more than revenge was their object, it would
probably better answer their purpose to keep the young officer? alive,
and endeavour to obtain a ransom for them, than to kill them, and in
consequence be hunted down with even more pertinacity than before. As
to being influenced by any feelings of humanity, such an idea never for
a moment crossed their brains.

Jack and Murray were now carried to a platform in the afterpart of the
boat, when the former was allowed to sit up with his friend's head in
his lap, and to apply such means of restoring him to animation as he
could devise. He turned him round on one side, so that the water might
run out of his mouth, and was rubbing away as briskly as he could, when
he heard the same person who had before addressed him say, "All right, I
told you; I come and help you now." On looking up, who should he see,
but one of the crew of the frigate, the Malay who spoke English, who
went by the name of Jos Grummet, and his friend Hoddidoddi, who, it now
appeared, had deserted with him on the island. It was Jos who had saved
his life from the man with the battle-axe, and Hoddidoddi who had
advised the pirates not to kill them at all, but to keep them for the
more satisfactory object of obtaining a ransom.

After a little time, by their united exertions, Murray recovered, and
was able to sit up and understand what had occurred. Jack was now much
happier as to the future. "Well, thank you heartily, Jos, for what you
have done for us," said he. "And I can assure you, that if you go back
to the frigate, you will not be flogged, or even have your grog
stopped."

"Tankee, sare," answered Jos. "But spose me no go back, no hab fear of
floggie at all."

"Please yourself," said Jack. "Remain a wandering Malay, or become a
civilised British seaman, with Greenwich in prospect. However, you have
done me a great service, and I wish to recompense you to the best of my
power."

"Really, Alick, I think that there ought to be a fund for pensioning
those who assist in preserving midshipmen's lives; we do run so many
risks of losing them," he observed to Murray, who fully agreed with him.

"I say, Jos," he exclaimed, after a little silence, "do just hint to
these polite gentlemen, that we shall make the amount of our ransom
depend on the condition in which we are returned to our friends, and
that if we are starved, they will not give much for us. I am getting
very peckish; are you, Alick? I th