been asleep and was staring at the plate-glass
cabin-window, and that it was broad day!

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

HOW MEN FIGHT FOR LIFE.

Mark started up in terror as he saw his father's face, pale, haggard,
and smeared with blood; but as soon as he encountered his son's eye he
smiled pleasantly.

"Have I been asleep, father?"

"Capitally, my boy," said the captain kindly. "A good four hours, I
should say."

"And you've been watching?"

"No--only resting and thinking, my boy. I'm better now. Go out and see
how things are."

Mark stepped softly into the saloon, which was now full of light from
the stern windows, and a dull sense of horror and misery came over him
as he noted the desolate aspect of the place, with the screwed-up doors,
the barricade, the look of the men asleep, and above all the pallid
aspect of Mr Morgan, who seemed to have grown old since the previous
day, so seriously had his wound affected him.

This was all seen at a glance; and he was going toward the door when he
stopped short, startled, for there stood the major with a double gun at
his shoulder taking so straight an aim at him that Mark seemed to see
nothing of the gun but the muzzle, looking like a pair of spectacles
without glasses, and through which frames he was trying to peer.

Not a pleasant prospect for him if he could have looked, for it would
have been right down the barrels at the wads of a couple of cartridges;
but as he stared the piece was lowered and the major said in a low
voice:

"I could have brought you down like a bird. Why, you looked just like a
Malay. Mark, what have you been doing, sir? rubbing your powdery hands
all over your face?"

"I suppose so, major. What time is it?"

"Time the ship was cleared, my lad, but I suppose we must wait. Let me
see," he continued, referring to his watch. "I didn't like to look
before; it makes a man impatient for his breakfast, I'm seven o'clock.
That's three bells, isn't it?"

"I think so," said Mark.

"Think, and you the son of a captain in the merchant service! Why, I
should have thought you would have been born a sailor."

"Have you heard the Malays, sir?"

"Heard them! Yes, my lad, going about the ship with their bare feet on
the planks; but they haven't tried the door. There, rouse up the men
while I wake Gregory."

He touched the first-mate, who sprang up, revolver in hand, wide-awake,
and ready for instant action.

He glanced sharply round, real