g in surprise at his rags as he approached.

"I beg your pardon," began the doctor, in superior tones.

"And what the devil do you want?" demanded the second officer; "who told
you to come along here?"

"I want to know what this means," said the doctor, fiercely. "How dare
you kidnap us on your beastly bilge-tank?"

"Man's mad," murmured the astonished second officer.

"Insufferable outrage!" continued the doctor. "Take us back to
Melbourne at once."

"You get for'ard," said the other sharply; "get for'ard, and don't let me
have any more of your lip."

"I want to see the captain of this ship," cried the doctor; "go and fetch
him at once."

The second officer gazed at him, limp with astonishment, and then turned
to the steersman, as though unable to believe his ears. The steersman
pointed in front of him, and the other gave a cry of surprise and rage as
he saw another tatterdemalion coming with uncertain steps toward him.

"Carson," said the new arrival, feebly; and coming closer to his friend,
clung to him miserably.

"I'm just having it out with 'em, Thomson," said the doctor,
energetically. "My friend here is a solicitor. Tell him what 'll happen
if they don't take us back, Harry."

"You seem to be unaware, my good fellow," said the solicitor, covering a
large hole in the leg of his trousers with his hand, "of the very
dangerous situation in which you have placed yourselves. We have no
desire to be harsh with you--"

"Not at all," acquiesced the doctor, nodding at the second officer.

"At the same time," continued Mr. Thomson--"at the--" He let go his
friend's arm and staggered away; the doctor gazed after him
sympathetically.

[Illustration: HE SAW ANOTHER TATTERDEMALION COMING TOWARDS HIM.]

"His digestion is not all it should be," he said to the second officer,
confidentially.

"If you don't get for'ard in two twos," said that gentleman, explosively,
"I'll knock your heads off."

The doctor gazed at him in haughty disdain, and taking the limp Thomson
by the arm, led him slowly away.

"How did we get here?" asked Mr. Harry Thomson, feebly.

The doctor shook his head.

"How did we get these disgusting clothes on?" continued his friend.

The doctor shook his head again. "The last thing I can remember, Harry,"
he said, slowly, "was imploring you not to drink any more."

"I didn't hear you," said the solicitor, crustily; "your speech was very
indistinct last night."

"Seemed so t