous, and that it can't bite him as handles it, because he's tooksome stuff or another. Rum game that there was with that sarpent, and--I say, sir, don't you think we'd better get up now for a bit and justmark time? You see, we can't walk, for if we do we shall loseourselves. "

"We might take it in turns, and just keep touch of one another. "

"What, sir? No, thankye. Ketch me trying that way again! We've hadenough of that. Fust thing, though, let's see how our wounded's gettingon. "

"Yes, Tom, " said Murray; and they felt for their unfortunate companionsin the darkness, with the result that Titely flung out one fist with theaccompaniment of an angry growl, and at the first touch of Murray'sfingers, Roberts uttered an angry expostulation, taking all thestiffness out of his brother middy's joints as the lad started, brokeout in a violent perspiration, and caught hold of his wakeful companion, for the pair to stand listening for some sign of the enemy having heardthe cry, and beginning to steal silently towards them. 

"Cutlasses, Tom, " whispered Murray, with his lips to the big sailor'sear, and together they unsheathed their weapons and stood back to back, ready to defend themselves. 

"Thrust, Tom, " whispered Murray again. 

"Ay, ay, sir!" And then the terrible silence of the black darkness wasonly broken by a faint mutter from one or other of the wounded pair, while the listeners breathed hard in agony, trying the while to suppressthe going and coming of the prime necessity of life. Murray pressed thehard hilt of his cutlass against his breast in the faint hope that by sodoing he could deaden the heavy throbbing that sounded loudly to hisear, while if any one was approaching at all near he felt certain thathe must hear the dull thumps that went on within the breast of the bigsailor. 

There was another dread, too, which troubled the watch-keepers: at anymoment they felt certain the disturbed sleepers might begin talkingaloud. But that peril they were spared. 

"Don't hear anything, sir, " whispered Tom, at last. "I made sure weshould have brought them down upon us. I say, sir, it seems to me asNatur must have made some mistake. "

"How?" asked Murray. 

"Forgot to wind up the sun last night. "

"What do you mean?"

"So as it should rise again. "

"Nonsense!" said Murray, in a voice which sounded to be full ofannoyance. "That's the morning breeze beginning to blow. "

"Well, I don't care, sir, " grumbled the big sailor; "it ought to havebeen to-morrow morning before now. Sun must be late. I never knowedsuch a long night before. "

"It's coming, Tom, and before long. Isn't that the warm glow?"

"No, " said the sailor shortly. "As you said, there's a breeze coming upfrom somewhere or another, and tidy strong, too. "

"Yes, " said Murray. 

"Well, it's blowing up the embers of the fire that was burning its waythrough the woods. "

"Think so, Tom?" said Murray, his companion's words arousing hisinterest. 

"Yes, sir; that's it. Can't you see that it looks reddish?"

"So does the sunrise. "

"Yes, sir, that's true; but all the same I'm sartain that's the firebrightening up a bit. We haven't seen no pale dawn yet. "

"If it would only come, Tom!"

"Yes, sir; and what then?"

"We shall be able to find our messmates and bring them to our side. "

"Maybe we shall bring the black and white niggers instead, sir, andit'll mean a fight, for we're not going to give up quietly, are we?"

"No, Tom, and I hope that when those two wake up they may be able tofire a shot or two to help us. "

"Hope so, sir. But look yonder: there's the dawn coming. "

"Yes!" whispered Murray eagerly. "Look; I can just make out thebranches of a tree against the sky. "

"That's right, sir. Now for it; what's it going to be--enemies orfriends?"

"Friends, Tom, " whispered Murray confidently. 

There was a pause, during which the pair stood gazing straight beforethem, striving to pierce the dim dawn which seemed to consist for themost part of a thick mist which lay low upon the surface of the earth, while above the top of the forest all was fairly clear. 

Then all at once, very softly, but so clear of utterance that the wordseemed to vibrate in the middy's ear, the big sailor uttered a whisper, as he pressed his firm, strong hand upon the lad's shoulder. 

His word was "Enemies!" and in obedience to the warning, Murray sankdown till he lay prone upon the dew-wet earth. 

For about fifty yards away there were figures moving, and evidently inthe direction of the spot where the two watchers lay. 

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE. 

ON THE STRAIN. 

Roberts and Titely lay close by, breathing heavily, but to Murray'shorror it seemed as if, faintly spoken as it was, the big sailor'swarning had reached the sensitive nerves of both the wounded, makingthem stir uneasily and mutter something unintelligible, while the lightof morning, which had before been so sluggish in its approach, seemednow to be coming on by a steady glide, as if the black darkness whichhad pressed so heavily upon the spirits of two of the party was nowbeing swept away like a cloud. 

A terrible dread came over Murray, for he saw in the moving figuresdeath coming upon him in most probably some horribly brutal form, and hecould feel his nerves thrill with an icy sensation which had its originamong the roots of his hair and then began to glide down his spine tillit reached to and made its exit from his toes; while in spite of what hesuffered, he could not help recalling some of the words which had passedbetween him and his waking companion as he was conscious of freshmovements on the part of Roberts and Titely, and he wished that he couldcarry out what had been proposed, namely, to sit upon the pair and keepthem quiet. 

"They'll let the wretches know where we are, " he thought, and quietlyreaching out one leg till he could reach Tom May's big body, he gave hima steady thrust. 

"That will keep him on the _qui vive_, " he thought to himself; and thenthe lad started violently, for the big sailor responded with awell-meant but decidedly forcible kick, which Murray took for a warningof impending danger, and raised his head to look, but dropped it againon the instant, throbbing with excitement, for there were the movingfigures, clearly seen now, in the shape of a villainous-looking party ofabout a dozen well-armed men, clothed sailor fashion and graduated incolour from the sun-tanned skin of a white through the swarthiness ofthe Malay and Mulatto to the black of the East Indian and the intenseebony of the African black. 

He gazed in that moment, as he knew for certain, upon a party of thecut-throat ruffians belonging to the crew of one of the slave-tradevessels, and as he subsided, it was with the feeling upon him that hishead must have been seen, that in another instant he should be listeningto the rush of feet, and would have to make a desperate effort topreserve his life, while all the while he was lying there suffering froma kind of paralysis which held him as if he were passing through theworst phases of a nightmare-like dream. 

"Poor old Dick!" he thought, as if in a flash. "We were alwaysquarrelling, and he was horribly jealous of me; but I liked him, and I'ddo anything to save him. But he'll never know, for the brutes will killhim in his sleep. Poor Billy Titely the same. But Tom May must beready to fight for his life, and he'll pay out some of the butchers, andI shall help him _too_, though I haven't got his strength. Why don't Ispring up before they come?"

It seemed curiously misty and dream-like to him, and he fully realisedthat something must be wrong, as he seemed to fight hard to answer thatquestion; but so far from replying to the mental query, and springing upto help his brave companion, he could not move, till he was roused intoa state of action by the touch of the big sailor's foot, which did notcome in a heavy kick this time, but in steady pressure. 

Murray drew a slow, deep breath, and instead of starting up he softlyturned his head sidewise till he could peer with one eye through thebushes, and see that the crew of ruffians had turned off to the rightand were slowly and cautiously passing away. 

So far Murray felt the murderous wretches had not seen them, but as heknew that the slightest movement on the part of the sleepers, or amuttered word, would bring them to their side, he lay quivering andtrying involuntarily to press himself deeper into the soft earth forsome minutes, clinging to hope, till once more the intensity of thestrain was broken by a sharp clear snap which sounded awfully loud, andhe started up, resting upon his right elbow, and gazed, not upon thefiercely savage face of one of the enemies, but upon the big, frank, apologetic countenance of Tom May, who was in precisely the sameattitude. 

"Who'd have thought it?" he whispered. "But they didn't hear. "

"Oh, Tom, " replied the lad, hardly above his breath, "how you frightenedme!"

"Frightened you, sir?" chuckled the big fellow, with his face expandinginto a grin. "Why, it frightened me. "

"What was it?" whispered Murray, pressing his left hand upon histhrobbing breast. 

"This here, sir, " replied the man, holding up a round brass tobacco-box. "Thought I'd take a quid just to put a bit o' life into me, and as soonas I'd got it I shut up the lid, and it went off like a pistol. "

"But do you feel sure they didn't hear?"

"Oh, there's no doubt about that, sir. There they go, and we're allright so long as none of 'em looks round, and Billy Titely and MrRoberts don't sing out anything to bring them back. "

"Oh, don't speak so loud, " whispered the middy. 

"Nay, they can't hear that, sir, " said the man. "Lucky beggars!"

"What!"

"Lucky beggars, sir. Two on 'em's saved their lives, and a couplemore's gone off without having any mark upon 'em. For I'm pretty handywith my cutlash, Mr Murray, sir; arn't I?"

"Handy, Tom? Yes, of course; but what an escape! I felt as if Icouldn't have helped you. "

"Yah! Nonsense, sir! I always feel like that, just as if I couldn't doanything. It's nat'ral, I suppose. I was allers that how when I was aboy, when I got fighting. Used to feel like running away, till I washurt, and then my monkey was up directly and I began to bite. Whatchertalking about, sir? I just see you standing still and one of them uglybeggars sticking his long knife into _you_. You'd hold still, wouldn'tyou? Not much!"

"Oh, I don't know, Tom. "

"Well, sir, I do, " said the sailor, half closing his eyes as he keptcareful watch in the direction the enemy had taken. 

"What's to be done now, Tom?" said Murray, after a pause. 

"Eh? What's to be done, sir? Why, I was waiting for orders. You're myorficer, sir. "

"Yes, Tom, but this is a terrible position. "

"Oh, I dunno, sir. 'Tarn't a wreck. "

"No, Tom, but I want your help. "

"Say what I'm to do, sir, and here I am. "

"Yes, I know, but can't you make a good suggestion?"

"No, sir; I arn't clever. I want some one to set me going. Seems tome, though, as the best thing we could do would be to--"

"Yes, " said Murray eagerly, for the man had paused. 

"Do nothing, sir, " said the man slowly. "We know that gang is on thelookout so as we can't follow their way. "

"No, Tom, but we might go in the opposite direction. "

"Yes, sir, we might, " replied the man, "but there's lots more on 'emabout, and we may be tumbling out o' the frying-pan into the fire. "

"Yes, Tom, " said the middy, "and we are pretty well hidden. I proposethat we lie here till those two poor fellows wake up. They may bebetter then and so far able to help us that they may get along with ourarms. "

"Yes, sir, " said May quietly, "and I'd stop at that. Besides, MrAnderson's looking after us, and perhaps he knows the way back to thatrondyvoo of his, for it must be somewheres not very far-off. Don't youthink the first luff may be sending that black See-saw chap to look forus?"

"Yes, very likely, Tom. Capital!"

"Yes, sir; it don't seem so bad now we come to think of it. See-sawknows all about these parts, sir, and it would be a pity for him to cometo find us, and walk into this patch of trees and find as we'd gone. "

"Yes, of course, Tom. Then you think that our wisest plan would be tolie here and wait for a few hours at all events and see what turns up?"

"That's it exactly, sir. "

"Then that's what we'll do, Tom. "

"Thankye, sir. "

"Why do you say that, Tom?"

"Oh, 'cause you said what we'd do. "

"Of course. "

"Yes, sir, but some young gents--Mr Roberts there, for instance--wouldha' thought he knowed best and wouldn't have listened to a bit ofadvice. Pst! Don't you hear some un coming along, making the treesrustle and crackle a bit?"

Murray listened eagerly, before turning to the big sailor again. 

"No. Your ears are better than mine, Tom. "

The middy had hardly ceased speaking before there was a heavy burst ofcoarse laughter, and then several voices came from some little distanceaway, while as the listeners crouched together and drew their cutlasses, after Tom May had raised the pan of his musket and closed it again, satisfied that the priming was correct, the pair gazed in each other'seyes, for Roberts started and turned uneasily, waking the woundedsailor, who began to talk aloud and incoherently about manning a boatand getting ashore. 

"What's to be done, Tom?" whispered Murray; and as he spoke he loosenedthe knot of his neckerchief and slipped it off, to hold it to the bigsailor. 

"Right, sir. Can't do better than that. " And taking the silk kerchief, Tom began to crawl close to where the man's voice was sinking to a lowmuttering, the poor fellow being perfectly unconscious of the fact thathis messmate was leaning over him ready to use the silken tie as a gagand thrust it between his teeth if he went on talking and the enemy drewnear. 

Fortunately it seemed as if all the mutterings were about to die out, and though coarse mirth was on the increase, and the party of searcherswere drawing nearer, it appeared to Murray that the rough means ofquieting the wounded man would not be called into service, when all atonce, when the peril of being discovered was growing to be more grave, Roberts started as if from pain, and threw out his arms sharply, striking Titely upon the side of the head. 

It was not sufficient to cause pain, but the poor fellow's lips partedto cry out, and he gave forth an inarticulate sound caused by the suddendescent of the rolled-up pad of black silk vigorously planted in itsplace by the sturdy hand of Tom May. 

The next minute there was a violent struggling to add to the gurglingnoise, and in spite of the big sailor's efforts, the gagged one wrenchedhis head free from the pressure of the hand, and uttered a loud cry ofannoyance and pain. 

CHAPTER FORTY. 

DEALING WITH THE WOUNDED. 

"It's all over, " thought Murray, and he turned sharply from watching forthe approach of the enemy, for the big sailor whispered--

"Don't get up, sir, till they close in; then make one jump for it andstand back to hit, but take distance and give me plenty of room for agood swing. "

The midshipman did not reply, but crouched down with his time dividedbetween waiting for the enemy's approach and listening for the nextutterance made by Titely or his brother officer. 

The attention of the slaver's men had evidently been attracted by thesounds, for from where Murray crouched down among the thick growth, hesaw that two of the party had stopped short to gaze straight away beforethem, but not in the direction where the fugitives waited to bediscovered; and the young officer, when he afterwards thought over thematter, decided that though they must have heard the noise that wasmade, it was when several of their companions were talking aloud, sothat the listeners had not been able to tell with certainty from whencethe cry had come. For after a short colloquy, during which Murray coulddistinctly see that the two men in question were addressing theirfellows who surrounded them, there was a little gesticulating, apointing towards a different portion of the forest, and the gang wentoff along what proved to be a well-beaten track. 

"Hah!" ejaculated Murray, after waiting impatiently for what seemed tobe a full quarter of an hour. "I think we'll make a movement soon, TomMay. "

"Right, sir. Where to? One moment first. You'd better take my musket, sir, because I shall have to carry Mr Roberts. I wish they'd come totheir senses so as we could make sure that they don't let out again asif they wanted to tell the enemy where we are. "

"What's the matter?" cried Roberts, in a tone which made his brothermidshipman start. "Has some one been hurt?"

He was in pain, but seemed to be quite calm and sensible now, as helistened to Murray's explanation of the position in which they were. 

"It's bad, " he said. "I can hardly understand it, for I've been in aregular feverish dream. But tell me, what are you going to do?"

Before Murray could answer, Titely sat up suddenly. 

"That you, Tom May?" he said huskily. 

"Ay, messmate, " was the reply. "Me it is. What is it?"

"Take the tin, mate, and dip me a drink o' water. --Why, hullo! Whereare we now? Not out in the forest?"

"Out in the forest it is, my lad, and the enemy's close arter us, "replied the big sailor. 

"Enemy?" said the poor fellow, in a wondering tone of voice. "Why, thatmeans--Yes, I remember now. I'm hurt, arn't I?"

"Yes, messmate; you got just touched by a bullet. "

"To be sure, " said Titely. "Yes, I remember now. Well, somebody's gotto be hurt, of course. Anybody else just touched by a bullet?"

"Mr Roberts. "

"Has he now? Well, orficers leads, and they has the best chance of it. Doctor seen him?"

"No. "

"Course not; he wasn't with the expedition. Arn't seen me neither, Is'pose?"

"No, " growled Tom May; "but look here, messmate, you and Mr Robertsatween you nearly give us up to the enemy. "

"Me? I don't know about Mr Roberts, but you're not going to make mebelieve I should try and give you up to the enemy. Is it likely, MrMurray, sir?"

"No, Titely; it's the last thing you would do. "

"There, Tommy! Hear that?"

"Oh yes, I hear it plain enough, " growled the big sailor, "but can't yousee that you were off that thick head o' yourn, and began shouting justwhen the enemy was close at hand?"

"Was that it, Mr Murray, sir?" cried the man. 

"Yes, Titely; but you could not help it. Now be quiet and help us towatch, " said the midshipman, "for the enemy can't be very far away, andthey're evidently searching for us. "

"_Phee-ew_!" whistled the man softly. "I do understand now. Verysorry, Mr Murray and Mr Roberts. "

"Pst!" whispered Tom May. "Down flat, everybody. Here they comeagain;" and as the order was obeyed the sound of breaking twigs and therustling of tropical leaves was heard; and before long the hiding partybegan to make out that the slaver's men were for some reason or anotherreturning in their direction, spread over a pretty wide surface of thethick brake, and apparently so arranged that they were bound to coverthe hiding-place of the unfortunate party. 

But somehow the difficulties of the search favoured the concealedman-o'-war's men, who from where they lay saw the thick undergrowth sobeaten that the outer leader of the line came within a few yards only ofthe hiding-place, giving Tom May a clue to the reasons for the enemy'sreturn in the shape of one of the _Seafowl's_ muskets, which he held onhigh as he pressed forward through the trees. 

"But how could you tell?" whispered Murray, as soon as their foes hadpassed. "You can't be sure, Tom, that it was one of our muskets. "

"Well, no, sir, I can't be sure, but it seems to me it was one of ours;elsewise why should he be carrying it like he was? P'raps I'm wrong, but there he was, holding it up in a niminy piminy way, as if he felt itwas what them half-bred niggers calls a fetish as would help 'em to findthe chap as let it fall. Anyhow just harkye there! I'm blest if theyarn't coming again!"

