drown, I will drown with a bright eye, Master Shelton,
and a steady hand."

Dick returned no answer; but he was surprised to find
the old vagabond of so resolute a temper, and fearing
some fresh violence or treachery, set forth upon his quest
for three sure men. The great bulk of the men had now
deserted the deck, which was continually wetted with the
flying sprays, and where they lay exposed to the shrewd-
ness of the winter wind. They had gathered, instead, into
the hold of the merchandise, among the butts of wine,
and lighted by two swinging lanterns.

Here a few kept up the form of revelry, and toasted
each other deep in Arblaster's Gascony wine. But as the
Good Hope continued to tear through the smoking waves,
and toss her stem and stern alternately high in air and
deep into white foam, the number of these jolly compan-
ions diminished with every moment and with every lurch.
Many sat apart, tending their hurts, but the majority
were already prostrated with sickness, and lay moaning
in the bilge.

Greensheve, Cuckow, and a young fellow of Lord
Foxham's whom Dick had already remarked for his in-
telligence and spirit, were still, however, both fit to un-
derstand and willing to obey. These Dick set, as a body-
guard, about the person of the steersman, and then, with
a last look at the black sky and sea, he turned and went
below into the cabin, whither Lord Foxham had been car-
ried by his servants.

-183-