and was not sorry to see her returning, though one of the dhows
had escaped.

"There is a chance still that the ship will pick her up," observed Tom.
"We want his help to take care of the poor blacks, and to look after
these Arabs. How to feed them all will be a puzzle."

"I suppose there's food on board the dhow?" observed Desmond.

"Yes, but how are we to get it? If we pull off to her, the blacks will
run away, or the wounded Arabs will get up and release their
companions," said Tom.

"Faith, then, the best way will be to take them on board with us," said
Desmond; "it's somewhat like the story of the fox and the goose and the
peas."

The day was wearing on, and the lieutenant's boat had been led a long
way out to sea, so that it would be almost dark before she could reach
the shore. The midshipmen themselves were becoming very hungry and
thirsty, for they had left their provisions on the top of the cliff, and
could not venture back to procure them. They had not a moment's rest;
every now and then they were compelled to start off, now in one
direction, now in another, to turn back the negroes, who were constantly
making attempts to run off.

While Tom was watching the boat, two shots were heard in rapid
succession from the island, towards which he at once saw her alter her
course.

"She'll not be coming here, after all!" he exclaimed; "something has
happened on the island, and that was a signal to her to put in."

"We must make the best of a bad case, then," said Desmond. "I propose
that we compel all the blacks to sit down in a ring; they will be better
off than they were in the hold of the dhow, and will have no reason to
complain. We must make them understand that if any of them attempt to
get up they will be shot. As for the wounded Arabs, we must place a
sentry over them, and tell them the same; while we must see that the
prisoners' arms and legs are securely lashed. If the other fellows
don't come back, I see no reason why, provided we keep our eyes open, we
shouldn't get on very well. It won't be very pleasant to walk about all
night, but it will be better than allowing the Arabs to cut our throats,
or letting the blacks escape, for their sakes and our own."

"A very good proposal, Desmond," said Tom; "I couldn't have thought of a
better myself, and we will at once carry out your plan." Tom explained
to the men what they wished to have done, who, choosing a spot just
above high-water mark, m