ay."

"Not amongst my cartridges, I hope, Dan?"

"I dunno, boss. I never see where it run to in the dark. Only know it
didn't run where I wanted it to go. I _am_ thirsty."

The second mate handed him a pannikin which he had fetched from the cask
lashed amidships, and the American's servant took it and began to drink
with avidity.

"Here, you, Lynton," cried the captain: "who ordered you to do that?"

"Common humanity, sir," said Brace quickly.

"Then it was like his uncommon impudence to order my officers about,
squire," said the captain gruffly, but without so much of his former
fierceness.

"Hah!" ejaculated the drinker, as he drained the tin; "never knowed
water was so good before. Thank-ye, mister. Ketch hold."

The second mate took the tin, and to the astonishment of all, the
uncasked servant threw himself flat upon his chest and stretched himself
out as much as he could, took a few strokes as if swimming, and then
turned quickly over upon his back, went through similar evolutions,
grunted, and stretched again.

"What's the matter, Dan?" said his master quietly.

"Taking some of the creases out, boss. That barrel warn't big enough
for a chap my size, and I feel quite curly. There's a crick in my neck,
one of my legs is bent and t'other's quite screwed."

"Oh, you'll be better soon," said the first mate.

"Yes, I'm coming right again," replied the man.

"Wait till you've had a trot or two up and down Captain Banes's deck.
You'll let him, won't you, skipper?"

"Urrrr!" growled the captain.

"Oh, come, skipper, ain't it time you left off being so waxy? You can't
set me ashore, you know; so say no more about it. I'll pay handsomely
for the trip."

"Don't talk to me," growled the captain. "That gentleman has chartered
the brig, and it's his for as long as he likes. I can't make any
bargains with you or anyone else."

"Ah, now you're talking sense, skipper. That's speaking like a man.
Well, Sir Humphrey Leigh, let's hear what you've got to say to me."

"I say that you have taken an unwarrantable liberty, and--"

"Hold hard, sir, hold hard. Let's settle that one thing first. Well,
yes, I suppose it was; but here was I with all my plans made: arms,
ammunition, stores, everything, man included--he is a man, you know,
though he's such a dried-up little chap. How old are you, Dan?"

"Thirty last birthday, boss," said the little fellow promptly.

"There, sir. Well, that's how I was. R