ust as the ship give a regular pitch.
`I'm off, Tommy,' he shouts, and down he went head fust on to the yard
below, and then Snoots off on to one of the stays, and from there on to
the deck, where every one thought he was killed. But he warn't, only
onsensible because his skull was dinted in, and the doctor said it
rested on his brain; and that's what's the matter with our lufftenant,
for I felt his head."

"And did the man die?" cried Mark.

"No, sir; the doctor tackled him, and lifted up the bit o' broken bone,
and made him a better man than ever; and that's what Mr Whitney'll do
with Mr Russell, sir, as soon as we get back to the _Naughtylass_."

"Oh, if we only could get back, Tom!"

"All right, sir; give us time; and the longer the better, I say, sir,
for if you goes aboard with us lads looking all chipped and knocked
about like we are, Cap'en Maitland'll be arksing you why you ain't took
better care of your men."

"Oh, I don't mind that, Tom," cried Mark, triumphantly; "I've got the
schooner, and the slaves."

"You have, sir, and it's such a splendid job for a young orficer like
you to have done, that Mr Howlett'll be ready to eat his head off like
with disappyntment because he warn't in the game. You've done it this
time, sir. Why, our skipper ought to put you down for a swab on your
shoulder as soon as you've got one big enough to carry it."

"Now, no joking, Tom Fillot, because I'm friendly with you. Recollect
I'm your officer."

"Right, sir, I will. I didn't mean no harm. It's only a way my
tongue's got o' saying things. I say, sir, just look at them poor
half-starved blacks. 'Most makes me feel like a girl, sir, and soft, to
see how happy they are."

"Yes, poor creatures. But tell me, Tom. It's a terrible responsibility
for me with this vessel and all those people. Are they likely to make a
fight for their liberty?"

"Why, they've got it, ain't they, sir?"

"Yes, but they don't understand it. They may think it's only a change
of masters, and rise against us."

"Not they, sir. Why, see how they looks at us, sir. They'd lay down
and let you walk over 'em, sir. Why, I've seen all them poor women look
as if they could eat you, sir. I don't mean with their teeth, but with
their eyes. They're safe enough, sir. They've been well-fed on Soup
and Taters--I mean them two black messmates of ourn's talked to 'em till
they understands about being under the Union Jack, and all that sort o'