een the state of
the surf, and have thought we couldn't get through it, or maybe that we
were lost," observed Snatchblock.

"Shure, it'll be the greater pleasure to them when we come back," said
Desmond. "Mr Mildmay will be mighty glad to find that he hasn't to do
duty as first lieutenant, though I don't know what old Sandford may wish
in his heart of hearts. He might not object to be made acting
lieutenant." Sandford was the senior mate on board.

"Had he thought that any accident had happened to us, the commander
would have sent in a boat to ascertain the fact," said Adair.

Darkness was rapidly coming on, and by degrees the canvas of the
corvette became shrouded in the mists of night. Adair, however, had
taken her bearings, and by the help of the stars was able to steer
directly for her. Still Desmond, who had become perfectly ravenous,
could not help wishing that the commander, instead of keeping off the
coast, had stood in nearer to pick them up.

The men, however, pulled away cheerily, encouraged with the thoughts of
a good hot supper and a quiet snooze till the next morning. After some
time, a bright light burst forth, sending a lurid glare across the
ocean.

"There's the corvette," cried Snatchblock; "they hadn't forgotten us.
We'll be snug on board before many minutes are over."

At last the boat reached the ship's side, and eager hands were stretched
out to lift the emaciated creatures they had brought off on board. The
doctor took charge of them, and administered some weak broth, while the
rest of the party hurried below to obtain the more substantial viands of
which they stood so much in need.

On Hamed's questioning the liberated slaves, it was discovered that
Snatchblock had been right in his suspicions that the Arabs had told
them, in order to induce them to escape on shore, that if captured by
the white men they would be cooked and eaten. They stated that the dhow
had been crammed full of slaves, many of whom had been drowned in their
attempt to reach the shore, while it was probable that a still larger
number would perish before they were again put on board another
slave-ship by their cruel masters. Had anything been necessary to
induce the officers and crew of the _Opal_ to exert themselves in
putting down the horrible traffic, the state of these poor negroes, and
the account they gave, would have been sufficient to stir them up. One
of the men and two of the children, notwithstanding