re, one never knows what the weather is likely to
be."

"It's calm enough now," said Mark, as he looked shoreward over the
glassy sea to where a thin haze veiled the shore. "How hot it is!"

"Yes; Africa deserves its character," said the lieutenant, smiling.
Then, as he looked toward the groups of blacks--slaves no longer--lying
about the deck in comparative bliss, after what they had gone
through--"I must send those poor creatures below," he said. "I don't
think there is the most remote idea among them of an attempt to turn
against us, but the land is near, and they might think they would like
to strike off for liberty, and it would be a cruelty to let them go back
to slavery, as they would if they got ashore."

"It does seem hard to send them down into that stifling hold," said
Mark; "but I suppose it must be done."

"Yes, and at once," said Mr Russell, firmly. "Call that big black."

Mark went forward and summoned Soup, who came smiling, to look from one
to the other inquiringly.

With some difficulty he was made to understand what was wanted; and as
soon as he did he called his companion, and in a very few minutes they
had cleared the deck, the women and children going below docilely
enough, and the men making not the slightest opposition, though giving a
longing look round at the soft evening sky.

"No trouble there," said Mr Russell. "Now, Vandean, I propose that we
divide the night. I'll take the watch, and will call you for the next,
unless the wind springs up, and then of course it will be all hands on
deck. Who will you have in your watch--Dance, or Fillot?"

"Fillot," said Mark, promptly.

"Most amusing companion, but Dance is the better seaman."

"Shall I have Dance, then, sir?"

"I would rather you did, my lad, as the responsibility is great, and I
should lie down to rest with more confidence. Not that I doubt you," he
hastened to add. "There, I'll join you at a bit of supper at once.
Things seem pretty comfortable in the cabin, and, as it is our prize, we
may make free with what we like. Come along."

Mark gave a sharp look round as they walked toward the cabin-hatch, to
see through the hot glow the _Nautilus_ at anchor, looking trim, and
with every yard squared. She seemed to stand up out of the water in the
transparent atmosphere, with every rope clearly seen, but there was a
peculiar look seaward, as if the transparent darkness were sweeping over
the ocean to shut her in. He loo