I've got a wee bit hot dinner a' ready? and if he will gi'e
the word I'll have it in the cabin in less time than Duncan Made-Hose
took his pinch of sneeshin."

"Well done, Camel!" cried Poole, who darted to his father, leaving the
cook blinking and smiling at Fitz, who looked at him in admiration.

"Why, Camel," he said, "you are a deal too clever for a ship's cook, and
I don't know what I owe you for all you have done for me."

"Oh, joost naething at all, laddie."

"Nothing! I want to make you a big present when I can."

"You do, laddie? Vairy weel, and I'll tell you what I'd like. Ye'll
just gi'e me one of them quarter-poond tins of Glasgie sneeshin."

"Snuff!" said Poole contemptuously. "Ay, laddie; snuff, as ye call it.
Nay, don't turn your nose up at sneeshin. Ye should turn it down.
Thenk of what it is to a man condemned to get naething but a bit of
dirty black pigtail tobaccy that he has to chew like the lads do in
their barbarous way. Ye'll mind that: a four-ounce tin of the rale
Glasgie."

"Oh, but--"

"Nay, nay, laddie. That'll make us square. Now then, what's the young
skipper got to say?"

"The sooner the better, Camel, for he's half-starved; but you are to
keep a bit hot for Mr Burgess."

"Ou, ay," said the Camel, smiling. "I never forget the mate. He wadna
let me if I would."

The two lads watched anxiously for the return of the boat, but in vain,
and then, in answer to the summons, went reluctantly below as far as
their minds were concerned, but with wondrous willingness on the part of
their bodies, to join the skipper over a capital meal, which was hastily
discussed, and then the trio went on deck to where the men were keeping
watch, and ordered them to go below.

"Get your dinner, lads, as quickly as you can, and then come up again.
We'll keep watch until you do."

They took their places aft at once, and the watch began, lasting till,
headed by the boatswain, the men hurried up again, looking inquiringly
in the faces of those they relieved; but they looked in vain, for
nothing had been seen of the cutter, and quite an hour had passed when
she came round the bend, being rowed swiftly, for the mate to hail the
skipper and make the announcement--

"They have gone right back to the gunboat, and I waited till they were
run up to the davits, and then came back. Is there anything we can have
to eat?"

CHAPTER FORTY THREE.

WINKS'S PLANS.

The mate and the boat's crew went