Two days glided by, during which Tom Fillot proved himself to be invaluable. The merry joker of the ship's company showed that he possessed plenty of sound common sense, and that he was an excellent seaman. Thrown, too, as he was, along with his young officer, he never presumed thereon, but, evidently feeling how great a burden there was on the lad's shoulders, he did all he could to lighten the load, by setting a capital example to his messmates of quick obedience, and was always suggesting little bits of seamanship, and making them seem to emanate from Mark himself. The consequence was that matters went in the most orderly way on board, and they steadily kept on north, north-west, or sometimes due west, according to the trend of the land. "Easy enough thing, sir, navigation," Tom said, merrily, "if you've got nice calm weather, no rocks or shoals, and a fair line of coast to steer by." "Yes, it's easy enough now, Tom," replied Mark. "'Tis, sir; only I should like it better if it was right up in the north, where the sun don't set. One can't help feeling a bit scared sometimes when it's very dark. I was nearly coming las' night and asking leave to let go the anchor." "If I get well out of this, Tom," said Mark, "I mean to study up my navigation. It's horrible to be so helpless. I'm ashamed, too, being in charge here, and obliged to trust to seeing the shore for a guide." "Oh, that'll all come, sir, but it strikes me that as soon as the captain finds we don't get into port, he'll be sailing down after us." "The sooner the better, Tom," said Mark. "But now then, tell me: how are we off for water?" "Plenty yet, sir, and there's enough prog--beg pardon, sir, wictuals--to last us for some days; and--look, sir, look. Here's a chance." "What? Where?" cried Mark, startled by the man's excitement. "Another slaver coming round the point there. You must take that one too, sir, and then you can go into port with flying colours. Double flying colours, sir!" Mark looked eagerly at the long, low vessel just creeping into sight in the distance, and his follower's words inspired him with an intense desire to act and make a second seizure. It was very tempting, but-- Yes, there was a but, a big but, and a suppose in the way. His men were still anything but strong; and though the blacks were willing enough, it would not be wise to trust to them for help in an attack upon a vessel with possibly a strong crew. His musings were interrupted by the sailor. "Shall I alter our course, sir?" he said. "No, Tom. Better not," replied Mark. "I was thinking." "What about, sir--our being able to catch her?" "No; about the dog and the shadow." "What about him, sir? Was he in the sun?" "You know the old fable about the dog with the piece of meat in his mouth, seeing his reflection in the stream and thinking it was another dog with a piece of meat." "I did once, sir, but I've forgot," said Tom.