the _Shark_," he began, as soon as the
general's back was turned, "I've been very pleased to see what's just
been done, and I'm only sorry that I've no power to do as much on my own
account. But, whereas I'm now cap'n of this ship, I was only third mate
when we hauled out of dock at London, consequently I've no money of my
own for makin' presents, and such money as is in the ship belongs to the
owners, and I've no power to spend it otherwise than in certain ways, as
I dare say you all understand. But I agree with every word that the
general said about your splendid conduct, and savin' the lives of my
crew and passengers, and all that, and when we get back home I will of
course see the owners and report everything to them, and if they're the
men I take 'em to be they'll be sure to do the handsome thing by you.
As for me, I can only thank you all very heartily for all the help
you've given me."

The _Shark's_ boat came alongside just then, and the men passed down
their "dunnage" into her amid a brisk fire of good-humoured chaff from
their shipmates, and such enquiries as: "Hello, Jim, haven't you got so
much as a monkey or a parrot to cheer us up with?" and so on. Then they
followed their belongings down the side, and stowed themselves away in
the boat, while I was busy saying adieu to the occupants of the poop,
all of whom expressed their deep regret at parting with me. Then I
sprang down into the boat, the general followed, and we shoved off amid
much cheering from the forecastle, and much waving of hats and pocket
handkerchiefs from the poop.

The pull from the ship to the brig was a short one, and in a few minutes
I had the satisfaction of finding myself once more standing on the deck
of the _Shark_.

"Come on board, sir," I reported, touching my hat to the captain, who,
with the first lieutenant, was standing on the quarter-deck near the
gangway as I entered.

"You have taken us rather by surprise, Mr Grenvile," remarked the
skipper, gravely acknowledging my salute. "I quite expected that you
would be at Sierra Leone by this time. I see that you are wounded, and
you appear also to have lost some men. These circumstances, coupled
with the fact of your coming to us from yonder ship, lead me to fear
that matters have gone very seriously wrong with you and your prize."

"They have indeed, sir, I am sorry to say," answered I. "But before I
tell you my story, sir, will you permit me to introduce to you General