"You'd better not interfere, Nat," said Owen. "The officers probably
would not listen to you, and you would only get yourself into bad
odour."

Nat did not exactly understand what that meant, but he did not mind
doing anything which might benefit Owen. By midnight the gale had
increased considerably, and the English crew, in addition to their
previous exertions--having to work hard at the pumps--were almost
worn-out. It was difficult, therefore, to spare hands to keep a proper
look-out on the French prisoners.

Mr Leigh, calling Owen, sent him below to ascertain what they were
about.

"I must get the fellows to take their spell at the pumps, if not, their
lives will be sacrificed as well as ours."

This last remark Owen did not hear, although the same idea had occurred
to him.

Supposing him to be an ordinary ship's boy, who had come among them for
curiosity, the prisoners took little notice of him. The greater number
were collected together in the fore-part of the lower deck. Some were
playing cards, others with dice or dominoes. Some were lying down,
others singing snatches of songs, talking and laughing, appearing to
have forgotten altogether that they were prisoners. One group, composed
chiefly, it seemed, of petty officers and able seamen, were standing
together, engaged in more earnest conversation.

Owen, as he had been directed to do, stood by, counting their numbers,
concealed by the foremast from the last-mentioned group. Taking no
notice of Owen the Frenchmen continued their conversation. He was on
the point of going away to report that the prisoners seemed very quiet,
when he caught some words which made him listen with more attention.
Although not accustomed to hear French spoken by Frenchmen, he had
frequently read and talked French with his mother, and was well
acquainted with the ordinary phrases in use. The Frenchmen went on.
They spoke of the danger the ship was in. That before long she must
anchor, when probably half the crew would lie down to rest, while the
other half would be kept at the pumps. They appeared to know the coast;
there were several islands abreast where they then were, with channels
between them. Their intention was to master the English crew, cut the
cables, and, making sail by dawn, to run through one of these channels,
where the "Venus" might lie completely concealed. They would then have
time to repair damages, and as soon as the English frigate had gone
aw