able and walked forward.

"Humphrey," said Ludar, "get to bed, your turn will come."

But to bed I could not go; and Ludar for once, I found, was not hard to
persuade.

There was in truth much to be done before we could think of rest.
Together we overhauled the ship's rations, and found what would last us
for long enough yet. We examined, too, our ordnance, which was but
meagre and ill-fashioned; we had three pieces on either side, besides a
small swivel gun on poop and forecastle. The ammunition was sufficient
for these and for the few pistols and muskets which we found in the
Frenchman's cabin. Further, we looked long and hard at our charts,
which seemed well marked for the passage we were bound on. The English
fellow, we discovered, had been several times that way; and, though he
was no pilot, he said he yet knew the Bass Rock from a mud bank, and,
provided we fell in with neither pirates, tempest, nor the Spaniard,
could put us into Leith Roads right side uppermost as well as any man.
Whereat we felt easier in our minds than we had been.

By the time all these consultations were ended, the watch was half
spent. Ludar therefore ordered me below, whether I would or no, to
rest. In truth I was ready for it, and fell asleep almost before my
head touched my pillow.

When I awoke, Ludar stood beside me.

"Up!" said he, "all goes well, and your watch-partner awaits you."

"Ludar," said I, springing up. "Why do you give me the partner who
belongs of right to you?"

"'Tis a time for work," said he, with a smile, "not for play. Am I not
captain here? To your watch, Humphrey."

I went on board. There stood she on the forecastle, looking ahead and
singing softly to herself.

I left her and went aft. The sailor was still at the helm, having
volunteered a double watch to see us through the night. All behind was
ship-shape and trim. Ludar had been busy, clearing the decks and
bringing back to order the confusion left by the late battle. There was
nothing for me to do. Therefore, with beating heart I walked forward
once more.

She turned at my coming and greeted me frankly.

"Welcome, messmate," said she. "Is all well?"

"All is well," said I. "The Captain has done the work of ten men, and
nought is left for me and you but to look ahead."

"And he is resting?" asked she. "Think you his wounds were dressed?"

"I helped him tend them before I went below," said I. "They were but
scratches."

"An