; but you persist in using it, and if you do, the
consequences will possibly be that the wounds will mortify, and the leg
get into such a state that I shall have to amputate it to save your
life."

"Hear this, Mr Dale!" growled Dumlow.

I nodded.

"That won't do for me. Timber-toes goes with the Ryle Navy and
pensions. They won't do in the marchant sarvice. All right, doctor;
I'm game to do just as you tell me, only let me get about a bit.
Couldn't you put my leg in a sling?"

"Your leg isn't your arm, Neb," I cried, laughing.

"Well, sir, who said it were? I knows the diffrens 'tween a fore and a
hind flipper."

"There, that will do, my man," said the doctor. "Your wound is not a
bad one, but in this hot climate it would soon be if neglected."

The doctor walked away, and the sailor chuckled.

"It's all right, Mr Dale, I won't do what the doctor don't want. Ketch
me getting rid of a leg like a lobster does his claw. But I say, sir; I
did think, you know, just then, as I might have a hankychy round my neck
and hang my leg in it."

I was called aft soon after, and I saw Dumlow go forward, disappearing
amongst the steam, while I went to Mr Frewen and helped him while he
dressed Walters' wound, and was with him afterwards when he went to the
captain and Mr Denning, both of whom were certainly easier now.

We had a light in the saloon too, for I had managed to trim the lamp,
and Mr Brymer had been busy hunting out ammunition for the guns. This
he had found in the forecastle lying in one of the upper bunks, and with
it a couple of revolvers, so that once more we were fairly armed. Then
it was decided that the boat should be hooked on to the falls, and an
attempt made to raise her, but Bob Hampton shook his head.

"Don't think we can manage her, sir, to-night. To-morrow perhaps I
might rig up tackle, and we could get her on deck. She's too big for
them davits. But why not let her hang on behind, as the weather's
fine?"

"And suppose those scoundrels return, sir, what then?" cried Mr Brymer.

Bob Hampton scratched his head.

"Ah, you may well say what then, sir," he grumbled. "I hadn't thought
o' that. Don't think they will come, do you?"

"It is possible. They left in a scare, but if they see the ship still
floating they may come back."

"Then we'd better get a couple o' pigs o' ballast ready to heave over,
and knock holes in the bottom in case they do come, for we can't get her
hysted to-n