only escape with a tremendous wigging. I
must bear it as well as I can."

While they were talking the sailors were busy splicing the shrouds. When
this was done two of the men swarmed up the mast by means of the
halliards. Then they hoisted up the shrouds, and fastened them round the
mast, making all taut by means of the lanyards. The sails were still
standing, flapping loosely in the light breeze, so the sheets were hauled
in and the vessel again began to move through the water. Two days later
they anchored in Valetta harbour.

"Here goes," Forster said, as he stepped into the boat with his report.
"It all depends now on what sort of a man the admiral is, but I should not
be surprised if he ordered me to take court-martial."

"Oh, I hope not!" Will exclaimed. "I do wish you would let me go with you
to share the blame."

"It cannot be thought of," Forster said; "the commanding officer must make
the report."

Two hours later Forster returned.

"It is all right, Gilmore," he said as the boat came alongside. "Of course
I got a wigging. The admiral read the report and then looked at me as
fierce as a tiger.

" 'How was it that no sentry was placed over the prisoners?'

" 'I have to admit, sir,' I said, 'that I entirely overlooked that. I am
quite conscious that my conduct was indefensible, but I have certainly
paid very heavily for it.'

" 'It was a smart trick taking to the shrouds,' the admiral said, 'though
one would have thought they would have shot you at once after you had cut
them.'

" 'That is what I expected, sir,' said I, 'but they seemed to think it was
a very good joke, my being a prisoner up there, and preferred to wait till
I was driven down by thirst.'

" 'I suppose your men sold their lives dearly?' he asked.

" 'Yes, sir,' I replied. 'Taken by surprise as they were they certainly
accounted for more than one man each.'

" 'And doubtless you did the same, Mr. Forster?'

" 'Yes, sir, I cut down two of them, and I did not cease fighting until I
saw that all was lost.'

" 'Then I suppose you thought that your duty to His Majesty was to take
care of yourself,' he said slyly.

" 'I am afraid, sir,' I said, 'at that moment I thought more of my duty
towards myself than of my duty to him.'

"He smiled grimly.

" 'I have no doubt that was so, Mr. Forster. Well, you committed a
blunder, and I hope it will be a lesson to you in future.'

" 'It will indeed, sir,' I said.

"Then he started to qu