n the back, "and don't growl; the game's on'y just begun, and
you shall have first innings next time."

"Think there'll be any more fighting, matey?" said Barney eagerly.

"Think there'll be any more fighting? Just hark at him, gentlemen.
Why, you grumbling old swab, do you think as, once having hold of the
Burgh Castle and calling hisself skipper, old Frenchy's the sort o' man
to let a few planks and a hatchway keep him from making another try?
You wait a bit, old man, if you're so precious anxious to get yourself
made sore. Frenchy won't forget us for gammoning him, and pretending to
be on his side."

"I ain't hankshus to be made sore, Bob, old matey," growled Barney;
"it's a kind o' nat'ral feeling in me to make him sore, and I'm going to
do it if I gets half a chance."

"All right then, Mr Brymer 'll see as you has one, I dessay."

The next minute we were at the cabin in which the captain was lying, but
he rose up on one arm as the door was thrown open and the light of the
lantern flashed in.

Mr Frewen went to him directly.

"How are you?" he cried. "I could not come to you before."

"Tell me," cried Captain Berriman excitedly, "what has been going on?"

"Nothing much," said Mr Frewen, smiling.

"But I heard firing and a struggle in the saloon," cried the captain,
clinging to Mr Frewen's arm.

"Well, yes, we have been re-taking the ship."

"What?"

"Humph! Poor fellow, he could not bear it," said Mr Frewen, as Captain
Berriman sank back half-fainting, but he re-opened his eyes and clung to
the doctor again.

"Too good--to be true," he muttered. "Thank God--thank God!"

There was perfect silence for a few moments, as our poor wounded captain
lay back with his eyes closed. Then with his face losing its feeble,
despairing look, he said anxiously--

"I don't see Brymer; is he hurt?"

"No; quite safe."

"Mr Preddle?"

"We are all pretty sound, and the mutineers are shut down in the
forecastle, sir."

"Oh, if I only had strength!" said the captain. "Doctor, you have half
cured me with this news; can't you give anything to set me up for an
hour or two?"

"Nothing," said Mr Frewen, sadly. "I can only tell you that you must
be patient. You must lie here and give your orders. We will execute
them as far as we can."

"And we are in a bad storm. There must be danger on that side too, but
I can do nothing."

"Mr Brymer will do his best, and there are three of the best seamen to
help."