"If you attempt it, you will purchase a sore head." [Illustration: THE ESCAPE FROM THE SHIP.

Page 95.] The third lieutenant had picked up a boat-hook, and stood ready to rap any of the barge's crew who might attempt to cast off the line by which the boats were fastened together.

No one was disposed to cross the purposes of so formidable a person as Shuffles, and the stroke oarsman did not obey the order of Wilton.

It would not be safe to do so.
"Now, Wilton, what do you say ?" demanded Shuffles, a smile of triumph playing upon his face, which was very aggravating to the leader of the runaways.

"Will you go back to the ship, or not ?" "No, of course I won't," replied the discomfited chief of the malcontents.
"You had better, my dear fellow.