cked up nineteen new 'uns at Port Prayo," replied Jennings. "Stout
nimble fellows they are, no doubt. But I don't greatly conceit them
neither. They keep together, and hardly speak to any one aboard, except
Andy Duncan and Joel White and Bob O'Hara and that lot. They're no good
either, to my mind. Well, young gents, you must stay here till the gale
breaks, as I guess it will to-morrow, or the next day, and then the
skipper will be in good-humour again. I've brought you a heap of
biscuits and some fruit and a keg of water. But I mustn't be coming
down here often, or we shall be found out I've tied the dog up in the
fo'castle, or he'd be sniffing about after Mr Frank here, and most
likely find him out."

"Very well, Tom," said Frank, "then we'll wait here. But it's terribly
dull work. Nothing to do but to sleep and smoke."

"I think the skipper would let us off, if he knew what we'd gone through
during the last twenty-four hours," observed Nick, yawning. "Well, I
suppose one must grin and bear it." So saying, he rolled himself into
his corner and endeavoured to lose the recollection of his
_desagrements_ in sleep.

The evening wore on heavily enough. It was past midnight before the
gale began to lull, and the lads at length fell sound asleep. But they
were roused soon afterwards by a loud commotion on deck. Voices were
heard shouting and cursing; one or two shots were fired, and Frank
fancied he could once or twice distinguish the clash of cutlasses. But
presently the tumult died away, and the ship apparently resumed her
customary discipline. Daylight came at last, glimmering faintly through
the crevices of their prison, and the boys lay every minute expecting
the advent of the old quartermaster. But the morning passed, and the
afternoon began to slip away, and still there was no sign of Jennings's
approach. The matter was more than once debated whether they should
issue from their hiding-place, which was now becoming intolerable to
them, altogether disregarding his advice; or at any rate send out one of
the party to reconnoitre. But Ernest urged strongly the wisdom of
keeping to their original resolution, and Frank after awhile sided with
him. It was agreed, however, that if Jennings did not appear on the
following morning, Warley should betake himself to the doctor's cabin
and ask his advice.

Accordingly they once more lay down to sleep, and were again awoke in
the middle of the night, but this