"Yes, " said Murray, after listening. "They are coming back. "

"Well, " said Tom May, "bad luck to 'em! There's four on us now to give'em a shot. "

"On'y three, messmate, " said Titely, with a sigh. "I arn't got no gun. That there one the whitey brown chap carried must be mine. "

There was no time nor chance for further conversation respecting theirposition. Nothing could be done but lie low crouching beneath thedensest part of the undergrowth in the hope of escaping the keen eyes ofthe slaver's men; and twice over Murray caught sight of the man whoseemed to be the leader, who evidently attached a great deal ofimportance to the gun he still carried on high, till at last, sick atheart, the middy gave up their position as hopeless, for thesavage-looking wretch was leading his men straight for them. 

Murray passed the cutlass he carried into his left hand, while he bentover his wounded comrade and stole his right down beside him to graspthat of Roberts. 

"In case of the worst, " he whispered, and he felt his brother middy'sfingers close round his own, before he snatched his hand away so as toseize the cutlass, ready to strike at the leader of the final rush, whenas the man turned his head and shouted to his followers to come on, heraised the musket to give it a wave in the air, but somehow caught itamongst the twining canes, when his progress was checked, and he fellheadlong amongst the dense growth, the piece exploding with a loudconcussion, upon which the men uttered a loud yell and dashed away, evidently under the impression that they had been attacked. 

The leader staggered to his feet growling like some savage beast, androared out to his followers to return. His words were unintelligible tothe listeners, but their tones suggested plainly enough that he wascursing them fiercely and hurling anathemas and threats at them as towhat he would do when he overtook them. 

Then, as he found himself left alone, he snatched at the musket again, but without result, for it was fast in the tangle of twining canes, atwhich he tore and tore again till the tough green growth gave way and hestood up, examining lock and trigger now as if to try and make outwhether the weapon was injured, when he roared again to his men andstood listening, but without avail. 

If he had only turned upon his heels and taken half-a-dozen steps hemust have walked over the hidden party of Englishmen, but the fallingand explosion of the weapon and the flight of his men seemed to havecompletely upset his calculations; and hence it was that Murray, aftergiving up all hopes of escaping, saw the ruffian stand in the midst ofthe silence, snapping the flint and pan of the musket to and fro threeor four times, begin to try and reload the piece without success, andthen shoulder it and start off in search of his followers, now mutteringangrily, now shouting to them again and again, without, however, anyappearance of success. 

CHAPTER FORTY ONE. 

HUNTED. 

"Think he's gone now, Mr Murray, sir?" said Tom May in a whisper. 

"I'm afraid to hope for it, " replied Murray. 

"So'm I, sir, " said the man; "but what a toucher! Just think of hisbungling off that old musket and scaring the lot! He may think himselflucky that he didn't shoot some of 'em. "

"Or hisself, " growled Titely. "That makes me sure it was the one I washandling, for it had been strained a bit so as the hammer was a bitloose. But hadn't we better get on somewhere else for a bit, sir, 'forehe comes back?"

"I don't think I would, Frank, " whispered Roberts sadly. "I'm so weakand helpless I don't know what to do, and we're just as likely toblunder against the enemy as they are to come upon us. If I could onlyhave some water I wouldn't care. "

"Just wait for a half-hour or so, sir, and give the beggars a chance toget a bit further away, and then we'll have a look round and see if wecan't find water, and if we don't come upon any at once we'll see whatwe can do in the way of digging some up with the cutlasses. "

"Oh, I'll wait, " said Roberts, with a piteous sigh, "but don't wait toolong, or I shall die of thirst. "

It was a guess at the time, but all being perfectly still, and as if theenemy had gone right away, it was determined to make a venture in searchof water. 

"Shall we go together, Tom?" asked Murray. 

"It's like making half the chance, sir, " replied the man. "I think I'dtake one way and me the other. "

"Very well; but let's go very carefully; and we ought to cut or mark thetrees if we could, so as to find our way back. "

"It's like showing the way we've gone, sir, " said the man; "but there, we must run some risks. "

"Whatever you do, Tom, " said the midshipman, "be careful about findingyour way back. "

"I'll do my best, sir, " replied the man. 

"Water! For goodness' sake, water!" moaned Roberts; and those wordsstarted the pair off at once, each feeling perfectly despairing ofsuccess, in opposite directions, and each with the same precautions, till sick at heart and hopeless after marking his way step by stepeither by blazing the sides of the trees or cutting the cane in a waythat he felt pretty sure of following back, Murray sank down faint andexhausted, to rest for a few minutes before deciding whether he shouldpersevere a little more or return to his unfortunate companion indespair. 

"It seems so cowardly to give up, " he said to himself; "but Tom may havesucceeded, and even if he has not, it would be better to try in a freshdirection. "

He sat motionless listening for a few minutes in indecision, feelingthat if he did not find water or food he would be in as bad a plight ashis companion, when he suddenly caught at the nearest tree, drew himselfup, and stood trembling. The next minute what had seemed to be an utterwilderness assumed a different form from that which he had observedbefore. He realised that some form of cultivation had been carried out, and following up the track, he passed on through a narrow, trampledpatch, to find himself in an opening where, roughly hacked out of theforest, a clearing had been made, along one side of which ran a grip ofwater, cleared out for reasons connected with irrigation, and therestretching out before him were a few dozen of banana trees, Indian corn, and what he directly after made out to be the succulent yam plant. 

Murray's despair was a thing of the past, and his spirits rose to apitch of excitement now, for at the end of the clearing was theroughly-made hut of some negro, which appeared to have been only quitelately forsaken. 

He entered the hut cautiously, expecting to find traces of inhabitants, and these were simple and plain in the shape of several cocoanut shellsthat had been used for food vessels, and close at hand a large drycalabash. 

Trembling with excitement, the discoverer seized the latter vessel andone of the nut-shells, to bear them to the side of the grip, where hedipped with the shell and drank with avidity of the perfectlyclear-looking water, which proved to be of a deep amber colour, buttasted sweet and refreshing. 

He refilled the nut-shell and drank again with a feeling of excited hoperunning through him. Then filling the calabash, he drew the cutlass hebore, hacked through the fruit-stalk of the ripest banana plant he couldfind, shouldered it, and with the calabash in his right hand paused fora few moments to look excitedly round, fully expecting to find that hewas watched. 

But the place was quite forsaken, and, trembling with eager desire nowto get back to the two sufferers he had left behind, he muttered tohimself, "Saved!" and stepped out, but only for his heart to sink again, for in his excitement he felt that he had not taken sufficientprecaution as to his way back. 

It was after some minutes and only through forcing himself to step backand stand in the very position where he had first felt, that he wasgazing upon the clearing, that he caught his idea of location of theplace again, when he started back with the treasures he had found, andfurther encouraged himself with one of the sweet succulent fruit whichwith the water gave him invigoration and enabled him to recover histraces and blazings of the trees on his way back. 

And now it was that he found how much further he had strayed away thanhe had thought, and twice over he seemed to have missed his marksentirely, and turned hot and faint. 

A fresh draught of the water he bore, however, restored the failingclearness of his intellect, and he found that which he had missed, started afresh, and at last to his intense delight he staggered with hisload to where he found Roberts lying asleep, but quite alone. 

"Dick!" he cried excitedly, as he looked round in vain, while layingdown his burden. 

There was no reply. 

"Dick! Here, Dick, " he whispered softly, lest he might raise an alarmand bring upon them danger from their lurking foes. 

There was no reply, but the poor fellow stared up at him in ahalf-delirious way. 

As quietly as he could manage, Murray filled the cocoanut he hadbrought, raised his brother middy's head upon his arm, and held thehard, dark-brown cup to the lad's lips. 

There was no response for a few minutes, during which Murray contrivedto moisten the parched and cracking membrane as if in vain, and he wasabout to try in despair to bathe the poor lad's temples when the lipssoftened, there was a choking gurgling sound, a gasp or two, and thenwith strange avidity the midshipman drank and drank, spilling much, butdrinking a fair proportion, and as the cup was drained asking in ahoarse, dry voice for more. 

Instead of refilling the half nut Murray tore off another banana, hastily skinned it, and placed that in his companion's hand, watchinghim eat it, gazing about him the while, and then as he found that thelad was recovering himself, he asked him if he could speak. 

"Speak! Yes, " cried the lad. "It is like life. "

"That's right. Cheer up!"

"Water! More water;" cried Roberts. 

"Yes, soon. Eat that first;" and he gave him another of the bananas. "Where's Titely?"

"Titely? There, " said Roberts, pointing. 

"No, he is not there, " said Murray excitedly. "Where has he gone?"

"He was there when I fell asleep. "

"Has Tom May been back?"

"No; I have not seen him. But have you found more water and morefruit?"

"Yes; I have found a plantation and a stream or long pool. But wherecan Titely be?"

"I don't know. Can Tom May have fetched him?"

"No; he would have spoken to you. "

"Perhaps he did, but I was half insensible and did not hear. Oh, Frank, old man, you've saved my miserable life!"

"Thank heaven, old fellow! If we can only avoid the slavers we may holdout till Mr Anderson or the captain comes to our help. But I must findTitely. Perhaps he has crawled away. There, go on eating while Isearch round. Go on eating and drinking; only leave enough for Tom Maywhen he comes back, and for Titely when I have found him. "

"You have some too, " said Roberts, who was beginning to recover fast, save that his wound gave him increasing pain. 

And now began a search which grew more and more hopeless as hours glidedby. There was no trace of the injured sailor, and no sign of Tom May'sreturn; and at last, when the first signs of the coming brief tropicalevening began to show themselves, and with them the desire for morewater and fruit, Murray made up his mind to guide his companion to thenegro's hut, after leaving by way of refreshment all the fruit and waterthat was left, trusting to the fact that upon finding the refreshmentsTom May might go further and trace the way they had gone by means of theblazings and other signs he had left upon the canes and trees. 

It took some making up of the boy's mind before he could decide to leavethe place where they had hidden themselves for so long; but he felthimself bound to try hard to place his wounded comrade in safety, andwhere he could supply him amply with food and water; and at last, hesitating no longer, he induced his companion to make an effort torise, and they started off together, after a final look round, for theidea had forced itself upon Murray that if they did not go at once theywould not reach their haven of rest and refreshment before it grew dark. 

As it was the task proved to be anxious enough before Murray succeededin getting his companion within the hut, where he sank down in wearinessand pain, but glad enough to drink heartily from a fresh nut cup of thesweet, rather peculiarly coloured water, after which he dropped into acomplete state of insensibility, with a half-eaten banana grasped in hishand, while Murray eagerly seized his opportunity to follow his brothermiddy's example, drinking with avidity, and for his part eating almostravenously to master the weakness and hunger from which he suffered. 

Satisfied with this, he set himself to watch and think about the two menwho were sharing their troubles. 

"Tom must have come upon poor Titely somewhere, wandering from ourhiding-place, " he thought, "and taken him back after I had gone withDick, and it is madness to go back to him. I couldn't do it in thedarkness, any more than he could track me out; and yet I don't know--Iought to try and find him. Perhaps, poor fellow, he has found no food, and may be nearly starved. I think I could find him, even if it isdark. I ought to know the way to him after going over the ground twice. I ought to, and I will--after I've had about an hour's rest. I musthave that, and then I'll start. "

The midshipman sat and thought of the scene when they crouched together, expecting moment by moment to be discovered. 

The next minute his mind had wandered away to his search, the fortunatediscovery of the old hut and the cultivation carried out by some slave;and then he came to the determination that he would crawl to where DickRoberts lay sleeping so heavily that his breathing had become a deepsnore. 

"Poor fellow, " he sighed; "he has suffered badly enough, but I ought totry and put him in an easier position. It is his wound which makes himso uneasy. "

Then he thought he would wait a little longer before waking his comradeand telling him that he was going back to the old hiding-place to saywhere they were. 

Murray had just come to the conclusion that he ought to be content withthe rest he had snatched, when there was a faint rustling sound justbeyond the doorway where he had seated himself, and like a flash herecalled the scene in the planter's cottage where Tom May had shrunkfrom going up into the chamber behind the screen on account of thesnakes--poisonous or not. This was a thatched cottage place, up whoseangles or sides one of the reptiles that had lurked among the bananasand maize of the plantation could easily have made its way to the roof, ready to descend upon any one sleeping on the floor. 

So suggestive was this thought that the midshipman felt startled anddrew himself up slightly, feeling that he ought to go to his companion'sassistance. 

"Perhaps poisonous, " he thought, "and I may get a bite if I disturb itin the darkness. Perhaps, too, it may be tired out as I am, and dropasleep without molesting either me or Roberts. He's not sleeping soheavily now, " he thought, "and I ought to be off trying to find poorworn-out and hungry Titely. I wonder how far he has wandered away fromwhere he was left. I ought to have found him, but it wasn't to behelped. Tom will know now. I wonder how long it will take me to get towhere we left the poor fellow? But is that Dick Roberts breathinghard--snoring--or is it one of those snakes creeping about in themaize-leaf thatch? I wonder what I had better do! Of course I can'tleave poor Dick, but it's a pity that he should make all that noise. Itis like trying to betray himself. 

"I think I must go and wake the poor fellow. It isn't fair to leavehim, of course. And it isn't fair to leave poor Tom May lying done upand faint for want of water. It's rather hard, though, when I'm so doneup too;" and then he thought how beautiful it was with the soft yellowmoonlight of the tropical night shining through the Indian corn leavesdown through the roof of the flimsy hut, on to the floor close by whereDick Roberts was sleeping so heavily. 

But no, he was not sleeping so deeply now, for he was not snoring. 

And then there was the snake, or snakes, that had been rustling about soheavily. It or they were quite silent now. They had not bitten themidshipman, for of course he would have shrieked out in pain or fear. So perhaps the reptiles had crept right away, and it was quite time thathe, Frank Murray, started upon his quest to find Tom May and BillTitely. He ought in fact to have gone before, but he was so wearied-outthat he felt obliged to rest for a few minutes; and now the moon wasshining so brightly that it would be much better and easier to make astart through the forest lit-up by the soft yellow rays of the tropicnight. 

"Yes, " he muttered to himself; "it will be much better. What abeautiful night!"

And then he sat up; and again another moment and he had crawled out ofthe hut doorway with his eyes widely open from wonder. 

"Why, it isn't the moon, nor night!" he exclaimed, half aloud. "It'smorning, with the sun glowing through the shades of the forest, and Imust have been asleep for hours. --Or else, " faltered Murray, after apause, "I'm off my head with fever, and don't know what I'm about. "

CHAPTER FORTY TWO. 

WITHOUT A DOCTOR. 

Fever? Brain heat? The poor fellow turned cold with horror, andhurried back, careless of any impending danger that there might be, intothe rough hut within whose shades he could dimly make out the figure ofhis comrade, who appeared to be sleeping heavily, but not well, for hewas muttering. 

"I say, Dick, " he whispered, "how's your wound?"

There was no reply. 

"Dick, " he continued, "your wound doesn't hurt much, does it?"

Still there was no reply, and beginning to realise now that his ownbrain was clear, and that he really had been fast asleep, wearied-outbeyond the power of watching by the previous night's exertions, he sankdown upon one knee to lay his hand upon Roberts's forehead, when, feeling that it was burning, and that at the slightest touch the poorfellow started with pain, he began to master himself. 

"What fancies one does get into one's head at a time like this! Ofcourse I've been asleep, and no wonder. I was done up; but, thankheaven, I'm all right and able to think and act, while poor Dick'sfeverish and bad with his wound. "

"Asleep, Dick?" he whispered again; and once more he laid his hand uponthe poor fellow's brow, but with no fresh result. His comrade wasinsensible, and as Murray bent over the mutterer a fresh chill of horrorran through him as he thought of his position. 

Suppose he grew worse, and no help came. What should he do? The ideawas horrible. Suppose he were to--

He determined not to dwell upon the thought, and drawing a deep breath, he whispered to himself, now full of excitement--

"That's not the way to do any good, " he said. "It's only playing thecoward and thinking of one's self. I'm playing with shadows. "

And setting his teeth, the middy sprang to his feet and stole quicklyand silently to the doorway to peer out and listen as he gazed at thescene of beauty that opened out before him. 

The rough plantation was mingled with wild growth, both of which, thecultivated and the natural, were flourishing luxuriantly. Wondrouscreepers tangled themselves in the boughs which sheltered the hut fromthe morning sunshine, and bell-flowers of exquisite beauty hung in thepure limpid air; and as his eyes roamed here and there in search ofdanger, a couple of ruby-crested humming birds darted into a patch ofsunshine, and chased one another round, sparkling, flashing andquivering in the light, till one of them darted away and seemed tosuspend itself in front of one of the most beautiful bells, so as toprobe the honied depth of the great blossom like a gigantic bee. 

The lad snatched himself from this to gaze in a fresh direction, for allat once there was a prolonged whistle; but at its repetition he knewthat it was no human utterance; and when fresh bird-calls came from theverdant tangle beyond the plantation, he felt encouraged by the feelingthat even if there were no friends forcing their way towards thewild-looking hut in the forest, no enemy could be near, for the birdsthat played about were too bold. 

The next thought which came to the lad's eager, busy brain was of TomMay and his intent of the previous night to go in search of him. "But Ican't go now, " he thought, and, satisfied himself now that there was asfar as he could make out no immediate danger, he hurried back to theside of Roberts, to try and take in his position and promptly decideupon his actions. 

This was soon done. 

There was water at hand; rough vessels in which to fetch it; and after amoment's thought as to whether he should carry his companion out intothe light, a smile crossed his lips as he thought of the old legendabout carrying the well to the pitcher, and making use of his unsheathedcutlass, a few strokes resulted in his hacking away a portion of therough leafy thatching and admitting a broad band of light right acrosshis comrade's reclining figure. 

A few touches convinced the amateur surgeon that the injury was tootightly bound, and after removing the covering he set to work and bathedthe wound with the soft cool water till the temperature was reduced, re-bound it tenderly, and soon after had the satisfaction of noting thathis patient's irritation and evident pain had grown less, while when heraised his head and applied the freshly-drawn nut-full of water to thepoor lad's lips he drank with avidity, and then sank back with a sigh ofrelief. The muttering grew less frequent, and he sank into a quietsleep. 

