vage
dig of the pistol improved his articulation, and he shouted out, as loud
almost as if he had a speaking-trumpet like the officer who had hailed
them.

"The _Muscadine_ of Bristol," he cried with all the power of his lungs,
"from Beyrout to Smyrna with assorted cargo."

"Any news from the Levant?" was the next query from the ship-of-war.
"Stop, I'll send a boat aboard."

This, however, was the last thing which the corsair desired, and he
impressed some whispered instructions rapidly on Mr Tompkins, with the
assistance again of the pistol barrel; and that worthy spoke equally
rapidly, to prevent the other vessel from lowering a boat, which they
were on the point of doing, as they could hear the men piped away by the
boatswain's call for the purpose.

"Fever very bad at Beyrout," sang out the first mate, again, inspired by
his tutor. "Had to leave half crew in hospital! Short-handed! Can you
lend us a few men? Who shall we report as having met us?"

This answer at once arrested the intention of the commander of the
despatch vessel, and prevented his sending a boat to them--as the
corsair had surmised it would, from the fear of his bluejackets catching
the infection, Syrian fevers being as much dreaded in the Mediterranean
as the plague--for the reply shouted back was an apology for
non-communication or help.

"Sorry for you, but cannot spare any men! You'll have to go into
quarantine at Smyrna. Report _H.M.S. Batrachia_, from the Dardanelles
to Malta."

And then, in obedience to the orders of the officer on the bridge, the
despatch vessel circled round again on her way; and putting on full
steam was soon lost to sight in a cloud of black smoke far-away to
leeward.

To the captain and two lads below it was the keenest agony to hear the
welcome hail of the English steamer followed by the mate's prevaricating
reply, when they were certain that but one single word as to the real
truth of the case would have summoned their countrymen to their rescue,
and ensured the punishment of their lawless captors.

Of course they knew that Mr Tompkins had acted under intimidation,
having been compelled to give the answers he did and prevented from
calling for assistance; but both Tom and Charley would have died rather
than have sacrificed the chance of their comrades' escape through any
morbid fear as to their own personal safety.

They could not speak to each other, being gagged, and having a couple of
assassin--l