ared they'll get out, and if they do, and we surwive, they'll
either put us in irons or set us ashore."

"They've got to get out yet, Tom. That cable's heavy enough to keep
them from opening the hatch."

"Yes, sir; it's heavy enough, but I can't feel sure of 'em. These
Yankees are such clever chaps. It's wonderful what dodges and tricks
they can think of. I only wish the _Naughtylass_ would heave in sight,
and take charge of both schooners. The blacks are enough to take care
on without a gang o' savage chaps like them below."

CHAPTER THIRTY.

A JOINT WATCH.

That day passed quietly enough. The weather was hot, but tempered by a
gentle gale, which wafted them on their way; and, as Mark gazed at the
verdant shore through a glass and then at the glistening sea, it seemed
to him as if Heaven was smiling upon their efforts to save the poor
weak, trembling creatures, who were ready to wince and shrink away every
time he marched forward to where their part of the deck was shut off by
a rope stretched taut from side to side. But as soon as he put off the
stern official look he wore--an unconscious copy of Captain Maitland's
quarter-deck manner--and smiled at them, their faces lit up, and he felt
as if they would go down upon their knees to him and kiss his feet, if
he would permit it.

Already they looked better, and, like those in the second prize, basked
in the sunshine, and talked together in a low, soft, pleasantly-sounding
tongue.

The second prize was visited twice, and in addition to Taters, Grote and
Dance were left on board, to take it in turns at the wheel and manage
the little sail, hoisted now to help the steering and ease the strain on
the tow-rope.

So everything went well that day: the Americans were quiet down below,
and though the progress made was only slow, Mark felt hopeful, as he
swept the horizon with his glass, of seeing the _Nautilus_ come round
some point, or appear in the offing at any time.

That night, so as to guard against their being passed by their friends
in the darkness, lights were hoisted as a signal that would be pretty
sure to bring them help; and this being done, Tom Fillot approached his
superior respectfully, to speak him, as he called it, about the division
of the watches.

"You'll let me take the first, sir, while you'll go below and have a
good sleep, sir, won't you?" he said.

"Certainly not," said Mark, shortly. "So sure as I go to sleep,
something happen