"Truth ye're roight there, captin.

Och, now! to think he's the ninth of them we've throwed overboard, all the crew of the owld ship, exceptin' our three selves, widout countin' the Malay an' the childer.

If it wasn't that yer honour's still left, I'd say the best goes first; for the nigger there looks as if he'd last out the whole lot of--" The captain, to whom this imprudent speech was torture, with a gesture brought it to an abrupt termination.

He was in fear of its effect not on the Malay, but on the insane sailor.

The latter, however, showed no sign of having heard or understood it; and in a whisper Murtagh received instructions how to act.
"You lay hold of him by the shoulders," were the words spoken, "while I take the feet.