"Oh, no!" said Loo, "I've had quite enough to drink. Salt water is very nasty; I never tasted it before. I shall have to eat a great many banana preserves before I can get rid of the taste." "Are you in pain?" said the Prince. "No," said Loo; "but tell me if the junk has sunk." "Nothing but the tip of her mast can be seen by this time," said Nata. "The success of our enterprise is largely due to you." "You see, master, that I am of some use," said Loo, with great pride. "To be sure; and you are as brave as the bravest man," said the Prince. "But how did you get here?" "Ah! that's just it! I saw that you were determined to leave me behind, so I hid under the bench." "But tell me," cried Raiden, "why you pushed the plank so hard, in spite of all my warnings?" "I wanted to make sure that the junk did not escape; and then I heard a noise in the ship. I had to make haste. Besides, I don't think I could have climbed back again at any rate. There were all sorts of beams and ropes, and chains that tripped me up; for I couldn't see any more than if I'd had my head in a black velvet bag." "And when that mass of water fell upon you, what did you think?" "I thought that I was killed, but that the junk would surely sink. I heard the thunder roar, and I swallowed gallons. The water ran in at my nose, my mouth, and my ears; and then I knew no more, felt no more!" "You were very near death, my poor Loo," said the Prince; "but for your fine conduct I will give you a handsome sword, well sharpened, and you can wear it in your sash like a lord." Loo cast a look full of pride at his companions, whose faces were lighted up by the moon, and smiled broadly, showing two deep dimples. A misty blue light shone across the sea, so that they could see off for some distance. "Two junks have disappeared," said Nagato, gazing in the direction of the island; "the third is still afloat." "I think I see boats hovering about her; do you think our friends can have been taken by surprise?". All at once the junk keeled over on one side; and instantly a small boat was shoved off, and moved rapidly away. The ship's boats, full of soldiers, chased her, sending a thick flight of arrows after her. Several shots were fired from the junk. "Let us hasten to their aid!" exclaimed the Prince. Raiden had already changed the course of the canoe; the other boat, which accompanied them, followed alongside. "They will never let themselves be taken," said Raiden, who kept turning his head to look, as he rowed. In fact, the light canoe flew over the waves, while the heavier long-boats, loaded down with men, moved very slowly. "The junk is sinking! the junk is sinking!" shouted Loo, clapping his hands. In truth the last vessel remaining above the surface sank slowly; then with one impulse disappeared. "Victory! Victory!" cried the sailors and the Prince. "Victory!" was the answering cry from the hotly pursued canoe, which came nearer and nearer.