bles with these pirates too. But
there's no use fretting about what can't be helped. I'm thinking about
you young gents. You see if I'd been in my right senses when they went
away, I should have told the cap'en about you, and he'd have taken you
away with him. But I wasn't sensible like, and no one else then knew as
you was aboard."

"No one knew it _then_?" repeated Warley. "No one knows it now, I
suppose."

"Yes, sir, Mr Lavie knows it, and Joe too; I told them an hour ago, and
we had a long talk about it. The doctor's resolved he won't stay in the
ship, and I suppose you don't want to stay neither?"

"We stay, Tom!" replied Frank. "No, I should think not indeed, if we
can help it. But how are we to get away?"

"This way, sir. These pirates have been choosing their officers to-day,
and they've made O'Hara captain. They say he's the only man who's up to
navigating the ship. Anyhow, they've made him captain, and one of the
foreign chaps, first mate. They're to have a great supper to-morrow
night in honour of 'em, and most of the crew--pretty nigh all I should
say--will be drunk. Well, then, we claps a lot of things, that Mr
Lavie has got together, aboard one of the boats--there are enough of us
to lower her easy enough--and long before daylight you'll be out of
sight."

"_You'll_ be out of sight. Don't you mean to go yourself, Jennings?"
asked Frank.

"My leg won't let me, Mr Frank. I couldn't get down the ship's side;
and besides, I ain't in no danger. My old messmates won't let me be
hurt, nor Joe Cobbes neither. I'd best stay here till my leg's right.
Mr Lavie says it wants nothing but rest, and a little washing now and
then. No, sir; Joe and I would rather stay on board here and take the
first opportunity of leaving the ship that offers. Mr Lavie and you
all 'ull bear witness how it happened."

"That we will, Tom," said Warley. "Well, then, if I understand you,
we've nothing to do but to remain quiet until to-morrow night, and you
and Mr Lavie will make all the preparations?"

"Yes, sir, that's right. Stay quietly here till you've notice that
everything's ready."

"But I don't like you having all the risk and trouble, Tom," said
Wilmore.

"You'd do as much for me, sir, and more too, I dare say, if you had the
chance. Besides, I am anxious you should get away safe, because you're
my witnesses that I and Joe had no hand in this. I shall get well all
the sooner, when you're gone."