aggy, you know, so
that it was something like climbing up stairs.

"Well, I had got pretty well up when the pipes were cut. I understood
what it meant, and, holding my breath, with the water rushing down the
two hose-pipes, I scrambled for the top.

"It may have been a perilous thing for you that the rascals pursued
you with such enthusiasm, but it was fortunate for me, for, although I
had a dry revolver under my armor, it was several minutes before I was
in a condition to use it.

"As soon as possible, however, I made ready, believing you were in
sore need of help. Crawling forward on my hands and knees, I took a
quick look over the bank, and saw you and Inez walking off in the
direction of the schooner, with the three scamps sullenly watching
you.

"I suspected what you tell me was the truth, and I was on the point of
rushing forward and making short work of them with my revolver, but it
flashed upon me that they possessed a fearful advantage over us.
Redvignez and Brazzier are as cunning as serpents, and one of them,
more than likely, would have caught up the little girl and held her in
front of him as a screen.

"Inez would have proved an effectual armor, indeed, and, with her in
their possession, they would have been masters of the situation, and
could have dictated whatever terms they chose to us. Pomp would have
been transformed into a bitter enemy at once, and the chances of
disaster to us all were so great that I remained quiet, but watchful,
ready to dash forward to your assistance should it become necessary.

"I lay down in a secluded place to rest, when--shall I confess it?--I
fell asleep, and did not wake up until half an hour ago. After
thinking the matter over, I decided still to deceive the rascals. I
was quite certain that the water in the lagoon was not very deep, so I
fastened the upper ends of the hose to floats, and walked out here on
the bottom."

"Did you see anything of them?"

"No; I don't know where they are; but you can feel sure they'll never
take their eyes off the schooner."

After further discussing the exciting events of the day, they
considered the all-important question as to what should be their own
line of action. The decision which they reached was a most remarkable
one, being no less than to make a direct proposition to the mutineers
to turn over the schooner to them, with a portion of the oysters, and
to allow them to depart, while the captain, mate and little girl were