the water and
flew on the deck, and we picked them up on it.' The old woman laughed
and shook her head. `What else, Jack?' `Why, I wish you could see the
sea at night in them parts, granny; where the ship disturbs the water it
all sparkles, and you can see her track a long way, like a regular road
of fire.' `Ha, ha! Go it, Jack. What else?' Jack's budget of fact
was exhausted for the moment, so he had to take refuge in fiction.
`Well, when we were in the Red Sea, you know, we hauled up the anchor,
and we found a carriage-wheel on one of the flukes. A queer old wheel
it was. And the chaplain, he looked at it and found the maker's name,
which was that of Pharaoh's coach-builder. So he said there was no
doubt it belonged to his army, when he followed the Israelites after
they had gone out of Egypt.' `Ah, now you are telling me what is worth
listening to!' cried the old woman. `We know that Pharaoh's host was
drowned in the Red Sea, and that they had a many chariots. It is like
enough you should fish one of the wheels up. But to try to stuff your
poor old granny that fish can fly, and water take fire! For shame, you
limb!'"

Green was a bit thoughtful, and puzzled over the application of this
fable; but Strachan having to hurry off on duty, he could not question
him further.

Every one was on deck by daybreak next morning, and the bustle of the
day commenced. The _Alligator_ was rather a late arrival, and the shore
was already white with tents, large and small, circular and square, the
camp being protected by an earthwork and a trench, which came down to
the sea on each side, entirely enclosing it on that of the land, while
on the other it was protected by the harbour and its gunboats.

But there was not much time for gaping; launches and boats of various
kinds were alongside presently, and the work of disembarkation
commenced. It did not take long, for a number of little piers had been
made, rude enough, but answering their purpose, and several boats could
land their passengers at them at once. Then there was an officer ready
to show them where to get their tents, and it was not long before the
First Blankshire had added several streets to the canvas town.

They had hardly done that, however, and were still telling off men for
the various regimental duties, when they were called upon to find a
large fatigue party for the public service. And now, if any men felt
the cramping effects of life in a smal