."

Tom Long rose, and came at him menacingly, and Bob laughed in his face.
"I say, Long, old man," he said, "what a jolly pair of fools we are to
quarrel about nothing at all."

"I never want to quarrel," said Tom Long, stiffly, for the other's mirth
took him aback, "but when a fellow behaves like a coward--"

"In the face of the enemy," interposed Bob, "kick him out of the
service, military or naval, eh? Look here, Tommy."

"For goodness' sake, sir, don't call me by that objectionably childish
name," cried the ensign. "How should you like to be called Bobby?"

"Not much, old boy," said the middy; "but I don't much care. Never
mind, shake hands. No, don't. Let's do it mentally. Here's old Ali
coming, looking as black as a civilian's hat. Hallo, Ali, old chap,
ain't you precious proud of your dear fellow-countrymen?"

"Poor fellows; poor fellows!" said Ali, sadly, as he looked from one to
the other.

"Poor fellows!" said Long.

"They're a jolly set of sharks, with stings in their tails, that's what
they are," said Bob.

"The poor fellows have been crushed down by cruel governments, and made
the slaves of piratical rajahs and cowardly sultans," cried Ali,
indignantly. "They are a brave set of fellows, and they are only
fighting against you because they are set on by their leaders."

"Then all I can say is," said Bob, "that I should like to have a pop at
their leaders. But cheer up, old chap, you needn't look so
down-hearted."

"Not look down-hearted," cried Ali, passionately, "how can I look
otherwise? Where is my father? Where are our friends? What is my
position here? Do you think it gives me pleasure to see the poor brave
men who are fighting against you shot down by your guns? It makes me
wretched."

"Well, never mind," cried Bob, kindly, as he rose and clapped the young
chief on the shoulder. "It will all come right in the end."

"I hope so," said Ali; "but tell me, what have you decided to do?"

"Well, that's announcing the secrets of the council of war," said Bob.
"Shall I tell him, Long?"

"Oh, yes, we can trust him," replied the ensign. "We are going to stay
and fight it out."

"Of course, of course," said Ali, nodding. "You could not give up. You
must not give up."

"But we want to get some news of the expedition party, by sending a
trustworthy spy," said Bob. "Can you get us a man whom you can trust?"

Ali stood thinking for a few moments, and then shook his head sadly