cooks, ye knows well enough, is sure to spile the
broth. Let Joe Binney speak, and the rest of 'ee howld yer tongues, if
ye can."

Thus invited, modest Joe gave it as his opinion that the emigrants could
not do better than follow the advice of Muster Malines--go below, turn
in, and wait till daylight. He added further that he would count it a
favour if Muster Malines would continue in command of the party, at
least till they all got ashore.

This little compliment to the man whom he had so recently defied had a
softening influence on the mate, and the proposal was well received by
the people, who, even during the few minutes of anarchy which had
prevailed, were led to appreciate the value of order and government.

"You are right, Binney," said the mate. "I would advise you all, good
people, to go below and rest as well as you can, while I, and those who
choose to act under me, will go ashore and make the best possible
arrangements for your landing in the morning."

"Now, why don't ye do what ye'er towld at wanst?" cried Mrs Lynch, who
had evidently made up her mind that the reins of government were not to
be entirely given up to the mate. "It's not wishin', are ye, to get
wetter than ye are, a'ready? Go below, ivery wan of ye."

Like a meek flock, the women and children obeyed the mandate, being
absolutely in bodily fear of the woman, while most of the men followed
them with a laugh, or a little chaff, according to temperament.

Before the latter had left the deck, Malines suggested that Joe Binney
and his brother David should accompany him on shore that night, to
represent the emigrants, as it were, and assist him in the proposed
arrangements.

"Besides," he added, "there is just the possibility that we may fall
into a trap. We know nothing about the man who has come off to us
except his voice, so that it will be wise to land with some of our best
men armed."

Of course the brothers had no objection to this plan, and accordingly
they, with the mate and four of the ship's crew--all armed with
cutlasses and pistols--got into one of the boats and were lowered into
the water on the lee side of the vessel, where Dominick and Otto had
been quietly awaiting the end of the foregoing discussions.

In a few minutes they reached the shore, and then Dominick shook hands
with them, and welcomed them to the islands, "which," he said, "we have
named `Refuge Islands.'"

"Run up to the cave, Otto," he whispered, while