into scrapes when they can. You see, we have not a choice of
men in these out-of-the-way parts of the world."

"Apparently not," returned Montague, "but I hope to have the pleasure of
seeing you order your men to be punished for their misdeeds; for, if
not, I shall be under the necessity of punishing them for you. Is the
boat ready, Mr Mulroy?"

"It is, sir."

"Then, Mr Gascoyne, if you will do me the favour to step into this
boat, I will have much pleasure in accompanying you on board your
schooner."

"By all means," replied Gascoyne, with a bland smile, as he rose and
threw away the end of another cigar, after having lighted therewith the
sixth or seventh in which he had indulged that day. "Your boat is well
manned and your men are well armed, Captain Montague; do you go on some
cutting-out expedition, or are you so much alarmed at the terrible
aspect of the broadside of my small craft that--"

Gascoyne here smiled with ineffable urbanity, and bowed slightly by way
of finishing his sentence. Montague was saved the annoyance of having
to reply, by a sudden exclamation from his lieutenant, who was observing
the schooner's boat though his telescope.

"There seems to be some one swimming after that boat," said he. "A
man--evidently a European, for he is light-coloured. He must have been
some time in the water, for he is already a long way from shore, and
seems much exhausted."

"Why, the man is drowning, I believe," cried Montague, quickly, as he
looked through the glass.

At that moment Frederick Mason's strength had given way; he made one or
two manful efforts to struggle after the retreating boat, and then,
tossing his arms in the air, uttered a loud cry of agony.

"Ho! shove off and save him," shouted Montague, the moment he heard it.
"Look alive, lads, give way! and when you have picked up the man, pull
straight for yonder schooner."

The oars at once fell into the water with a splash, and the boat, large
and heavy though it was, shot from the ship's side like an arrow.

"Lower the gig," cried the captain. "And now, Mr Gascoyne, since you
seem disposed to go in a lighter boat, I will accommodate you. Pray
follow me."

In a few seconds they were seated in the little gig which seemed to fly
over the sea under the vigorous strokes of her crew of eight stout men.
So swift were her motions, that she reached the side of the schooner
only a few minutes later than the _Foam's_ boat, and a considerable