arry, and I want
everything to go on pleasantly."

Barry nodded, and then went aft and attended to the Greek's wounded
arm. This occupied him for nearly half an hour, and then as he was
entering his cabin to change his clothes, which were torn and
blood-stained, Barradas stopped him and held out his hand.

"Mr. Barry, you are a brave man. You saved my life, for if you had not
jumped on to the shark I should have been taken. Velo told me so just
now. He said that he might have been safe, but that I was on the
outside and that the shark would have had me in his jaws if you had not
jumped overboard."

Barry took the Spaniard's hand, "That's all right, Barradas. There was
nothing much in what I did; I've seen natives do the same thing for
amusement--it's the best way out of scaring a shark if you haven't a
rifle handy. Come in and have a smoke before dinner."

All that day the brig continued to drift steadily to the north and
east, and at sunset she was within eight or ten miles of the land. The
native crew, although they had continued their work quietly after the
fight, were evidently much dissatisfied, and when at six o'clock they
all marched aft and demanded to speak with the captain, Barry was not
at all surprised. Rawlings, however, was furious when the steward
asked him to come on deck and see the men. Seizing his revolver, and
calling to Barradas to follow him, he sprang up the companion; Barry
met him half way.

"Don't come on deck, sir, with a pistol in your hand, I implore you.
The men are certainly angry and discontented, but a few quiet words
from you will settle the matter; they simply want you to promise them
that the boatswain will not attempt to 'haze' any one of them again.
If you appear before them with a weapon in your hand they will take
charge of the ship. These Gilbert Islanders are as good men as you
will find anywhere in the South Seas, but they are quick-tempered and
hot-blooded. I know them--you don't."

With a muttered curse the captain threw his revolver back on to the
cabin table, and then followed his chief officer on deck. The native
crew were awaiting him. Velo stepped forward as spokesman, and doffing
his cap asked that Billy Onotoa, whom Barradas had put in irons, should
be set free.

"This man Billy," said the Samoan quietly, but with determination,
"mus' not be kep' in irons. The bos'un kicked him and made him get
mad. Why is Billy put in irons, and the bos'un who