"I! no, sir; but with my leg I couldn't have gone aboard the boats; and to be sure, I hadn't the chance, for I fainted dead off as soon as I'd reached my berth, and didn't come to till after they was gone. And there's my nevvy too--he wouldn't go, but chose to stay behind and nurse me. I hadn't the heart to scold the lad for it." "Scold him! I should think not," observed Warley. "Well, sir, it may get him into trouble if he's caught aboard this ship, and I expect he'll get into troubles with these pirates too. But there's no use fretting about what can't be helped. I'm thinking about you young gents. You see if I'd been in my right senses when they went away, I should have told the cap'en about you, and he'd have taken you away with him. But I wasn't sensible like, and no one else then knew as you was aboard." "No one knew it _then_?" repeated Warley. "No one knows it now, I suppose." "Yes, sir, Mr Lavie knows it, and Joe too; I told them an hour ago, and we had a long talk about it. The doctor's resolved he won't stay in the ship, and I suppose you don't want to stay neither?" "We stay, Tom!" replied Frank. "No, I should think not indeed, if we can help it. But how are we to get away?" "This way, sir. These pirates have been choosing their officers to-day, and they've made O'Hara captain. They say he's the only man who's up to navigating the ship. Anyhow, they've made him captain, and one of the foreign chaps, first mate. They're to have a great supper to-morrow night in honour of 'em, and most of the crew--pretty nigh all I should say--will be drunk. Well, then, we claps a lot of things, that Mr Lavie has got together, aboard one of the boats--there are enough of us to lower her easy enough--and long before daylight you'll be out of sight." "_You'll_ be out of sight. Don't you mean to go yourself, Jennings?" asked Frank. "My leg won't let me, Mr Frank. I couldn't get down the ship's side; and besides, I ain't in no danger. My old messmates won't let me be hurt, nor Joe Cobbes neither. I'd best stay here till my leg's right. Mr Lavie says it wants nothing but rest, and a little washing now and then. No, sir; Joe and I would rather stay on board here and take the first opportunity of leaving the ship that offers. Mr Lavie and you all 'ull bear witness how it happened." "That we will, Tom," said Warley. "Well, then, if I understand you, we've nothing to do but to remain quiet until to-morrow night, and you and Mr Lavie will make all the preparations?" "Yes, sir, that's right. Stay quietly here till you've notice that everything's ready." "But I don't like you having all the risk and trouble, Tom," said Wilmore. "You'd do as much for me, sir, and more too, I dare say, if you had the chance. Besides, I am anxious you should get away safe, because you're my witnesses that I and Joe had no hand in this. I shall get well all the sooner, when you're gone."