havin' joined
'em, and everybody said how glad they was to have me, and that now
there'd be no bother or trouble at all about the job. And--and--well, I
think that's about all, sir."

"Thank you, Joe," said I, grasping the honest fellow's hand. "It is a
long story, but you have managed to make everything perfectly clear to
me; and I fancy I shall not have much difficulty in circumventing the
rascals. Now, if the men should make any alterations in their plans,
you must let me know, if you possibly can; but be careful, above all
things, that the men shall have no cause whatever to suspect your
fidelity to them. And, remember, whatever orders I may give you,
execute them to the letter, and promptly. Now, I will go on deck and
have a word or two with Mr Forbes, during which you must get away
for'ard again, as best you can."

I accordingly left Joe in my cabin, and sauntered up on deck, as was
often my habit, even in my watch below, ostensibly to take a look at the
weather, but in reality to caution Forbes against taking any notice of
Joe, should he catch sight of that individual moving about the deck.

It was by this time nearly seven bells in the middle watch; the moon
hung low in the western sky over our port quarter, and a mottling of
fine-weather cloud had gradually gathered in the heavens, which, while
it allowed a few of the larger stars to gleam dimly through it here and
there, intercepted a large proportion of the starlight, and rendered the
night dark enough to make Joe's escape forward a comparatively easy
matter.

The mate was pacing the poop slowly, fore and aft, as I emerged from the
companion; but, catching sight of me, he came to my side and remarked--

"The night continues fine, sir, but the wind seems inclined to drop. We
were only going four and half when I hove the log at four bells, and now
we seem to be scarcely going four."

"Yes," said I, "it has dropped perceptibly since I went below; but if it
will only last at this we shall be at anchor by sunset to-morrow."
Then, in a lower tone, I added, "If you see Joe Martin creeping away
for'ard from the saloon, don't take any notice of him, or make any sign
that you are aware of his presence. I have much to tell you; but we
must wait for a more favourable opportunity."

At this moment Joe's head emerged from the darkness of the companion; so
I walked aft, glanced into the binnacle, and then abstractedly placed
myself before the helmsman in suc