s, Dale, you
will have to act according to circumstances. Your object is to get
weapons, which you will hang out so that we can get hold of them;
perhaps you will be able to lower them into the boat and then slide down
the rope you use. But mind this, you are not to try and communicate
with the Dennings."

"What?" said Mr Frewen, angrily.

"It would be fatal to our success," said the mate, firmly. "Now, Dale,
you understand, guns or revolvers, whichever you can get."

"Yes, sir, I know."

"Then how soon will you be ready?"

"I'm ready now."

"Hah!" ejaculated Mr Frewen, and my heart began to go pat pat, pat pat,
so heavily that it seemed to jar against my ribs, while a curious series
of thoughts ran through my brain, all of which were leavened by the same
idea, that I had been playing the braggart, and offering to do things
which I did not dare.

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.

"Now," whispered Mr Brymer, "utter silence, please. Not a word must be
spoken. Shake hands with us all, Dale, and God bless and speed you in
your gallant attempt."

I shook hands all round, Mr Brymer whispering--

"Don't talk to him, gentlemen. Let him make his attempt on his own
basis. He will act according to circumstances, and will know what is
best to do. There, Dale. Now off! Go right forward into the bows, and
send Hampton aft. He shall put an oar over the stern and scull you
right in under the bowsprit. Then we shall go on round to the stern and
wait. If you do not hear or see us, act all the same. It is intensely
dark, and we shall be there. Off!"

It was like being started on a school race, and my breath came short as
if I were running. I crept forward as silently as possible to where Bob
Hampton was seated, and it was so dark that I had to feel for him.

"Go aft and take an oar with you," I whispered. "Don't speak, and don't
make a sound."

Then I crept right into the bows, and stood there gazing at the faint
lights on board the ship, and trying to think of nothing but the task I
had in hand.

"I've got it to do," I said to myself, "and I will do it for Miss
Denning's and her brother's sake."

Then I shivered, but I made a fresh effort to be firm, and said half
laughingly--but oh! what a sham it was!--"It's only like going in for a
game of hide-and-seek. There'll be no one on deck but Jarette."

I stopped short there, for I thought of his pistol and Walters' wound.

"Hang his pistol!" I exclaimed men