HOPE REVIVED. 133 tfaie bit of iron which be had again extracted from beneath the binnacle where he had himself laid it. Now that the wind had shifted to the south-west, it suited his machinations that the magnetic needle should indicate its true direction. " How now ?" asked Dick eagerly ; " what is the mean- ing of ail this noise ? " Tom explained how the cook had fallen against the bin- nade, and how he had been terrified lest the compass should be injured. Dick's heart sank at the thought of losing his sole remaining compass, and his anxiety betrayed itself in his countenance as he knelt down to examine its condition ; but he breathed freely as he ascertaîned that the instrument had sustained no damage ; by the dim light he saw the needle resting on its two concentric circles, and felt his feais at once relieved ; of course, he was quite unconscious of the fact that the removal of the bit of iron had made the magnet change its pointing. The incident, however, ex- dted his misgiving ; although he felt that Negoro could not be held rçsponsible for an accidentai fall, the very présence of the man in such a place at such a time perplexed him.
- And what brings you hère, this hour of the night ? " he
asked.
- Thafs not your business," retorted Negoro insolently.
- It îs my business," replied Dick resolutcly ; " and I
mean to hâve an answer ; what brought you hère ?" Negoro answered sullcnly that he knew of no rule to prevent his going where he liked and when he likcd. "No rule!" cried Dick; "then I make the rule now. From this time forward, I make the rule that you shall never come astern. Do you understand ?" Roused from his accustomed doggedness, the man seemed to make a threatenîng movement. Quick as lightning, Dick Sands drew a revolver from his pocket. " Negoro, one act, one word of insubordination, and I blow out your brstins ! " Negoro had no time to reply ; before he could speak he was bowed down towards the deck by an irrésistible weight. Hercules had grasped hîm by the shoulder.
