rissimus_, or some other scientific name.
Give way, my lads. Mr Lindon! Do you want to be left behind?"

"All right, sir," cried the middy, springing into the boat and coming
down into the arms of a couple of the men. "Good-night, Harding! We
shall expect you on board the _Di_."

Down dropped the oars on either side, and then splash, splash, in
regular movement the blades tossed up the beautiful pale lambent water,
while here and there they broke up the reflection of the stars that were
gradually appearing in the soft violet sky, while the boat glided on
farther and farther from the schooner, making its way towards the lights
of the sloop, from which all of a sudden there was a sharp flash,
followed at a perceptible interval by the report of a musket.

This was answered a few seconds later by a flash and smart crack from
the sloop's cutter, whose course Rodd leaned over the side to watch till
it was invisible, when he turned from the side, to find Joe Cross
waiting and evidently watching him.

"Rather close shave, sir," he said. "I began to feel as if some of us
was going to have our 'oliday come to an end. Wouldn't have been so
bad, though, for there are some very jolly fellows there, and it aren't
half a dusty life aboard a man-of-war when you have got over the first
few days, and being what they calls homesick. Aren't no fear of their
coming back for us, is there?"

"Not the least, Joe. You are all safe enough."

"We are a-going to give the doctor, sir, such a cheer when he comes on
deck again--three times three, and one in for you. My word, sir, the
lads did laugh to see you take the starch out of that there young
reefer! It was fine!"

"Oh, never mind about that, Joe. But I say, you have been aboard a
man-of-war. What would a sloop like that be doing down here?"

"Why, you know, sir; looking after the blackbird catchers--the slavers."

"Oh no; they are not on this station for that."

"Must be, sir."

"No, Joe."

"Well, but, sir, you heard what the lufftenant said to our old man.
That's what they were after, sir, and a bit disappointed too, until you
and the doctor made them so friendly. They thought they'd got hold of
this fine craft, nice little prize, for she'd sell well just as she
stands after being condemned. Handy little bit of pocket-money for them
in these days when the war is over. Rather a puzzler to them at first.
The second luff--that's what he was--had never tackled a natur