It was Murray's turn to sigh now that he had achieved thus much; but itwas not with relief, for he was dripping with perspiration, the heat wasdense within the hut, and a sense of faint weariness stole over him ofso strange a nature that it seemed to him that his senses were passingaway. 

"I am going to be bad now, " he thought, feeling that perhaps in spite ofpluck and effort his time had come. 

"What will poor Roberts do?" he felt in a queer, strange way, andsomehow it never seemed in the midst of the feeble dizzy sensation thathe was of any consequence himself. 

"How hot!" he muttered feebly, and he made an effort to crawl out of thehut, and then on and on almost unconsciously until he had draggedhimself to where a bright ray of light flashed from the glowing surfaceof the clear amber water and played upon the great, green, glossy leavesof a banana plant, one from whose greeny-yellow bunch of fruit he hadplucked the night before. 

That all seemed dream-like, but it did not trouble him, for his naturehad prompted him to thrust forward his lips till they touched the waterjust where the ray shot forth glowing light and life as well, for hedrank and drank, and as he imbibed the fluid, which looked like fire buttasted like water, the feeling of faintness grew less, his senses beganto return, and he drew back to lie over with a sigh and gaze dreamily atthe great arum-like leaves of the banana and the huge bunch of green andyellow finger-shaped fruit. 

"Finger-like--thumb-like, " he muttered, "just as if it was so many hugehands resting one upon the other. "

Murray sighed at his fancy, closed his eyes for a few moments to dreamabout the refreshing water, and soon after opened them again to let themgaze up the curve of a tree till it rose higher and higher, perfectlystraight now, and ended by resting his vision amidst the great fount ofgreen leaves which started from the crown and curved outwards. 

There was a curious clump of fruit there, flowers too, and small andlarge nuts; huge, semi-triangular and rounded masses of fibre, and helooked at the high-up cluster, realising the while that hanging farabove him, where they would fall in front of the hut, was an abundanceof good satisfying food in the shape of pulpy nut, milk and cream, aswell as sweet water that he might drink; so that the occupant of thathumble hut might partake, but which was out of his reach, for the fruitwould not fall and he could not climb. 

Murray lay thinking, as his senses grew stronger, of how blessed bynature the black who lived in that hut must be, with a home that hecould easily construct, and with such ripe fruits ready to his hand withhardly a care in the production; and then somehow the feeling of envyseemed to turn to equally profound pity, as it flashed into his mindthat the poor wretch paid for it at the cost of labour, misery, anddespair forced upon him by some of the vilest wretches that livedbeneath the sun. 

"Slavery!" muttered the lad, and again slavery mingled with the thoughtsof the horrible sufferings inflicted aboard the slave-ships--sufferingsthat he and those with him were there to check and sweep away. 

As these thoughts flooded the lad's brain, he at the same time grewclearer and began to think of Tom May and Titely, of where they were, and whether they would come to him and Roberts. He even pictured tohimself the former, big, hulking, and strong, coming staggering intosight with his wounded comrade upon his back. Then his thoughts floatedaway to Mr Anderson and his men. How had they got on? he askedhimself. Would the captain soon come with their vessel and by means ofa few shots sweep the place clear of the slave-hunting miscreants?

The midshipman's brain was fast growing clearer still, and all at oncehe found himself gazing in imagination at the faithful black, shiny offace, and clothed in white. Would he find him and his wounded comradeand guide them back to the boats, or only perhaps to where he hoped MrAnderson was holding out at Plantation Cottage? And as he thought, strangely enough it seemed to Murray in his faint, dreamy state, hestretched out one hand to separate the great green leaves of the banananear at hand so as to open a way for him to look beyond the great plantthrough the plantation and see if the blacks were coming. 

Then somehow, half unconsciously, the middy's hand closed upon somethingsoft to the touch and smooth--something that he plucked and peeled andate, and then plucked and ate again and again, till he began to growless faint, and refreshed as well as clear of brain, ending by feelingstrengthened and ready to crawl back into the hut, half wondering atwhat had happened, until he fully realised it all and was able to tellhimself that he had been thoroughly exhausted and was now refreshed aswell as rested and ready to take fresh steps to help his less fortunatecomrade. 

"Asleep still, Dick, old chap?" he whispered cheerfully. 

But there was no reply, and after bathing the poor fellow's injury againand watching him anxiously by the clear light that struck through theroof, Murray rose to his feet, feeling more and more refreshed and readyto act. He was encouraged, too, by the growing restfulness that camelike a soft flood through his senses. 

"Well, " he said to himself, "there's nothing wrong with me now. I wascompletely done up. It's of no use to despair, for it is only cowardly. I'm in a bad position, but it might be worse, even as poor old Dick'sis horribly bad, but as soon as I got to work I found that I could makehim better. It was a very simple thing to do, and if I could make himbetter when he was so bad, now he is better I ought to be able to makehim better still. "

But first of all he tried to settle thoroughly within himself what itwas his prime duty to do. 

"Nature says to me, Try and save your own life. But then that seems tobe so horribly selfish and unnatural. I am fairly healthy and strongnow that I have got over that bit of a fit--bit of a fainting fit, Isuppose. "

Here the lad pulled himself up short to think a little more. 

"Fainting fit, " he said to himself. "That sounds like being a girl. Idon't know, though: men faint as well as women when they are exhaustedby pain or by bleeding. Well, I was exhausted, and now I'm strengthenedand mustn't let myself get so weak again, and what's more, I mustn't letpoor Dick grow so weak. Oh, if old Reston were only here with hisbottles of stuff! But I don't know; perhaps I can get on without them, for it isn't as if the poor chap was bad of a fever. Fever there is, ofcourse, but it's only the fever that comes from a wound, and wounds healby themselves. So I'm not going to despair. 

"I'm sure of one thing, " he continued, after a little more thought, "asI'm so much better I don't want any doctoring, and it's my duty toattend to poor old Dick, and I'm going to do it. It's very horrible tobe in such a hole as this, but I know that the first luff won't restuntil he has found every one of his party, and the captain won't resttill he has found his officer, and--"

Frank Murray's cogitations were at an end, for just as he had come tothe conclusion that matters were far better than he expected, and thatall he had to do was to devote himself to his comrade's recovery, whichwas already on the way, he started suddenly, for he was conscious of aslight rustling noise somewhere apparently at the back of the hut, asound as of some animal forcing its way through the dense growth whichshut the building in upon three sides. 

Murray's heart began to beat fast as he listened, for the noise wasrepeated, and though there was caution connected with the movement, thesound was of such a nature that he was not long in doubt as to itscause. 

It was, as far as the lad could determine, a man forcing his way throughthe jungle at the back; and then, just as it came close at hand, soclose that the rough walls of the hut seemed to quiver, the sound ceasedagain, and in the midst of the deep silence which ensued, the lad feltconvinced that he was being watched by some one who was peeping throughthe wall opposite to where he crouched over his sleeping companion; andhe waited in agony for some fresh movement, ready to spring up with hiscutlass gripped in his hand. 

His excitement seemed to grow till he could bear it no longer, and herose to his feet, and stepped softly to the side of the door, just asthere was a louder rustle than ever, and some one bounded out of thethicket right to the front of the doorway, stared into the darkness fora brief moment, and then turned and ran along the edge of the roughplantation, disappearing amongst a clump of maize-stalks. Murray wasbeginning to breathe freely, in the hope that in the brief glance he hadnot been seen in the darkness within, when his heart sank once more, forhe recalled the hole he had hacked in the thatch--a hole which must haveflooded the place with light. 

At that moment there was the soft pad of footsteps again, and to hishorror, in company with the rustle of the tall corn stalks, the figureof the black, who now seemed to be herculean in build, dashed intosight, armed, as the middy could see, with a heavy machete, and comingrapidly straight for the door of the hut. 

CHAPTER FORTY THREE. 

NOCTURNAL VISITORS. 

Desperate, but ready for action in defence of his comrade, Murraygripped his cutlass hard, and in those exciting moments found time, oddly enough, to congratulate himself upon the fact that he was armedwith the heavy service weapon in place of the ordinary ornamental dirkthat formed part of a midshipman's equipment. As to his chance, slight, well-built and youthful, he could not help feeling doubtful, pitted ashe was about to be against a heavy, work-hardened negro wielding theheavy cutting weapon utilised for laying low the canes; but on the otherhand he felt that skill would count somewhat on his side, for in companywith the wounded lad he sought to defend he had devoted everyopportunity that presented itself to small-arms practice, and was nomean handler of the service sword. 

"I can only do my best, " he thought; and in this spirit he stood onguard in the darkness, his eyes flashing, and fresh and active, preparedfor everything that might befall him. 

And that for the time being proved to be nought, for in those briefmoments the black made for the doorway, Murray noting the glistening ofthe great fellow's opal eyes, and standing ready to receive him upon hispoint, when with a sharp swerve to his right, the man sprang at thebroad-leaved banana plant which had supplied the lads' sustenance, anddisappeared from his sight, and then there was the sharp hacking soundof a couple of blows being delivered at the fruit stem, before the hugefellow backed into sight again with a banana bunch thrown over his leftshoulder. 

A minute later the black had plunged in amongst the canes, and Murray, whose heart was still beating hard from excitement, was listening to arepetition of the sounds he had first heard, as the man worked himselfround by the back, the imaginary danger passing away and leaving themiddy wondering how it could have happened that the black had not caughtsight of him, and coming to the conclusion that the poor fellow was sointent upon obtaining the food that he had been driven from by hisenemies, that he had eyes for nothing else. 

"What a coward I must be!" thought Murray, as he calmed down. "I'mprecious glad that there was no one by to see what a fine brave-heartedfellow I am. Poor fellow, why, he must be the black who built thishovel and planted the fruit. Well, of course he's a slave, and I onlyhope we may have the opportunity to set him free. "

Murray stood thinking for a few moments, and then in obedience to asudden thought he made a dash for the spot where the black had plungedin. But all was silent again, and he felt that it would be impossibleto follow his trail. 

"It's a pity, " thought the lad, as he went slowly back to the hutdoorway. "Here was a friend, if I had only known--one who would havehelped me to find the way back to the others--if I could have made himunderstand what I wanted. "

Upon reaching the side of Roberts he had the satisfaction of finding himsleeping more calmly, and after making up his mind to be on the watchfor the black's next coming, he crouched down by his wounded companionto think again about trying to hunt out Tom May; but he ended bywrinkling up his brow and coming to the conclusion that it would becruel to forsake his friend in such distress. 

"A hundred things might happen, " he mused. "I should as likely as notlose my way and be unable to get back. Poor Dick--I don't think I caremuch for him, for he always sets himself against me and is as jealous ascan be; but trouble seems to wipe all that away, and I suppose I ampretty fond or I shouldn't have been ready to fight for him. Yes, " hemused, "he might recover his senses and find himself alone and so weakthat he could hardly stir. Why, it would be enough to drive him nearlymad. "

Murray employed himself twice over in the course of that day bathing anddressing his comrade's wound, and always with good results, for thoughthe lad remained insensible, he sank each time into a more restfulslumber, leaving his nurse and surgeon at liberty to watch and plan asto their future. 

It was towards evening that he had another scare--one sufficiently realto make him feel that they were again in imminent danger, for though hecould not identify a couple of fresh-comers of whose advent he hadwarning, their fierce aspect, the way in which they were armed, andtheir action, seemed to show for certain that they belonged to one orother of the slavers' crews. 

Murray heard them approach suddenly, and darting out of the hut, he tookrefuge in the shelter of the cane plantation, from amidst whose thickgrowth he saw them step to the front of the hut, which in no wiseexcited their curiosity; but they stopped short for a few minutes, _just_ long enough for one of them to climb one of the cocoanut treesand hack off a couple of the great husks, to fall with heavy thuds, before the climber slipped to earth again, when both set to work hackingoff the husk and cutting away one end of the half-hardened shell. 

They were moments of intense excitement for Murray, as he crouched a fewyards away, almost afraid to breathe, fully expecting that one or otherof the pair might rise from where he had thrown himself down, andentering the hut discover its occupant. But it seemed as if the roughlittle edifice only represented the hut of a slave in the fresh-comers'eyes, and having satisfied their thirst with the sweet sub-acid cream, they cast away the shells and sat talking together for a few minutes;and then the crucial moment seemed to have arrived for the discovery, for they suddenly sprang up--so sharply that the lad's hand flew to hiscutlass, and then he had hard work to suppress a cry of relief, as thepair rapidly stalked away. 

"It is too risky, " muttered the lad. "I must find some saferhiding-place. "

"So beautiful and yet so horrible, " he thought, as he crouched inamongst the abundant growth, the narrow sunlit openings being visitedfrom time to time by tiny birds whose scale-shaped feathers weredazzling in their hues as precious stones, while they were so fearlessthat he watched them hang suspended in the air or flit with a low hum toand fro within a few inches of his face. At another time he would bevisited by butterflies that were the very perfection of Nature'spainting, while wherever the sun's rays struck down hottest the junglewas alive with glistening horny-coated beetles whose elytra looked as ifthey had been fashioned out of golden, ruddy and bronze-tinted metal. 

Just when the sun was beginning to sink lower and warning him that itwould not be long before he would have the protection of another night, his attention was caught by a fresh rustling noise not far away, and itstruck him that this might be the sound made by the returning of thebuilder of the hut. 

So sure did the lad feel of this that he congratulated himself upon thefact that he was well hidden still amongst the foliage around, where hecould suddenly start out upon the big black if he should enter theshelter. 

But as the faint rustling continued, he awakened to the recollection ofthe previous night's alarm, for it now dawned upon him that the movementwas not made by a human being, but by one of the reptiles with which hehad peopled the thatch. 

This was soon plain enough, and whether venomous or not it was enough tostartle the watcher, as a serpent some seven or eight feet in lengthcame into sight, travelling through the undergrowth, with its scalesever changing in tint as its folds came more or less into connectionwith the light that penetrated the leaves. 

Murray felt the natural disgust for the lithe creature and dread of thepoison fangs of which it might be the bearer, but at the same time hecould not help feeling a certain admiration for its wondrous activity, the power with which it intertwined itself among the twigs and in loopsand wreaths and coils, while the light played upon the burnished scalesin silver greys, chestnuts and ambers, and softly subdued and floatingover it as if in a haze of light, played bronze green and softenedpeacock blues. 

For a time the serpent seemed to be making its way towards him, andthere were moments when he felt certain that he was its goal, and thattwo brilliant points of light shot from the two hard jewel-like eyeswere marking him down. 

Then all at once there was a sharp movement as if a spring had been letloose, and the midshipman felt paralysed for a few moments, before hishand glided to the cutlass and he began to draw it slowly from itssheath ready to make a cut, for, following upon the sharp spring-likemovement the serpent had disappeared, the next sound that met his earsbeing that of the reptile trickling, as it were, through the undergrowthin his direction. 

For a few moments he could not stir, and the recollection of what he hadread about the fascination displayed by snakes seemed to have aparalysing effect upon him, till his reason suggested that it was theeye that was said to produce the power described, while now the reptilehad dropped out of sight amongst the undergrowth. His dread wasincreased, though, by the fact that the sun was rapidly passing out ofsight, according to its way in the tropics, and it began to seem to himthat he would be at the mercy of what might probably be a venomouscreature approaching slowly amongst the leaves. 

All at once there was another quicker and sharper movement, as ifsomething passing amongst the undergrowth very slowly and cautiously hadstartled the reptile, which made where it was growing dark three or fourrapid darts, each more distant, the last being followed by one thatdeveloped into a glide, which soon died away, the sound being supplantedby a steady slow rustle that was gradually approaching; and for acertainty the sounds were made by a human being forcing his way throughthe forest. 

"Enemy or friend?" Murray asked himself, and then, freed from thehorror of the approaching serpent, he roused himself to try and creepsilently back towards the hut. 

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR. 

"YOU DAH?"

Murray's movements were cautious in the extreme, and as he crept almostinch by inch he grew more confident of his power to do so without beingheard, for the movements made by whoever it was that was drawing nearwere loud enough to cover his own. 

To remain away from his companion during the long night was a thing notto be dreamed of, with the possibility of the companionship of reptilessuch as he had seen; and the opportunity of creeping back unseen as wellas unheard grew more and more promising as the minutes glided by, and helistened now so that he might be in no danger of losing his way. But atthe same time there was the risk of this being an enemy. 

How he completed his short journey he could hardly tell, for he had tobattle with nervous excitement as well as with the darkness that nowbegan to fall rapidly in the deep shades of the forest, and at the lasthe was attacked by a fresh trouble which was as startling as the first, and showed him beyond doubt that some one was making for the hut. Hehad more than once nearly convinced himself that he who approached wasthe huge black, who had startled him with a false alarm of danger; butsomehow, when this idea was still hanging in the balance and he feltdoubtful of the wisdom of making his presence known to one who mightafter all prove an enemy, he grasped suddenly at a fresh development, for when at last the movements to which he listened had drawn very near, he felt his heart sink with something approaching dread on his fellowsufferer's behalf, for certainly now it could not be the huge black hehad seen, for two people, evidently well accustomed to thread a waythrough the forest, were converging upon his hiding-place, and rapidlynow. 

"If it were only morning!" he said to himself, as, unable to keep downhis hard breathing, he covered the last few yards which lay between himand his brother midshipman, and then, cutlass in hand, turned at bay. 

The lad's experience had already been giving him lessons in wood-craft, and so it was that in his last movements he had hardly made a sound; buthe had evidently been heard, for the duplex movement amongst the treesceased at once, and a silence ensued which seemed terrible. So well wasit sustained that as the lad crouched there, cutlass in hand, bendingover his comrade, upon whose breast he had laid one hand, it seemed tohim that his own breathing and that of Roberts was all that couldpossibly be heard. In fact, there were moments when the lad felt readyto believe that he had been a victim to imagination, and that he hadbeen for some time fancying the presence of a snake. Yes, those werethe heavy pulsations of his own breast--of that there could be no doubt;and those others which sounded like the echoes of his own heart were ascertainly the result of the beating which kept on heavily in the breastof his wounded companion. It could not be--it was impossible that anyone else was near. If there had been pursuers at hand, Murray felt thatthey must have gone by. And as he leaned forward, staring hard abovewhere his comrade lay insensible, and trying to pierce the darkness, heat last found himself faintly able to make out a little opening whichmeant feeble light that was almost darkness; and this he now recognisedas being the opening he had made with the cutlass by removing a portionof the leafy roof. 

