ny more; things might be worse, eh?"

"Ever so much," said Aleck, cheerfully. "Let's have a good drink now,
and then go and examine some of those barrels. If one of them turns out
salt beef or pork we'll go back and finish our stores, for we shall be
all right for provisions."

"Without counting the fish I mean to catch. I'm sure there'll be some
come in with the tide."

"Very foolish of them if they do," said Aleck, wiping his mouth after
lying down to take a long deep draught, in which action he was imitated
by his companion. "Now, then, I want to be satisfied about flour and
meat."

Within half an hour he was satisfied, for a little examination proved to
the prisoners that some unfortunate vessel had gone to pieces outside
and its stores had been run in by the smugglers.

"Yes," said the middy, as they returned to their resting-place, to begin
making a hearty meal, "things do look a bit more rosy, but you mustn't
be too chuff over it. I'll bet sixpence, if you like, that the tackle
in those tubs is as salt as brine."

"I'm afraid so," said Aleck, "and all the outside of the flour mouldy."

"Very likely," said the middy. "But never mind; if the outside's bad
we'll eat the in."

"Look at the crack over yonder now!" cried Aleck, after a time, during
which the only sounds heard were those of two people eating.

"What for?"

"It look's so light; just as if the sun was shining upon it outside. I
must try if I can't dive down and swim out."

"With a rope round your waist," said the middy, eagerly, "so that if you
stuck--"

"You could pull me back," said Aleck.

"And if you got through safely--" cried the middy.

"You would tie the other end round you," said Aleck, "ready for me to
haul and help you out in turn."

"Oh! What's the good of a fellow being grumpy?" cried the middy. "Why,
we're enjoying ourselves. This is one big adventurous game. I'm
getting to be glad those women took me prisoner. I don't believe there
ever were two who dropped in for such an adventure as this. But, I say,
I don't think we'll try the diving trick to-day. We ought to be rested
and fresh."

"Yes," replied Aleck, "and we ought to have another good try up the
zigzag first."

"Yes, it might be as well. I say, just ring for the people to clear
away. I want to have a nap now. What time is it?"

"Oh, I don't know. Why?"

"Because I want to know what to call it. You see, I don't know whether
I'm going to have