"Well, in his greediness he snapped at his shadow to get the other piece of meat, and dropped his own. Suppose I try to catch that other vessel and the crew prove too strong for me, and I lose this one?" "Mr Vandean, sir! You a British orficer, and talk like that? It ain't greediness, sir, but you a-trying to do your dooty as the orficer as has succeeded Mr Russell, I know what you feel, sir--all the 'sponsibility." "Yes, Tom; and that we are not strong enough to try experiments." "Strong enough, sir? Why, there's that in our chaps now as'll make 'em go through anything. You say slaver to 'em, and it'll be like saying `rats' to a dog. They'll be vicious to attack; and old Soup and Taters'll be as good as four strong men. You see if they ain't." "It's very tempting, Tom, but--" "Don't say but, sir. You make up your mind to take that vessel; give your orders; and we'll do it." Mark shook his head. "Oh, Mr Vandean, sir, look at her. She's another schooner about the same cut as this, and though she can see us, she isn't showing us her heels, for she don't know there's a man-o'-war's crew aboard, headed by the smartest young midshipman in the ryle navy." "That'll do, Tom Fillot. No gammon, please." "It ain't gammon, sir," cried Tom, sturdily, "but the solid truth. Think I'd come and ask you to do this if I didn't feel what a plucky young orficer you are? Why, the lads'll follow you anywheres. They like Mr Howlett, too, but do you think they'd follow him like they do you? Not they, sir." "It's very tempting," said Mark, hesitating. "Tempting, sir? Why, Captain Maitland and Mr Staples'd both go wild with delight if they got such a chance as has come right to you." "And she isn't running away, Tom?" "No, sir, but just quietly going on her course, and if you do the same it will bring you both close together, and like enough she'll try to speak you." "Yes, Tom, it is very tempting, and if I could feel sure of taking her, I'd try." "Don't you think anything about it, sir. You make up your mind to take her, and send me aboard, or go yourself, and she's yourn." "If she's a slaver, Tom." "Well, sir, what else can she be?" "Trading vessel." "Likely, sir!" cried Tom, with a laugh. "Trading schooner with masts and booms like that! She's made to sail, sir, and her cargo's contraband." "I can't help feeling tempted, Tom." "That's right, sir." "I'll go below and see if Mr Russell can understand me this morning. I should like his advice at a time like this." "Course you would, sir; and if he could give it, he'd say go in and win." Mark went below, to find his officer lying perfectly still, with his eyes closed, and breathing easily, but there was no response to his words, and, hesitating still, and excited, he went back on deck, to find the schooner still gliding on her course, and the stranger well out now from the point. "What did Mr Russell say, sir?" asked Tom.