Part 4 (2/2)

”And no wonder,” growled the coxswain afterwards ”He'd got on no duds, and I didn't want to stick the hook into his flesh”

While this was going on, the captain stamped above on one side of the quarter-deck, the first lieutenant on the other For they kept as far apart as they could, and it was an understood thing ast the junior officers that it would be to come in for the full force of an explosion to speak to either of them now

”Pull,truht?”

”Ay, ay, sir,” ca your pardon We've got the rily; ”do you think we have no glasses on board? Make haste, sir”

”Oh!”

”What's that?” cried the captain, sharply, for there had been the sound of a sharp crack, and Mark had uttered the cry

”What's that, sir?” cried the lieutenant in a rage; ”why it's Mr Vandean, sir, getting under , and the moment I move he yelps out, sir”

”It wasn't your foot, sir,” cried Mark sharply, for his head was stinging with pain ”You swung round your speaking trumpet, sir, and hit et out of the way, sir,”

roared the first lieutenant

”That will do, Staples,” said the captain, cal do ”Now,froan to forge through the water again, and theschooner

Just then the cutter's crew lifted out the black they had rescued, and he too sank down helpless on the deck, half dead from exhaustion

”That's one to me, Van,” whispered Bob ”I saved that chap”

”Then you only half did it, Mr Howlett,” said the doctor, who overheard him ”Let me finish”

”I say,” whispered Bob, ”what a nuisance it's getting, you can't say a word on board without so Hullo! what's the matter with your head?”

”Old Staples was in a passion because you were so long, and hittru as you were first time Russell said so What was it? He wouldn't dare to hit you”

”But he did; swung round just when I was behind hi behind him”

”What?” cried Mark, furiously

”No, no, Ibefore you”

”Less talking, young gentle, and he looked round at the to his post, and, glass in hand, watching the distant schooner

”Look here, Mr Russell,” said the captain, walking up to that officer, as, oncein the brilliant ain, I shall drop you to pick up the poor wretch, and keep on as hard as we can, or we shall lose her Save the poor fellow, and then pull steadily after us I think I can overhaul her in less than half-an-hour, and then I shall heave to, and wait for you to come aboard”