"Now, hark at him, gents; did you ever hear such a wooden image of a man as that? Why, it were Frenchy sent you to bully the lads at the wheel, warn't it?" "Well, I won't tell a lie," panted the man, "it were, but I arn't been able hardly to breathe." "It was all a mistake, my lad," said Mr Frewen; "but we've re-taken the ship." "All right, sir," cried Barney; "but it isn't all right. It arn't fair. I was to help re-take the Burgh Castle, and I was going to, on'y you all set upon me as you did, and I'm knocked about orfle." "Well, messmate, it is disappynting, I'll allow," growled Bob Hampton; "but there arn't much the matter with you, Barney, and out forrard there was games, I can tell you. Old Frenchy was chucking bullets about anyhow, and 'stead o' being here in this here cabin with me untying these here knots, you might ha' been yonder with a hole or two through your carcadge." "Ay, that's right enough, matey," growled Blane; "but I wanted to help, and have it out with Frenchy. He kicked me below when the mootny fust began, and I can't forget it. I'm English, I am, and I arn't going to sit down and be kicked by a Frenchman, 'tarn't likely." "No, matey, it arn't. But lookye here. He's forrard and down in the forksle, and as soon as you get the feeling back in your legs--" "Ay, you may say that, mate. They're like a mask o' cold lead." "Then I'll rub them for you, and then you can go and strike him back." "What! now he's down. Nice sort of cold meat work that'd be; I wanted to go at him when he was up." "There, Blane," said Mr Frewen, "you must forgive us and shake hands. It was all a mistake, and part of the re-taking of the ship." "Oh, if you put it that way, sir, I'm ready," growled the man; "but I don't seem to have got no hands. It was orfle lying here, and one corner o' that rug as you stuffed into my mouth got a bit o' the way down my throat, and kep' on tickling me till I wanted to cough, and couldn't. Say, Bob Hampton, mate, air you going to untie them knots and cast off these here lashings, or arn't you?" "Why, they are off your arms, man." "When what's gone o' my arms? Have they been took off?" "Nay, they're all right." "Well, my legs arn't. Nice way to sarve a fellow." "Shake hands, Barney," I said. "I'm so sorry." "Can't, sir. You must do it yourself. I don't b'lieve yet as I've got no hands, no arms, nor anything else, but a head." "There you are, matey," cried Bob Hampton. "Did you tie them ropes, Mr Brymer, sir? They was tight 'uns." "No; it was Mr Dale here." "Oh, him!" growled Bob Hampton. "Well, they was done in a second-hand sort o' way." "Why, they were fastened the way you taught me, Bob!" I cried. "Well, sir, that's my modesty," said Bob, with a chuckle. "I can't say they were done now. Now, matey, stand up, we've got lots to do." "Can't," said Barney. "Then lie down till we've got a lantern, and seen to the captain and Mr Denning."