"On'y grunted, sir. That's it. I've heard tell of chaps like him here
and there in the South Seas. They knocks a few of the black fellows or
coffee-coloured ones down, and makes 'em afraid, and then they do as
they like, sir."

"But is it true about their eating people?" said Carey, in a low voice,
and he glanced at the door as if half-expecting to be overheard.

"Oh, yes, sir, that's true enough. Our captain once said, when we had a
report of a ship going ashore and the crew being massacred, that these
chaps in some of the islands get such a little chance to have anything
but fruit and fish that they're as rav'nous as wild beasts for flesh."

"Yes, yes, true enough," said the doctor. "So unfortunate for them to
come when we were away. We could have defended the vessel easily."

"That means fighting, sir," growled Bostock.

"Yes; wouldn't you have struck a blow to defend the vessel?"

"Well, you see, sir, I'm only a sailor and not a fighting man," said
Bostock, slowly.

"You coward!" cried Carey, indignantly. "Why, boy as I am, I'd have
tried to do something, if it was only reloading the guns."

"Course you would, sir; I know that," said the old sailor, quietly.
"Didn't you give that there nigger a smeller just now?"

"What!" cried the doctor, sharply.

"Got in a temper with one of 'em for trying to steal more'n his share o'
'bacco, sir, and give him two, one in the mouth and one in the cheek.
Stop a moment; let's tell the truth if I die for it. Warn't one o' them
cracks on the nose, sir?"

"Oh, I don't know," said Carey, hurriedly. "But I did think at a time
like this, you'd have been ready to fight, Bostock."

"Bob, if it's all same to you, Master Carey, and I didn't say I warn't
ready to fight. Why, o' course I will at the proper time."

"Then I beg your pardon, Bos--"

"Bob, sir."

"Well, Bob then, for we can't sit down quietly like this."

"That's what I think, sir, but I aren't the skipper, and it's what the
doctor says as'll have to be done."

"Yes, of course, Bostock," said the doctor, hastily; "but I was so
absolutely stunned by this surprise."

"Yes, sir, reg'lar took aback, I know."

"I have not known what to do or say. I must have time to think."

"That's it, sir. I know you've got to make your plans. Bit o'
scheming, because we none on us want one o' them dirty black warmint's
skewers run through us. You make up your mind what to do, and tell me
which rope I'm to pu