comfortable as you can. I
have been ashore and examined the place."

"You have, sir?"

"Yes, I went in the night, and I am quite satisfied that it can be held
against any odds. Good-bye."

He shook hands, and the young lieutenant went out, wondering how the
captain could have managed, and then hurried to the side to see if the
last arrangements had been made.

He was busy over this, having passed near to Syd without taking any
notice of him, much to the lad's annoyance, for he had tried to catch
the lieutenant's eye.

At this moment Roylance came along toward where he was standing, but he
paid no heed, for something else had taken his attention.

The boatswain had come on deck, and made his way to the side, where he
touched his hat to Lieutenant Dallas, and then proceeded to obey some
orders which he had received. Syd was about to intercept him, his
longing to be one of the party increasing.

"I wouldn't care," he said to himself, "if they'd let me help land the
stores. I did go out first, and here I've been left out of all the fun
because I slipped and went overboard. It's too bad."

He was hurrying after the boatswain, when something else caught his eye.
A member of the mess came fussing up on deck, fuming with importance,
and Syd turned and was uttering some angry expression, when he found
himself face to face with Roylance.

"Oh, what a shame!" cried Sydney.

"What's the matter?"

"Terry's going in the barge to land the stores."

"And who's going in the second cutter?" said Roylance.

"I don't know; I didn't hear. I did hope they'd order me to go in the
barge."

"Why, what a cocky chap you are, Belt! You've had no experience at
all."

"I know that, but I want to get it, and I can't learn to take charge of
a boat unless they send me. Who's going in the second cutter?"

"I am."

"You? Oh, how lucky you fellows are!"

"I don't think there'll be much luck in it, for the heat will be
terrible, and I don't suppose we shall have been there very long before
we wish ourselves back on board."

"Oh, I don't know."

"But I do. Think of the work of getting those guns and things up to the
top."

"But I thought the party who were going to stay would do that?"

"Of course: that's it. The barge is coming back on board as soon as she
has landed her stores, and the second cutter to-night."

"Well, then you'll only have all day."

"Nonsense; I'm going to stop."

"Oh! You're as lucky as Te