"Right you are, sir," he said; and as he came into the cabin, I heard him fumbling about and trying to strike a match, but for several minutes there was nothing but a phosphorescent streak made on the boards of the partition. "Yah! everything's so plaguy wet," growled the sailor. "Here, let me come, matey," I heard Dumlow say. "Mine's brass box." And the next minute there was a sharp crick, crick, crack, a burst of flame, and I saw Mr Frewen holding poor Miss Denning in his arms, ready to lay her carefully and reverently down as the lantern was re-lit. "Yes, Mr Denning," he said quietly, "I think there is no more cause for anxiety now, except from the storm. Will you see to your sister, and bathe her face? It is only a fainting fit from the sudden shock." "Yes, thank you," said Mr Denning, coldly and ungraciously, I thought. "Be good enough to take away your men." "Of course. Come, my lads," said Mr Frewen; and he stepped out of the cabin, followed by Bob Hampton and Dumlow. "It's all right, Mr Denning," I said. "Nothing to mind now." But somehow I did not speak very warmly, for I was hurt by his cold reception of a man who had been risking his life to save him and his sister. My feelings changed though the next moment, for to my astonishment Mr Denning laid hands on my shoulders, and he quite broke down and sobbed, while his words were choking and strange. "Thank God!--thank God!" he said. "Oh, Dale, if you only knew what we have suffered, my poor sister and I!" "Yes, yes, it has been horrible," I said, trying to comfort him, for his illness had made him weak as a girl; "but that's nothing to mind now. We've thrashed the scoundrels and locked them up, and Mr Frewen has behaved like a hero." "Yes; and--and I'm afraid I spoke very sharply to him, but I could not help it, Dale." "Well, you weren't very warm to him," I said; "and he does deserve something." "Yes, yes," he cried hastily; "and I'll try and thank him another time. Hush! she's coming to." "Yes, and I mustn't stay," I cried quickly; for I was miserably uncomfortable, and wanted to get away before Miss Denning quite came to, and burst out sobbing and crying, as I was sure she would. "Can't you stop--a few minutes?" he said. "No; I must go on deck. There's everything to do, and we're short-handed. I'll leave you the light." "Thank you, yes," he cried, wringing my hand. "Tell Miss Denning I'm so glad," I said hastily; and then I hurried out. But I was no sooner outside than I remembered my message, and ran back, to find, as I expected, that Miss Denning was sobbing on her brother's shoulder; when to my horror she left him, and with a cry flung her arms about my neck and kissed me. "Oh, Alison Dale," she cried warmly, "bless you, and thank you! You have always been like a dear good brother to us both, ever since we have been on board."