he shoulder, and the lad started up as if from
sleep, and stared at the fresh comer.

"Won't do," said the bluff man, laughing. "Men don't wake up from sleep
like that. Ah! Of course: now you are turning red in the face. Didn't
want to speak to me, eh? Well, you are all right, I see."

Don did not attempt to rise from where he half sat, half lay, and the
man gave a sharp look round, letting his eyes rest; for a few moments
upon the window, and then turning them curiously upon the old sacking.

To Don's horror he approached and picked up a piece close to that which
served for a couch.

"How came all this here?" he said sharply.

"Old stuff, sir. Been used for the bales o' 'bacco, I s'pose," said the
furtive-looking man.

"Humph. And so you have made a bed of it, eh? Let's have a look."

The perspiration stood on Don's forehead.

"Well," said the bluff man, "why don't you get up? Quick!"

He took a step nearer Don, and was in the act of stooping to take him by
the arm, when there was a hail from below.

"Ahoy!" shouted the sailor, bending over the trap-door.

"Wants Mr Jones," came up.

"Luff wants you, sir," said the man.

"Right. There, cheer up, my lads; you might be worse off than you are,"
said the bluff visitor pleasantly. Then, clapping Don on the shoulder,
"Don't sulk, my lad. Make the best of things. You're in the king's
service now, so take your fate like a man."

He nodded and crossed to the trap.

"Ahoy, there! Below there! I'm coming.--Can't expect a bosun to break
his neck."

He said these last words as his head and shoulders were above the floor,
and gave the prisoners a friendly nod just as his eyes were
disappearing.

"Come along, my lad," he said, when he was out of sight.

"Ay! Ay!" growled the furtive-looking man, slowly following, and giving
those he left behind a very peculiar smile, which he lengthened out in
time and form, till he was right down the ladder, with the trap-door
drawn over and resting upon his head. This he slowly lowered, till only
his eyes and brow were seen, and he stayed like that watching for a
minute, then let the lid close with a _flap_, and shut him, as it were,
in a box.

"Gone!" said Jem. "Lor', how I should ha' liked to go and jump on that
there trap just while he was holding it up with his head. I'd ha' made
it ache for him worse than they made mine."

"Hist! Don't talk so loud," whispered Don. "He listens."

"I hope he's a-l