As Mark busied himself, he could not help thinking of how much demand there was made upon an officer in command, with the result that his respect for those over him was wonderfully increased. All further thought of rest for the men was given up, and the remainder of the night was devoted to keeping a careful watch, Mark pacing the deck and stopping to have a quiet consultation now and then with his mate. "I can't think where they obtained their arms, Tom," he said on one occasion. "Oh, you needn't wonder at that, sir," replied the man, with a laugh. "'Mericans ain't like Englishmen, and pretty well every man jack of 'em's got a pistol hid somewhere about him. It ain't to be wondered at, sir," continued the man, stretching out and clenching his big hand. "I never see a 'Merican yet with a good fist like that, and a man must have something to fight with when he goes knocking about in the world. Well, sir, as you say I'm to be mate while we're on this expedition, p'r'aps you won't mind me asking what you're going to do next 'bout the prisoners. Is it to be irons?" "No," said Mark, firmly. "I can't do that." "Then if I were you, sir, I'd risk them trying to take the schooner again, and send 'em adrift first thing in one of the boats." "On an uninhabited shore? Why, it would be like murdering them, man." "Well, hardly, sir, because you give 'em all a chansh for their lives, though it ain't lively for a look-out to be cast ashore where there's only palm trees and nothing else 'cept the niggers, who might want to serve you out for captering their brothers and sisters for slaves." "No, Tom, it will not do. We must keep the men prisoners, and make the best of our way north, to where we can hand them over to the officers of the law." "Very good, sir," said Tom Fillot, "only either o' my ways would be easier." "Do you think Mr Russell would act as you propose?" said Mark, sharply. Tom Fillot screwed up his face, and shook his head. "No, sir. He'd do as you're going to. But we must keep a sharp eye on 'em, or they'll be too many for us, I'm afraid. They're the sort as it don't do to be easy with, sir, because if you are, they only think you're feared on 'em." "There shan't be much easiness with them, Tom," said Mark, firmly. "They're prisoners, and prisoners they shall stay." "If they don't circumwent us, sir, and get out," said Tom; and the discussion closed. CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. DIFFICULT PRISONERS.