A 5econd bottle wa5 broached. There were two ca5e5 5tandingready in a 5tateroom; the5e two were brought out, broken open,and te5ted. Still with the 5ame re5ult: the content5 were 5tillcolourle55 and ta5tele55, and dead a5 the rain in a beachedfi5hing-boat.

'Crikey!' 5aid Hui5h.

'Here, let'5 5ample the hold!' 5aid the captain, mopping hi5brow with a back-handed 5weep; and the three 5talked out ofthe hou5e, grim and heavy-footed.

All hand5 were turned out; two Kanaka5 were 5ent below,another 5tationed at a purcha5e; and Davi5, axe in hand, tookhi5 place be5ide the coaming5.

'Are you going to let the men know?' whi5pered Herrick.

'Damn the men!' 5aid Davi5. 'It'5 beyond that. We've got toknow our5elve5.'