hich was clear of the water, that would not have remained long
aboard had she been stranded for any length of time.

She was clean gutted, however, almost every single movable thing of any
value having been stripped from her.

"Ha!" I heard Captain Hankey say to our first lieutenant, both of them
coming in the cutter to inspect the steamer. "Those Somali Arabs have
been here, Gresham."

"Not a doubt of it, sir," replied Mr Gresham. "Those beggars are the
biggest thieves, I believe, in the world; and murderous rascals, too. I
recollect, sir, when I was out here in the old _Vampire_, we had many a
tussle with them, for they fight like wild cats!"

"Aye, they do that," said the captain. "I shouldn't be surprised if
some of their dhows are knocking about here now!"

"Nor I, sir," agreed the other. "Oliver, of the _Magpie_, whom I saw at
Suakin, told me there was a rumour of the Somalis running cargoes of
arms, which they pick up somewhere in the German protectorate, to supply
Osman Digna's forces for a fresh campaign that has been planned by the
Arabs against us along the whole coast."

"That may be," said Captain Hankey; "but the beggars who have been at
work here wore only on the lookout for loot, I think--though, perhaps,
they may have murdered the crew and passengers of this vessel, too, for
all we know. However, to make matters sure, we'll look out for them!"

"Aye, aye, sir, that will prevent any mistakes," said Mr Gresham, with
a laugh. "I don't think any Arab dhow, whether belonging to the Somalis
or otherwise, can escape the _Mermaid_, should one heave in sight!"

There being nothing that we could do for the steamer, which would have
to be `written off as a loss' by the underwriters at Lloyd's, the
captain gave the signal for the cutter to return to our ship; and then,
making a good offing, so as to put the Arabs off their guard, we banked
our fires, except under one boiler, keeping the screw just revolving so
as to maintain our position abreast of Binna, well out of sight of the
land.

A strict watch was maintained, though, all the same, lookouts being
stationed in our military tops as well as on the forecastle; and, in the
early morning, long before sunrise, the steam pinnace and first and
second cutters were lowered alongside, and provisioned ready for action.

Captain Hankey had kept his eyes open to some purpose when he inspected
the steamer, for he had seen a lot of things that had been stri