at that chap, and pretending to
cut off his legs."

"Here, you be quiet, Jimmy, or I'll send you below," I said sharply; and
as I went to the breaker to get a pannikin of water for one of the men,
Jimmy stuck his hands behind him, pointed his nose in the air, and
walked forward with such a display of offended dignity that Jack Penny
doubled up, putting his head between his knees and pinning it firm,
while he laughed in throes, each of which sent a spasm through his
loose-jointed body.

The black to whom I took the water looked at me in a frightened way, and
shook his head.

"He thinks it is poisoned, Joe," said the doctor quietly; and I
immediately drank some, when the prisoner took the pannikin and drank
with avidity, his companions then turning their eager eyes on me.

"It is the feverish thirst produced by injuries," said the doctor; and
as I filled the pannikin again and again, the poor wretches uttered a
low sigh of satisfaction.

The schooner lay where we had left it, and all seemed to be very quiet
on board, but no movement was made of an offensive nature; and the day
glided by till towards sundown, when there was less excitement visible
on the shore. Then the captain ordered the boat to be lowered on the
side away from the land, while he proceeded to sweep the shore with his
glass.

"I think we might land 'em now, doctor," he said, "and get back without
any jobs for you."

"Yes, they seem pretty quiet now," said the doctor, who had also been
scanning the shore; "but there are a great many people about."

"They won't see us," said the captain. "Now, my blackbirds, I'm not
going to clip your wings or pull out your tails. Into the boat with
you. I'll set you ashore."

For the first time the poor fellows seemed to comprehend that they were
to be set at liberty, and for a few minutes their joy knew no bounds;
and it was only by running off that I was able to escape from some of
their demonstrations of gratitude.

"No, my lad," said the captain in response to my demand to go with him.
"I'll set the poor chaps ashore, and we shall be quite heavy enough
going through the surf. You can take command while I'm gone," he added,
laughing; "and mind no one steals the anchor."

I felt annoyed at the captain's bantering tone, but I said nothing; and
just at sunset the boat pushed off quietly with its black freight, the
poor fellows looking beside themselves with joy.

"I say, skipper," said the captain laug