"We are alone, " thought Murray, "and this is all half-maddening fancy. "

The effort to retain silence had at last become greater than he couldsustain, and even at the risk of bringing down danger upon their heads, Murray felt that he must speak--if only a word or two. If mattersshould come to the worst he was ready with his cutlass--ready to strike, and his blow would send the enemy, if enemy it was, or even enemies, scuffling rapidly away through the forest. At any rate the laddetermined that he could retain silence no longer, and drawing a long, slow, deep breath, he was about to ask who was there in some form oranother, and fend off at the same time any blow that might be struck atthem, when the silence was broken from close at hand, and in a low deepwhisper, with the words--

"Massa--massa! You dah?"

And now, suffering from the strange whirl of excitement which seemed tochoke all utterance, Frank Murray felt that it was impossible to reply. 

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE. 

A FRIEND IN NEED. 

"Massa sailor officer, you dah?" came again; and still the midshipmancould not respond. 

"You dah?" came in an angry whisper. "You no open your mouf, sah?"

"Yes, yes, " whispered Murray, recovering himself. "I could not speak. It is you, Caesar, isn't it?"

"Caesar. Come. Big black fellow Tullus come along to get plantain; seeyoung sailor officer. Tell Caesar. Where big sailor?"

"Tom May? I have lost him. "

"Not killed, sah, and other young officer?"

"No; he is here, Caesar. Where is Mr Anderson?"

"Gone; had big fight with Huggins's men. "

"Any one hurt, Caesar?"

"Caesar no don't know. Nearly get kill. Where Massa young sailor hand, take hold?"

Murray raised his hand, and it was taken directly between those of theblack speaker; and the midshipman started, for one of these was bandagedup as if the poor fellow had been wounded. 

"Where other young sailor officer?"

"Hurt, and lying down here asleep. "

"Very bad hurt?"

"Yes, my man. Where is Mr Allen?"

"Caesar don't know yet awhile. Want to find Massa Allen. Very muchgreat deal of fighting, sah. Massa Huggins bring many men out ofschooner ship kill much slabe boy. Kill very bad, and poor Caesar can'tfind Massa Huggins. Want kill um and save Massa Allen. "

"Who wounded you, Caesar?"

"Massa Huggin, sah. Poor slabe fellow too much afraid. Run away. Caesar t'ink massa sailor officer killed dead. "

"Is your wound very bad?" asked Murray. 

"Yes, sah; dreffle bad. "

"Let me examine it. "

"Examine?"

"Yes; let me see how bad it is and tie it up. "

"No time. Caesar tie corn-leaf all about and stop bleed. Caesar don'tmind. What massa sailor officer call himself?"

"Murray--Frank, " was the reply. 

"Murray Frank, sah. Murray Frank, sah, come away dreckerly and bringyour brudder sailor. Caesar couldn't find young massa for big longtime. Now come?"

"Come where?" asked Murray quickly. 

"Caesar don't know. Want find Massa Anderson lieutenant. Want find bigTom May chap. Massa know where?"

"No, Caesar. Can't you show me?"

"No, sah! Everybody run all away. Lot people get killed. Caesar gladfind Massa young sailor 'gain. "

"So am I, my lad. But now can you find Tom May and Bill Titely?"

"Caesar try, sah. Come along. "

"But I can't leave my wounded friend here. "

"No, sah. Take um 'long. "

"That's right; but can you find the way in the darkness?"

"Caesar going try, " said the black confidently; but he did not inspirethe midshipman with the same amount of confidence. In fact, the littlehe felt was a good deal shaken by a great hand darting as it were out ofthe darkness and seizing him roughly by the shoulder. 

"What does that mean?" he cried. 

A deep-toned whispering ensued, and it seemed to Murray that the hugeblack who had so much startled him by his appearance before was eagerlywhispering to his recovered friend. 

"Big Tullus, " whispered Caesar. "Say Massa Huggin men come along. Murray Frank come along quick. "

"Yes, but I tell you I cannot leave my brother midshipman, " whisperedMurray. 

"No, sah, " said the black. "Big Tullus take um 'long on back. "

"But you must be careful, " whispered Murray. "He is wounded. "

"Big Tullus fellow take care, " replied the black, and he whispered tohis invisible companion, with the result that, in spite of the darkness, Murray made out that poor Roberts, who moaned slightly, was easilylifted up, and the huge black seemed to have no difficulty in throwingthe slightly-made wounded lad over his shoulder as if he had been achild. 

"Now massa, come quick, " whispered the black. 

"But will your black friend keep up with us in the dark?"

"Yes, massa. Caesar knock um head off if don't. Him Caesar man. Comeand tell young massa um find young sailor. Now carry other one. Comealong quick, 'fore sailor crew find um and catch um. Now Murray Frankhear?"

"Oh yes, I hear plainly enough, " replied Murray. "Now lead on. "

It was evidently quite time enough, for from somewhere near at hand thevoices of some of the overseer's crew of followers could be heard, as ifmaking for the middle of the clearing where the big black had set up hishut, a spot which was evidently known to Huggins's people, by the way inwhich they had come in search of food. 

So close were the men that the midshipman seized the big black by thearm and stopped his progress. 

"What massa do?" whispered the black. 

"Take care! They will hear you, " replied Murray. 

"Yes, hear massa if massa talk, " whispered the man warningly. "Massacome along. "

"But do you know the way to Mr Allen's cottage?"

"Iss--yes, Caesar know the way. Come along, " whispered the man, andseizing the lad by the arm, he thrust him before his companion, who thenext minute was making his way through the woodland, with the enemy soclose behind that it was plainly evident that they were ignorant of theproximity of the fugitives, who pressed on steadily, with the huge blackbearing his burden as lightly as if he were in no way troubled by theweight. 

A very real danger, however, now began to show itself, for, becominguneasy at being swayed about by Catullus, Roberts began to mutterimpatiently, though in an incoherent way, with the result that the greatblack suddenly stopped short and, bending towards Caesar, uttered a fewwords in a tone full of protest. 

"What does he say, Caesar?" whispered Murray. 

"Say massa young sailor no talk so much. Bring Massa Huggin men comesee what's all a bobbery and kill um all. "

"I can't stop him, my lad, " whispered back Murray. "He is insensiblefrom his wound and does not know what he is saying. "

"Caesar tell big slabe boy walk fast and get along a way;" and Murrayheard a low whispering follow as he was thrust onward, with the canesand other growth being brushed aside. But, in spite of the extrapressure brought to bear, it became more and more evident that theirenemies were keeping up with them and following their movements soexactly that it was hard to believe that they were not aware of theirproximity. 

Murray whispered words to this effect, but the black only laughed. 

"No, no, " he said; "Huggins's men don't know we come along here, or runfast and kill Massa Murray Frank, kill Roberts, kill Caesar, and bigTullus. Come along and see if Massa Allen find way back to cottage. "

CHAPTER FORTY SIX. 

CAESAR'S PROPOSAL. 

For the most part of that night all thought of sleep had passed away, and a feeling of wonder filled the middy's brain at the ease with whichthe black forced his way through the darkness. 

"Black as a bat, " thought Murray, "and just like one. It's wonderfulhow these fellows can see as they do. It can't be because they are usedto it, for my eyes would never be of any good, I am sure. "

But there it was all the same. 

"Come 'long. Massa Huggins man dat way want to find Caesar;" and theblack led the way and seemed to put pressure upon his white companionjust at the right moment, "steering" him, Murray mentally called it, inand out among tree and cane so that he never came in contact with anyobstacle, while the lad's anxiety about his wounded comrade was alwaysalleviated when a halt was made by the comforting whispered assurancefrom Caesar after an examination. 

"Massa sailor Roberts fas' 'sleep. No know nothing at all. "

There were times, though, when at one of their many halts Murray's heartsank very low, for generally when all was silent save for some strangecry of night bird, croak of reptile, or weird whirr of insect thatseemed to be magnified in power by the heated misty air, the black'sfingers would tighten upon the lad's arm with spasmodic suddenness, incompany with what seemed to be the piercing humming trumpet of amosquito. Twice over Murray as he toiled on in the black darkness tookit for granted that the black had stopped short to avoid being bitten orstung, but only to find afterwards that the sound came with perfectrealism from the black's lips, being his warning to his big companion tohalt while he reconnoitred as to the position of the enemy. 

And now a fresh direction would be taken, or more than once it seemed toMurray that they completely retraced their steps; but after a time afeeling of dullness akin to despair came over the lad, and he resignedhimself to his fate, satisfying himself that Roberts was being carefullycarried, and then plodding on and on, plunging as it seemed to him in astate of torpidity or stupid sleep in which he kept on dreaming aboutthe ship and the boats and going through various adventures at sea. 

Then he would start awake with a strange suddenness, feeling as if hisconscience had pricked him for his drowsiness and neglect, and he wouldbegin to tremble with anxiety, for he felt that he must have spokenaloud just at a time when they were near their pursuers, and so havebetrayed their whereabouts. 

Thoroughly wakened then, Murray found that they were motionless with hisblack companions listening, while Caesar's fingers were pressing his armvery tightly. 

"No speak, " he whispered; and the man's breath came hot into his ear. "Huggins fellow chap everywhere. No catchee. "

Murray's brain was closing up again, so it seemed to him, back into adeep sleep, and he remembered afterwards that during the latter part ofthat night he woke up from time to time when Caesar pinched his arm forhim to stop, but directly the journey was continued he dropped asleepagain. 

Then it seemed to the middy that he must have been asleep an immenselylong time, and he started up awake, staring hard at his guide, who hadlaid one hand over his lips while the other was offering him aready-opened cocoanut. 

"No speak, massa. "

"Why?"

"Huggins man over dah. See sailor officer--see slabe boy--see Caesar--shoot, kill. "

The man pointed over where Roberts lay half hidden by the undergrowth, while beyond him the big black was seated munching away at somehalf-ripe bananas, and ready to meet his eyes with a pleasant smile. 

"It's morning, then!" whispered Murray, in surprise. 

"Yes: to-morrow morning, sah, " said the man, smiling; and it appeared toMurray that he had made a very absurd remark, for it must have beendaylight for many hours, the sun being high. 

"Whereabout do you think Mr Allen's cottage is?" he whispered now, ashis head seemed to clear. 

"Over dah, " was the confident declaration. "Huggins man all round aboutcome to fight. "

"Fight? Who with?"

"Massa officer sailor men. "

"Do you think they have got back to the cottage?"

The black nodded. 

"Big very much fight. Sailor kill big lot Huggins man. "

"How do you know that?" said Murray sharply, for it seemed to him nowthat the last dreamy feeling of exhaustion had passed away. 

"Caesar find free dead men. Him tread on two, " was his ready reply, "him" being the big black. 

"But not white men!" said the midshipman, with his voice sinking to awhisper that was almost inaudible. 

"Huggins man, massa. Bad fellow. Caesar berry glad. "

"Hah!" sighed Murray, and he crept to where Roberts lay apparentlysleeping comfortably now. 

"Is it far to Mr Allen's cottage?" asked the lad, after a pause. 

"Over dah, sah, " replied the black, pointing. 

"Then why not go on at once?"

The black showed his teeth as his face lit-up in a smile. 

"Lots Huggins man all about. Wait shoot white man. Wait shoot massasailor officer. Shoot big slabe boy and Caesar. 'Top here get darkagain and Massa Murray Frank crawl up close to cottage 'long o' Caesarshow de way. Massa Murray Frank put hand to mouf so how, like Caesarand say, Ahoy! No shoot, my boy! Friend!"

"Yes, I understand, " said Murray eagerly. 

"Dat's de way, " said the black, laughing with satisfaction; and heplaced his hollowed hand to the side of his mouth and cried very softlyagain: "Ahoy! No shoot, my boy! Friend! British sailor boy shoot morethan Huggins man. Shoot drefful bad. Kill friend in a dark. KillMurray Frank. Kill Roberts officer. Kill big slabe boy, and kill poorole Caesar; and dat drefful bad job, eh, sah?"

"Yes, " said Murray, responding to the black's smile most heartily; "thatwould be a dreadfully bad job, and no mistake. "

"And no mistake, sah, " cried the black, bringing to bear his naturalimitative faculty apparently with a feeling of intense enjoyment, andrepeating the expression, "And no mistake, sah. Ha, ha, ha, ha! Hallo!'Top, 'top!" he added, in an excited whisper. "Caesar make too muchnoise enough and tell Huggins man where we hide umself. Massa MurrayFrank eatum Caesar nut. Do um good and makum fight like sailor man. "

"Yes, I'll eat it soon, " replied Murray. "But you're right, Caesar; wemust wait till it is dark, for fear that my people should shoot us bymistake. "

"Yes, sah; dat be bad job and no mistake, " whispered the black, bringingin the fresh expression again. "What Massa Allen do widout Caesar?Hey?"

"Mr Allen trusts you, then?" said Murray. 

"Yes, sah. Massa Allen berry much trust Caesar. Massa Allen tellCaesar he berry sorry he ebber trust Massa Huggin. Wish um nebber comeplantation. Caesar see big tear in Massa Allen eye, and make Caesarberry sorry. Make um fink a deal. Massa Huggins kill poor blackniggah, sah, lots o' times. Massa Huggins got bad brudder come sometimewith ship schooner full o' slabes. Flog um and sell um. Make um diesometime. Massa Huggins' brudder tell um bad sailor man. Talk like disway;" and the man as he knelt by Murray's side gave an exact imitationof the keen Yankee skipper. "Say `Chuck um overboard, ' sah. " As theblack uttered the command he acted it, and added grimly: "`Chuck umoverboard to de shark?'" and added now a horrible bit of pantomime, dashing and waving his arms about to represent the terrible fish glidingover one another in a wild struggle to seize their prey. 

"Don't! Don't!" whispered Murray, with a look of horror which provedthe realism of the black's word-painting and gesticulation. 

"No, massa, " whispered Caesar solemnly. "Um nebber chuck black niggahoverboard. But, " he added, with a fierce look that was even ferocious, "Caesar like chuck Massa Huggins overboard. Like see shark fish biteall a pieces and eat um. So--so--so!"

As he uttered the last words with hideous emphasis he brought hisimitative faculty once more into action by laying bare his fine whiteteeth, throwing his head from side to side, and snapping like a savageanimal. 

"Horrible!" ejaculated Murray. 

"Yes, sah; dreffle horrible see shark bite poor half-dead niggah apieces. "

"But you have never seen this?"

"Yes, massa--long time ago. Caesar brought in schooner ship from Caesarown country. Bring lot of poor niggah all shut up down below. Shipquite full, and ebery night some shut um eyes, and to-morrow morningsome won't open eyes again. Gone dead. Sailor chap come along rope, haul niggah up on deck--haul on deck, and Massa Huggins brudder say:`Chuck um o'erboard, ' and chap come and take rope off Caesar and make umopen um eye like say: `What's de matter?' Den Massa Huggins' bruddersay, `What's dat, you lubber? Dat one not dead!'"

"Did you hear that?" said Murray, with his lips apart as he listened inhorror to the black's narrative. 

"Yes, sah. Caesar no understand den what um mean, but um say--`What'sdat, you lubber? Dat one not dead!' Nebber forget um--nebber! Caesarshut um eye now and see it all again--those niggah chap chuck overboardand shark fish coming up out of water and roll over and over and snap, snap, snap--so. Make Caesar keep eyes open so dat couldn't go to sleepagain for long time. Massa Huggins man come take hold of um by arm andleg and chuck down below. Caesar not dead a bit. Caesar quite 'livenow. Go and talk lot o' time to pore black niggah when Massa Huggins'brudder bring schooner ship full of niggah. Caesar talk to um, not likeum talk to Massa Murray Frank. Talk to um in own way sometime. Sometime poor niggah can't understand, but berry glad find Caesar sorryfor um. Make um happy; laugh again. "

"Poor creatures!" said Murray. 

"Yes, massa. Poor creature! Come and talk togedder in de nightsometime. Massa Huggins flog um when him find um out, but poor niggahdon't mind dat. Like to talk about de ole country where um come from. Massa Allen find um out too, but um only laugh and say, `Poor fellow!'But Massa Huggin flog um, and some shut eye and nebber open um again. Poor Massa Allen good massa, but won't do what Caesar say. He berry illnow, and get frighten of Massa Huggins. Tell Caesar one day he wishMassa Huggins die. "

"He told you that!" said Murray, for the black had ceased speaking, andhis narrative had so great a fascination for the lad that he wanted tohear more. 

"Yes, massa; um say he wish Massa Huggin die so that poor niggah boy behappy again and do um work. Massa Allen say so free time to Caesar, andden Caesar wait till Massa Huggins go out and Caesar go in to MassaAllen in de cottage, where um sit down by de table like dat. " And theblack rested his head sidewise upon his elbow and hand. "`What youwant, Caesar, lad?' he say, and um put um white hand on Caesar blackarm. `Poor niggah ill and can't work? Bad time, Caesar, to be sickman. ' `Yes, massa, ' I say to um. `Berry bad to be sick man. ' `Who isit, my lad?' he say. `Caesar, massa, ' I say to um. `Caesar berrysick. ' `You bad, Caesar!' him say. `Your massa berry sorry, for you deonly frien' I got in de worl' now, Caesar. ' `Yes, massa, ' I say. `Caesar know dat. ' `What de matter, boy?' he say. `Caesar bad to seemassa so berry sick. Caesar 'fraid massa die. ' `Ah, dat's berry goodof you, Caesar, ' he say--`berry good. Then you no want me to give youdoctor 'tuff?' `No, massa, ' I said. `Nigger know what to do whenniggah ill. Shut um mouf up tight free day, and niggah quite wellagain. ' `Ah, Caesar, ' he say, `dat do me no good, dat not do for yourmassa. ' Then I say to um, `No, massa, but you let Caesar do massa goodand um quite well again and make all de poor niggah happy over again. '`No, no, my boy, ' um say; `nebber again. ' `Yes, massa, ' I say; `you letCaesar try. ' `What wiv?' um say, laughing; and den I say in um whisperlike: `Fetish, massa. '"

"What!" cried Murray, half indignantly. "You don't believe in thatnonsense, Caesar?"

