draught he
insisted on my swallowing; nor would he leave me till every drop had
gone down, and then I rushed off to the berth and threw myself on a
locker to luxuriate in the flavour, which nothing I could take would
remove from my mouth.

It was the first and last time I ever made an attempt at malingering.

CHAPTER THREE.

After I had taken Macquoid's nauseous draught, I went and lay down on my
chest. I chose that spot because, from the uncomfortable position in
which I was obliged to place myself, I was not likely to go to sleep,
and because I was there better able to hear when the boats' crews were
called away. I could not help now and then giving way to a groan, which
the sickness and pain of the physic produced.

"Who's that?" I heard old Perigal inquire, as he was passing to the
berth.

"Oh, it's only that little sneak Merry," Spellman answered. "He thinks
that he may be ordered off in the boat, and is shamming sick to escape,
as if such a hop-o'-my-thumb as he is could be of any use."

"That is not like him. I consider him a very plucky little fellow,"
remarked Perigal.

"Thank you, old boy," I said mentally. "And you, Miss Susan, I'll be
even with you some day for your obliging remarks."

I cannot say, however, that I felt any enmity towards Spellman on that
account. I had not respect enough for him. I would rather, however,
have parted with more kindly feelings towards all my messmates on so
dangerous an expedition. I could not help thinking over the matter
while lying so long silent by myself, but my resolution to accomplish my
design was not shaken. My messmates went into the berth, and just then
I heard the boats piped away. I ran quickly upon deck, and, while the
men were buckling on their cutlasses, I slipped into the pinnace, and
stowed myself, as before, into so small a space that even the boatswain,
who looked into the boat, did not perceive me. I knew that he looked
for me, because I heard his gruff voice say, "All right; he's not there.
He's thought better of it." At about half-past nine the final order to
shove off was given, and away we went. I got fewer kicks this time, for
I took good care to keep my legs out of the way. The men, also, I
suspect, guessed that I was there. I knew that I was perfectly safe
with them.

The flotilla consisted of fifteen boats, containing nearly three hundred
officers and men, not counting myself. After we had got, as I supposed,
about