the job same as you did over the
cable."

"But you ought to consult with Mr Burgess or the captain, my man," said
Fitz, uneasily.

"Nay, I oughtn't, sir. I'd a deal rayther have a word or two from you
when you see things going wrong."

"Why?" said Fitz quickly.

"I've telled you, sir. Doesn't all you say come right? I've kinder got
a sort o' confidence in you, Mr Burnett, sir, as makes me feel as if I
should like to be under you in some ship or another, and I aren't the
on'y one aboard as feels that, I'm sure."

"Well, it's very kind of you to put so much faith in me," said the
middy; "but don't say any more, please, and don't believe in me too much
for fear I should make some horrible blunder, and disappoint you after
all."

"Ah, you won't do that, sir," said the carpenter confidently.

"Of course I shall be only too glad to help you if I can, for I should
be very glad to see you float the vessel."

"And you will keep an eye on what I do, sir, and put in a word if you
think I'm going wrong?"

"If you wish it, yes," replied Fitz.

"Thanky, sir," whispered the man earnestly. "It may be the making of
me, sir, and anyhow, as I have took up this job, I don't want these
Spaniel chaps to see an Englishman fail."

"They shall not, Chips, if I can help it," cried Fitz, warmly. "There
now, let's see whether the donkey-engine is able to keep the water down,
or whether she's lower in the water than she was."

"There, sir," whispered the man, "hark at you! Call yourself a boy! why
you couldn't ha' spoken better if you'd been a hold man of a 'undered.
You made me want to give you a shout, only I had to keep quiet, and let
the Spaniels think I'm doing it all to rights. I don't mind about our
lads. They all know me, and what I can do and what I can't. I don't
want to try anything and chuck dust in their eyes--not me; but I do want
to show off a bit and let these Spanish Mullotter chaps see what an
Englishman can do, for the sake of the old country and the British
flag."

"Then let's go below, Chips," said Fitz, "and see what the pumping has
done."

Poole, who had been aft with the mate during this conversation, rejoined
them now, and together they went below to sound the well.

"Good luck to us, gentlemen," said the carpenter, rubbing his hands.

"Good luck," cried Poole eagerly. "You don't mean to say she's making
less water?"

"Nay, sir, but I do say that the engine's lowering it. There's a foot
le