"What is it, sir?"

"It is some grog, with a large dose of quinine. The doctor begged me
to give it an hour or two before daylight. Now, lads, you are each
to take a glass of this; it will protect you against the effect of
the mist on the river. You can show the lantern now; it is just as
well that they should see it if they are on the lookout."

Every man took his glass of the mixture.

"Now wrap yourselves in your blankets, lads, and lie down for a
couple of hours' sleep."

After a minute or two's scuffling while each found a plank to suit
him, all was quiet in the boat. Dick, who felt far too excited
over the events of the night to be sleepy, had volunteered to keep
watch, and, lighting another pipe at the lantern, smoked till it
was broad daylight. Then he roused the crew, and in less than two
hours afterwards they rowed alongside the Serpent. The captain was
greatly pleased with Mr. Ferguson's report.

"It is unlucky about that bar in the creek, otherwise we might have
taken the ship right into the pool, and fought it out with them
there. Still, it may be that this will be the best in the end, for
we could hardly have counted upon sinking the whole of them, and
once past us they would have been off like the wind; and though we
might have followed some of them, the others would have made off,
some one way and some another, whereas, by laying the vessel across
the mouth of the creek, we have a good chance of catching them