rk a knowing look, and made a sign which the lad did
not comprehend, as he disappeared through the door.

Mark would have given something to ask who "one on 'em" was, for the
news seemed to have ruffled the mate terribly. A few minutes before he
had been growing quite friendly; now he was as gruff as ever, finishing
his steak viciously, and drinking his tea far hotter than was good for
him.

"I'd like to trice them all up and give them the cat," he exclaimed
suddenly, and with so much emphasis that at the last magic word Bruff
suddenly sprang into action, cocked his ears and tail, uttered a fierce
growling bark, and then looked excitedly from one to the other, his eyes
plainly enough asking the question "Where?"

"Get out with you, ugly!" cried the mate. "I meant the cat with nine
tails, not the cat with nine lives. Here, young Strong, whatever you
do, never take to being mate in the merchant service."

He went out on deck, and Mark followed him, eager to see what was the
matter; and as he passed out, it was to hear the second-mate say:

"I was coming after you; the poor wretch's groans are awful."

"Serve him right, the scoundrel! Government ought to interfere and put
a stop to it."

"But, my dear Gregory, hadn't we better get the poor wretch out, and
settle the government interference afterwards?"

"These men make me half mad," cried the first-mate. "Where do you
suppose he is?"

"A long way down, I'm afraid."

"And we are behind with our lading. How can a man be such an idiot as
to expose himself to such risks?" cried the first-mate.

"Sheer ignorance. If they thought they were likely to be crushed to
death or suffocated, they would not do it."

"What is the matter?" asked Mark anxiously.

"Stowaway, my lad," said the second-mate. "Man hidden himself in the
hold, and is frightened now the cargo has been packed over him."

A peculiar chill ran through Mark as he realised the horror of the man's
position, perhaps below the huge bales and cases which he had seen
lowered down into the hold, and so inclosed that it would be impossible
to get to him before life was extinct.

CHAPTER FIVE.

HOW BRUFF SHOWED HE HAD A NOSE.

As Mark reached the great opening in the deck it was to find that the
men who had been at work below were all clustered together listening and
waiting for instructions from their officers.

"Hush! Don't speak!" cried the first-mate, bending over the opening.
"Are you su