n line of shipping, two objects stood conspicuous to seaward: the little isle, on the one hand, with its palms and the guns and batteries raised forty years before in defence of

ar guard boat hung off and on and glittered with the weapons of marines. The exubera

and potatoes, perched among which was Huish dressed as a foremast hand; a heap of chests and cases impeded the action of the oarsmen; and in the stern, by the left hand of the doctor, sat Herrick, dressed in a fresh rig of

he forbidden ship. Not a cat stirred, there was no speech of man; and the sea being exceeding high outside, a

ang out the doctor,

stowing away stores, first Davis, and then the

. 'Tell the old man to lay her alongside, as if she was eggs.

he heaved her side as high as a deep sea steamer's, and showed the flashing of

s,' observed the doctor.

d failures, was passed gently and successfully from hand to hand; and there remained only the more difficult business of embarking Huish. Even that piece of dead weight (shipped A.B. a

oked at each other, and Dav

floor laid with waxcloth. No litter, no sign of life remained; for the effects of the dead men had been disinfected and conveyed on shore. Only on the table, in a saucer, some sulphur burned, and the fumes set them cou

uess they were afraid to lay hands on it. Well, they've hosed the place out; t

far enough first,' sa

'll tell you, my young friend, I think

are,' return

'll berth forward with the nigge

ish. 'See any green in

going to be it. One thing of three. First, you take my orders here as cabin steward, in which case you mess with us. Or second, you refuse, and I pa

't blow the gaff? O no!'

captain. 'No, sir! There ain't no lark about my c

her, for he stepped to the bunk, took the infected bed-clothes fairly i

to Herrick. 'I needn't do the same with y

ing the captain into the stateroom, where he began t

on deck. I don't know as I'm afraid, but I

of these two men sticks in my throat; that captain and mate dying here

figures out for himself one way, and the real business goes quite another. Perhaps Wiseman said, "

grim enough,

e's that chronometer fixed. And now it's

gar and ste

, a lean-flanked, clean-built fellow from some far western

y,' repli

same for you another time.' He watched the yellow bunting as it was eased past the cross-trees and handed down on deck. 'You'll float n

, he reflected, might be critics too quick for such a novice as himself; they might perceive some lapse from that precise and cut-and-dry English which prevails o

ft!' he said. 'Livel

in the alleyw

are, sir,'

stern; then turned with ferocious suddenness o

trick. My orders shall be obeyed smartly. You savvy, "smartly"? There shall be no growling about the kaikai, which will be above allowance. You'll put a handle to the mate's name, and tack on "sir" to every order I give you. If yo

ht,' sai

d the captain. 'I'll take the lady. Step to starboard, Sally

ou, there,'

just the place where the wool ought to grow. Step to port, Uncle. Don't you hear Mr Hay has picked you? Then I'll take the white man. White Man, step to starboard. Now which of you two is the cook? You? Then Mr Hay t

ll me some of the word

sail, the rudder hard a-port, and the cheerfull

,' cried Herric

repose, trembling and bending to the puffs. The guard boat gave a part

and whitening to either hand. Straight through the narrow band of blue, she shot to seaward: and the captain's heart exulted as he felt her tremble under

ut midway of the pass, there was a cry and a scurry, a man was seen to leap upon

e captain cried, relinqu

ard in the midst of the Kan

ar in all. Stupidly they stared after their escaped companion, whose black head was visible upon the water, steering for the lan

aimed Davis. 'Well, we go to sea short-handed, we c

we are to get alo

e captain. 'No mo

lding mountain top on mountain top; Eimeo, on the port board, lifted

esture, 'yesterday morning I danced