et all the fun."

"Go back at once, Mr Vandean," said the captain. "You understand. Get
the schooner off if possible. If not, bring the slaves on board, and
the vessel is to be set on fire. Well, Mr Howlett, why are you making
signs?"

"I beg pardon, sir, but I could make the slaves understand."

"_You_?"

"Yes, sir; I should take Soup and--I mean the two black fellows--and
make them interpret."

"Of course; a capital idea, my lad; but--stop. How are you going to
understand the men you would take?"

"Oh, I think I could manage that, sir," said Bob, importantly.

"Indeed?"

"Yes, sir. I am making a study of their language, and I've learned a
few words and taught them."

"Take them with you in the boat, then, sir, by all means;" and Bob
darted a triumphant glance at the first lieutenant, in ignorance of the
fact that this gentleman was watching him, and met his look in a
terribly stony fashion, which made Bob's face turn blank in the extreme.

To hide his confusion, he ran off forward, and, partly by signs, partly
by hauling, he drew the two blacks to the waiting boat, into which they
stepped willingly enough, and five minutes later the little party were
on their way back to the schooner.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

A DIFFICULT TASK.

"Old Staples'll serve me out for this," cried Bob, merrily.

"Hallo! What's the matter? Don't stare in that solemn fashion."

"I was looking at the schooner," said Mark. "Mr Russell has so few men
with him in case of a rising on the part of the blacks. He would be as
good as helpless."

"As bad, you mean," cried Bob. "Oh, it's all right. The niggers won't
rise. They'd better!"

This was said so importantly that the men began to laugh; and as Bob
turned upon them sharply, they grew preternaturally serious.

"I say, look at Soup and Taters," whispered Bob; "they're as pleased as
children to have a ride. I shall make two clever sailors out of them
before I've done."

Mark glanced at the two blacks, and saw that their faces were lit up as
they rode over the glancing waters. Then turning to Bob,--

"That was a good idea of yours to bring them."

"Yes, I reckon that was a bright notion."

"Only you've spoiled it by being so cocky. I say, Bob, what a conceited
chap you are."

"Oh, am I? Pity you aren't a little more so, too. Hallo! what's the
matter with Soup?"

Mark looked at the black sharply, half expecting that he was again going
to leap overboard a