hing to do with one before, but I've heard times enough from
those who have, that if there's a bit of mischief afloat, the first nose
that goes into it is a middy's."

"I don't know what I've done, sir, that you should keep on insulting me
like this."

"Insult! Bah! Is it insulting you to stop you from going into the most
dangerous bit of to-night's work?"

"Poole's going, sir."

"Yes; to do his duty as my son, in this emergency. But it's not your
duty, and you will be in the way. It's very risky, my lad. For aught I
know there may be half-a-dozen scouts between here and the
landing-place, waiting to shoot down any one who tries to open up
communication with the boats."

"I know that, sir."

"And yet you want to go?"

"Yes," said the boy warmly. "You are going to send poor Poole, and I
want to share his danger with him. I might help him."

"I am going to send poor Poole? Yes, my boy, because I am obliged.
That job has to be done, and I'd sooner trust him than any one here. I
can't spare my men, and I can't send one of these Spanish chaps. It
won't do to have it muffed. But _poor_ Poole, eh? You seem to have
grown mighty fond of him all at once."

"Oh no, I'm not," said the boy haughtily; "but he has been very kind to
me, and I'm not ungrateful. I might be able to help him if he gets into
danger."

"Oh," said the skipper; "and suppose you get into danger?"

"Oh, then he'd help me, sir, of course. I'm sorry for him. He can't
help being a filibuster's son."

"Filibuster, eh? So I'm a filibuster, am I? Upon my word, you're about
the most cheeky young gentleman I ever ran against in my life. Well,
all right. You must chance it, I suppose."

"Yes, please," said Fitz eagerly.

"Yes, please, eh? Well, keep your eyes well skinned, my lad. You two
sharp-eyed youngsters ought to be able to take care of yourselves; but
look here, I don't want you to fight. This is our mess, not yours."

"Well, I don't want to fight," said Fitz. "I want to get back on board
some English vessel."

"Same here. That's what I want to do: get you on board the schooner.
That's an English vessel."

"But not the sort I want, sir."

"Beggars mustn't be choosers, my lad; but there, I've no more time to
talk. Just one word, though: I don't want you to fight, but I see
you've got my double gun, and I'll just say this. If you see Poole in
difficulties with any of those murderous mongrels, nine parts Indian and
o