arm once,
but it passed off; and the sun rose again, with the wind dropping, and
leaving us once more rocking gently upon the smooth ocean.

We were all in better spirits though, thanks to the cook and the few
hours of rest every one had managed to snatch. Mr Frewen gave us the
news, too, that the captain was decidedly better, and that Miss Denning
was nursing him constantly.

This was a bit of relief to me, for it kept Miss Denning in the cabin,
and I was determined not to let her see my face till I looked different.

About an hour later, first one and then another crawled along the deck
very silently to try and make out what was going on in the forecastle.

I did not go, neither did Mr Frewen or Mr Preddle. Mr Denning was in
the captain's cabin resting; but all came back with the same story, one
which relieved me, for I was startled, thinking that the party were all
smothered by being shut down in the cabin place in such hot weather.

Dumlow, Blane, and Bob Hampton all said that the men were sleeping, and
that they thought they had been at the drink.

Mr Brymer crept close up in his turn, listened for some time, and
confirmed the men's statement.

"Getting ready for a fresh attack," he said. "I'll have a talk to the
captain as to what is to be done."

He placed another trusty man on duty, ready to give the alarm if the
mutineers woke and tried to break out, and then proposed that we should
all go into the captain's cabin and have a council of war once more.

"Think he can bear it, Frewen?" he said.

"Oh yes, if we do not stay too long. It will rouse him up and do him
good mentally, to feel that he has some interest in the management of
the ship."

"Then come along," said the mate. "But where is Mr Preddle?"

"Gone to look after his fish," I said; for he was always snatching every
opportunity to go and see how the salmon and trout fry were getting on.

"Go and fetch him, Dale."

I had to pass Mr Frewen on my way, and I seized the opportunity to
whisper to him--

"I shall hang back till you come to the door, and signal to me that Miss
Denning has gone. She mustn't see me like this."

He smiled, and I went forward to where Mr Preddle was making himself
very hot by using the bellows to aerate the water.

"Yes--yes, of course," he said. "I'll come." And hastily putting on
the light flannel jacket he had removed, he followed me toward the
saloon.

"They will not make a rush and get out while we