lads! No," said the boatswain; "I'm afraid not."

Just then there was a sharp movement among the Maoris, who set up a loud
grunting noise, which drew the attention of the lieutenant, and made the
men laugh.

"It's only their way," said the Englishman gruffly.

"Ah, a queer lot. Better come back to civilisation, my man," said the
lieutenant.

"At Norfolk Island, sir?"

"Humph!" muttered the lieutenant; and facing his men round, he marched
them back to the boats, after which they spent about four hours making
soundings, and then returned to the ship.

Almost before the sailors were out of hearing, there was a scuffle and
agitation in the group, and Jem struggled from among the Maoris, his
face hot and nearly purple, Don's not being very much better.

"I won't stand it. Nearly smothered. I won't have it," cried Jem
furiously.

"Don't be so foolish, Jem. It was to save us," said Don, trying to
pacify him.

"Save us! Well they might ha' saved us gently. Look at me. I'm nearly
flat."

"Nonsense! I found it unpleasant; but they hid us, and we're all
right."

"But I arn't all right, Mas' Don; I feel like a pancake," cried Jem,
rubbing and patting himself as if he were so much paste or clay which he
wanted to get back into shape.

"Don't be so stupid, Jem!"

"Stoopid? 'Nough to make any man feel stoopid. I was 'most
stuffocated."

"So was I."

"Yes, but you hadn't got that big, `my pakeha' chap sitting on you all
the time."

"No, Jem, I hadn't," said Don, laughing.

"Well, I had, and he weighs 'bout as much as a sugar-hogshead at home,
and that arn't light."

"But it was to hide us, Jem."

"Hide us, indeed! Bother me if it didn't seem as if they was all hens
wanting to sit on one egg, and that egg was me. I know I shall never
get right again."

"Oh yes, you will," laughed Don.

"Ah, it's all werry well for you to laugh, Mas' Don; but if my ribs
hadn't been made o' the best o' bone, they'd ha' cracked like carrots,
and where should I ha' been then?"

"Hurt, mate?" said Tomati, coming up and laughing at Jem, who was
rubbing himself angrily.

"Just you go and be sat upon all that time, and see if you won't feel
hurt," grumbled Jem. "Why, it hurts your feelings as much as it does
your body."

"Ah, well, never mind. You're quite safe now."

Tomati walked away to speak to one of his men.

"Quite safe now, he says, Mas' Don. Well, I don't feel it. Hear what
he said to the fust lu