"What?" he cried excitedly.

"Hampton, and two more?"

"No, no, traitors, don't trust them--the scoundrels."

"No, we arn't, cap'n," growled Bob Hampton. "We was obliged to sham
Abram a bit. Now I do call that 'ere hard, arter me and Dumlow and
Barney helped get the ship back again."

"You did?" cried the captain.

"Course we did."

"Yes, they have been true as steel," said Mr Frewen. "You need not
fear these men."

"And that boy, Walters?"

"Oh, him, sir! He's down below somewheres, and he'd better stay too,"
growled Bob Hampton, "for if he shows his nose, young Mr Dale here's
going to tackle him pretty warmly."

"But have you got the men prisoners?" said the captain, anxiously.

"Yes, quite safe."

"Then the ship must be seen to. She's labouring heavily. Tell
Brymer--"

"I shall tell Mr Brymer nothing," said Mr Frewen firmly. "You shall
give him your orders instead. You can be at peace now, sir, so lie
still patiently, and believe that everything possible will be done to
preserve order and save the ship."

"Yes; thank you," said the captain, whose lip was quivering. "I know I
must be patient. There, I'll try and do what I have not done these many
hours,--go to sleep. But bring me some news sometimes, Dale, my lad, I
shall be so anxious to know."

I promised him, and then we hurried out, for from time to time there was
an anxious whispering going on in the next cabin, which appealed
strongly to Mr Frewen and to me.

He pointed to the door as soon as we were outside, and his voice sounded
very husky as he said--

"Unfasten it, and go in and tell them that all is safe once more."

"Won't you go?" I asked, as I offered him the lantern.

"No," he replied, after making an effort to master his anxiety to take
the lead. "You and Mr Denning were on friendly terms. He would rather
receive the good news from you. In with you quick, and tell him that if
he feels strong enough, I--that is, Mr Brymer would be glad if he would
come and help to keep watch over the prisoners."

"With a rewolver," growled Bob Hampton.

"Yes, say with a pistol," said Mr Frewen. "He would be as effective
there as a strong man."

"Better," growled Bob, "for he understands fire-arm tools, and knows how
to shoot."

I gave a sharp knock at the door, and then unfastened it and entered,
lantern in hand, to see Mr Denning looking ghastly as the light fell
upon his face, where he stood before his sister with a tin