nt. "The fact of it is that
you all came ashore, got scandalously intoxicated, and then began
fighting among yourselves."

"No, we didn't," growled Tom Tully from somewhere in the rear.

"Who was that? What mutinous scoundrel dared to speak like that?" cried
the lieutenant; but no one answered, though the question was twice
repeated. "Very good, then," continued the lieutenant; "I shall
investigate this directly I am back on board. Waters, consider yourself
under arrest."

"All right, your honour," said the gunner; "but if I didn't get a crack
on the shoulder just about here from some one, I'm a Dutchman."

"Ay, ay," was uttered in chorus; and the members of the previous night's
party stared up at the rocks on all sides, in search of some evidence to
lay before their doubting commander; but none being forthcoming, they
reluctantly followed him back to the open shore, where, as there was
nothing to be seen but rocks, sand, and stones, and the towering cliff,
they proceeded back to the boats.

"Fools! idiots! asses!" the lieutenant kept muttering till they
embarked, the gunner and Tom Tully being in one boat, the lieutenant in
the other, which was allowed to get well on ahead before the occupants
of the second boat ventured to speak, when Tom Tully became the
spokesman, the gunner being too much put out by the rebuff he had met
with to do more than utter an occasional growl.

"Lookye here, my lads," said Tully; "arter this here, I'll be blessed."

That was all he said; but it was given in so emphatic a tone, and
evidently meant so much, that his messmates all nodded their heads in
sage acquiescence with his remark. Then they looked at each other and
bent steadily to their oars, in expectation of what was to take place as
soon as they got on board.

By the time they were three-quarters of the way Billy Waters had
somewhat recovered himself.

"I've got it," he exclaimed.

"Got what?" said three or four men at once.

"Why that 'ere. I see it all now. Them chaps lives atop o' the cliff
when they ar'n't afloat, and they've got tackle rigged up ready, and
what do they do but whip one another up the side o' the rock, just as
you might whip a lady out of a boat up the side of a three-decker."

Tom Tully opened his mouth and stared at the gunner in open admiration.

"Why, what a clever chap you are, Billy!" he growled. "I shouldn't ha'
thought o' that if I'd lived to hundred-and-two."

"I see it all now pl