"Thankye, Mr Murray, sir," said the big sailor, taking the cutlass from
between his teeth. "You did that fine; didn't he, lads?"

"Splendid!" said the boatswain; "but what's the good of a cutlass, mate,
if you don't use it?"

"Hah! That's just what I was thinking of," said the big sailor. "I
just stuck it atween my tusks so as to tackle that ugly warmint, as I
thought it would be easier to chuck overboard, and then you see I was
too busy to ketch hold again. But it do seem comic, Mr Murray, sir,
don't it? But it have kep' it clean."

"Yes, Tom; and you cleared the deck magnificently."

"Did I, sir? Well, I'm glad I do'd some good; and fingers was made
afore forks, warn't they, sir? And pretty handy too."

"Yes, I suppose so, Tom; but look here, my lads," cried Murray sharply.
"Lay hold of that big old bedstead and draw it across the window. It
will block it up. Then clap that big wardrobe on the top."

"Ay, ay, sir!" cried the men, as they seized the heavy framework and ran
it across the opening, fastening it directly after in its place by
laying the heavy wardrobe across.

"That's done it tidy," cried the big sailor; "and that's the beauty of
having your orficer with yer to show yer what to do."

"None of your banter, Tom," cried the midshipman sternly.

"Beg pardon, sir," said the man, in protest. "'Twarn't done for that.
I meant it honest, sir. I shouldn't never have thought on it."

"All right," said Murray, smiling in the broad frank face. "Why, Tom,
it's a treat to be with you again."

"Is it, sir?" cried the man.

"That it is, Tom."

"But you don't mean it, sir. I say, ain't that what you called banter?"

"Banter? No, Tom; I'm only too glad to get back to you. But how are
you, Tom? Haven't you got hurt over these tussles?"

"Hurt, sir?" said the man, beginning to feel himself over. "I dunno,
sir. Bit sore like just there, and my shoulder's just a shade stiff."

"Yes, and there's some paint off your nose, Tommy," said the boatswain,
chuckling.

"Is there?" said the man, touching his rather prominent feature
tenderly. "Humph! It do feel a bit like it. Never mind; I'll report
mysen to the doctor when I get aboard again, and he'll put on a patch of
his solid black--that as he keeps ready to lay on all at once. But I
say, Mr Murray, sir," he added, closing up to his young officer, "you
did me good in saying what you did. I felt real bad without you, sir,
and as if I'd not bee