t to work and take the ship again, I suppose, the better."

"Yes, Bob," I said. "Of course."

"Very well, my lad, then here goes. I'm glad it's how you say, for I
was beginning to think I'd got crazed, and been shut up for being
violent. That's a comfort anyhow, for I don't hold with a man going off
his head."

"Then it's all right, messmate?" growled Dumlow.

"Right as it can be in a place like this, matey. Yer can't breathe, nor
you can't see, and--well now, that's queer. You seem to ha' set my head
working again, Mr Dale, sir; and I recklect sittin' in the s'loon
eating our dinner arter you gents had done, and then coming over all
pleasant and comfble like, and then I don't seem to 'member no more till
I woke up down here."

"And that knocking we heard must be some of the others," I cried
excitedly.

"That's sartain, sir."

"Is there any one else here beside us four?"

"If there be," says Barney, "we're a-lying on 'em, for there arn't no
room without as I can see."

"Yer can't see," growled Dumlow.

"Well, I didn't mean with my eyes, Neb; so don't be so chuff on a
fellow. I meant with my understanding."

"Don't. Don't get arguing together," I cried impatiently. "It is
suffocating down here. I want to understand how we are placed, and I
can't quite make it out yet."

"Well, sir, p'r'aps I can help you a bit," said Bob. "Seems to me as
they pulled up a hatch and pitched us in, and then battened it down
again."

"And where are our friends?"

"Why, they'd shove 'em where we shoved they, down in the forksle, I
should say, unless they've stuffed 'em in the cable-tier."

"Yes, perhaps so," I said thoughtfully.

"Why, o' course," growled Dumlow.

"What? They are in the cable-tier?"

"Oh, I dunno, sir; I was a-thinking about our taking they wittles in the
s'loon, and it's come back like sort o' bells ringing in my ear, and Mr
Denning saying she's dying. Oh yes, I recklect that, and the doctor
coming. That's 'bout as far as I can get."

"I 'member the wittles on the binnacle quite plain now," said Barney;
"and, yes, o' course, I kep' coming over all soft like, and wantin' to
sing songs, and listen to moosic, and couldn't sing; but it was all
silver and gold and sunshine and beautiful birds in beautiful trees.
Yes, it's all right, sir. You see now, don't you, Neb?"

"No, I can't see nowt; but I dessay it's all right. I don't want to
know; it don't matter to me."

"Hush!" I whispered.