Instantly, from the house where they had been stowing away

stores, first Davis, and then the ragamuffin, swarthy crew made

their appearance.

'Hullo, Hay, that you?' said the captain, leaning on the rail.

'Tell the old man to lay her alongside, as if she was eggs.

There's a hell of a run of sea here, and his boat's brittle.'

The movement of the schooner was at that time more than

usually violent. Now she heaved her side as high as a deep sea

steamer's, and showed the flashing of her copper; now she

swung swiftly toward the boat until her scuppers gurgled.

'I hope you have sea legs,' observed the doctor. 'You will

require them.'

Indeed, to board the Farallone, in that exposed position where

she lay, was an affair of some dexterity. The less precious goods

were hoisted roughly in; the chronometer, after repeated

failures, was passed gently and successfully from hand to hand;

and there remained only the more difficult business of embarking

Huish. Even that piece of dead weight (shipped A.B. at eighteen

dollars, and described by the captain to the consul as an

invaluable man) was at last hauled on board without mishap;

and the doctor, with civil salutations, took his leave.

The three co-adventurers looked at each other, and Davis

heaved a breath of relief.

'Now let's get this chronometer fixed,' said he, and led the

way into the house. It was a fairly spacious place; two

staterooms and a good-sized pantry opened from the main cabin;

the bulkheads were painted white, the floor laid with waxcloth.

No litter, no sign of life remained; for the effects of the dead

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