should run.

"All right," said Bob, nodding his head. "Double there, in the infantry
brigade! Naval brigade to the front! Forward!"

He broke into a trot, and the little party ran sharply on, to the great
delight of the two escaped slaves, who, as Bob had prophesied, led them
straight away to the side of the river, which they reached without
encountering a soul.

"I'm about knocked up," said Bob, panting. "It's disgusting to find
these girls can beat us hollow at running."

"The doctor's specimens are all shaken up into a regular mash!" said Tom
Long, peeping into the vasculum hung by a strap from his shoulder.

"Never mind," replied Bob. "Here's the boat coming. I shall come with
you straight; or no: let's take them on board the `Startler'?"

"No, no!" said Tom, "they must come to the fort."

"No, no, to the `Startler,' I tell you."

"No, no, to the fort."

"Then we'll split the difference, and take them to the residency," said
Bob; and as the boat touched the shore they stood back for the girls to
leap in, and then crouch down with their arms around each other's neck,
sobbing with joy as they felt that now they were safe.

There was no little excitement as the two girls were landed, and Mr
Linton seemed puzzled as to what he should do; but the poor creatures
were safe now under the protection of the British flag; and Bob Roberts
and Tom Long proceeded to the doctor's quarters for a thorough wash and
change, having fully verified old Dick's prophecy that they would be in
mischief before the day was out.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

HOW THE TWO COMPANIONS WERE KNOCKED OFF THEIR PERCH.

If they had not been English, the probabilities are that Bob Roberts and
Tom Long would have hugged each other. As it was they seemed to think
it quite the correct thing to shake hands over and over again, and then
walk up and down under the palm-trees of the enclosure, flushed,
excited, and as full of swagger as they could possibly be.

"Blest if they don't look like a couple o' young game cocks who have
just killed their birds," said old Dick to Billy Mustard. "My word,
they are cocky! But where are you going, old man?"

"To fetch my instrument," said Billy.

"What, yer fiddle? What do you want that 'ere for?"

"The young gents wants it," said Billy.

So with a nod he went into his quarters, to return with his beloved
violin in its green baize bag, which he bore to where Bob and Tom were
now seated at one