ongside, and the _Gambier_ began to coal. Those of the
saloon passengers who had remained on board sat under the after-deck
awning, where they were not only secure from the invading coal dust,
but where they could enjoy the cool sea-breeze. Among them were Kate
and Jim, who had made themselves comfortable in two cane lounges, and at
various parts of the quarter-deck were groups of passengers--principally
ladies--who were glad to escape from the confined atmosphere of the
saloon, and intended to sleep in the open air. Gerrard and Fraser had
gone on shore, leaving Jim "in charge of Kate," as Fraser had said.

At the extreme stern were Captain Forreste, Pinkerton, two or three
other men, and several ladies, and from this group came much laughter,
the "captain" being in great good humour, and winning the ladies' smiles
by his skill as a _raconteur_.

"And so you are deserting us to-morrow morning, Captain Forreste," cried
a vivacious young matron; "it is too bad of you. The rest of the voyage
will be dreadfully _triste_--for me at any rate." Every one laughed.

The gallant captain smiled winningly. "Ah, Mrs Marriott, do not make me
vain. Yes, we are going to leave you. In fact we should have all gone
ashore this evening, but my unfortunate friend, Mr Capel, is not yet
fully recovered from the brutal attack to which he was subjected."

"It was most disgraceful and wicked," chimed in a second lady.

"And cowardly as well," added a fat, sleepy-faced dame. "I believe poor
Mr Capel was taken quite by surprise."

"And the way that horrid girl flew at you!" said Mrs Marriott; "but her
father being such a horrible bully I suppose she has inherited some of
his disposition. She is certainly pretty in a coarse kind of a way, I
admit, but terribly _gauche_. And I really am quite angry with Captain
MacAlister--he positively _trots_ after her. She is continually on the
bridge with him, and yet he has refused to permit any other ladies to go
there, ever since we left Sydney. I think it is scandalous, for I know
that Captain MacAlister is a married man with grandchildren."

The hours passed by, and then at eleven o'clock, to the anger of
Forreste, Adlam sauntered up. He had been to the dinner, but had left
early. Seating himself beside Kate and Jim, he pulled the boy's ear.

"So you are taking care of Miss Fraser, eh, Jim? Lucky man!"

"Just listen to that now!" said the fat lady to Mrs Marriott. "One would
think that Mr Adlam woul