dancing over the waves, and were soon almost
lost to sight, though Alice saw that they had reached the spot where the
whales had been seen spouting. They had been gone some time when she
saw Tidy come from below and speak in a hurried, anxious tone to Mr
Lawrie. He then hastened away, as if not wishing to be seen by his
shipmates. Soon after the surgeon came to her, and begged that she
would go into the cabin.

"Let me help you, Missie Alice," said Nub. "Better aff dere dan on
deck."

Alice saw that something was wrong, but could not make out exactly what
it was. She went, however, as Mr Lawrie requested her; and taking up a
book endeavoured to read, but not with much success. She saw Mr Lawrie
come in and put a brace of pistols in his belt. Nub and Tidy, with
three or four of the other men, did the same. This, of course, made her
very anxious. Several times she asked Nub if the boats were in sight,
but always got the same answer: "No signs of boats yet, Missie Alice."
Poor girl, she felt very forlorn with both her father and Walter away.
Nub came in and placed the tea-things on the table, and she made tea.
At last Mr Lawrie came in, apparently in a great hurry, and somewhat
agitated. Of course she asked him if the boats were in sight.

"I hope they soon will be," he answered.

"Is there anything the matter?" she asked.

"I hope it will not be of much consequence," he replied evasively; and
without saying more, quickly went again on deck.

It was now getting quite dark. Nub lighted the cabin-lamp.

"You had better take a book and read, Miss Alice, and dat pass your time
till de captain return." Alice found it almost impossible to keep her
eyes on the page. Presently she heard some loud shouts and cries, and
the stamping of feet, and pistol-shots.

That there was fighting going forward on deck she felt sure, but she
dared not go up to ascertain. The noise increased--there was more
firing--then Nub rushed into the cabin.

"Oh, what has happened?" she asked.

"I come to take care of you, Miss Alice," he answered. "De prisoners
and de bad men who mutiny before try to take de ship from de surgeon and
us, and dey are now fighting; and Mr Lawrie told me to come to take
care of you."

"Oh, thank you, Nub. How I wish my father was on board, to help poor
Mr Lawrie. What will he do?"

"He fight like brave Scotchman," answered Nub; "and he soon make de
mutineers ask pardon. Don't be afraid, Miss Al