bled against him intentionally, and, seizing
a rope, began to belabour him severely. This excited Tom's and
Desmond's indignation.

"You've no business to treat the poor fellow in that way," exclaimed
Tom; "and I'll not allow it!"

"Who are you?" said the skipper. "This is mutiny, and I'll clap you and
your companions in irons as soon as look at you."

"We are Queen's officers, and cannot allow a man under our charge to be
treated as you have this poor fellow," answered Tom, in a determined
tone.

The skipper, muttering a furious oath, without another word retired to
his cabin, and presently re-appeared with a pistol in his hand, and
another sticking out of his pocket.

Tom fixed his eye calmly upon him. "We do not fear your threats,
Captain Stubbins," he said. "If you were to kill one of us, you would
be guilty of murder, and would be hung to a certainty. Let me advise
you, then, to take those pistols back to your cabin. We have no wish to
insult you or to dispute your authority. Our messmate, who was the
cause of the black's falling against you, is ready to apologise: I hope
that will satisfy you."

"Really, Captain Stubbins, I am very sorry for what has happened,"
exclaimed Billy; "and I am sure the shark would be if he could speak,
for he, after all, was the cause of your misfortune. Had he not given
so unexpected a plunge, I should not have tumbled down nor knocked over
Peter, and Peter would not have knocked over you. I promise you it
shall not occur again, for I'll keep clear of him until we have a few
delicately browned slices placed on the table. I never ate shark, but
I'll undertake that it shall be better than the salt beef we have on
board."

By the time Billy had finished his apology the skipper's anger had
somewhat cooled down, but he still walked the deck with a pistol in his
hand, and Tom and Desmond kept an eye upon him lest he should all of a
sudden take it into his head to fire at one of them. At last, greatly
to their satisfaction, he went below, and replaced the pistols in his
berth.

Several other fish were caught after this, so that the midshipmen were
not reduced to eat the shark. On cutting it open, poor Toby was
discovered within, and served as a _bonne bouche_ to the crew, the
midshipmen contenting themselves with the fish.

As long as the calm lasted, and fish could be obtained, the passengers
and crew of the _Fox_ did not fare ill; but as the midshipmen were
anxious