s near, on
which all the boats, with flags flying in the bows, pulled out of the
harbour. We saw her about two miles off already nearly becalmed. As we
got near her crew greeted us with a cheer, and without stopping to ask
questions we took hold of the tow ropes, when, giving way with a will,
joined by her boats already lowered, we made the big ship glide through
the water at the rate of nearly three miles an hour. We thus soon
brought the ship to an anchor in the harbour, when Captain Hake came on
board the "Lady Alice," and undertook to do all his brother captain
required. He was in high good humour at having captured another whale,
which had caused the "Eagle" to be so much longer in making her
appearance than we expected. I thought that now would be the time to
get Captain Bland to beg him to allow me to remain on board the "Lady
Alice." The same idea occurred to Mary, who I saw whispering to her
father. Captain Bland kindly pressed the point.

"What am I to do without my barber and clerk and storekeeper, I should
like to know?" exclaimed Captain Hake. "Why the young fellow works all
my observations for me. No, no. Be reasonable, Bland; he is bound to
me, remember. I will lend him to you now, but when the `Eagle' leaves
this harbour he goes in her."

I thought that it was my captain who was not reasonable. I felt
dreadfully disappointed, but I was his slave, and compelled to submit.

CHAPTER FOUR.

Captain Hake invited Mrs Bland and Mary to take up their abode on board
the "Eagle" while the Lady Alice was hove down, and looked much
disappointed when he heard that a tent had been put up for them on
shore. I need not describe the operation of heaving down further than
by saying that the topmasts being struck, the cargo landed, and the
ballast shifted, the ship is heeled over on one side, till her keel can
be seen, then stages are slung, so that every part may be easily
reached. When one side is repaired she is turned over, and the other is
treated in the same way.

Before commencing operations Medley and I were engaged for some hours in
securing all the things in the cabins, so that nothing might be broken,
while the bedding and many other articles were carried on shore. I
suggested to Captain Bland that it would be prudent to have a guard near
him at night, and begged that he would allow Medley and me, with our
faithful Kroomen, Pepper and Salt, and four of his own most trustworthy
men, to pu