RTY NINE.

HOW ALI BROUGHT NEWS, AND WAS NOT BELIEVED.

There was plenty of excitement on board the steamer, as the falls were
hooked on and the light gig was run up to the davits, the boat then
being swung on board; and as lights were brought, the body of the man
they had tried to save was laid upon the deck.

"Why, it's a nigger!" exclaimed Bob Roberts; and then, with a cry of
horror, "Oh, Mr Johnson, it's old Ali! Here, quick! help, brandy! Oh,
he's dead! he's dead!"

"No, he aren't, sir," said Dick gruffly; "leastwise, I don't think so."

"Carry him into the cabin," said Lieutenant Johnson sharply; and this
being done, the poor fellow was stripped, briskly rubbed, and the
customary plans adopted to restore respiration, Bob Roberts eagerly
taking his turn, till, to his delight, as he watched Ali's arms being
worked up and down, so as to empty and fill his chest, there was a faint
flutter, a sigh, and the doubts as to the young Malay's life being
spared were at an end.

"Hooray!" cried Bob, who was only in his shirt and trousers, his collar
open, and his sleeves rolled right up to his shoulders. "Hooray!" he
cried; and forgetting all his dignity as second officer in command of
Her Majesty's ship, he indulged in a kind of triumphal dance, which
ended with a flop, caused by his bringing one foot down flat on the
cabin floor.

"I think that will do, Mr Roberts," said the lieutenant quietly; and
Bob coloured up and looked confused.

"I felt so delighted, sir, to see the poor old chap better," he
stammered.

"So I see," said the lieutenant. "There, put on your jacket, and give
the men a glass of grog apiece for what they have done towards saving
our friend here. Dick, there, has pretty well rubbed his skin off."

"Well, sir," said Dick in an ill-used tone, "I rubbed as hard as ever I
could."

"That you did, Dick," said the middy.

"And he is coming to, sir," continued Dick.

"Yes," said the lieutenant, "a good sleep will set him right, I think.
It is a pity the doctor has gone on the expedition; but we must do the
best we can."

"Expedition!" said Bob sharply, "of course; but I thought Ali here had
gone. He was going. Oh, I know; he has stopped behind because Tom Long
and I were not going."

"Very likely," said the lieutenant drily; "but had you not better see
about the men's refreshment?"

"Oh! yes, sir; of course," said Bob, hurrying on his light jacket; and
Dick and a couple of men, who had