"It isn't 'measly' and it isn't a 'dicky-bird!'" she answered
indignantly. "And I'll thank you not to call it that. It's a love-bird,
and its name is Dearie!"

"'Dearie'! Ho! Ho!" The ship reeled at a dangerous angle, but the
convict appeared not to notice; his voice rose in harsh, irresistible
rough merriment. "'Dearie'! And she thanks me not to call it names! It!
No bigger'n my thumb! Ho! Ho!" His laughter, strange at such a moment,
died abruptly. "Do you know what you've gone and done on account of
what's in that cage?" he demanded almost fiercely. "You've got left!"

"Left?" said she blankly, shrinking from him a little. "You don't
mean--oh, I thought I would be only a minute! They haven't really gone,
and--"

The great fingers closed on her arm. "They've gone and the crew's gone!
Both boats are gone!"

"Oh!" The big blue eyes widened on him; an inkling of her plight seemed
to come over her; her lips trembled, but she held herself bravely. "You
mean--we must drown?"

The thunder of seas breaking on the deck answered; a cascade of water
dashed down the companionway and swept round them. The man bent toward
the child. "Look a' that! Now ain't ye sorry ye come back?"

"I couldn't leave it to drown!" passionately--"couldn't!--couldn't!"

"Blow me, she's game!" With difficulty he maintained his equilibrium.
"See here: maybe there's a chance, if any of them's left to help with