Scarcely had the party of three landed upon their feet, when a hand grasped the arm of Philip, and a voice breathed in bis ear—the voice of the captain,—
"Hush! or they will hear us. Who are you?"
"Philip Mortlake."
"And your companions?"
"Mrs Fer—I mean Austin, and the ship's doctor, Valentine Chiver."
"Well," answered the captain, "I am happy that you have escaped with life. There are about a dozen of us down here. Are you wounded?"
"Not at all. I feel stiff and unstrung in the nerves, though."
"So do we all; and no wonder, for it must have been a terrible smash up. Do you think it safe yet to venture about?"
"Yes; I was about to propose that to you. Captain Nelson; they must have finished the search amongst the cabin by this time."
"The villains have set the ship going again. I wonder what they have done with Mr Gray, the chief engineer."
"I am here, captain," answered the voice of Mr Gray. "I was knocked down while on duty, but quickly recovered my senses and rushed to warn you, but before I could reach you the explosion had taken place, therefore I hid myself as you have done."
"Mr Butcher, will you go up and see if the coast is clear, then we can all perhaps find more comfortable quarters for the night?"
"Yes, sir."
"I suppose we shall have to lie low for a while, until we can find out what are their forces and how we can circumvent them."
