It was so dark there, that for a few moments I could not make out which of the sleeping men lying there was the one I sought. They were all breathing heavily, and at first going down out of the bright sunshine the faces all looked alike; but after getting a little more accustomed to the gloom, I saw a hand just where the faint rays came down through a little sky-light, and on one of the fingers there was a silver ring. Thinking that the wearer might possibly be the Frenchman, I went farther and looked a little more closely, and saw that I was right, for though I could not have been sure that the ring on the hand proved this to be the man I sought, one that I could just make out in the ear satisfied me, and stooping lower still I laid my hand upon his shoulder. The touch had no effect, and I took hold and shook him. "Jarette--Jarette!" I said. He sprang partly up with a faint cry, and to my horror, gripped me by the throat. "Curse you, I'll--Ah, it's you, cher ami," he said, beginning fiercely, and changing his tone to a whisper. "No, no, not yet," he continued, "it isn't ripe. Wait, cher ami, wait a little." "Jarette," I said wonderingly, for the man puzzled me--I had no key to his meaning then--"wake up. I'm sorry I roused you, but we want a fishing-line, and Bob Hampton says you have some." "What--to fish! No, you wish to speak. Hist! I--ah, I see now," he cried quickly. "It is dark below. I see it is you, Mr Dale. Fishing-lines? Yes, I get you some." "Why, you thought I was Mr Walters," I said, laughing. "I?--my faith, no, sir. I was asleep and dreaming. Yes," he continued, scrambling out and going to a canvas bag, out of which he drew a large square wooden winder. "There; it is a very long line and nearly new. I have not used it once, sir. Mister the captain objects to the men having these delassements, these untirings, when you are weary." "Oh, thank you, Jarette," I cried eagerly. "And here are these hooks, if the one at the end breaks." "Yes." "And the good fortune to you. Good luck you say it." I went back on deck with my prize, and called at the galley, thinking no more of the Frenchman's mistake. There the cook readily furnished me with a sharp knife and some tough rind pieces of pork and bacon liberally furnished on one side with fat. "Cut 'em in long baits, sir," he said, "and the fish are sure to come at them." "But they will taste too salt," I said. He laughed. "How can a fish know whether the bait is salt when it takes it in salt water?" I had not thought of that, and I returned aft, passing Mr Frewen and Mr Preddle, both of whom looked disturbed, and then I reached the spot where I had left Mr Denning and his sister. He was looking angry, and Miss Denning had tears in her eyes as she quickly turned away. "I've got a line and baits," I said, speaking as if I had not noticed that anything was wrong, though I felt sure that the doctor and Mr Preddle had been there in my absence.