caused by bullets. See, in several places
pieces of wood have been chipped off, and here is a bullet sticking in
the planking."

"What do you think of this, sir?" asked one of the men, pointing to some
dark splashes on the deck and side of the vessel.

"That's blood; there can be no doubt about it. I suspect that there has
been some foul work on board," observed Jack. "I wonder whether Mr
Jull can account for the circumstance."

"He, at all events, will give his own version of the matter," remarked
Tom.

On a further search other signs of violence were discovered. Jack began
to suspect that the man's account of being deserted by the crew was not
a true one. He resolved, however, before questioning him, to take him
on board the _Bellona_, to let Captain Murray decide what to do. "It
appears to me that unless several hands are placed on board to keep the
vessel clear of water, she must sink in a day or two if towed by the
ship; and that certainly Mr Jull, experienced seaman as he may be, even
with the aid of his wife, cannot, even were the craft supplied with
masts and sails, find his way back to China. He is far more likely to
run on a coral reef, or purposely cast his vessel away on one of the
many islands in these seas, and take up his abode there."

One thing was certain, there was something suspicions about the man.
Captain Rogers and Tom now made their way to the main cabin, where what
was their surprise to see a remarkably handsome young female bending
over a chest, in which she was engaged in packing up various articles
which Jonathan Jull, as he called himself, standing by, was handing to
her. Her complexion and countenance, as well as her costume, showed her
to be an oriental, probably a Malay, though her features were more
refined than those of Malays in general. She rose as she saw the
strangers enter the cabin, and unconsciously stood with her arms crossed
on her bosom, gazing at them with her large lustrous eyes, which
expressed more terror than satisfaction.

"I see that you are preparing to quit the vessel, Mr Jull," said Jack.
"I must beg you to make haste and stow that chest, as we cannot remain
much longer on board. Indeed, from her condition, it is impossible to
say when she may go down."

The man, without at first answering, turned to the Malay girl, and spoke
some words to her in her own language, on which she again knelt down and
continued packing the chest. There were several ca