"Very good, sir; you're officer, I'm only man; but I'm afeared of 'em." "I don't believe it, Tom." "Well, sir, I don't mean feared in one way, but in the t'other. I mean I'm feared they'll get out, and if they do, and we surwive, they'll either put us in irons or set us ashore." "They've got to get out yet, Tom. That cable's heavy enough to keep them from opening the hatch." "Yes, sir; it's heavy enough, but I can't feel sure of 'em. These Yankees are such clever chaps. It's wonderful what dodges and tricks they can think of. I only wish the _Naughtylass_ would heave in sight, and take charge of both schooners. The blacks are enough to take care on without a gang o' savage chaps like them below." CHAPTER THIRTY. A JOINT WATCH. That day passed quietly enough. The weather was hot, but tempered by a gentle gale, which wafted them on their way; and, as Mark gazed at the verdant shore through a glass and then at the glistening sea, it seemed to him as if Heaven was smiling upon their efforts to save the poor weak, trembling creatures, who were ready to wince and shrink away every time he marched forward to where their part of the deck was shut off by a rope stretched taut from side to side. But as soon as he put off the stern official look he wore--an unconscious copy of Captain Maitland's quarter-deck manner--and smiled at them, their faces lit up, and he felt as if they would go down upon their knees to him and kiss his feet, if he would permit it. Already they looked better, and, like those in the second prize, basked in the sunshine, and talked together in a low, soft, pleasantly-sounding tongue. The second prize was visited twice, and in addition to Taters, Grote and Dance were left on board, to take it in turns at the wheel and manage the little sail, hoisted now to help the steering and ease the strain on the tow-rope. So everything went well that day: the Americans were quiet down below, and though the progress made was only slow, Mark felt hopeful, as he swept the horizon with his glass, of seeing the _Nautilus_ come round some point, or appear in the offing at any time. That night, so as to guard against their being passed by their friends in the darkness, lights were hoisted as a signal that would be pretty sure to bring them help; and this being done, Tom Fillot approached his superior respectfully, to speak him, as he called it, about the division of the watches. "You'll let me take the first, sir, while you'll go below and have a good sleep, sir, won't you?" he said. "Certainly not," said Mark, shortly. "So sure as I go to sleep, something happens." "But you can't do without sleep, sir," said the man. "I can to-night, Tom. I've been resting and having little naps of a few minutes at a time all day." "Well, sir, begging your pardon, it's the rummest sort o' rest I ever see. Take my word for it, sir, you can't hold up."