or they have
been badly treated."

Willy did not understand all that the honest helmsman said for he was
half talking to himself, but he got enough to realize that they were in
great danger, and that Green scarcely knew what to do. Why did
Redbeard wish their death? Green had told him a number of times, but
the boy could not understand the question of the property, even after
it was explained to him, and now there was no time to talk about it.
"Be quick, go get Peppo for me," repeated the helmsman, instead of
answering his questions. "The crisis may come any moment. In the
meantime pray to your guardian angel, who once saved you miraculously
from the power of these monsters."

A few minutes later Peppo slipped down to the steerage and delivered
Green's message to his uncle, and he in turn held a secret counsel with
the most resolute of his companions. They talked much of the warning
which the God of the Golden Fish had given them about keeping out of
broils without arriving at any conclusion, though their feelings
prompted them to wreak vengeance on the Captain for his rough treatment
of them. While they were talking a voice from the crow's nest called,
"Land--ahoy!" and in a moment the ship was all life. The boatswain
sounded his pipe calling every sailor to his place and the Captain came
on deck to give orders. On the left in the South Sea a wooded hill
rose from the water, and quickly became larger, as the ship flew
towards it like a bird. The Captain and Redfox stepped up to the wheel
and the Captain said to Green, "We must heave to."

"What? Heave to in such a fine breeze as this? What have we got for
the cannibals over there?"

"We must have water," said the Captain without looking at the helmsman.
"Redfox says that the cask has leaked and that there is not enough
water to last us through to Australia."

"I saw the cask yesterday, and then there was no leak in it. If it is
empty now there has been foul play."

"Hello! What ails the man?" cried Redfox. "Who has been doing the
foul play?"

"Since you ask I'll tell you. You have. And as you let the water run
out you can see to getting more to put in. Under no circumstances will
I do it."

"Well, Captain, what do you think of the fellow's impudence? I say he
belongs in chains," cried Redfox in a rage.

"Quite right. Insubordination on shipboard cannot be tolerated.
Either you take a small boat and go for water to fill the cask or I'll
p