"Go along with you, captain. Yankee Doodle knows John Bull better than he knows himself. You're not going to make me believe you'll set me and my man ashore and leave us in a savage place to die of starvation and ague." "You soon will believe it, though, sir," said the captain; but in spite of his annoyance he could not thoroughly infuse his tones with sincerity. "You're only blowing, skipper, when you might be taking pity on that poor chap of mine who's been shut up in the barrel all these hours without giving a single squeak; and all because he'd risk anything so as to go with his master. That's true, isn't it, Dan?" "Yes, that's right, boss," replied the little fellow, who kept passing his tongue over his lips. "Hungry, Dan?" "No, boss. Thirsty. Horrid." "Did you finish your bottle of water?" "No, boss; I couldn't get the cork in proper, and when I knocked it over while I was asleep the cork came out and all the water ran away." "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."