"Not nonsense, massa. "

"Well, my good fellow, " said Murray, rather coldly, "I'm not going toargue with you now, but some other time, I hope. Now tell me, what didMr Allen say?"

"Um say, `No, my lad, no; I'll hab none of dat. '"

"Of course; but surely he does not believe in it?"

"Yes, massa; um believe for sure. Massa Allen know what niggah know andbring from own country. But Massa Allen say, `Nebber, nebber, Caesar. Your massa done too much bad in dis worl', and he nebber do no morenow. '"

"Well, that's very good of him, Caesar, but I don't quite understandwhat you mean. "

"No, massa? Dat Huggins bad man do bad things to everybody. Make MassaAllen ill and go die. Massa Allen say not fit to live. "

"And quite right too, Caesar. "

"Yes, sah. Massa Allen quite right, and Caesar come one night and bringniggah Obeah and put in bad Massa Huggin rum. Den Massa Huggin drinkum, drinkum, and go drefful bad and nebber flog no more poor niggah. Nebber. Poor niggah dance and sing, and Massa Allen get well. "

"But--what--here--I say, Caesar!" cried Murray, staring hard at theblack--"You don't mean to say that you mean you would poison thewretch!"

"Yes, massa, " said the black, in the most innocent way. "Gib um Obeahsnake poison. Gib um manchineel in um rum. Make um curl up and godead. "

"Oh, that wouldn't do at all, Caesar, " cried Murray earnestly. "He's ahorribly bad wretch, of course. "

"Yes, massa; ollible bad wretch, and ought to be killed dead; but MassaAllen say no, he won't do any more wicked thing. "

"And he is quite right, Caesar. "

"No, sah, " said the black, shaking his head. "Not do no wicked thing. Caesar do it, and it not wicked thing. All good. "

"No, no; it would be murder, Caesar, " cried the middy. 

"What murder, massa?"

"Eh? What is murder? Why, to kill innocent people. "

"What innocent people, massa?"

"What are innocent people, my man? Why, those who have done no harm. "

"Massa Huggin not no innocent people, Murray Frank. Massa Huggin badman; kill poor niggah. Try kill poor Massa Allen, take um plantation. "

"Yes, that's all very bad, " said Murray thoughtfully. 

"Yes, sah; berry bad. What British captain do Massa Huggin?"

"Well, I hardly know, Caesar, " said Murray thoughtfully. "I should saythat if he catches him fighting against the king and setting thoseblackguards of his to murder the poor creatures he has been dealing in--throwing them overboard so as to escape--the captain will have him hungat the yard-arm. "

"Yes, sah, " cried the man, with his eyes flashing. "Dat what MassaAllen tell um. Massa Allen say he desarve be hung at um yard-arm forkill an' murder poor black niggah, and Massa Huggin laugh and say MassaAllen hang too. Dat right, sah?"

"No, no; that wouldn't be right, Caesar. "

"Bri'sh captain not kill Massa Allen?"

"Certainly not, my man, " said Murray earnestly. "No, sah. Much a bes'way for Caesar gib Massa Huggin Obeah. "

"No, no, and that would not do either. Hallo! what do you mean bythat?"

The black had suddenly thrown himself down upon his face and dragged themidshipman beside him, a movement instantly imitated by the big slavewho was seated among the bushes beside Roberts, who lay motionless as ifasleep. 

"Massa see?" whispered Caesar. 

"See what?" asked Murray excitedly. 

The black slowly and cautiously extended his right hand while he placedthe fingers of his left to his lips. 

Murray gazed with wonder in the direction indicated, but for someminutes he could make out nothing more than the closely-packed canesthat commenced before the patch of jungle in which they were concealed. Everything seemed to be dim, and in the distance it was as though thethick growth was formed into a soft twilight, but as the lad strainedhis eyesight, he fancied that in one part the canes were swayingslightly here and there, as if the wind was pressing them on one side. Then as he turned his head a little he started and his heart began tobeat with excitement, for what had been for a time indistinct now grewplainer and plainer and shaped itself into what looked to be quite astrong body of men, evidently rough sailors, creeping slowly through aplantation of sugar-cane and making for some definite place. One minutethey would be quite indistinct and faint; the next they would stand outquite clearly; and it soon became plain that they were well-armed, forfrom time to time there was a faint gleam that Murray made out to beshed from the barrel of some musket. 

"Massa Murray Frank see um?" whispered the black. 

"Yes, quite plainly, " replied the lad. 

"Dat Massa Huggin man go creep round plantation. "

"What plantation is that?" asked Murray excitedly. 

"Massa Allen plantation, sah. Massa Allen plantation cottage over dah, sah. "

"And is he back there now?"

"No say dat where Caesar tink de lieutenant massa wait long o' Bri'shsailor. Fink um wait till Massa Huggin bring all a men from two, freeschooner. Wait kill all a Bri'sh sailor, sah. "

"And if he doesn't look out, my man, he'll be killed instead. "

"Caesar hope so, sah. "

"When do you mean to go on and join Mr Anderson, then?" asked themidshipman. 

"Caesar wait till come dark, sah. No go yet. Massa Huggins men watchall round and take--kill--Murray Frank if um go now. "

"But can't you go and warn our people that they are in danger?"

"Massa Anderson know, " said the black coolly. "Bri'sh sailor officerkeep eye wide open. Dah!"

He uttered the last word in a low, excited fashion, for just then therewas the distant smothered report of a musket, and Murray pressed thegrowth before him a little on one side. 

"Was that one of the slavers' crew?" he whispered. 

"No, sah. Dat sailor shoot. Look now. "

The lad pressed forward again, but nothing was visible, for the denselypacked party of sailors who the minute before had been seen to be inmotion had quite disappeared, though Murray could grasp the fact thatthey must still be there. 

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN. 

"WAIT TILL DARK. "

Long hours of weary waiting and expectation of being discovered, for atintervals movements could be detected amongst the tall swaying canes andpatches of maize that could be made out beyond the wilderness ofundergrowth that lay between the little party of fugitives and thecottage whose presence the black insisted upon as being in the directionhe pointed out. 

But Murray had the satisfaction of noting that his brother midshipmanwas slowly recovering his senses. Twice over he had opened his eyes togaze wonderingly in the face that looked down at him, and once whenMurray whispered a few encouraging words he shook his head and seemed tosink back into a deep sleep again. 

"What's to be done, Caesar?" said Murray softly. 

"Do nothing, sah. Wait till come dark. Then creep, creep, creep frootrees and tell massa officer not to shoot. Then run fas', get incottage. "

Night at last, and with every nerve throbbing from excitement Murraystarted up in readiness, for the black had bent over to whisper to himthat he was going to try and find a way past the several parties of theenemy who were beleaguering the holders of the little cottage, whom itwas their aim now to rejoin. 

"Massa stop now, " said the man. "Wait till Caesar see. "

The next minute there was a faint rustling sound, and Murray was alonewith the big black and his companion, both silent, the former watchfuland alert, and the latter as motionless as if plunged in the deepestsleep. 

This silence was to the midshipman the most painful part of the taskwhich he had been called upon to bear. His imagination began to set towork at once and surrounded him with perils that were ever on theincrease. He knew from what he had seen that a strong body of the enemymust be lying between him and his friends, but directly Caesar hadpassed out of hearing it appeared to him that the crews of the slaver'sschooners had started into motion and were creeping round behind him tocut him off, and twice over this was enforced by the great blackbeginning to creep away and leaving him alone with Roberts. 

Then when he was beside himself with anxiety as to what he had betterdo, and more and more certain that he was completely left, he started tofind that the great fellow had returned, to seat himself beside hisburden, evidently ready to make a fresh start at any moment. 

At last, when Murray felt that he could bear no more, there was a faintrustle and a whisper to prove that the black had returned, to lay a handupon his shoulder. 

"Well, " whispered the lad excitedly, "have you found a way to get bythem?"

"Caesar get by, " said the man sadly, "but big slabe, Murray Frank, Roberts, not get by. "

"Then what do you mean to do?"

"Try, " said the man. "Murray Frank ready?"

"Yes, ready for anything, " said the lad, springing up eagerly. 

Caesar whispered a few words to his big fellow and as Murray strainedhis eyes he tried to make out the movements of the black when he caughthold of the midshipman, swung him round over his shoulder, and followedclosely behind his leader and Murray, who now began to advancecautiously, hand in hand, pausing to listen from time to time, Caesarprogressing more by thought than touch and evidently conscious that atany moment he might stumble upon those who were waiting ready to pounceupon him. 

There were moments when hope began to illumine the lad's path, for sosilent did everything remain that it seemed as if the enemy must havechanged his position; and in this hopeful mood he was about to whisperhis belief to his companion when the path was brightened by a totallydifferent illumination. For there was utter silence one moment, and thenext, flash, flash, from musket after musket, and the enemy's positionwas marked out by points of light as he concentrated his fire upon thecottage hidden amongst the trees. 

This went on for a time without reply, and it now seemed to themidshipman that it must be the little party of his friends who had goneoff. Then crack, crack, the reply began, and plainly mingled with thereports came the strange whistling whirr of bullets about their ears, incompany with the crackling of cut-down leaves and twigs which now beganto patter upon the earth. 

"Come, " whispered the black. 

"Come where?" asked Murray excitedly. 

"Back again, " was the reply. "Massa no want sailor shoot massa?"

"No, " whispered the lad; "but we were to shout to them that we arefriends. "

"Yes, massa, " said the man drily, "but sailor man shout so loud um nohear massa speak, and massa get shoot dead long o' Caesar and big slabe. No talk; other fellow hear um, and sailor man shoot one side, MassaHuggin man shoot other side, and no get to cottage at all. Come back. "

The lad submitted without a word, though it seemed to him maddening togive up when they were so near that every flash was quite plain, and hefully expected to hear himself hailed. 

They seemed to him then to have crept exactly into the centre of thefiring, and every whizzing whistle sounded as if it must be comingstraight for its billet that would end one of their careers; but themoments passed on with the marvel growing more strange that they escapedbeing laid low; and then the excitement came suddenly to an end, whenCaesar literally snatched the lad to earth and the big slave subsidedwith a low sigh of relief which indicated that he had sunk down too withhis silent burden, to lie listening to the cross fire which still wenton above their heads, till all at once a familiar voice shouted--

"Now, my lads, all together, forward! Let them have it!"

The order thrilled through Murray's breast, and seemed to rouse Roberts, helpless as he was, to action. 

"Hurrah!" cried the midshipman, as he sprang to his feet, followed byhis wounded comrade, who staggered for a moment or two, and then fell, clutching at Murray, dragging him down upon his less active comrade, just as there was a rush of feet, the crackling of wood, and the minutelater a fierce yell of raging voices, and the sailors who had respondedto the first lieutenant's call were borne back again by four times theirnumber and driven as far as the entrance to the cottage, where theystood fast and delivered a little volley, which sent their enemies tothe right-about, giving them time to barricade themselves again and holdthe entrance fast. 

"Answer to your names there, " panted the lieutenant, who was breathlesswith his exertions. "What's that?" he cried directly after. "Prisoners! Two of them?"

"Four, sir, " growled a deep voice. "Two black fellows, sir, and here'stwo youngsters, sir, as far as I can make out. One of 'em's wounded, sir. "

"Well, we don't want prisoners, " cried the lieutenant, "but we must takethem. See that you bind them fast. "

"We don't want binding, sir, " gasped Murray. "We've got away from theenemy and reached you at last. "

"Mr Murray! This is grand!" cried the chief officer. "But have youseen anything of poor Roberts?"

"I've got him here, sir, but he's badly wounded. "

"And we've no doctor with us. "

"I don't think it's dangerous, sir; but have you had any news of May andTitely?"

"Tom May is with us, my lad. "

"Hurt, sir?"

"Here, answer for yourself, my lad, " cried the lieutenant. 

"Hurt, sir? Yes, sir; pretty tidy, sir, " growled the big sailor. "Oneof them slavers fetched me a crack on the head as knocked all the senseout on it; but I shall get a chance at 'em again one o' these times. But is it really you, Mr Murray, here and all right, sir?"

"It's your turn to answer, Mr Murray, " replied the chief officer. 

"Yes, sir; and yes, Tom May; I've got back safely. Where's Titely?"

"In the plantation house, sir--in hospital--sick bay, sir; doing prettytidy. But they're coming on again, I think, sir, and we've them twoblacks with us, sir. Where shall we put them?"

"They're not prisoners, sir, " cried Murray. "They're friends, and havehelped us to escape. "

"Do you think we can trust them?" asked the lieutenant. 

"Trust them, sir? Yes, and they'll fight for us to the end. "

"You answer for them, my lad?"

"Yes, sir, " cried Murray. "They're staunch enough. "

"Here they come, sir!" cried Tom May. 

For with a fierce yelling mingled with an imitation of the heartycheering of a body of seamen, a strong party dashed up to the hastilybarricaded entrance, and sent a volley crashing through the panels ofthe door and the window. 

"You were ready for that, my lads?" cried the lieutenant. "No onehurt?"

"Nay, sir; we're used to that bit o' business, " growled the big sailor. 

"Then give it them back, my lads. "

The words had hardly passed the officer's lips before a dozen musketsbellowed out their reply, lighting up so many roughly-made portholes, and as the volley was responded to by a fiercer yelling than before, mingled with the hurried footsteps of the repulsed attacking party, Murray turned in the darkness to his leader. 

"I can't understand it, sir, " he said. "I thought Caesar, the black, was retreating with us to the cottage by the lagoon. "

"No, no, my lad; this is the plantation house where we came first. Ionly wish we could have reached the cottage by the water-side. Weshould have had help from the captain before now if we could have gotthere. "

"Then we are right in the middle of the cane fields, sir?"

"Yes, Murray, and very glad I was to come upon it, for it has beenstrong enough to hold. Here: your black fellow who guided theexpedition--where is he?"

"Here somewhere, sir. "

"Ask him then if he can lead us by some path to the water-side. "

"Do you hear this, Caesar?" asked Murray. "Is there any path down tothe water-side without using a boat along the river?"

"Yes, sah, but Massa Huggin men all dah, and um think they come 'longagain to burn Massa Allen house up. Murray Frank look! All de windowburn fire. "

"Yes, they're trying another way of attack, " said the chiefofficer--"one that I have been wondering that they did not try before. Up-stairs with you, my lad. You go too, Mr Murray. You must pick offthose who come up with their firebrands. You'll be able to see thescoundrels now. This is better than that horrible darkness. Ah, thebusiness is warming up. Give them a cheer, my lads, as soon as you areup at the windows. The captain will hear our response, and it will lethim know where we are. "

"But is that the _Seafowl_, sir?" cried Murray excitedly. 

"Without doubt, my lad; but she sounds a long way off. "

For the steady fire of big guns had begun, but as the chief officer hadsaid, sounding some distance away. 

"Dat Massa Huggin big schooner, sah, " said Caesar sharply; and he hadhardly spoken when the heavy but sharp brassy sound of a big gun camefrom quite another direction. "And dat Massa Huggin oder schooner, sah. Dat um Long Tom. "

"Confound the scoundrel!" cried the lieutenant excitedly. "Up with you, Mr Murray. Here they come to the attack again. Take May with you, orwe shall be burnt out before help can come. Well, what's that then?" heshouted excitedly, as Murray rushed up the stairs towards the rooms hehad helped before to put in a state of defence. "Surely that is one ofour brig's carronades. It was time she began to speak. "

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT. 

"LET 'EM HAVE IT. "

"That's your sort, my lads! Let 'em have it!" came in the boatswain'sgruff voice, as Murray reached the wide corridor-like landing of theplanter's house; and directly after one of the sailors shouted--

"I'm after you, Tommy, old man. Show the ugly foreign varmint what aBritish bulldog is. "

The words came from where a struggle was going on in one of the chamberswhich the midshipman had helped to barricade before he left upon hisunfortunate mission to fetch help; and as the lad now crossed thecorridor and ran into the room, followed by Caesar, it was to see thatseveral of the enemy had gained a footing by rearing bamboos against thewindows, and evidently in their first charge had beaten the Englishdefenders back. 

Murray rushed in just at the recoil, when Tom May had been roused toaction and with a couple of companions was obeying the admonition of hismessmate to show the varmint what British bulldogs might be. 

Murray paused just inside the door of the lit-up room, excited and yetamused by the man's action, for he saw the big sailor in the act ofrushing at a couple of the enemy, sticking the cutlass he bore betweenhis teeth, as trusting to his great strength and weight he charged withdoubled fists at the first, and in the contact drove him backwards witha heavy thud against the man who followed, with the result that bothwent down upon the floor and rolled over beneath the open window. Thenas if in one movement the great fellow ducked down, avoiding a blowstruck at him with a knife, seized the uppermost of the two enemies bythe waistbelt, flung him up to the full extent of his reach, and thenturning himself as it were into a human catapult, he hurled the fellowat another of his companions and caught him just as he was climbing overthe window-sill. 

The next instant the window-opening was clear, and the sound of a heavythud came up from below, along with savage oaths and yells, while TomMay made at once for the man who had first attacked, and who was nowstruggling to his feet looking as if he had had his neck twisted. 

Tom closed with the savage half-breed, Malayan looking sailor, and, tocarry out his messmate's simile, seemed to regularly worry him as hebore him backward. 

