"Right, sir," cried Tom.

"Forward, then!"

Mark reached up, caught at the ornamental work of the stern, and in
another moment would have drawn himself on deck, but the man struck a
savage blow at him, and, as Mark threw himself sidewise to avoid the
bar, one hand gave way, and in his efforts to save himself, the other
followed, his feet seemed to be dragged from the ledge of the window
upon which he stood, and he fell headlong. But he was checked, and the
next moment found himself hanging head downwards, with his face pretty
close to the murky water, in which he fancied he could see the broad
shovel nose of a shark.

He fell no farther, for, quick as light, Tom had made a dash at him as
he slipped, and managed to grasp one leg, which glided through his
great, strong hand till he gripped it fast by the ankle.

"Hold on tight to me," cried Tom, excitedly; and two men grasped him
firmly as he hung over the window-ledge, supporting Mark suspended
there, face downward, and just above the level of the sea.

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.

HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF.

"How do you like that?" cried the man, leaning over the poop.

"I'll tell you bime by," said Tom Fillot beneath his breath. Then
aloud, "All right, my lad. I've got you, you know that."

Mark did know it as he hung there with his teeth set fast, for Tom
Fillot's fingers pressed into his flesh, and seemed to be crushing it
against the bones of his ankle.

"Hi, some on you, get more grip o' me," shouted Tom. "Get well hold,
Dick. You, too, Bob. Now, then, haul away, and have us both in
together."

This was as he hung out of the window from the waist, holding Mark
Vandean; and exerting their great strength, the two sailors--for Tom was
helpless--drew him right back and inward till Bannock could seize Mark's
other leg.

As they drew him in the man overhead made a savage blow at the boy with
the bar he held, but it fell short.

"All right, sir, we'll pay all that back," said Tom, as Mark stood on
the cabin floor once more, looking rather white, and listening to the
smothered cries and yells still coming from the deck, while the big
black's face was a study to see in his wild excitement.

He had hardly noted Mark's adventure, being all the time close up by the
cabin door, listening to the brave fight made by his compatriots; and
now, as a fresh pistol-shot was heard, he came from the door.

"All righ'!" he cried. "No, no. Come. Fight."

There wa