e untying
these here knots, you might ha' been yonder with a hole or two through
your carcadge."

"Ay, that's right enough, matey," growled Blane; "but I wanted to help,
and have it out with Frenchy. He kicked me below when the mootny fust
began, and I can't forget it. I'm English, I am, and I arn't going to
sit down and be kicked by a Frenchman, 'tarn't likely."

"No, matey, it arn't. But lookye here. He's forrard and down in the
forksle, and as soon as you get the feeling back in your legs--"

"Ay, you may say that, mate. They're like a mask o' cold lead."

"Then I'll rub them for you, and then you can go and strike him back."

"What! now he's down. Nice sort of cold meat work that'd be; I wanted
to go at him when he was up."

"There, Blane," said Mr Frewen, "you must forgive us and shake hands.
It was all a mistake, and part of the re-taking of the ship."

"Oh, if you put it that way, sir, I'm ready," growled the man; "but I
don't seem to have got no hands. It was orfle lying here, and one
corner o' that rug as you stuffed into my mouth got a bit o' the way
down my throat, and kep' on tickling me till I wanted to cough, and
couldn't. Say, Bob Hampton, mate, air you going to untie them knots and
cast off these here lashings, or arn't you?"

"Why, they are off your arms, man."

"When what's gone o' my arms? Have they been took off?"

"Nay, they're all right."

"Well, my legs arn't. Nice way to sarve a fellow."

"Shake hands, Barney," I said. "I'm so sorry."

"Can't, sir. You must do it yourself. I don't b'lieve yet as I've got
no hands, no arms, nor anything else, but a head."

"There you are, matey," cried Bob Hampton. "Did you tie them ropes, Mr
Brymer, sir? They was tight 'uns."

"No; it was Mr Dale here."

"Oh, him!" growled Bob Hampton. "Well, they was done in a second-hand
sort o' way."

"Why, they were fastened the way you taught me, Bob!" I cried.

"Well, sir, that's my modesty," said Bob, with a chuckle. "I can't say
they were done now. Now, matey, stand up, we've got lots to do."

"Can't," said Barney.

"Then lie down till we've got a lantern, and seen to the captain and Mr
Denning."

"Yes, get a lantern," said Mr Brymer; "stop, I'll come with you and
stay with Mr Preddle and Dumlow; we mustn't have the scoundrels break
loose. Ha! What's that?"

The mate asked the question, but we all knew what it was, and started
forward at once, for it was the report of a pis