“Meadows ahoy!” hailed Ned. “Come carefully alongside.” The oars were thrown in, and the boat glided up to the canoe.
“Why, Ned, Ned! I am so thankful that I have found you,” cried Charley, as he grasped the hand of his messmate after he had been helped on board.
“There is a poor Arab, take care of him, for he is pretty far gone already,” said Ned.
“Water, water,” murmured the Arab faintly.
There was fortunately a breaker in the boat, and before many words were exchanged some of the refreshing liquid was served out to Ned and his companions. Except a few biscuits there was nothing to eat, but even these soaked in water served to refresh the well-nigh famished party.
Charley then explained that the corvette, having captured three of the dhows, all with slaves on board, had hove to for the purpose of transferring their cargoes to her deck; and that while so occupied, Rhymer had arrived with a fourth, several of the Arab crew having been wounded in attempting to get away. “The commander seeing you were not on board, inquired what had become of you, when Rhymer, with very little concern, replied that he feared you all had gone to the bottom with the dhow, as his boat’s crew asserted that they had seen her founder. The commander was very indignant at his not having gone back at once to try and pick you up, should you by any means have escaped. He immediately ordered off three boats—the second lieutenant going in one, Rhymer in another, while he gave me charge of the third. What has become of the other two boats I do not know; perhaps they thought that they had come far enough and have gone back, as I confess I was on the point of doing when I heard your hail. We shall soon, I hope, fall in with the ship, for she is sure to beat back over the ground until she has picked us up.”
“I shall be thankful to get on board for the sake of this poor Arab, who requires the doctor’s care,” said Ned.
“Why, isn’t he one of the slaver’s crew?” exclaimed Charley. “An arrant rogue, I dare say.”
“I don’t know about that, but I saved his life,” answered Ned, “and I feel an interest in him; he seems grateful too, as far as I can judge.”
He then asked the Arab, who was sitting near him, whether he would have some more water, and handed him the cup, which was full.