been having a look at that there monkey, Mr Mark, sir," said the
little sailor. "He's just come out of his hole, looking scared because
he thought the fellows was shouting at him. He came down over the stern
and in at one of the windows, and he's been a-making no end of fuss over
old Bruff's crocodilly leg, and he doesn't seem to understand it a bit.
But I say, sir, what are we going to do next? Some of the chaps is
rather bad."

"Poor fellows!" said Mark. "I suppose we shall have to fight again."

Billy made no answer, for another engagement seemed terrible enough to
think of now in cold blood, and they were soon after joined by Small,
who said nothing, but held out his hand to Mark, to give the lad's
fingers a long silent pressure, which seemed to him to mean only one
thing, and that was good-bye.

After a time the captain's voice was heard to summon the men, and Small
was sent to relieve Gregory; but the mate declined to leave his post,
and no attempt was made to enforce obedience.

Then half the men were placed at the barricade, and the weapons of the
other half were placed by them, while these latter were drawn up by the
saloon windows.

"What's we going to do?" whispered one of the men to Mark; but he could
give no answer.

It was now dark, even darker than the previous night, but a slight
breeze was beginning to rise in fitful gusts, and there was now and then
the ripple of water against the stern.

"You've made up your mind then?" said the major.

"Yes," replied the captain firmly. "We have done our duty. Now
humanity must be heard."

The captain then spoke a few words to Mr Gregory, and the question of
how the boat was to be brought from where she was secured exactly under
the cabin-window was discussed and settled by Mark volunteering to go
down.

"You lower me into the water with a rope," he said, "and I'll soon swim
to her and get in."

The captain hesitated for a few moments, and then the sheet-rope was
once more brought into use, and with it fastened round his waist Mark
climbed out, glanced up at the stern-rail to see if anyone was waiting
ready with a spear to thrust him through, and directly after he was
lowered into the water.

A few strokes took him to the boat, and after a good deal of trying he
managed to scramble in. The unfastening was a matter of very few
moments, and then with the painter in hand he worked right beneath the
cabin-window, when Mr Gregory slid down and join