young companion's shoulder. Archy
staggered on under it till he reached the boat. The boatman, who had
been paid before, pulled away, and they were soon alongside the whaler.
Max clambered up the side, and hoisted his bag by a rope after him.
Archy followed. The officer of the watch was aft, and as the crew and
their friends were constantly coming and going, no notice was taken of
them. Max took up his bag, and as he passed up the main hatchway, which
was open, having ascertained that there was no one below, he made a sign
to Archy to slip down the ladder.

"I'll be with you in a few minutes," he whispered. "No one is likely to
go there at this hour."

Archy did as he was bid, and felt his way in the dark, till he found
himself among the empty casks in the hold, which were stowed ready for
use. There were certain spaces between the tiers which would afford him
room to hide himself away. Into one of these he crept, and lay down
waiting for Max. He fancied that where he was he should not be seen by
anyone moving about the hold, unless expressly looking for him. He
thought that Max was a long time in coming, and perhaps would not come
at all. On the return of daylight, which would stream down through the
open hatchway, should he not be discovered? he thought. The crew would
certainly be at work at an early hour, and he might not have time to
find a more secure hiding-place. Then he would have to undergo the
annoyance and disgrace of being put on shore, and severely reprimanded
by the captain, a very severe man, he had been told. At last he heard
some one moving, and presently a light fell on his eyes. He was afraid
to stir, almost to breathe, lest he should be discovered.

"Well, if I had not come you would have been hauled out to a certainty
in the morning," said Max, who had only just then been able to pay him
his promised visit. "You must come down lower than this. Here, keep
after me. Now crawl in there, and don't come out till you hear three
blows, which I'll give on the casks above your head. You will know by
the movement of the ship when we have been at sea a couple of days or
so. There; now you have got your will. Here's your bundle; it will
serve as a pillow, and, remember, don't take any notice of me. I am
your friend, but I am not a man who chooses to be trifled with." Saying
this, Max, putting out the lantern, crept away, and Archy was left in
solitude and total darkness. The liquor hi