know," said the lieutenant, quietly. "The hold is bad with
the poor creatures being shut up there. That is why I want to get them
on deck;" and he walked to the hatch.

"You beggars! I'll serve some of you out for this," said Bob to
himself, as he saw several of the men grinning hugely at his discomfort.

He turned away and found himself face to face with Tom Fillot, who
looked at him with a preternaturally solemn aspect.

"Find it a bit strong, sir?"

"What?" cried Bob, haughtily.

"I said find it a bit strong, sir? I did at first when I went down;
but, bless your 'art, sir, after the first few sniffs you don't mind it
a bit, you rather likes it."

"Then you'd better go down, sir," said Bob, sharply.

"Yes, sir, soon as I'm wanted, sir. I did go down before with Mr
Vandean."

"Did he go down, then?"

"Oh yes, sir. We was there ever so long. Just you go down and see,
sir; it's very interesting. Never was in the hold of a slave ship, sir,
I s'pose? It's something to talk about, I can tell you. Wonderful
dark, and all you can see is the niggers' eyes. You see, them being
black, they fits in with the darkness, and as they never laughs you
don't see their teeth. I'd go if I was you."

Bob hesitated. It would never do for him to show the white feather
before the man, and if he did not go Mark Vandean was taking all the
credit. Tom Fillot was right, it would be something to talk about, and
after another moment's hesitation, he turned to the sailor.

"I say, Tom Fillot," he whispered, "is it very bad?"

"What, down there, sir?"

"Yes; I mean can a fellow bear it?"

"Bear it, sir? Oh yes, if it comes to that; you see, Mr Vandean and me
bore it ever so long. You'd stand it, I should say. Oh yes, you've got
so much pluck in you, sir, you'd stand it right enough. There, sir, if
I was you I'd go. You could but come up again."

"Yes, of course," said Bob, cavalierly. "I could come up again."

"Of course, sir, if you could stand it, and didn't faint right away."

Bob turned upon him sharply, with the fact dawning upon him that Tom
Fillot, the most impudent joker on board the _Nautilus_, was laughing in
his sleeve at his expense; but before he could make quite sure, a thrill
ran through all on deck, and a rush was made for the hatchway.

The moment before, Mr Russell was peering down uneasily, and his
conscience was smiting him for allowing so young an officer to undertake
the onerous task of