bit him in the thick of the neck,
and then bounded away towards the jungle, followed by the dog.

"Now I calls him a warmint," said Billy, rubbing his neck softly. "A
warmint--that's what I calls him. Only let me get hold on him again;
and if I don't make him warm, my name aren't Widgeon."

"You've got about the worst on it this time, my lad, and no mistake,"
said Small, laughing, while Mark stamped about and held his sides.

"Yes, I've got the worst on it," said Billy; "but I'll sarve him out--a
warmint. My neck a-bleeding, Mr Small?"

"No, m'lad, only a bit red. He's give it a bit of a pinch; that's all."

"Yes, and I'll give him a bit of a pinch when I ketches him. I calls
him a warmint--that's what I calls him."

Billy kept on repeating this as he followed Mark and the boatswain to
where the two wounded men were lying, and just then one of the sailors
came out of the grove to join them, his services being enlisted to help
stretch the sail over the mast and peg it tightly down, for it was now
pretty well dry, the result being that a fairly good shelter was
provided for the ladies, who soon after came out to join the captain and
major just as the sun was going down, and the short tropical twilight
set in.

There was no desire for another meal, the weariness consequent upon the
exertions and anxieties of the past still inviting rest; and after all
had sat upon the sands for a while gazing at the phosphorescent sea, and
the great stars which glowed out of the purple sky, a fresh watch was
set, Mr Gregory being roused now from his heavy sleep.

"Shall I tell him about the noise we heard?" said the major.

"It would only be fair," the captain said; and the result was told.

"Well," he said, "Small's going to share my watch, and we'll have the
guns. If whatever it is comes, I daresay we shall have a shot at it
before it does us any mischief, and I suppose if you hear firing,
gentlemen, you'll rouse up."

Half an hour later those two were keeping their lonely vigil, while the
rest followed the example of the men who had not yet been awake, and
sought in sleep and in simple trustfulness for the rest which was to
give them strength for the labours of another day.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

HOW MARK STRONG PASSED A BAD NIGHT.

The sand made a comfortable bed, and Mark had not lain down very close
to one end of the little tent before he became aware that he had two
companions in the shape of Bruff and Jac