Billy Titely and Mr
Roberts don't sing out anything to bring them back."

"Oh, don't speak so loud," whispered the middy.

"Nay, they can't hear that, sir," said the man. "Lucky beggars!"

"What!"

"Lucky beggars, sir. Two on 'em's saved their lives, and a couple
more's gone off without having any mark upon 'em. For I'm pretty handy
with my cutlash, Mr Murray, sir; arn't I?"

"Handy, Tom? Yes, of course; but what an escape! I felt as if I
couldn't have helped you."

"Yah! Nonsense, sir! I always feel like that, just as if I couldn't do
anything. It's nat'ral, I suppose. I was allers that how when I was a
boy, when I got fighting. Used to feel like running away, till I was
hurt, and then my monkey was up directly and I began to bite. Whatcher
talking about, sir? I just see you standing still and one of them ugly
beggars sticking his long knife into _you_. You'd hold still, wouldn't
you? Not much!"

"Oh, I don't know, Tom."

"Well, sir, I do," said the sailor, half closing his eyes as he kept
careful watch in the direction the enemy had taken.

"What's to be done now, Tom?" said Murray, after a pause.

"Eh? What's to be done, sir? Why, I was waiting for orders. You're my
orficer, sir."

"Yes, Tom, but this is a terrible position."

"Oh, I dunno, sir. 'Tarn't a wreck."

"No, Tom, but I want your help."

"Say what I'm to do, sir, and here I am."

"Yes, I know, but can't you make a good suggestion?"

"No, sir; I arn't clever. I want some one to set me going. Seems to
me, though, as the best thing we could do would be to--"

"Yes," said Murray eagerly, for the man had paused.

"Do nothing, sir," said the man slowly. "We know that gang is on the
lookout so as we can't follow their way."

"No, Tom, but we might go in the opposite direction."

"Yes, sir, we might," replied the man, "but there's lots more on 'em
about, and we may be tumbling out o' the frying-pan into the fire."

"Yes, Tom," said the middy, "and we are pretty well hidden. I propose
that we lie here till those two poor fellows wake up. They may be
better then and so far able to help us that they may get along with our
arms."

"Yes, sir," said May quietly, "and I'd stop at that. Besides, Mr
Anderson's looking after us, and perhaps he knows the way back to that
rondyvoo of his, for it must be somewheres not very far-off. Don't you
think the first luff may be sending that black See-saw chap to look for
us?"

"Ye