hile.

"Call those dogs off, Saunders," said a stern voice, as the entrance was
darkened by the figures of a group of men.

"In a moment," was the reply, made by a tall, active-looking man, "They
only want to know the new hands, and their flavour.--Here: down, boys!"

The speaker accompanied his order with a sharp crack of the whip, and
the dogs came back unwillingly from the groups seated on the floor.

"Take care," said the first speaker; "that man has a knife."

Pete turned sharply, to see that a knife-blade was gleaming in Humpy
Dee's hand.

"Knife, has he?" said the man addressed as Saunders, and he stepped
forward to where Humpy was crouching down.

"Give me that knife," he said sharply.

"I don't want to be eat by dogs," said Humpy in a low, surly tone.

"Give me that knife," was reiterated sternly, "or I set the dogs to hold
you while I take it away."

Humpy hesitated for a moment and glared in the speaker's eyes; but he
read there a power which was too much for him, and he closed the blade
with a snap and slowly held it up.

The man snatched it from him with his left hand, and the next instant
there was a sharp whish through the air and a smart crack, as the
stinging lash of a whip fell across Humpy's shoulder, making him utter a
yell of rage.

"Saunders, Saunders!" said the first speaker reproachfully.

"All right, Mr Groves; I know what I'm about," said the man sharply.
"That fellow was armed with a knife which he must have stolen from one
of the sailors; and he was ready to use it. The sooner a savage brute
like that is taught his position here the better for him. You have done
your part and handed the scoundrels over to me, so please don't
interfere."

The first speaker shrugged his shoulders, and turned to a couple of men
who were carrying a basket and a great pitcher; while Saunders went on
sharply:

"You hear what I am saying, my lads; so understand this: You have been
sent out here from your country because you were not fit to stay there;
and you will have to serve now up at your proprietor's plantation.
Behave yourselves, and you will be well fed, and fairly treated over
your work; but I warn you that we stand no nonsense here. The law gives
us power to treat you as you deserve. Our lives are sacred; yours are
not--which means, as Mr Groves here will tell you, that if you venture
to attack any one you will be shot down at sight, while I may as well
tell you now that we shall fire