But there were others of the enemy watching the encounter--one who hadpreviously reached the chamber, and another who had suddenly drawnhimself up and sprung over the sill. 

This fellow drew back for a few moments to watch the struggle and awaithis opportunity, before, heavy machete in hand, he sprang forward, tomake a savage cut that would have gone hard with Tom May, but Murray sawthe impending stroke, parried it with the cutlass he held, and thenstruck upward with the hilt, catching the assailant full in the nosewith the heavy steel guard, staggering him for a moment, and thenthrusting home, the man went down, just in time for May's antagonist totrip over backward, the two fellows yelling as they rolled over andover. 

"Come on, messmates, " growled Tom May; and there was a shortcontinuation of the struggle before one after the other the enemy weredriven headlong from the window and the room was clear. 

"Thankye, Mr Murray, sir, " said the big sailor, taking the cutlass frombetween his teeth. "You did that fine; didn't he, lads?"

"Splendid!" said the boatswain; "but what's the good of a cutlass, mate, if you don't use it?"

"Hah! That's just what I was thinking of, " said the big sailor. "Ijust stuck it atween my tusks so as to tackle that ugly warmint, as Ithought it would be easier to chuck overboard, and then you see I wastoo busy to ketch hold again. But it do seem comic, Mr Murray, sir, don't it? But it have kep' it clean. "

"Yes, Tom; and you cleared the deck magnificently. "

"Did I, sir? Well, I'm glad I do'd some good; and fingers was madeafore forks, warn't they, sir? And pretty handy too. "

"Yes, I suppose so, Tom; but look here, my lads, " cried Murray sharply. "Lay hold of that big old bedstead and draw it across the window. Itwill block it up. Then clap that big wardrobe on the top. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" cried the men, as they seized the heavy framework and ranit across the opening, fastening it directly after in its place bylaying the heavy wardrobe across. 

"That's done it tidy, " cried the big sailor; "and that's the beauty ofhaving your orficer with yer to show yer what to do. "

"None of your banter, Tom, " cried the midshipman sternly. 

"Beg pardon, sir, " said the man, in protest. "'Twarn't done for that. I meant it honest, sir. I shouldn't never have thought on it. "

"All right, " said Murray, smiling in the broad frank face. "Why, Tom, it's a treat to be with you again. "

"Is it, sir?" cried the man. 

"That it is, Tom. "

"But you don't mean it, sir. I say, ain't that what you called banter?"

"Banter? No, Tom; I'm only too glad to get back to you. But how areyou, Tom? Haven't you got hurt over these tussles?"

"Hurt, sir?" said the man, beginning to feel himself over. "I dunno, sir. Bit sore like just there, and my shoulder's just a shade stiff. "

"Yes, and there's some paint off your nose, Tommy, " said the boatswain, chuckling. 

"Is there?" said the man, touching his rather prominent featuretenderly. "Humph! It do feel a bit like it. Never mind; I'll reportmysen to the doctor when I get aboard again, and he'll put on a patch ofhis solid black--that as he keeps ready to lay on all at once. But Isay, Mr Murray, sir, " he added, closing up to his young officer, "youdid me good in saying what you did. I felt real bad without you, sir, and as if I'd not been doing my dooty like to let you get away from meas I did. "

"Nonsense, Tom! Who could help it? But it was awkward to be separatedlike that. I began to be afraid that we should never get togetheragain. "

"Well, sir, that's just what I got a touch of, sir, but I pulled myselfup short, sir, and I says to myself, `Mr Murray's too good an orficer, 'I says, `not to find his way out of any hole as these slave-huntingvarmint would dig for him. '"

"There you go again, Tom, " cried Murray angrily. "You know how I hateflam. "

"I'm blest, sir!" cried the man, in an ill-used tone. "Oh, you are hardupon me, sir. "

"Then you shouldn't stoop to flattery. "

"Flattery, sir? Well, if that warn't honest I'm a Dutchman. I onlywish I'd got a witness, sir, as heared me say it, sir; but I only saysit to myself, and you don't believe him. "

"Yes, I do, Tom, " cried Murray. 

"Hullo, sir! They're at it again somewhere else. "

"Pst!" whispered Murray, holding up his hand and stepping on tiptoetowards a door at one end of the room, partly hidden by a thick curtain. 

The next moment he was signing to the men to follow him. 

They were just in time, for a ladder had been raised against a narrowslit of a window of what was fitted up as a bathroom, and as the laddashed in, it was to find that one of the slaver's men was in the act ofleaping down into the room, striking at the middy in his bound, and withsuch force that he drove the lad headlong backwards, half stunning himin his fall. 

"Here, what is it?" cried Murray, after a few minutes, in a confusedmanner. "Who did that?"

"Why, it was this here chap, sir, " said Tom May. "Here, ketch hold ofhis heels, man, and let's send him back to his mates; we don't want himhere. "

"Who wounded him--who cut him?" cried Murray excitedly. 

"I'm not quite sure, sir, " said Tom May drily, "but I think as it wasme, sir. You see, he let himself go at you, sir, and I just give him atap. "

"You've killed him, Tom, " said the lad, in rather an awe-stricken tone. 

"Nay, sir. Tap like that wouldn't take it out of him. I might ha' hita bit softer, but I was 'bliged to be sharp, or he'd ha' finished youoff, sir, and of course we didn't want that. There, let go your end, messmate, " continued the man, and still half dazed, Murray stood staringas he saw one of their fierce-looking, half European, half Lascar-likeenemies passed out of the narrow window, bleeding profusely, anddisappear, his passing through the opening being followed by the dullsound of a heavy fall. 

"You've killed him, Tom!" cried Murray again, with his facedrawn-looking and strange. 

"Nay, sir, " grumbled the sailor, "but 'twouldn't ha' been my fault, sir, if I had. Some un had to have it, and it was my dooty to see as itwarn't my orficer, sir. I do know that. "

Murray was silent. 

"Why, I say, sir, you'd ha' tapped one on 'em pretty hard on the head ifyou'd ha' seen him coming at me; now wouldn't you?"

"Yes, I should, " said Murray, with something like a sigh. "Look here, Tom, " he added hastily, "we have too many holes to keep closed. I wantsome of the pieces of furniture crammed into these places. It ought tohave been done before. "

"It was done, sir, " grumbled the man. "That's what the first luff said, sir, and we've been doing nothing else; but as fast as we stopped up thebeggars kep' on shoving the stuff out again with bamboos. "

The high narrow window was, however, once more pretty securely blocked, and for many hours to come the defenders of the place had their work cutout to repel the attacks that were made, the two blacks provinginvaluable in keeping up a supply of water to drench the woodwork thatthe enemy attacked with fire, so that pretty well a day had glided bywithout much change having taken place. 

It was evident that the slaving chief had a strong force at his disposalin carrying on a desultory kind of siege of the plantation house, whileat the same time it seemed to the besieged that a sort of running fightwas being carried on with the _Seafowl_, whose guns were heard prettyconstantly, though during the afternoon that followed Murray's arrivalat the plantation it seemed that the brig must have followed the slavingcraft to the opposite side of the island, where firing was still goingon. 

During a lull in the attack upon the planter's house, LieutenantAnderson busily inspected his defences, and, like a prudent officer, sawto his supplies and examined as to whether he could not take furthermeasures for their protection and the setting at defiance of the enemyfor some time to come. 

"He ought to have driven us out or taken us prisoners hours ago, MrMurray, " he said, "for he has five times our force. "

"Yes, sir; he seems to have, " replied Murray. 

"And yet we have managed to keep him at bay. He has the advantage ofbeing able to set scores of blacks to work fetching fuel to try and burnus out, bringing up provisions, doing everything but fight--they are ofno use for that--while we have only two of the dark-skinned fellows; butI must say those two have proved to be invaluable. "

"Yes, sir. That man, Caesar--we have him to thank for showing us how toutilise the water-tanks. "

"Yes, and the underground supplies, " said the lieutenant. 

"And the whereabouts of the warehouses; otherwise we should have beenstarved out. "

"Yes, Mr Murray; we have been pretty fortunate, and I think we shouldhave been able to hold out if it were not for one thing. "

"Should have been, sir?"

"Yes, of course, my lad. You see, I should have contented myself withhaving remained standing upon the defensive until the captain came toour help, though I should strongly have advocated a sally and thecutting of the way to the sloop so as to receive the help of the doctorfor poor Mr Roberts--Eh? What were you going to observe?"

"That I venture to think that it would be the wisest plan in any case, sir. "

"No, not in any case, Mr Murray. You see, our position is a veryserious one. "

"I don't think the men think so, sir. "

"Eh? Do you think that they take a rosy view of it?"

"I'm sure they do, sir. "

"Humph! Well, I mustn't damp them till the last extremity. "

"But surely, sir--" began Murray. 

"I surely see that you do not know what I know, Mr Murray. "

"I suppose not, sir, " said the lad. 

"But I do not see why you as a youth growing into manhood, and who aresharing with me the responsibilities of this position, should not knoweverything. "

"I think I do know everything, sir, " said Murray, smiling, "and seefully how precarious our position is. "

"Indeed, Mr Murray?" said the lieutenant sadly. 

"Yes, sir; I think I see all, and it makes me feel very proud to knowhow brave and contented the men are, poor fellows! If I were incommand, sir, I should be delighted to see the confidence the men havein their leader. "

"Hah! Yes, my dear boy, " said the lieutenant, smiling more sadly thanbefore. "Well, I think that perhaps I shall tell you all. "

"All, sir? Is there a graver peril than I know of?"

"Yes, my lad, and I think that you ought to know--that is, if you wouldrather share my knowledge than remain in ignorance. "

"I would rather share the knowledge, sir, and try to help you, " said thelad firmly. 

"Good! Then you shall; Mr Murray, we have a strong little fort here, and provisions enough to last us a month. "

"Yes, sir. "

"But we shall be driven to cut our way somehow to the sloop. "

"Why not attack one of the schooners, sir--board her--for there areevidently more than one. "

"Because we want the sinews of war, Mr Murray. "

"Money, sir?" cried Murray. 

"Tchah! Nonsense! Powder, my boy--powder. "

"Why, sir, I thought--" began Murray. 

"So did I, my lad; but unfortunately those blacks in supplying us withwater to saturate that last fire--"

"Threw it over the powder-supply, sir!" cried Murray, in horror. 

"Yes, my lad; that is our position, and we have only a few chargesleft. "

"Hah! Well, sir, " said Murray drawing a deep breath, "then we must usethe edges of our cutlasses. "

"Good!" said the lieutenant, clapping the lad upon the shoulder. "I amglad I told you, Mr Murray, for it has taught me that I have a bravelad upon whom I can depend. Yes, my lad, we have edges to ourcutlasses, and when it comes to the last we must use them too. "

CHAPTER FORTY NINE. 

"CAESAR DON'T KNOW. "

It was a little later on that, during a quiet interval and while inobedience to his officer Murray had been seeing to the men and takingcare they were well refreshed ready for the next attack that might bedelivered, the lieutenant joined the lad. 

"Are the men satisfied?" he said quietly. 

"Yes, sir; any one would think that we were out upon an excursion. "

"Poor lads!" said the lieutenant. "I'm afraid it is going to be a sadexcursion for them. "

"Oh, I don't know, sir, " said Murray cheerily. "Who knows, sir, butwhat the captain may come and cut us out at any time, and call upon usto help him rout out the horrible wasps' nest?"

"That's a good, bright, boyish way of looking upon things, my boy, " saidthe lieutenant, "and we shall see. There, come and let's look at ourwounded ones. Have you had a chat with your messmate lately?"

"I've been to see him three times to-day, but he is very weak yet. Youhave been with him too, sir. He told me. I wish you would speak toTitely, sir. He wants to get up and fight, and he is not fit. "

"I've already forbidden it, Mr Murray, " said the lieutenant; "and thepoor fellow looked quite cut up, so I promised him a double allowance assoon as he got well enough. "

The lieutenant was silent for a few minutes, and stood as if listeningso intently that Murray grew uneasy. 

"Do you hear anything, sir?" he asked. 

"No, my lad; I wish I could. I am getting anxious. "

"The men are keeping a very sharp lookout, sir. "

"Oh yes; I am not afraid of that, my lad. My anxiety is for the_Seafowl_. It is so long since I have heard her guns, and then theywere apparently a long distance away. "

"Yes, sir, " said Murray cheerfully; "but then it is a long while sincewe heard the slaver's guns, and that seems to mean that the captain hassilenced and perhaps--"

"Perhaps what, Mr Murray?"

"I was going to say sunk the schooner, sir; but I hope he has not donethat, for the men's sake. "

"What, on account of prize money?" replied the lieutenant. "Oh, by theway, Mr Murray, I suppose you still believe in that black fellow, Caesar?"

"Oh yes, sir, thoroughly. I'm sure he saved my life. "

"Humph! Well, I want to have faith in him, but it is hard work to trustin people sometimes. Then I get thinking a great deal about that MrAllen. I suppose he is sincere. "

"Oh, I feel sure he is, sir. The thorough reverence the black Caesarhas for him is sufficient to prove that his master is good to hispeople. "

"Well, after the ill these slave-owners have done the poor creaturesthey owe them something in the way of recompense. Humph! How strange!We begin talking of the black, and here he is. He wants to speak toyou, seemingly. Call him up. "

Caesar had come peering in at one of the doors, and as soon as Murraysigned to him he hurried eagerly into the room, when the lieutenantlooked at him searchingly and said--

"What about your master, my man? Where do you think he is now?"

Caesar started violently, and his lips quivered as he said huskily--

"Caesar don't know, sah. Berry much frighten. "

"What, about the slavers and their schooners?"

"No, massa. Caesar 'fraid Massa Huggin take um and kill um. "

"What for? Why should he kill one who is his master?"

"Bad man, massa. 'Fraid Massa Allen talk to Bri'sh cap'en and set all ablack free. 'Fraid Massa Huggin kill um. "

"Not so bad as that, I hope, " said the lieutenant. 

"Caesar berry much 'fraid Massa Allen no let Caesar kill Massa Huggin. "

"I should think not!" said the lieutenant; and Caesar looked at himcuriously. 

"Massa Huggin bad man, sah. Caesar kill, sua. Him take away and killum. Caesar t'ink so first time. T'ink so now. "

"Where would he take them?"

"Caesar know, sah. Show Bri'sh officer where. Oder side island whereslabe barracks and slabe ship come. "

"You could take us there, my man?" said the lieutenant. 

"Yes, massa. Caesar show way when Bri'sh cap'en come wif plenty men. Not 'nough now. All get kill. Show Bri'sh officer all um slabes. AllMassa Huggin strong men, berry strong men. "

"Good. You shall, my man, " said the lieutenant; "and as you say thisHuggins's men are so strong we will wait for reinforcements, so as tomake sure of taking them. "

"Massa try, " said the black. "Try sabe Massa Allen. Try quick. "

"But what are you fidgeting about?" said Murray sharply. 

"Caesar t'ink Massa Huggin man come and fight soon. "

"What makes you think that?" asked Murray. 

"Caesar don't know, massa. Caesar feel Massa Huggin man come soon. Look, massa. Big Tom May come 'long. "

The black turned excitedly to point in the direction of the head of theopen staircase, where the big sailor had suddenly appeared. 

"Rocks ahead, sir, " he said, in a low gruff whisper. 

"Something wrong to report, my lad?"

"Ay, ay, sir. They arn't come out yet, but three lookouts report seeingthe enemy just inside the edge of the plantation, sir. "

"Off with you then, Mr Murray, " cried the lieutenant, "and take yourold station. Use your ammunition carefully, " he added, with a meaningintonation and a peculiar look which made the lad nod his head quickly. "Keep the sharpest lookout for fire. They must not get hold of usthere. "

Murray hurried off with Tom May, followed by the black, and before manyminutes had elapsed the expected attack had developed so rapidly, andwas delivered with such energy, that but for the brave resistance, theenemy must have carried all before them. As it was the little party ofdefenders met them with so fierce a fire that the savage-looking mongrelcrew were sent staggering back, followed by the triumphant cheers of the_Seafowls_, who were still cheering when Mr Anderson made a gesture andcalled for silence. 

"Up on to the head of the staircase, my lads, " he cried. "We must makeour stand there. "

"Beg pardon, sir, " growled Tom May, with the look of an angry lion, "butwill you have some cartridges sarved out, for me and my messmates havefired our last. "

"Yes, my lads, " said the lieutenant, "that is a bitter fact. We havefired our last shots, and we must fall back now upon our cutlasses. "

"Ay, ay, sir, " said the big fellow coolly. "D'yer hear, my lads?Cutlashes it is. "

And at that crucial moment, as Murray ran his eyes along the faces ofthe men, there was no sign of dismay--just the cheery, contented look ofSeaman Jack Tar ready for the worst, and the deep threatening tones ofthe beaten-back enemy were pretty well deadened by a hearty cheer. 

But an hour later, the enemy were back in stronger force, to be drivenoff once more, but at a terrible expenditure of force, for as Murray andTom May came back from the sheltered room where they had laid theirgallant leader, badly wounded, by the side of Roberts, it was to findthe members of their sadly diminished force sitting wearily togetherdiscussing another loss which Harry Lang unwillingly communicated to theyoung officer. 

"But have you looked round well? Perhaps he's lying somewhere among thetrees. "

"Oh yes, sir, we've looked, and he arn't there. We've been talking itover, sir, and we all think the same: he's had enough of it, sir, andgone. "

"Who has?" said Tom May gruffly. 

"That there nigger, Caesar, Tom. "

"Dunnot believe it, " said Tom May fiercely, for he was very sore. 

"Well, messmate, " said Harry Lang, "he arn't here. "

CHAPTER FIFTY. 

CAESAR FINDS THE KEY. 

It was at the end of a desperate struggle, during which the brave littleparty of sailors had again and again driven their assailants back andrepaired the defences of the two windows they held by dragging freshpieces of furniture to their breastwork from other rooms, and they hadnow thrown themselves down, panting and exhausted, so as to recover whatstrength they could before another attack was made. 

