advise you to
give them leg-bail, if you have the chance. That's what I've made up my
mind to, as soon as we get into port; they're sure not to keep a strict
look-out, and, as usual, crowds of people will be coming on board to
visit the ships. Tom Harris was right; keep your temper, as you did
just now. To strike an officer, even though he strikes you first, is a
serious matter, and I was wrong in advising it. But though, if you
desert and are caught, you run the risk of a flogging, the chances are
you'll escape, for they'll not take the trouble of sending after you if
you can once get off into the country."

"I'll think about it," said Dick. "I can't bear being struck by that
young lord, or by any one else; and if he treats me as he has done
before, I cannot answer for keeping my temper."

The conversation was put an end to by the whole gang being ordered back
to the pumps. The carpenters were gradually getting the leaks stopped,
and before night the crew were able with less difficulty to keep the
water under. Fresh hands were sent on board to attempt getting up
jurymasts, in case the _Wolf_ should be compelled to cast off the prize.
It was still doubtful whether they would reach the port in safety. An
enemy might at any moment appear, and not only retake the prize, but
themselves. A single frigate would prove a serious antagonist to the
_Wolf_ in her present battered and disabled condition.

During the night the breeze increased slightly, and the two frigates
made better progress. Lord Reginald had told Voules of Hargrave's
impudence, as he called it, and the midshipman had reported it to Mr
Jager.

"If we have mutinous behaviour among our own crew, we shall have the
Frenchmen rising upon us," observed the lieutenant. "You must keep an
eye, Voules, on those fellows, and put down that spirit of
insubordination."

"A flogging would do that lad Hargrave good," observed Voules, "and that
old smuggler richly deserves one also."

Voules, believing that it would please Lord Reginald, kept a watchful
eye on both Dick and Ben, hoping that they would give him the
opportunity of reporting them.

Twice finding Dick moving slowly, as he considered about his duty, he
started him with a rope's end. Several of the other men, knowing that
he was no longer under the protection of the boatswain, took the
opportunity of bullying him in a variety of ways. Ben did not
interfere, his object being evidently to disgust