e knew that he was face to face with
a fearful lingering death.

"Beg pardon, sir," said Tom Fillot, suddenly, their companionship in
misfortune having in no wise interfered with the sailor's respect for
his superior, "like to try a bit o' 'bacco, sir?"

Mark shook his head.

"O' course not. You ain't used to it and don't want it. Try and go to
sleep, sir. I'll keep the watch."

"Sleep?" cried Mark, bitterly; "what for? to wake up and find it morning
with the sun up, ready to scorch us to death?"

"That's looking at the very worst side of things, sir," replied the
sailor, cheerfully. "There's always a best side as well as a worst, and
we're as likely to see one side as the other."

"Don't, don't keep on talking," cried Mark, passionately.

"All right, sir," said Tom Fillot. "I'll be as dumb as a ship's lead."

"I mean--I didn't mean to speak roughly to you, Tom Fillot," cried Mark,
eagerly. "I didn't want to wound you, but I know you were saying all
that to try and cheer me."

"Well, sir, to be downright honest, p'raps it was."

"Then don't please. I'm sick and faint, and ready to die."

"Nay, not you, sir. Too much pluck in you."

"Pluck!" cried Mark, bitterly. "I'm in despair."

"Nay, not you, sir. You're in command here, and as an officer you've
got to let yourself drift off nowhere, and think about taking care of
us. That's your duty, sir, and you know it. What's to become o' us if
you cut yourself adrift? That won't do at all. There, sir, let's wait
for day. We may have quite a breeze come with the sun, and soon after
catch sight of the _Naughtylass_ bowling down to us. For, trust me,
they'll see us fast enough. Young Mr Bob Howlett'll be up at the
masthead spying out with his glass, see if he ain't. Better have a
sleep, sir."

"No, man, no; I'm too ill and miserable to sleep."

"Then if you won't mind, sir, and'll give me leave, I will have a
snooze. For I can't do you no good, and it will rest me, so as I shall
be able to do something in the morning."

"Sleep if you can," said Mark, bitterly.

"Nay, sir, I can't sleep if you take it and speak like that. Dessay I
shall be just as well awake."

"No, no, lie down and rest a bit," cried Mark.

"Mean it, sir?"

"Mean it, man? yes."

"Then thank ye, sir; and if you want me, just give the word, and I'll
tumble up at once."

To the lad's wonder, Tom Fillot lay down in the bottom of the boat, and
five minutes after he was b