lected in the neighbourhood,
and there could be no doubt that a vessel would soon be coming to take
them off. Accordingly the usual ruse was put in practice, and the
pinnace, under the command of Hemming, with Jack Rogers and Adair, left
the ship to watch for her. Murray was still too unwell to engage in any
such duty. They left the ship in the evening, so that it was dark by
the time they neared the land. Hemming had fixed upon a spot among some
high rocks where the boat might remain completely concealed either from
people on the shore or from any one afloat. The only difficulty was
finding the way into it among the rocks at night, still he hoped to
effect that. There was a slight crescent moon, which shone on the calm
waters and showed the white sandy breach and the tall wide-topped
palm-trees rising up against the clear sky. There hung also over the
land a slight gauze-like mist, which somewhat distorted objects. They
rowed steadily on with muffled oars, making as little splash as
possible.

"Starboard a little," said Hemming to Jack, who was steering. "I think
that I can make out the opening I want to find; yes, that's it, I'm
sure." In a few minutes the boat glided in between high ocean-worn
rocks, round from the waves of the Atlantic dashing against them for
thousands of years past. A grapnel was hove on to the rocks, and there
she lay as snug as any on board could desire. The boat was furnished
with a little stove for cooking, and they had a good supply of eatables
and drinkables on board, the latter being, however, more in the shape of
tea, coffee, and cocoa, than spirits. Having supped, all hands turned
in to sleep except two, an officer and man, who sat up to keep watch.
Jack, Adair, and Hemming succeeded each other, but though they kept
their ears open not a sound could they hear to indicate the approach of
any vessel. At length the sun rose, but Hemming determined to remain
where he was all day, hoping that, should a breeze spring up, the
looked-for slaver might make her appearance. Hour after hour passed
pleasantly enough, however, for they had no lack of provisions, and
books, and chess, and games for the men. Captain Lascelles thought that
his seamen, wearing out their days under the broiling sun of Africa,
required being amused just as much as the gallant fellows who have been
shut up for many dreary months amid the snow and ice of the Arctic
regions. The consequence of his care in that