yd. "Let him sleep, and"--he shuddered--"let
one of the men bring me a bucket of water."

It was well on in the middle of the day, and there was no sign of the
ship. The men had greatly improved the shelter up in the chasm; but
though the carriages were up one at each end near the positions they
were to occupy, the two guns which should by this time have been mounted
lay on the rock, the first one having brought down the tackle, and
bounded from a sloping stone on to the unfortunate lieutenant, pinning
him to the ground before he could get out of the way.

After seeing that his patient was carefully watched by one of the men
who had been his companion that morning, Syd was trying to drive away
the miserable feeling of faintness and exhaustion from which he suffered
by partaking of a little refreshment, when, just as he was thinking of
his father's orders, and that those guns ought to be mounted, the
boatswain came up, touched his hat to him and Roylance, and was about to
speak, when Terry strode up, and ignoring his brother midshipmen, said
sharply--

"Look here, bo'sun; that was all nonsense this morning. Mr Dallas is
wounded, and incapable. I am senior officer, and the captain's orders
must be carried out. Call the men together, and I'll have those guns up
at once."

"Ay, ay, sir!" cried Strake; his whistle sounded shrilly against the
sides of the rock, and the men came running up.

"All hands to hoist up the guns," cried Terry. "Now, bo'sun, have that
tackle fixed better this time."

"Ay, ay, sir. Now, my lads, be smart, and we'll have that gun up in a
jiffy."

The men were all gathered together in a knot, but no one stirred; and
they began muttering to themselves.

"Now, my lads; what is it?" cried the boatswain. "You don't mind a bit
o' sunshine, do you? Come, bear a hand."

Not a man stirred, and Syd and Roylance exchanged looks.

"What is the meaning of this?" cried Terry, in a bullying tone. "Do you
hear, men? I want these guns up directly."

Still no one stirred, and Terry grew pale. His one hand played about
his sword, and his other hand sought a pistol.

"Bo'sun!" he cried, "what is the meaning of this insubordination?"

Strake shook his head.

"D'ye hear, my lads? Mr Terry wants to know the meaning of this
ins'bordination."

Not a man spoke.

"Look here," cried Terry, drawing his dirk, "I am not going to be
trifled with. I order you to help hoisting up those guns. What do