ere so bad."

"They are nothing to speak about, sir," Reuben replied, "although
you would think so, from seeing those bandages all over one side of
the face, and my arm in a sling; but they are no great depth, and
don't hurt to speak of. They were clean cuts with a sharp edge, and
don't hurt half as much as many a knock I have had, with a hammer."

"Well, we all feel proud of you, my lad. It isn't everyone who
would face a Malay running amuck, without weapons, I can tell you."

"I think any English sailor would do so, sir, if he saw the Malay
rushing down upon two ladies. There was no time to think about
danger, one way or the other. The only thing to be done was to rush
at him, and so I rushed, as anyone else would have done."

"Ah, it's all very well to say so, Whitney; but I have my doubts
about everyone else rushing. However, I mustn't stand talking about
it now, as I have my hands full of work. The sooner you get on
board the ship, the better.

"Row Whitney back to the ship, lads, and come back again in an
hour's time. None of the things will be down here before that."

Reuben stepped into the boat, which at once pushed off. The men
rowed easily, for they were anxious to hear the particulars of the
report which had circulated through the ship. Bill Hardy was rowing
the stroke oar, and did the questioning.

"You may try to make little of it," he said, "but I tell you,
Reuben, it were a right down good thing--a thing any man would have
right to be proud of.

"What do you say, mates?"

There was a general chorus of "Ay, ay."

"I took you in hand when you came on board, young un," Bill went
on, "and I looks upon you as my chick, and I tell you I feel proud
on you. I felt sure you would turn out a good un, some day, but I
didn't look to see it so quick.

"In oars!"

The boat ran up alongside the gangway, and Reuben was soon upon
deck. He was there met by the captain, who had just come up as the
boat rowed alongside. He shook Reuben's hand heartily.

"You are a fine young fellow, Whitney; and your mother, if you have
one, ought to be proud of you. I should be, if you were a son of
mine. It was a lucky day for us all, when I shipped you on board
the Paramatta; for it would have been a heavy day for us, if those
two young ladies had been killed by that madman, yesterday.

"You look pale, lad, as much as one can see of you, and you will
have to lie by for a bit. I hear you lost a great deal of blood.

"S