I won't jump on
you now you're down. I'll be bagdadibous, as the chap with a cold in
his head said through his nose. Favourite of fortune, I forgive you."

"Thankye."

"Because I shall get my whack of the prize-money same as you, old chap."

"Ah, how are all the slaves?"

"Nice and clean. They've all been white-washed."

"Get out."

"Well, I mean the holds, and they eat and drink and lie about in the sun
basking like black tom-cats with their wives and kittens. I wish they
wouldn't be so jolly fond of lying down on the deck like door-mats, and
asking you to wipe your shoes on 'em."

"They don't."

"No, poor beggars, but they're so delighted that they're just like pet
dogs. Seem as if they couldn't make enough of you."

"Got any news, Bob?"

"No. Leastwise, not much," said Bob, taking out his knife and
sharpening it on his boot, which was a sign that he was going to cut his
initials somewhere, to the great detriment of her Majesty's ship's
fittings and boats.

"It's rather dull down here sometimes."

"Then why don't you come on deck?"

"I'd--I'd rather wait a bit," said Mark, sadly.

"Perhaps it would be best. You do look such a rum 'un. I know.
Capital idea. I'll ask the ship's tailor to make you a Turkish costume,
white. Your bare head would look all right then. What'll you have--a
fez or a turban? Say fez; your complexion would look well with the
scarlet."

Bob joked, Mark read, and trusted to his friend for reports, and
meanwhile the two schooners sailed on with their prize crews in the wake
of the _Nautilus_. In due time Port Goldby was reached, and the freed
slaves disembarked, all chattering and happy as so many girls and boys.

There had been times when Mark missed the excitement of his adventures,
and agreed with Bob that it was hot and tame; but his burns rapidly
healed, and he received visits from the men who had shared his troubles,
and after dark stole unseen to Mr Russell's quarters, to sit in his
cabin and talk to him gently about all the past.

"You'll have all the work to do next time, Mr Russell," Mark used to
say. "Some day I shall be the one down, but I hope I shall be with you
when you command some other expedition."

"I hope you will be with me," said the lieutenant, feebly; "but not be
so unlucky as I have been. But there: never mind past troubles. I'm
getting stronger, thanks to Mr Whitney. All that time I passed
insensible is to me like a long night's res