nd silence, and Mark felt
as if he were a culprit, and as ready to hang his head; but somehow he
drew a deep breath and held himself up stiffly, and his eyes flashed
defiance, as he said to himself, "Let them laugh if they like. I did my
duty."

"Glad to see you on deck again, Mr Vandean," said the captain, shaking
hands, and speaking in his clear, penetrating tones. "I know that you
have felt a little shrinking naturally, sir, but no British sailor need
be ashamed of scars received in an honourable service."

"Thank you, sir," murmured Mark, in a choking voice, and his eyes looked
his gratitude.

"I sent for you, Mr Vandean, because I felt that you ought to hear an
announcement I have to make to the whole crew of her Majesty's sloop
_Nautilus_."

He paused for a moment or two, and whispered to Mr Staples, who was
close behind him. Then he nodded, and went on:

"The two schooners so gallantly taken, lost, and retaken by the brave
little prize crew I sent on board, have been condemned and sold. They
are beautiful little well-formed vessels, and have made a splendid
price.--Silence!"

There had been a low murmur, which was instantly checked.

"Then for head money on one hundred and eighty-seven poor black
fellow-creatures rescued from what to them were floating hells, there
will also be a handsome sum to add, and make a capital distribution of
prize-money amongst the smartest crew a captain in Her Majesty's service
could wish to command."

Here there was an attempt at a cheer, but the captain held up his hand.

"I have a few more words to say, and they are these. We all owe our
thanks to those officers and men who have turned what had so far been a
barren time into one rich in action. There is not a man among us who
would not gladly have done his duty as well; and no doubt--it shall not
be my fault if they do not--others will have plenty of opportunities for
distinguishing themselves. But I feel that we ought all to publicly
thank these officers and men for the brave fight they made on our
behalf. You will be glad to hear that I have strongly recommended my
gallant friend Mr Russell for promotion, which he has won by his brave
efforts and his sufferings in our great humane fight to wipe away the
sinister black bar from the world's shield of civilisation. Stop, my
lads; you shall cheer directly. Dance, Fillot, and Bannock stand next
for promotion, and I thank them publicly for setting so brave an examp