er, the man who had been dragged
into the first cutter through Mark, bending forward a little, with his
soft opal eyeballs gleaming and a wonderful intense look in his swart
face. There was a twitching about the temples, and his lower lip
trembled a little, while one hand was raised; but as Bob Howlett
finished, he uttered a low sigh, muttered a few words to his companion,
and drew himself up, folding his arms across his broad chest.

"Well done, noble savage," said Bob. "We very nearly understand each
other. Here, Soup."

The black started at the word, and looked inquiringly at the speaker.

"Don't worry the poor fellows," said Mark.

"Who's going to worry them? Look here, Soup, you're going to serve the
Queen, and the sooner you understand the Queen's English the better.
I'm going to suit the action to the word. Now then, see here."

Bob glanced sharply round, to see that only the officer of the watch was
on deck, and then, going through a kind of pantomime with great
rapidity, he made believe to be struggling with an assailant toward the
bulwarks, and being pitched overboard, while the blacks looked on in
astonishment.

"Here, they think you're going mad, Bob," cried Mark. "Drop it."

"Sha'n't! Look at 'em! They understand. Look here, Soup. Now then,
Taters, I'm swimming for my life."

He struck out and swam drily, going through all the actions till he
pretended to grow weak, threw up his hands, made believe to splash, and
then let his head droop as he reached Mark's chair.

"Now then," he said, "pretend to pull me into the boat."

Mark laughed and obeyed, helping to finish the pantomime, which was
quite comprehended by the two blacks, when Bob pointed to his messmate,
and said:

"Here, Soup, this is the noble being who saved you."

The man uttered a few softly liquid words, smiled, and with his eyes
full of thankfulness he took a step forward, his companion imitating his
acts, and dropped down on his knees before Mark's chair.

"There," cried Bob, "what do you say to--Oh, I say, stow that, Taters;
not to him. I saved you. Don't give him all the honour and glory."

But his explanation was in vain. Both the poor fellows had interpreted
his words to mean that Mark had saved them both, and they crouched
before him, making signs that he was their lord and they his humblest
slaves.

"Well! I do call this sickening," cried Bob. "That's just my luck.
Look here, Taters. I should just like to