it yourself, and show it to your
fellows as a proof of who I am." And he handed him the missive.

The sailor took it, ducked again, and retired silently, and there was
presently a great shuffling of feet on the deck above.

"What do you think they're doing?" asked Violet.

"I trust they're coming to their senses--and if--" But his remarks were
interrupted by a most terrific row overhead, shouts, blows, and curses.

"Bless my soul!" exclaimed the Bishop. "What can be the matter?"

"They're squaring accounts with Marchmont, Friend Othniel, and the mate,
I guess," she replied, "and I hope they'll half kill them."

"Fie, fie! my dear Leopard--most unchristian. I must certainly go and--"

"No, you mustn't do anything of the sort! Stay right where you are.
We're in hot enough water already." And suiting the action to the word,
she pushed him back on to the divan.

"Well, really--!" remarked the Bishop, and collapsed amiably.

Presently the sounds of commotion ceased, and gave way to laughter, but
laughter with a certain grim note in it that boded ill for those laughed
at. After a little, there came another knock at the cabin door, and this
time quite a deputation entered the saloon, the sailor who had first
visited them being the spokesman.

"Having disposed of those gents as you suggested--" he began.

"No, no!" the Bishop hastened to disclaim, "I suggested nothing."

"Well," said the seaman, "we've fixed 'em, anyway. And now we're heading
for the nearest port, which the same's Weymouth, and we hopes you'll
overlook what's gone before, and come on deck and take command of this
yacht."

"I will certainly come on deck," replied the Bishop. "But as to assuming
command of the ship, I hardly feel qualified. Is there not some one
among you--?"

"I'm bo'sn, please your honour," volunteered the speaker.

"Ah," said the Bishop blandly, "then I appoint you." And as the men fell
back, he escorted Miss Arminster upstairs.

As they appeared on deck, a striking scene met their eyes. Three
wretched figures were triced up to the mainmast. They had only such
remnants of clothes remaining on their persons as decency demanded, and
they had all evidently made a recent acquaintance with the ship's
tar-barrel and slush-bucket.

As his Lordship and Miss Arminster appeared, the crew approached,
expecting a speech.

"I hardly know what to say," began the Bishop to Violet.

"Let me speak to them, will you?" she asked, her eyes