"What? Hours. I don't believe it's midnight yet."

"There, I told you so," whispered Oliver, a few minutes later, "there's
the dawn coming and the sunrise."

"Nonsense, it's the moon; but look here, oughtn't we to be facing the
east now."

"Yes, according to my calculations," replied Oliver.

"Your calculating tackle wants regulating, for so sure as that's the
moon rising over yonder we've been working along due west."

"Tut, tut, tut!" ejaculated Oliver, as he gazed round at the faint light
on the horizon, "and I did try so hard. But that must be the dawn."

"Then it has got a good, hard, firm, silvery rim to it. Look! That's
uncommonly like the moon, isn't it?"

Panton pointed to where the edge of the pale orb came slowly above the
horizon, looking big, and of a soft yellowish tarnished silver hue.

"Yes, it's the moon sure enough," said Oliver. "I'm all wrong. We
shall be able to make out where the brig is, though, when it gets a
little higher."

"And the niggers will be able to make out where we are, and skewer us
all with arrows, if we don't look out. Hadn't we better all lie down?"

"No, no, let's aim at getting back on board. We shall be stronger
there, and it will be a relief to Mr Rimmer to have us all back again
safely. Better wait. I can't hear the enemy now, and in a few minutes
we may be able to see the brig. What do you say, Drew?"

"All right."

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.

IN A FOG.

"Look-ye here, old mate," growled Wriggs to his companion, "I'm getting
jolly well sick o' this here job."

"Why, yer ungrateful beggar, what are you grumbling about now? You had
too much o' them joosety pigeons, and it's been too strong for you."

"'Tarn't that," growled Wriggs, in a hoarse whisper. "It's this here
ladder."

"What's the matter with the ladder, mate? Seemed to me to be a nice
light strong 'un when I carried it."

"Oh, yes, it's strong enough, messmate, but it makes me feel like a
fool, Tommy."

"Why so, Billy?"

"'Cause I'm having to go cutting about here like a lamp-lighter as has
lost his lantern, and ain't got no lamposties near. Blow the old
ladder! I'm sick on it."

"Give us hold, and you take these ropes," said Smith, "I never see such
a fellow for grumbling as you are, Billy. You'd only got to say as you
was tired, and I'd ha' took it at once."

Wriggs chewed and spat on the ground, but he made no other movement.

"Well, are yer going to ketch hold o'