The Black Bar

Mark heard those words spoken by familiar voices, but why or about whom he could not tell. All he knew was that he was aboard ship, with the warm air coming in through the port,...

For the boat quivered as to a man all sprang up, and forgetting everything in their excitement, the men were about to cheer, but were brought back to a knowledge of their positi...

Mark Vandean did come out of the bunk in remarkably quick time, but he was still confused, and his brain refused to solve the puzzle before him, so he, to use a familiar express...

These words greeted Mark Vandean as, after a few struggles, his head shot up from the black water into the bright moonlight, and, giving it a good shake, he struck out for the b...

Hunger at first--a sharp, grinding sensation of hunger attacked Mark Vandean; but as the sun rose higher this was forgotten in the intense thirst. For the heat rapidly grew scor...

That night the _Nautilus_ was pretty close inshore, as soon as she could approach without being seen. Every light was out, the sail had been reduced, and they were gliding slowl...

Meanwhile everything possible was being tried to get another half knot of speed out of the _Nautilus_, which glided along under her cloud of sail, sending the water foaming in a...

But Mark Vandean soon began to show the American slaving skipper what he meant to "dew now," and that in times of emergency he did not mean to talk much. For turning to Tom Fill...

A long, busy day similar to the last, as they slowly crept along by the coast. The weather glorious, the blacks docile to a degree, and the Americans perfectly silent in their p...

"I thought it was all over with you, sir," said Tom Fillot, who, regardless of those over whom he had passed, had plunged aft and thrown himself upon the coxswain, bearing him a...

Two days glided by, during which Tom Fillot proved himself to be invaluable. The merry joker of the ship's company showed that he possessed plenty of sound common sense, and tha...

Nothing of a climb up over the stern of that schooner, a trifle compared to the same task on the _Nautilus_; but it was hard work to Mark Vandean, who had to move by inches, get...

A sound like a sigh or the escape of some pent-up emotion came from the little group of prostrate men, all of whom, save the black, knew that the powder might after all, while d...

"Yes, sir! Mr Howlett said I was to come and wally de sham you, as he calls washing yer down and dressing of yer up. Same to you, sir, only you don't look quite as I should like...

Were you ever nearly drowned? Did you ever feel the sensation of the waves rushing and roaring over you, as if full of triumph at having captured a human being to drag down into...

Those were thrilling moments in the darkness, as one side of the cask was heaved up and let down again, probably to try its weight, for it was by no means empty, and the water w...

Stepping quickly down, he stood at the bottom of the ladder in utter darkness once more, listening to the strange whispering, thrilling noise about him, while first one and then...

It needs all the strict discipline and long training to prevent confusion even on board a man-of-war, in a time of emergency. Here the disposition of the men was to run to the s...

Mark did know it as he hung there with his teeth set fast, for Tom Fillot's fingers pressed into his flesh, and seemed to be crushing it against the bones of his ankle.

"I was looking at the schooner," said Mark. "Mr Russell has so few men with him in case of a rising on the part of the blacks. He would be as good as helpless."

It was the next day, and, in spite of wind-sails and open ports, hotter than ever. The _Nautilus_ was back off the Palm River, lying at anchor, waiting as usual for news which m...

"I wish I knew what was best to do," said Mark Vandean. It was not long before he had to come to the conclusion that unless accident favoured them there was very little chance o...

Confused and still half-steeped in sleep, Mark blundered about for a few moments before he reached the door, and was then thrown back, for the schooner heeled over, and then the...

The boat started back with the doctor, while the other took out an anchor right astern, the capstan was rigged, a good strain got upon the cable, and after a great deal of tuggi...

It was undoubtedly a terrible cry of despair from a human being in deadly peril, and with all the force of Englishmen sent to answer such a call for aid, the boat was rushed thr...

"Do you hear that, Mr Whitney?" cried Bob. "There's gratitude, when it has been just as if we were under orders to keep at sea so as to get him and Mr Russell well again; and lo...

Two middies talking in the stern-sheets of the cutter belonging to Her Majesty's fast little cruiser _Nautilus_, stationed on the west coast of Africa "blackberrying," so the me...

"Vandean, my lad," whispered the lieutenant, "that idea of yours saved us," and he caught and pressed the lad's cold hand. Then aloud: "Now, my lads, get the oars in under the t...

"Look here," cried Mark, pettishly, for he was in great pain, "I'm in no humour for listening to your rigmaroles. Help me to get this hatch undone, and then we must make a rush...

There was a fierce howl of rage and a heavy crash from forward as Mark drew and cocked his pistol, running toward the hatch with Tom Fillot into the foul smelling smoke that hun...

"Yes, I think the skipper's going to have your bare head exhibited, and the doctor's to give the men a lecture on the new growth of hair on the human skull."

"This" was, of course, Bob Howlett's little midshipman's dirk, a weapon worn more for ornament than use. But the boy looked as if he meant to use it, for, according to his own w...

For a few brief moments Mark was ready to turn back and make sure of his prize, but every stroke was carrying him nearer to the stranger, and in less time than it takes to descr...

The position of the men would have been delightful if they had had a fair stock of provisions. For the cool water rippled by their boat, there was a refreshing breeze in the sha...

Morning was a long time coming to the prisoners, but at last the bright light of day shed hope into all their hearts, and, forgetful of the sufferings of the night, Mark's eyes...

"But we don't know that," said Mark, sharply. "Tired as I was when I lay down last night, I couldn't sleep for thinking of those men. Do you think they could reach the shore?"

During his absence, Mark had stood there listening in the darkness with a peculiar shuddering sensation to the soft clinking as link passed over link; and in imagination, while...

For the full space of an hour there was utter silence in the boat, where the lieutenant and his stricken crew lay as in a stupor. The black clouds had rolled away, and the calm...

There was a moment's dead silence after Mark had, in his excitement, cried for help. Then the word "Fire!" was uttered sharply, and there was the deafening report of a gun, whos...

Never was morning greeted with greater joy than by the crew of the _Nautilus'_ first cutter. For with the darkness half the troubles to which they were exposed faded away; and t...

"Not it, sir. Lay the powder snug again the door, make a train, fire it, get out of the way. Then _bang_ it goes; smash tumbles the door and hatch and all the rest of it, and th...

That day passed quietly enough. The weather was hot, but tempered by a gentle gale, which wafted them on their way; and, as Mark gazed at the verdant shore through a glass and t...

"Coming round fast. Whitney goes about rubbing his hands when he thinks no one is looking. He's as proud as a peacock with ten tails because he operated on Russell's head and li...