e before they were certain that the boat was seen. The corvette
again appeared as if about to pass them, but soon put about, and in less
than a quarter of an hour she hove to, to enable Charley to steer
alongside.

"Hurrah!" he shouted as he approached, "we have them all safe."

A cheer rose from the throats of the crew as they received this
announcement. Ned with his companions were assisted up the side. As he
passed along the gangway he observed the unusual appearance which the
deck presented, covered as it was by an almost countless number of black
figures, men, women, and children, most of them squatting down in the
attitudes they had been compelled to preserve on board the slave
vessels. He had, however, to make his way aft to the commander, who put
out his hand and cordially congratulated him on his escape.

Ned having reported what had happened to himself, added, "There's a poor
Arab with me, sir, who requires to be looked after by the doctor. He
seems grateful to me for having kept him afloat until the canoe picked
us up."

"In other words you saved his life, Garth, at the peril of your own, as
far as I can understand. The surgeon will attend to him; and I hope the
risk he has run of losing his life will induce him to give up
slave-trading for the future. Now, my lad, you must turn into your
hammock, you look as if you required rest."

Ned confessed that such was the case, but hinted that he and Sayd would
first of all be glad of some food. This was soon brought him, and
scarcely a minute had passed after he had tumbled into his hammock
before he was fast asleep.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

Ned was allowed to take as long a rest as he liked, and it was not until
hammocks were piped up the next morning that he awoke. Scarcely had he
reached the deck when Sayd, who immediately knew him, hurried up, and
making a profound salaam, pressed his hand, and in his broken English
warmly thanked him for saving his life.

"I am very glad to have done so," said Ned; "and, as the commander says,
the best way you can show your gratitude is to give up slave-dealing for
the future, and turn honest trader."

The young Arab evidently did not understand the meaning of what Ned had
said, possibly had he done so he would have declared that he was merely
following an occupation which his people considered perfectly lawful,
and that he saw no reason why he should abandon it. Although he could
not exchange many words, Ned f