He went out, and I was thinking whether I could withdraw my hand without waking Walters, so as to get out on deck and help, when he opened his eyes and looked round quickly as if he wondered where he was. Then he saw me and smiled. "Don't forget, Dale," he whispered. "Now I want Miss Denning." He loosened my hand, and I went out to find her waiting close by the door. "Walters wants to see you, Miss Denning," I said, and she bowed her head and crept silently into the ruddily-lit cabin, and knelt down by where Walters lay. "Yes," he said, holding out his hands. "Thank you. But you tell them-- how sorry--they will listen--to you.--Now--`Our Father'--" Helena Denning's voice took up the words and went on in a low appealing murmur, and as I looked wildly in Walters' face, I saw his lips moving till she uttered the words--"and forgive us our trespasses--" Then his lips became motionless, his gaze fixed on the golden glory in the heavens, and I started wildly to my feet, for at that moment there was a tremendous roar. The heavily-charged cannon had been fired, and I knew that the enemy were close at hand. I gave one glance at Miss Denning, who knelt there now, crouching low, with her face buried in her hands, and then ran on deck ready to help repel the attack. For there were the two boats close into the port-gangway, and the men in them frantically gesticulating and waving their hands. "Don't--don't fire," one of the men yelled. "We give in." "Yes, yes; give in," came in a wild chorus. "The beggars surrender, sir," cried Bob Hampton, who was on his knees re-charging the cannon. "But get that there poker ready again, Neb. We'll hit 'em next time if they don't." "Ahoy!" cried Mr Brymer, through a speaking-trumpet. "One boat come forward; but if there is any treachery, we'll show no mercy to any one there." "Treachery?" shouted a man pitifully, as the first boat was slowly rowed in. "We're all spent, sir. There arn't a drop o' water. Give us all a drink first, and then shoot us if you like." "Where's Jarette?" "Here, in the bottom, sir, tied neck and heels. He went stark mad last night, and bit and fought till we had to tie him down under the thwarts." "Water--water!--for heaven's sake, water!" came in a piteous chorus, as the second boat rowed slowly in. "Is it real or a trick?" said Mr Brymer, in a whisper. "Real enough," said Mr Frewen. "The men are suffering horribly, and-- oh! look! There's no subterfuge there,--that man--Jarette. He is dead!" CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT. It was plain enough: the man had died there where his companions had tied him fast, and that night the two boats lay astern carefully watched after all the arms had been handed on board.