ets to work to get my signal-pole on end and the flag flyin', all
ready for daylight.

"I watched the little barkie fairly out of sight, and then I began to
feel lonesome like, and I'll own that most oncomfortable thoughts came
into my head about the sea-sarpent; but, strange as you may think it, I
never give a thought to the sharks.

"I thought as day were never going to break ag'in; but at last I sees it
light up a bit away to the east'ard, and it got grad'ally brighter and
brighter; and presently I sees the sun just showin' above the horizon.

"Then I felt a little bit more cheerful and satisfied like, for I knowed
you'd soon be stirring, and I should have you back on the look-out for
me.

"Of course I gave a good look all round as soon as there was light
enough to see properly; but there warn't so much as a gull in sight, and
away to the nor'ard, and east'ard where I knowed you was, the sun
dazzled my eyes so's I couldn't see.

"Well, 'twas just as I'd caught a glimpse, as I thought, of the peak of
the _Lily's_ gaff-topsail, that I sees, about fifty fathom away, the fin
of that shark scullin' quietly along. I kept pretty still, you may
swear, hoping he'd pass me. But--not he. Down goes his helm, and he
takes a sheer my way, and I thought it was all up with me.

"He ranged up alongside as quiet as you please, hows'ever, and just
dodged round and round me, off and on, as if he didn't quite know what I
was made of.

"I expect it was the flutterin' of the flag overhead as he didn't
understand; but, any way, he kept very quiet and peaceable for a good
long spell, and I was beginnin' to hope he wouldn't have no truck with
me. And, to cheer me up still more, I sees the little _Lily_ coming
back to look for her chief-mate.

"If you'll believe me, Harry, I'm of opinion that devil saw you comin'
as well as myself, and that he knowed he'd have to make up his mind
pretty soon, or lose me altogether, for he began to swim round me now
tolerable smart, and presently he makes a dive.

"I'd made up my mind what to do as soon as he took to that game; and I
starts splashing hands and legs all I knowed, and shouting too, like
fury; and presently he comes up again.

"Well, the chap kept me that busy, I hadn't a minute to spare; and when
you ranged up alongside I was that tired out I didn't know how to make
another splash."

"So much for going to sleep in your watch on deck, Master Bob," said I,
as the mate brought his