"Then we have only to go up again," remarked the captain.
They ascended the ladder, but no sooner did they reappear upon the deck than the dog, barking irrepressibly, began trying manifestly to drag them towards the stern.
Yielding to what might be called the importunities of the dog, they followed him to the poop, and there, by the dim glimmer admitted by the sky-light, Captain Hull made out the forms of five bodies, motionless and apparently lifeless, stretched upon the floor.
One after another, Dick hastily examined them all, and emphatically declared it to be his opinion, that not one or them had actually ceased to breathe; whereupon the captain did not lose a minute in summoning the two sailors to his aid, and although it was far from an easy task, he succeeded in getting the five unconscious men, who were all negroes, conveyed safely to the boat.
The dog followed, apparently satisfied.
With all possible speed the boat made its way back again to the "Pilgrim," a girt-line was lowered from the mainyard, and the unfortunate men were raised to the deck.
"Poor things!" said Mrs. Weldon, as she looked compassionately on the motionless forms.
"But they are not dead," cried Dick eagerly; "they are not dead; we shall save them all yet!"
"What's the matter with them?" asked Cousin Benedict, looking at them with utter bewilderment.
"We shall hear all about them soon, I dare say," said the captain, smiling; "but first we will give them a few drops of rum in some water."