nd and with the other holding the point of his dirk
against the lad's throat.

"Here, do as I do, my lads," he shouted; and then to Mark:

"Yield, you miserable Yankee hound, or I'll run you through."

Excitement, the emotion and relief at finding himself among friends once
more, and the prize safe, robbed Mark for a few moments of all power of
speech or action; and then the absurdity of the position tickled him
into the determination to hold his peace for a few minutes, and keep up
the joke.

"Here," he cried, imitating the Yankee captain's drawl, and speaking in
a husky, disguised voice, "just mind what yew're about with that there
toothpick, or yew'll be hurting somebody if yew don't cut yewrself."

"Silence, you dog!" cried Bob, fiercely. "Do you surrender?"

"Eh? Dew yew mean give myself up as a prisoner?"

"Yes, of course, sir."

"Then why didn't yew say so, mister, and not talk in that windy-bag
way?"

"Disarm the others, my lads," cried Bob. "Now you sir," he continued to
Mark, "give up your sword."

"Shan't."

"What?"

"I'm not going to give it up to yew. Tell 'em to send an orfycer, not
one of the ship's boys."

"You insolent hound!"

"If yew call me a hound again, squaire, I'll kinder punch your head,"
said Mark, quietly.

"What!" cried Bob, trying to give his prisoner a shake, but shaking
himself instead. "If you dare to say that again, sir, I'll have you
clapped in irons. Here, my lads, bring 'em all out, and let's have a
look at the hang-dog scoundrels."

"Cock-a-doodle-do!"

Mark gave a fair imitation of the crowing of a cock, and Bob was
furious.

"How dare you, sir!" he cried. "Recollect you are prisoner to Her
Majesty's ship _Nautilus_."

"Commanded by Bob Howlett, Esquire," said Mark, in his natural tones,
"Oh, I say, Bob, how you can bully and bounce!"

Bob's hands dropped to his side, and just then a familiar voice
shouted,--

"Where's Mr Howlett?"

"Here, sir," said Bob, dismally.

"Ah, that's right. Nobody there, I suppose?" The voice was quite close
to the door now, and a shadow was cast down into the darkened cabin.

"Oh yes, sir, there's some one down here," said Bob. "We haven't taken
the schooner after all."

"What!"

"It's all right, sir," said Mark, stepping out on to the deck to face
Mr Staples. "We took the schooner."

"Mr Vandean! Bless me, my dear boy, I am glad to see you again. We
thought you were gone. But in the name of all that's