Nothing could have been better done, but as Tom May said, they wantedtime. 

"'Tain't wittles and drink, Mr Murray, sir, " he said. "There's beenplenty o' that, sir. I think we've all had too much. What we want is, as I says afore, time, sir, for it all to turn into strength. "

"Yes, Tom, " said the middy bitterly; "we are all completely exhausted--that is to say, you and all our brave fellows are. "

"Well, arn't you too, sir? Seems to me as you're much more zausted thanwe lads is. "

"Oh, don't talk about me, Tom. I'm as weak as a child now. "

"Nat'rally, sir. Your muscles is done up, and what you ought to do nowis to see if you can't hit on some dodge. "

"Tom, " cried Murray despairingly, "I've tried to hit on some plan tillmy brains refuse to act. "

"Yes, sir; nat'rally, sir; but can't yer hit on something in theblowing-up-of-the-beggars line?"

"Tom!" cried the lad passionately. "How can I scheme an explosion andblow the wretches up without powder?"

"Zackly so, sir; that's what I've been thinking. You can't, can yer?"

"No, Tom. "

"Couldn't make a big pot or kettle so hot that when they come along nexttime it would bust, could you, sir?"

"No, Tom, I certainly could not, " said the middy decisively. 

"Course not, sir, " growled the man, frowning. 

"We're beaten, Tom; we're absolutely beaten, " said Murray bitterly; "andthe next time the wretches come on it will be the last. "

"Oh, I dunno, sir. Never say die! Don't you be downhearted, sir. There's a deal o' fight in us yet, as you'll see nex' time the beggarsmakes a roosh. "

"No, Tom; we're getting weaker and weaker. "

"Yah! I wonder at you, sir, " said the sailor, moistening his hand, taking a good grip of his cutlass, and then laying it down again. "We're getting a bit longer rest this time, and jest as like as not, sir, they'll begin to tire soon. "

"No, Tom; they fight with a desperate energy which is too much for us. "

"Well, they do go it, sir, I must say. You see, it makes a deal o'differ when a man's got a noose round his neck. They knows that if theydon't get the best of us they'll be strung up to the yard-arm, and itsets 'em thinking that they may as well fight it out as that. Butthere, we're not licked yet, sir, though I must say as it was a nastyknock for us when the first luff went down, knocked silly as he was bythat swivel-eyed Molatter chap--'bout as ugly a ruffian as ever I didsee. Then, too, it was a bit o' hard luck for us when that darkie chapgot rooshed off in the muddle. He would ha' been useful to fetch powderand help load. "

"When there was no powder, Tom?" said the lad bitterly. 

"Yes, sir; I meant if there had been any, o' course. Poor chap, hecouldn't help being a black un, could he, sir? I've thought over andover again that if he could ha' grown white and talked like a Christian, sir, he'd ha' made quite a man. "

"Lie still, Tom, " cried Murray, laying a hand upon the big sailor's arm. 

"Thought they was coming on agen, sir?"

"No, no! I'll rouse you up the moment I hear them advancing. Rest allyou can. "

"Thankye, sir, " said the man drowsily. "But you won't go to sleep, sir?You must be dead tired yourself, sir, and it's so dark it may temptyer, sir. "

"You may trust me, Tom. "

"Course I may, sir. But I think if I was you I'd give the first luffanother drink o' water, sir. "

"I did a short time ago, Tom. "

"And I been thinking, sir, that if you could tie three or four sheetstogether and slide down 'em you might get hold o' that ladder they putup again' the window to swarm up. "

"I did, Tom, when you told me the last time. "

"Course you did, sir, and I forgot, " said the man drowsily. "But what'sthat there?"

"What?" asked Murray, as he sat listening in the darkness, with hisexhausted comrades lying about beside the barricaded window. 

"That there, " whispered the man, pointing through the gloom over where adark line was formed by a piece of furniture. 

Murray made a snatch at the sailor's cutlass, took a firm grip of thehilt, and then creeping cautiously over two of the recumbent sailors, made for the opening, now quite satisfied that May's eyes even now hadbeen sharper than his own, and that one of the enemy was stealing up bymeans of some bamboo pole or ladder, to guide his companions into thebravely defended room. 

Murray rose slowly, threw back the heavy sharp blade till the hiltrested against his left ear, and gathering into the effort all his forcehe was about to deliver his cut upon the unguarded enemy's head, whenthere was a quick whisper:

"Massa Murray no hit. Take hold 'fore Caesar tumble down. "

The middy loosened his hold of the cutlass just in time, and catchinghold of the black's hand with both his own, dragged him over thebarricade right into the room. 

"Hullo, darkie, " whispered Tom May; "it is you, is it?"

"Yes, Massa Big Tom, " replied the black feebly, and as if speaking inweakness and in pain. 

"Thought you'd come back to your friends again. Didn't bring in anymore powder, did you?"

"No, Massa Tom, " replied the poor fellow faintly. "Caesar nearly getkill. T'ink nebber see poor Massa Allen again. Couldn't find um. "

"Did you, blackie? Well, we all began to think something of that kind. "

"Massa Murray Frank and all Bri'sh sailor come 'long o' Caesar. T'inktake um where Massa Allen must be. "

"No, my man, " said the middy sadly. "I can't leave my friends here. Wemust hold this place to the last. "

The black sank back on the littered floor and groaned. 

"Poor Massa Allen!" he said. 

"Lookye here, darkie, " said the big sailor; "tain't no use to howl. What do you say to getting a good bunch of palm leaves and waiting tillthese slaver beggars come again, and then setting fire to the place andburning them all up together?"

"Yes, sah, " said the black sadly. "Caesar go and set fire tosugar-barrel; all burn up. "

"Bah! Take too long, darkie. Now, if you'd got a barrel o' powder!"

"Big Massa Tom want barrel o' powder?"

"Do I want a barrel of powder?" growled the big sailor, in a deep-tonedvoice full of contempt and scorn. 

"Not big barrel sugar, " said the black sadly; "lilly barrel blackpowder, all black like niggah. "

"Here, what are you talking about, you old pitch kettle?" cried thesailor, full of animation now. "You don't know where there's a lillybarrel, do you?"

"Yes, " said the man quietly. 

"Not a lilly white barrel?"

"No, sah; lilly black barrel. Two--ten--twenty lilly barrel. "

"What!" cried Murray excitedly. "Where is it?"

"Down'tair, " said the black, speaking with more animation now. "MassaMurray Frank wantum?"

"Yes, of course, " cried the lad. "Where do you say it is?Down-stairs?"

"Yes, massa. Down'tair long wi' Massa Allen bottle of wine. Plentybottle o' wine. Two, ten, twenty lilly barrel black powder. "

"Avast there, my lads, " said the big sailor, in a deep, low whisper. "Rouse and bit, my chickens. Here's corn in Egypt and no mistake. " Andthen, as the men sprang up ready to meet another attack, even if itmight be the last, Tom May turned to Murray. "Beg pardon, sir, butwhat's it to be?"

"Get a barrel of powder up directly, Tom, " replied the lad; "that is, ifit doesn't turn out too good to be true. You serve it out to the lads, too, and be ready to give the enemy a surprise when they come on again. "

"Beg pardon, sir, but hadn't we better make it a mine, sir? Clap acouple o' barrels just in their way. Lay a train, and one on us beready to fire it just as they're scrowging together under the window. "

"Yes, far better, Tom; far better than blazing at the wretches with themuskets. Here, Caesar, show us where the powder is. Is it locked up?"

"Yes, massa; down'tair. Caesar know where key. "

The feeling that he was going to be of some great assistance to thosewho were the friends of his master seemed to rouse up the black, whostaggered at first as he rose, and then seemed to grow stronger as heled the way towards the door, caught at the balustrade, and before hecould be seized fell and rolled heavily down the stairs, to lie groaningfeebly at the bottom. 

"Look at that now!" cried the big sailor, as he helped Murray to raisethe poor fellow to his feet. "Why didn't you speak out about thegunpowder before?"

"Caesar not know, " moaned the shivering black. "Key dah, " he panted. "Key dah. "

"Key dah!" growled the big sailor. "Who's to know where _dah_ is?Can't you show us? I believe we shall have the beggars here before wecan find it, sir. "

But the black began to recover a little and ended by leading the way inthe darkness to a closet in the principal down-stairs room, leaving itopen, and then, armed with a key and hurrying his companions back, heopened a door in the wide hall, and holding on by the big sailor, showedthe way down into the cellar of the well-vaulted house. 

The rest proved to be easy, though every step was taken under a state ofintense excitement, while the wounded and worn-out sailors forgot everysuffering, inspired as they now were by hope. 

At last, armed with a couple of fair-sized kegs of powder, held inreserve in case of troubles with the large body of slaves that werealways about the plantation and at the so-called barracks, the plan oflaying a mine and firing it when next the enemy made an attack wasmodified at Murray's suggestion into the preparing of some half-dozenshells, each composed of an ordinary wine bottle or decanter fullycharged and rammed down with an easily prepared slow match such as wouldoccur to any lad to contrive ready for lighting from a candle heldprepared in the upper chamber, risk being a matter that was quite leftout of the question. 

"Hah!" ejaculated Murray, as the shells were at last prepared. "Nowthey may come on as soon as they like. This must be the best plan, Tom--to wait till they begin to attack, and fire from here. "

"Well, it's the safest, sir; but mightn't we load every piece we've gotand give 'em a taste of that wittles as well, sir?"

"Of course, " was the reply; and every piece was loaded; but still theenemy did not come. 

"I say, sir, this here arn't going to end in a big disappyntment, is it, sir?"

"What, do you think they mayn't come?"

"Yes, sir, that's it. "

"What could be better, Tom?" replied Murray. 

"Oh, I want 'em to come, sir, " grumbled the man. "They've made us sosavage that we shan't none of us be happy without we gets a chance touse this here dust. "

"They'll come; depend upon it, Tom, " said Murray. 

"Then how would it be to light a fire out yonder, sir?" suggested thebig sailor. 

"What, so as to see the enemy?"

"Nay, sir; we shall manage that, and when the shells busts, sir, they'lllight it up a bit; but what I meant was, sir, to start a pretty goodfire just at a fair distance in front of the window, sir, just handy forsome of us to make up good big charges of powder tied up in the sleevesof our shirts, sir, handy and light ready to heave into the hot partswhere the fire's burning. They're pretty tough, them slavers, but a fewof them charges set off among 'em would be more than they'd care toface. We've got plenty o' powder, sir, to keep it on till to-morrow; sowhat do you say?"

"I say, certainly, Tom, " replied Murray; "and on thinking again of whatwe had first planned, I say that we will lay a train from the door underthis window to a mine consisting of one of the barrels just hidden. "

"And me fire it, sir?" cried the big sailor eagerly. 

"No; I shall do that myself, " said Murray firmly. 

"All right, sir; you're orficer, " said the big sailor, rather sulkily, "and a sailor's dooty's to obey orders; but I did think, sir, as aorficer in command was to give orders and let them as was under him dothe work. I don't mean no offence, Mr Murray, sir, but I thought youwas in command now that the first luff was down in orspittle, or as wesay, in sick bay. "

"Well, we'll see, Tom, " said Murray. "I don't want to disappoint you, my lad. What we've got to make sure of is that the mine is fired. "

"Ay, ay, sir; but you might trust me, sir. "

"I do trust you, Tom, " replied Murray. "There, let's have the powder upand take the head out of another keg. "

"Ay, ay, sir. Give the word, sir, and we'll soon do that. "

"Off with you, " cried Murray; and while the men were gone below, hecarefully arranged the so-called shells that had been prepared, so thatthey were handy for hurling from the window, and once more examined thequick match that had been formed of strips of linen and moistenedpowder--a fuse that could be depended upon to keep burning when once setalight. 

He had hardly satisfied himself as to the arrangement of the terribleweapons that had been prepared, before a sound that floated through theopen window drew him close up, and he had hardly stood there in doubt acouple of minutes before his doubt was dispelled, for plainly enough, and apparently from the other side of the island, came the report of aheavy gun, which was answered by another report, evidently from a gun ofdifferent calibre. 

Just then the men who had been below came hurrying up, bearing thepowder as coolly as if it was so much butter. 

"I've brought two on 'em, sir, " said the big sailor, "and if you'll justlook on, sir, we'll make all right. "

"Be careful, my lad, " said Murray. "Remember the light's here. "

"Ay, ay, sir; we'll be on the lookout for sparks, " replied the man; "buthullo, sir! Hear that?"

"Yes, " said Murray; "firing over there, and the captain at work. "

"Three cheers for 'em, my lads! We shall have the beggars at us heresoon. "

CHAPTER FIFTY ONE. 

LAYING THE TRAIN. 

The dangerous preparations were soon made, and Tom May's and hiscomrades' hands were plainly seen trembling as they handled their kegs. 

"Look at that now, sir, " said the big sailor. "Did you ever see such aset o' cowards in your life?"

"Cowards, Tom? Never, " said Murray, who was all of a quiver too. 

"More did I, sir. I wouldn't ha' believed I could ha' been in such ashiver and shake. I supposed it'd be for fear we shouldn't be ready forthe warmint; but it don't look like it, do it?"

"Yes, Tom, for your hands are steady enough now you've done. "

"Well, I hope so, sir, " said the man, "because it seems such a badexample to the lads, and they've all ketched it. Hullo, darkie! What, are you shaking too?"

"Yes, Massa Tom, " replied the black, with his teeth chattering. "Caesardrefful frighten we no get the gunpowder go off when Massa Huggin mancome. You let Caesar take lilly barrel now and light um, massa. "

"Why, here's another awfully cowardly chap, Mr Murray, sir. It's a rumun, arn't it?"

"You make has'e, Massa Tom May; not talkee so much palaver, " cried thetrembling black, seizing hold of one of the barrels and hoisting it uponhis shoulder. "You bring candle; set light. "

"No, no, Caesar, " cried Murray. "Not ready yet. Wait. "

The man parted with the little keg unwillingly, and stood with his handto his ear straining his neck out of the window, and listened. 

"Massa Huggin man come along, " he panted. 

"Well, we're ready for them, my coal-dust messmate. "

"Hush!" whispered Murray. "Who's that calling?" For a voice reachedthem from the next room. 

"It's Mr Roberts, sir. Ahoy, there! Coming, sir. "

Murray ran through the opening to where the middy was lying trying tomake himself heard. 

"Were you calling, Dick?" said Murray, his voice still trembling withexcitement. 

"Calling? Yes! Shouting till I was hoarse. I could hear. You've gotpowder now. Bring some here, and the fellows' muskets. I can load if Ican't do anything else. "

"Yes, bring powder, " said another voice, one, however, that sounded veryweak and faint. "I think I can reload, too, for the lads. "

"No, no, Mr Anderson, " cried Murray excitedly; "leave it all to us, sir. The enemy are coming on again, and there is no time to make freshpreparations. "

"Ahoy, there, Mr Murray! Now's your time!"

"Off with you, my lad, and Heaven help you!" groaned the lieutenant. "Roberts, we must bear our lot, and be satisfied with our defenders. "

Murray was already through the door which separated the two rooms, tofind the men waiting, as ready and eager as if not one amongst them hadbeen wounded. 

"Are they very near?" asked Murray excitedly. 

"Quite nigh enough, sir, " growled the man who was hugging one keg, another able-seaman holding another, while the black grasped a couple ofthe extemporised shells. 

"No, no, Caesar, " said Murray sharply. "Put those down here; they arefor throwing. You lead the way out through the lower door along thepath the enemy will come. "

"Yes sah. You come too?" cried the black. 

"Yes; quick! Off with you!"

The man hurried down the staircase, followed by the two sailors, whosecomrades had received their orders to stand fast at the upper window tocover the engineering party. The door was thrown open, and Murray ledthe way out into the darkness, Caesar holding his hand tightly. 

"Too late!" said the lad hoarsely; and he drew back. 

"No, no, sah; plenty time, " whispered the black. "Come 'long. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" growled Tom May. "Sharp's the word. "

"But we shall be running into their arms, my lad, and lose the powder. "

"Not us, sir. They can't see us coming, and we mustn't let 'em hearus. "

"Forward, then, " whispered Murray. "What! there, Caesar?" he continued, for the black had run forward a few steps and then stopped short in adark alley leading towards the side of the plantation and the quartersof the black servants. 

"Yes, massa. Huggins man mus' come 'long here. "

There was no time for consideration, for the enemy was evidentlyapproaching cautiously, and before any further order could be given TomMay had plumped down the keg he carried, and his companion was about tofollow suit with the other, but Murray checked him. 

"No, no, " he whispered; "one first. Is the top quite open, Tom?"

"Open it is, sir, " was the reply. 

"Now then, my lad, take the other keg and lay the train. Sprinkle itthickly, walking backward right away along the path here to the door. "

"Right it is, sir, " growled the big sailor. "No, no, messmate; you keephold o' the barrel and walk alongside. I'll ladle it out. Mind, all onyou, not to tread in the dust. D'yer hear, darkie? Keep back, I tellyou; too many cooks 'll spoil the broth. "

It was rough work, and clumsily executed, but somehow or other, and inspite of the near approach of the enemy, who seemed to be aware of theirproximity, the train was effectively laid, and the engineers regainedthe doorway, just in front of which the train was made to end. 

"Now for the candle, Tom, " whispered Murray. "Here, you, Caesar, whereare you going?"

There was no reply, for the black had dashed in and run up thestaircase, to seize the light from the upper room where the coveringparty were standing ready to fire from the window. 

It was a risky proceeding, and Murray stood below in the doorway lookingon, but afraid to speak for fear of doing more harm than good, as he sawthe faithful black steal rapidly down the stairs, his black fingersenclosing the burning candle like an open lanthorn which threw itsglowing fluttering flame upwards over the black weird-looking face withits glistening eyes and white teeth. Every moment the flame threatenedto be extinct, but it fluttered and recovered itself as the blacktottered down into the hall and then stepped quickly past Murray in theeffort to shelter the candle behind the door. 

