uld be of great advantage to
us, because it would be vented upon our enemies."

That's as far as I can remember what he said, for nature would bear no
more, and I was fast asleep with a murmuring sound close to my ear
shaping my dreams, which lasted till there was a rattling sound at the
door, which as I started up was flung open, and two men brought in what
was intended for our supper and dinner together.

The supply was very coarse, and only consisted of cold salt beef, bread,
and water, but if it had been a repast of the most delicious nature, it
would not have tempted Mr Frewen or me. The fresh water was all we
cared for, and a sip of this from time to time was most refreshing.

But as soon as the men had left our cabin and closed the door, we heard
them go into the next, and as we sat listening, we could hear almost
every word that was said, for Mr Preddle questioned the men sharply,
but obtained no answer, the door being roughly closed just in the middle
of one of his speeches. Then as we sat listening we could hear the men
go from cabin to cabin down one side of the saloon and back along the
other.

After this we began to talk in a whisper about our future prospects, and
our plans were soon made--to wit, that as soon as Mr Frewen felt
himself strong enough to act, an attempt should be made to evade the
vigilance of the men on guard, and communicate with the captain or Mr
Brymer, and then try to make some plan.

"There don't seem to be much chance," I said, rather dolefully, for I
was in a good deal of pain.

"You never know what is going to happen, my lad," said Mr Frewen. "As
for me, I feel quite cheerful about our prospects. These men never can
get on without quarrelling, and if they are divided, then is our
chance."

"But suppose they do not quarrel, and are not divided?" I said.

"Don't suppose impossibilities, Dale. I've been at sea long enough to
understand a little about sailors. This man Jarette has won their ear
for the time, but he will soon begin to behave tyrannically to them, and
then they will be as ready to rebel against him as they were against
Captain Berriman. We have to wait for that moment, and take advantage
of it if we can."

But three days glided on without our having a chance of knowing what was
going on in the other cabins. We knew that we were sailing away south,
and that the men seemed to be enjoying themselves, for there was a good
deal of singing and shouting--stro