le.

"That you are not, sir," he said; "your head's too full of science and
knowledge and larning to be what you say. I don't quite exactly know
what it means, but I'll answer for it you are not that; and now if you
don't mind I should like for us to go up on deck again and have a good
look round. It's 'most as light as day, and if a thing like that is
playing around we are just as likely as not to sight it again. What do
you say, sir, to taking your glass and being on the look-out?"

"By all means," said the doctor. "Get the glass, Rodd. Hullo! What's
the matter with you?"

"Oh, nothing, uncle," said the boy, hastily rising.

"Why, you took hold of the table as if you felt dizzy."

"No, no, uncle. I am all right."

"Not afraid, are you?"

"I--I was for a moment, uncle."

"Good lad and true! Naught to be ashamed on, and spoke out like a man,"
grunted the skipper.

"But I tell you I am all right now," cried Rodd angrily, and he darted a
fierce look at the speaker.

"Of course you are, youngster; but you felt a bit skeart again, and
'nough to make you."

"Yes," said Rodd sharply, "I did feel startled for a moment, but it's
all gone now. Come on, uncle; I have got the glass;" and the boy made a
dash for the cabin stairs.

"I say," whispered the skipper, "that's better than brag, doctor."

"Yes," said Uncle Paul, drawing a deep breath; "a great deal."

They both then hastened up the stairs, to find Rodd half-way along the
deck, hurrying with the glass under his arm to join the men, who were
all gathered together at the bows, save their solitary messmate at the
wheel.

"Well, my lads, did you make it out again?" shouted the skipper.

"No, sir," replied Joe Cross, who took upon himself the part of
spokesman. "Aren't seen a sign of it. We have been casting it up among
us that it got more than it liked in the shape of that bullet, and after
going down, it turned waxy-like and come up again to have something to
say to us, but turned worse and went down."

"Humph!" grunted the skipper. "Then you think we hit it?"

"Yes, sir; and some of the lads have been saying that if they was you
they'd load the big gun well with a lot of grape-shot, and if the beggar
come up again be on the look-out and let him have it."

"Some on us, Joe Cross; not all."

"Nay, but you meant it, Ikey Gregg," said Joe.

"Not me, messmate. I says it's dangerous to be safe to get meddling
with things like that."

"Ay, a