sure as you're there. Now, I'm going to leave 'em here with you when I
sail next time. They'll fortify the harbour so's it'll be safe if any
of them sneakin' men-o'-war comes pryin' about--and we was as near took
by one of 'em a few nights ago--as near as near--and they'll build us a
regular flyer of a schooner, on condition that they're properly treated;
so as long as the work's about I want you to act amiable to 'em, and
after we've got all the help out of 'em that we want, I don't care what
comes to 'em. They've got some women with 'em--worst luck--and they
seem mighty particular about 'em, so I hope you'll see that the gals
don't come to any harm. You see, Alec, my boy, we _must_ be civil to
'em if we want 'em to do their best for us; but after they've done their
work you can have your own way with the whole lot."

The Greek (whose name, by the way, was Alessandro Ralli) listened to his
chief in sullen silence, and when Johnson had finished speaking beckoned
him to follow him down into the cabin.

These worthies had been standing during this short conversation just at
the foot of the main-mast, and seemed to be either oblivious of or
indifferent to the fact that a seaman was just over their heads stowing
the driver, and near enough to hear every word that passed. The
individual referred to had been taking his time--a good deal of it too--
over his task, but no sooner were the skipper and the Greek fairly out
of sight down the companion than, with a few dexterous movements, he
rapidly passed the last turns of the lashing and slid down on deck.

It was our old friend Bob.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

ON ALBATROSS ISLAND.

On the following morning all hands on board the brig were stirring
early, and, assisted by a strong party from the shore, first moved the
vessel down to the bottom of the bay until she took the ground on a
beautiful level sandy bottom, and then began to discharge her.

Her cargo comprised a most extraordinary collection of heterogeneous
articles, including three pianofortes (two of which were in packing-
cases, whilst the other had evidently been taken from a ship's cabin),
several cases of arms, a large quantity of powder and lead, bales of
silk, a few kegs of Spanish dollars, fifty ingots of gold and as many of
silver; several cases of machinery, a large boiler in sections, an
immense quantity of provisions of various kinds, ten brass nine-pounder
guns taken out of a Spanish ship, several box