ame up the river again. For
of course we were not going to give up without finishing our job; and it
seems to me that we got here just at the right time, and found that
things weren't half so bad as we thought; eh, Count?"

"My friend," replied the latter, "how can I ever repay you?"

"Oh, let's talk about that, sir, when I have done something to keep the
_Maid of Salcombe_ upright and finished my other job and the brig's
afloat, which it seems to me we can manage at high water; but I never
bargained for having our schooner to set right too through the lubberly
management of that chap Joe Cross. There," he cried angrily, "I can't
and won't say another word till I have had something to eat, for we are
all half starved."

"Get on board the schooner, then, every one," cried the doctor, "for I
have got my work here."

It was a fact, for now the fight was over the men began to stiffen, and
several unexpectedly turned faint, it proving that though not a single
man was seriously wounded, nearly every one of those who had followed
Joe Cross in his gallant achievement of boarding the schooner, and in
beating down the slaver's crew when they forced their way out of the
cabin, was more or less injured and had been doing his best to hide the
knife stabs and contusions he had received.

It was during the next two or three days that the doctor proved that he
was in his element, and that his knowledge of natural history was not
confined to his ordinary scientific pursuits, for no surgeon could have
been more skilful in his treatment of wounds, no physician more able in
alleviating the fever which supervened.

It was a busy time for all, for not only was there the grounded schooner
to guard from going over, but strict watch to keep for the return of
enemies, and then, when the high tide served, all hands were at work,
save the poor disappointed fellows whose injuries kept them to their
bunks, in raising the brig to her old proud position. As she floated
out, herself once more, and dropped anchor in the stream, the men
literally yelled themselves hoarse, while on the following day at the
Count's request both vessels were dropping down with the tide, all on
board eager to leave behind the river, which in spite of its many
beauties was too full of painful recollections for its waters to be
recalled without horror and disgust.

CHAPTER FORTY NINE.

THE COUNT'S APPEAL.

The south-west coast of Africa was fading away in the