ve
him the knife, sir?"

"No," said Mr Gregory, "the brute is dying. Good heavens! what's
that?"

It was unmistakably a shot, and not fired with a fowling-piece, but
evidently from some good-sized gun.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

HOW THERE WAS A STARTLING SURPRISE.

"What in the world is that?" cried Gregory.

"That sir?" said the major importantly. "That was the report of a gun."

"Good gracious, man, I know that," said the mate.

"There again," cried Morgan.

"Ship firing signals for recall," said the major. "We are wanted
aboard."

"Nonsense, sir!" said Gregory tartly. "We have no guns that would make
such a report as that. What?"

This last was to Morgan, who whispered something to him excitedly.

"Pooh! nonsense, man!" cried Gregory again. Just then there was another
shot, and another, and the first-mate's face turned of a muddy hue.

"It's fighting, as sure as I'm a soldier," said the major nodding his
head.

"You're right, Morgan," said the first-mate hoarsely.

"Come along, quick! There's something wrong aboard the ship."

"Aboard our ship--the _Petrel_?" cried Mark, with a curious choking
sensation coming upon him, and his heart beating rapidly.

"There, don't turn like that, my lad," said Morgan kindly, as he clapped
the lad on the shoulder. "We only fancy there may be something wrong,
and I hope we have been deceived."

"Do you think there will be a fight, Gregory?" said the major excitedly.

"Heaven forbid, sir!" said the first-mate solemnly.

"What are you talking about, sir? and you all the time with a double gun
in your fist. Why, it warms the very blood in my veins."

"You see I'm not a fighting man, sir," said Gregory sternly. "Yes," he
continued, as he saw the major give him a peculiar look, and reading his
meaning, "you're quite right, sir, I am white, and I feel afraid--
horribly afraid, as I think of what may be happening to those poor women
left on board, and my poor captain and our men."

"And I forgot all about my wife and child," cried the major, increasing
his pace, as he wiped the perspiration from his brow. "Come on,
gentlemen, for heaven's sake!"

They were already going along at a double, where the rough river-bed
would allow, but the progress was very slow, while, though they had come
along leisurely, it was astounding how great a distance they had placed
between them and the boat.

"For heaven's sake, come on, gentlemen!" said the major again, and at