is other one, and
make a half-bucket-full of soup for the men in the forecastle. How soon
will it be ready?"

"Five minutes. I've plenty of boiling water. Who opened them?"

"We did," I replied. "They are all right, but some of the tins are
going bad."

"Yes; I've had some I was glad to pitch overboard, sir, and if I had my
way I'd make the folks as sells such rubbish for poor sailors eat it
themselves."

"And serve 'em right. You understand you're to keep this one for us,
and get ready the yellow tin?"

"All right, Mr Dale."

"Hulloa, cookie, what's for dinner?" said the man who had just been
relieved from taking his trick at the wheel. "Oh!--didn't know you were
here, sir."

"Chump end of a hurdy-gurdy and organ sauce, messmate," said the cook,
meaning to be very facetious, while I walked out of the galley, passing
the man who had been sitting aft talking to the steersman.

I reported the progress of what I had done to Mr Brymer, and then
waited for further orders.

"I think I'll stand out of this business altogether now, Dale," he said.
"Wait a few minutes and then take one of the men, say Dumlow, and serve
out the stuff to them, passing down a fresh supply of biscuits as well.
What's the matter?"

I flushed up.

"I--I don't quite like doing it, Mr Brymer," I said.

He looked at me angrily, but his face softened directly.

"No," he said, "it is not a pleasant task. It seems treacherous and
cruel, but I cannot show myself in the matter. They might turn
suspicious. Some one in authority must go, and it is a work of sheer
necessity. You will have to go, Dale."

"Yes, sir, I'll go," I said firmly. "I don't like it, but I know it is
right."

"Go on then, my lad, and carry it through for all our sakes. Be careful
that the man with you does not touch it."

I nodded, and the time being near, I thrust my hands into my pockets,
and began to whistle as I walked forward, passed the galley, and I was
about to speak to Dumlow, who was on the watch, when a voice came out of
the hatchway sounding smothered but unmistakable as Jarette's.

"Now then, you sirs. Are there to be any rations served out, or are we
to set fire to the ship?"

"Can't you wait a few minutes?" I said, trying to speak coolly as I saw
the two men who had been by the wheel smoking their pipes near the
galley and looking on.

"Minutes, you whipper-snapper!" he snarled; "we've been waiting hours."

"If you're not civil I'll