"Dah, massa, " he panted. "Now say when Caesar set fire to de powder. "

"No, my man, " panted Murray. "I must fire the powder myself. You tellme when. "

"Caesar say when, massa?"

"Yes, and I will fire the train. Now then, you stand close behind mewhen I step out. You, Tom, stand behind the door, and as soon as I havefired the train Caesar and I will dash back into the house, and you clapto and fasten the door. Do you see?"

"No, sir, but I can feel, " growled the man; "but won't the 'splosionbust it open?"

"Very likely, Tom. "

"Ay, ay, sir; but right it is, sir. "

"Now then, Caesar, " whispered Murray, thrusting one hand behind the doorto seize the candle and place it ready in shelter. 

"Not yet, massa, " said the black, who stood out a couple of yards fromthe door. "Dey come 'long close, but all 'top now. "

"Ah, they have found the powder keg, " ejaculated Murray. 

"No, sah. Dey all close 'longside and wait for more Massa Huggin man. "

"Then I will not fire yet. "

"No, sah. Caesar fink dey watch see Murray Frank, want know what um do. All talkee palaver. No fire yet. "

"I must fire soon, " whispered the lad, in a strangely excited tone ofvoice, which sounded as if he were being suffocated. 

"No; Murray Frank not fire yet, " whispered the black, in eager tones. "Wait plenty more Huggins man come. Yes, " he whispered, as a burst ofvoices as of many of the enemy hurrying up could be heard; and thenabove all came the strangely familiar tones of one who had been leadingthe newly-arrived party, and Murray started violently as there fell uponhis ear in fierce adjuration--

"Wall, why are you waiting? In with you, curse you, and finish themoff!"

The black started back to retreat into the house, but Murray extendedhis left hand and caught him by the shoulder. 

"Where are you going?" he whispered. 

"Run!" was the reply. "Massa Huggin. "

"Not yet, " whispered Murray. "Is it time now?"

The lad's calm words had the effect of steadying the trembling black asthey listened, and his voice was no longer the same as he said firmlynow--

"Yes, massa. Time now. Fire!"

Murray thrust the black from him as he snatched the light from behindthe door, took a couple of steps towards the enemy, and stooped downwith the candle burning blue and seeming to become extinct as the ladtouched the path. Then there was a bright flash as the powder caught, sputtered and began to run, lighting up the figure of the midshipman inthe act of dashing in through the doorway, a score of bullets rattlingafter him in answer to an order; and then the door closed with a heavybang. 

Darkness within and a blaze of light without, where the voice of theYankee could be heard shouting orders which rose above the buzzingfluttering noise of the running train. 

"Hurt, Mr Murray, sir?"

"No! Where's the black?"

_Crash_!

A fierce burst as of thunder, and the just-closed door was dashed in, while the hall and staircase were filled with light. 

CHAPTER FIFTY TWO. 

WHAT THE POWDER DID. 

The horrible dank odour of exploded gunpowder; a blinding smoke; thickdarkness; a strange singing in the ears, and then, in connection with asensation as of having been struck down and stunned, an awful silence. 

These were Murray's impressions as he slowly struggled to his feet. Then as his scattered senses began to return he cried hoarsely--

"Who's here?--Who's hurt?"

There was no reply for a few moments, and then from somewhere up-stairsas it seemed to Murray, Roberts shouted--

"Do speak, somebody! Are you all killed?"

"No, no, " panted Murray, who now began to cough and choke. "Speak, somebody! Who's hurt?"

"Here, avast there!" now burst forth the hearty tones of the big sailor. "Let's have it, messmates, only don't all speak at once. Arn't all onyou killed, are you?"

"No, no, " cried one. 

"Knocked the wind out of us, " said another, from the upper room. 

"Here, steady there, " cried Tom May now, in a voice full of excitement. "Avast there, what did you do with the rest of that there keg ofpowder?"

"Me?" cried Harry Lang, who had handled it. "You, yes! What did you dowith it, messmate?"

"Took it up-stairs. I mean, brought it up here. "

"Then 'ware sparks. "

The dread of a fresh explosion in the presence of the faint sparks thatcould be seen lying here and there for some distance about the front ofthe planter's house set every one to work with bucket and water, and itwas not until broad daylight that confidence began to reign, with thecalmness which accompanied the knowledge that the door which had beenblown in had been replaced by a strong barricade to act as a defenceagainst a renewed attack. 

Of this, however, there was no sign, the danger resting only in theimagination of the wearied-out and wounded men, several of whom had sunkinto a stupor of exhaustion, while Murray, Tom May and the black wereout exploring, and finding here and there at a distance from the frontof the house traces of the havoc which could be produced by theexplosion of a keg of gunpowder. 

Not to dwell upon horrors, let it suffice to say that one of thediscoveries made was by Tom May and the black, when the following wordswere uttered--

"Well, look ye here, darkie, you needn't shiver like that. Y'arn'tafraid on him now?"

"No; not 'fraid; but he make niggah 'fraid all many years, and Caesarkeep 'fraid still. But nebber any more. He dead now. "

"But are you sure this was him?"

"Yes, Caesar quite suah. Only 'fraid now poor Massa Allen dead too. "

"Ah, well, messmate--black messmate, I mean--we had nothing to do withthat, and Master Huggins will never make an end of any more poorfellows; so don't shiver like jelly, for I says it's a blessing that thebeggar's gone. "

"Yes, Massa Tom. No 'fraid no more. All a blessing Massa Hugginsgone. "

"And all his men, darkie. "

"Yes, sah, and all his men. They never come back no more. "

"What is it?" said Murray, coming up. "Have you found out anythingmore?"

Tom May made an announcement which Murray communicated to the woundedlieutenant, and he had hardly finished when the sound of firing beganagain. 

"What's that?" cried Mr Anderson, raising himself upon one arm. "There, you needn't tell me, Murray, lad; I know. It's the captainattacking, or being attacked by, some of the slaving scoundrels, and weare not there to help him. "

"But surely, sir, we have been helping him by what we have done, " saidMurray; and the lieutenant stretched out his hand, wincing and groaningas he did so, and clutched the midshipman's arm. 

"Thank you, my dear boy, " he said; "that does me good. We have beenhelping him, haven't we?"

"Why, of course, sir. That explosion has ended in killing the chiefslaver, the head of the gang, as well as a terrible number of hiswretched followers. "

"So it has, Mr Murray; so it has. Your doing too. "

"Oh no, sir; I only played my part. We did, " said Murray, smiling. 

"We? Nonsense! You fired the train. "

"Yes, sir, as your deputy, and with your instructions. It was done byus in following out duties that the captain would have wished carriedout. "

"Ha! Thank you, Mr Murray. I am weak and faint and troubled by theidea that I have not done my part. "

"Oh, nonsense, sir. There, let me put this wet handkerchief to yourhead. You're feverish again. "

"Thank you, Murray, " sighed the lieutenant gratefully. "You are a goodfellow. I wish Mr Roberts were as good an officer. "

"Well, you have your wish, sir, " said Murray laughingly. "He'd havedone his share if he hadn't been wounded. "

"Ah, yes; how is he?"

"Getting better, sir, certainly. "

"That's good, Murray, " said the lieutenant, with a sigh. "I want tomake as good a show of the men as I can when I have to face the captainagain. I'm afraid, though, that it will be a very bad one, eh?"

"Plenty of wounded, sir, but none very bad. The poor fellows havebroken down a bit now that the work's done, but they'll soon mend. "

"Then you don't think, Murray, that the captain will find much faultwith me and my men?"

"He'd be very unreasonable if he did, sir. "

"Hah! You think so, Murray? But he can be rather unreasonablesometimes, Murray, eh?"

"Terribly, sir. "

"Hah! That's comforting, Murray, for I am very weak. I feel, you see, that I ought to be up and doing now, my lad, and I haven't the power tostir. "

"Beg pardon, sir, " said Murray, "but now you're _hors de combat_ am Inot leading officer?"

"Certainly, my dear boy, and I tell you that you have done wonders. "

"Thank you, sir, " said Murray, "but I was not fishing for compliments. What I wanted you to say was that I was to take the lead. "

"I say so, then, certainly, my dear sir. "

"Well, then, sir, I say that your duty is to lie still and get better, and that our lads are to do the same. "

"Well, leaving me out, Murray, that's quite right. "

"Yes, sir, and including you. The best thing is for me to give our ladsa rest to recoup a bit. We can't do better than hold this place in caseof a fresh attack. "

"Quite right. "

"And wait until the captain sends help. "

"Excellent, Murray; but the captain may be waiting for help to come fromus. "

"Yes, sir, and if he is I am sorry to say that I could not lead four mento his aid. "

"Oh dear, that's bad, " groaned the lieutenant. 

"You couldn't get up and lead us, sir. "

"Get up? Lead you, Murray? My dear lad, I am as weak as an infant. "

"Ray--ray--hooray!" came loudly. 

"What's that?" cried the lieutenant excitedly. "Quick, lad! My sword. A fresh attack. "

"No, sir, " cried Murray, who had run to the window as the cheering wasresponded to loudly. "It's Mr Munday with over a dozen men coming upat the double. Do you hear, sir?--`_Seafowls_ ahoy!'"

"Ah!" sighed the lieutenant, sinking back upon the now stained pillowwhich had been taken from one of the planter's beds. 

"Mr Murray, that you?" came from the front. 

"Yes, sir, " cried Murray, who was looking from the window. 

"Well, I shouldn't have known you. You're as black as a sweep. "

"Yes, sir, " said the middy, clapping his hand to his face. 

"Seen anything of Mr Anderson?"

"Yes, he's lying up here, wounded. "

"What! Not badly?"

"Got a nasty wound, sir, but it will soon be better, " replied the middy, glancing back at the half-fainting officer. 

"Come up, Munday, " cried the latter; and in a few minutes the secondlieutenant had forced his way over the barricaded entrance and reachedthe rooms that now formed the temporary infirmary. 

"Very, very glad to have found you at last, " said Mr Munday, shakinghands warmly. "My word, sir, you have had a tremendous fight here!"

"You can report to the captain that I have done my best, Munday, and ourlads have fought like heroes. "

"That's good, sir. I'm sure they have. I wish, though, we had beenhere. "

"And now you will either get us aboard or send for Mr Reston. "

"I'm sorry to say that I can't do either, " said the second lieutenant. 

"What!" cried the chief officer. 

"It has been like this; the captain sent me ashore with a boat's crew tofind you and the rest, and as soon as we were out of sight he wasattacked by a couple of schooners. "

"How did you know that?" asked Murray, who had laid his hand upon thechief officer's lips to keep him from speaking. 

"From the two boat-keepers; and one of these schooners our lads reportas being commanded by that scoundrel who tricked us with his lugger. Hewas the real owner of the schooner that escaped. "

"Ah! Go on, " said Mr Anderson faintly. "Tell Murray, and let me lieand listen. "

"Well, then, " continued the officer, "these two schooners attacked theskipper just when he was shorthanded, and before I could get back to mycutter they had been there, driven the two boat-keepers ashore, andscuttled her. Of course my two men could do nothing but make for me. So there I was ashore, listening to the firing, while the skipper had tokeep on a running fight, and that's been going on ever since, forthey've been a bit too many for the _Seafowl_, it seems to me. "

"How unfortunate!" said Murray. 

"Horribly, sir, " said the second lieutenant. "Here have I been huntingyou ever since, though I've had a few skirmishes with the scoundrels, who have seemed to swarm. "

"Yes, " said Murray, nodding his head. "White, black and mongrel scum ofthe earth. "

"Exactly, my lad. Well, to make a long story short, the place is such amaze that I'm sure I should never have found you if we hadn't seen theflash of this explosion. Of course we heard the roar far enough away, but that would not have guided us without we had seen the direction. "

"No, sir, I suppose not. Well, sir, what's to be done now?" saidMurray. 

"Let's hear what Mr Anderson says. "

"Hush! He has fallen asleep, " whispered Murray. "Poor fellow! He isvery weak. "

"And ought to have Reston to him. We're in a nice hole, Murray, upon myword! Have you got a morsel of prog? My lads are starving. "

"We've plenty, sir. "

"Hah! Then feed us, dear lad, and then we shall be ready to fight or doanything you like. But hullo! What about Dick Roberts?"

"Wounded, but getting better. He's in the next room, doing nothing butsleep. "

"Next room! Upon my word you middies are pretty sybarites! Well, letus have this prog. "

"Come down to the dining-room, " said Murray. "Mr Anderson cannot dobetter than sleep. "

"Dining-room!" said the second lieutenant in a whisper, as they left thechamber. "What next? You haven't got such a thing as a cellar of wineon the premises, have you, my lad?"

"Yes, sir, " said Murray, laughing; "but that's where we have our powdermagazine. "

"Give us something to eat, then, my dear fellow, and then let's see ifwe can't use the powder to blow up the two schooners which are poundingthe _Seafowl_. Hark! They're at it still. "

"No, " said Murray, listening; "those must be the _Seafowl's_ guns. "

CHAPTER FIFTY THREE. 

THE CAPTAIN'S LAST BLOW UP. 

Murray proved to be right, for the distant reports which came fromsomewhere on the far side of the island proved to be the last fired bythe man-o'-war, which, shorthanded though she was, and desperatelyattacked by the powerful well-manned schooners, had kept up a continuousfight, so cleverly carried on that it had at last ended by the runningashore of one of the big slaving craft, and the pounding of the othertill in desperation the skipper, who proved to be the cunning Yankeehero of the lugger trick, --the twin brother of the scoundrel Huggins whohad met his fate in the explosion, --set his swift craft on fire beforetaking, with the remnants of the crew, to the woods. 

It was not until a couple of days later that, after extinguishing thefire on board the second schooner and setting sail with her for theharbour, Captain Kingsberry commenced firing signal guns to recall hisscattered crew, and communication was made by the help of Caesar. 

"Yes, Massa Murray Frank, " he said eagerly; "Caesar soon show um way towhere big gun go off. "

He, too, it was who gave signals which resulted in the collection of asmany of the plantation slaves as were wanted to bear the wounded men inpalanquins through the maze-like cane brakes and down to the shore, where a shady hospital was started in which Dr Reston could rulesupreme, his patients chuckling to one another as they luxuriated in theplantation coffee, sugar, molasses, fruit and tobacco, and thoroughlyenjoyed themselves--so they said--in the jolliest quarters that had everfallen to their lot. 

Caesar, too, in his actions was certainly one of the greatest of theCaesars, for in spite of a terribly scorched face, and burned andwounded arms and hands, he worked almost without ceasing. Scores of hisfellow-slaves flocked to help, and under his guidance the captain andcrew of the _Seafowl_ were perfectly astounded by the extent of theplantation buildings, and the arrangements that existed for carrying onthe horrible trade and keeping up the supply from the far-off Africancoast. 

It was a busy time for the _Seafowls_, as they called themselves, butthey had the prisoners to deal with, for those left alive of the crewsof the two schooners had managed to reach the familiar shelter of thedense shores, from which they did not wait to be hunted out, bututilised some of the light boats of whose existence they were wellaware, and sickened by the terrible lesson they had received, made sailfor one of the neighbouring bays. 

It was, as has been said, a busy time for the _Seafowls_, for there werethe two captured schooners to get afloat and the fired rigging torestore before they were fit to take to a destined port as prizes. There were vile barracks to burn, and plenty of other arrangements tomake as to the destination of certain newly-arrived prisoners who had tobe saved from their terrible fate. 

Briefly, although the sailors called it a good holiday, it was a periodof the hardest work, but what with prize money and tasks that paidmentally every lad and man who thought, it was a time of pleasure; andit was not till towards the end of the _Seafowl's_ stay that Caesar cameon board the sloop of war one evening with his face flushing withexcitement and showing all his teeth. 

"Caesar find um at last, massa, " he cried. 

"Find? Find? Not Mr Allen?" said Murray. 

"Yes, massa. Find good ole Massa Allen. "

"Then he is not dead?"

"Yes, massa. No massa. Huggins no kill um. Shut um up. Tell um, massa, dat um poor crack looney. "

"What! Lunatick!"

"Yes, massa, looney, mad. Shut um up. "

"Where? And have you seen him?"

"Yes, massa. Tullus find um in niggah hut shut up, and take me dah. "

"Then that Huggins has not killed him?"

"No, massa; shut um up. Say um mad man. Berry bad. Get more badebbery day till Tullus find um. Black slabe woman 'top wiv him. MassaHuggins say kill her if she let um go. "

"Poor creature!" said Murray, wrinkling up his brow. 

"Yes, sah; berry poor creature, sah. Caesar berry sorry. Massa Allengood massa, and Caesar lub um. "

"But where is he now? Not dead?"

"Yes, massa been die berry much all um time. Couldn't quite go die tillpoor Caesar come, and den he shake hand. Say `Good-bye, Caesar, lad. Tell Massa Murray Frank. Tell um t'ink de bes' ob a poor weak man. '"

"Mr Allen said that, Caesar?" said Murray. 

"Yes, sah. Caesar cry bofe eyes. Tullus cry and slabe woman cry whenwe put um in de groun' fas' asleep. Everybody lub poor Massa Allen, sah. Gone dead. Say go to sleep happy now. No more slabe trade now. No more poor niggah leap overboard now Massa Murray Frank and Bri'shsailor come. "

"Well, Mr Murray, " said the captain, about an hour later, "I hope youare ready to return to your duties. "

"Yes, sir, certainly, " said the lad, staring. 

"I'm glad of it. And, by the way, this is a very favourable opportunityfor saying a few words in season to you. Let me tell you that I am notat all satisfied with the way in which your duties have been carriedout, any more, I may say, than I have been with the way in which I havebeen served by your brother officers. I look for something better inthe future, sir, something decidedly better in the future, I may say;"and he stalked aft and went below. 

"Did you hear what Captain Kingsberry said, sir?" said Murray to thechief officer, who just then came limping up with his spy-glass beneathhis feeble arm. 

"Yes, Murray, every word. My dear boy, it is a way he has. There, there, my lad, I think amongst us we've given the slave-trade itsheaviest blow. "

THE END.