we were going to carry on
the villainy that our ruffianly countrymen had commenced. In fact had
we not taken care, and even used force, they would have jumped overboard
when we had them packed closely in.

"Here, shove off!" the captain said, as we were once more in our boat;
and just then the leader of the ruffians staggered to his feet and
leaned over the side.

"I'll have the law of you for this," he yelled. "This is piracy."

"To be sure it is," said our captain; "we're going to hyste the black
flag as soon as we get back, and run out our guns. Come on, my
red-nosed old cocky-wax, and we'll have a naval engagement, and sink
you."

He nudged me horribly hard with his elbow at this point, and turning his
back on the schooner winked at me, and chuckled and rumbled as if he
were laughing heartily to himself in secret; but he spoke again directly
quite seriously.

"I haven't got no boys of my own," he said, "but if I had, I should say
this was a sort o' lesson to you to always have right on your side.
It's again' the law, but it's right all the same. See how we carried
all before us, eh, my lads! The doctor's fist was as good as half a
dozen guns, and regularly settled the matter at once."

"Then we may set these poor fellows free now?" I said.

"Well, I shouldn't like to be one of them as did it," said the captain
drily. "Look at the shore."

I glanced in that direction and saw that it was crowded with blacks, all
armed with spears and war-clubs, which they were brandishing excitedly.

"They wouldn't know friends from foes," said the doctor quietly. "No;
we must wait."

I saw the reason for these remarks; and as soon as we had reached the
side of the schooner and got our captives on board I attended the doctor
while he busied himself bandaging and strapping cuts, the blacks staring
at him wondering, and then at Jimmy, who looked the reverse of friendly,
gazing down at the prisoners scornfully, and telling Jack Penny in
confidence that he did not think much of common sort black fellow.

"Jimmy xiv all o' men waddy spear if try to kedge Jimmy," he said,
drawing himself up and showing his teeth. "No kedge Jimmy. Killer um
all."

It was hard work to get the poor prisoners to understand that we meant
well by them.

"You see they think you're having 'em patched up," said Jack Penny, "so
as they'll sell better. I say, Joe Carstairs, give your black fellow a
topper with his waddy; he's making faces