CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
THE KNIFE BOB WANTED.
In half an hour the luggers were close together off the Gap with their sails flapping, and the French skipper jumped into the boat with us, and rowed to the _Saucy Lass_, on board of which we had long before descried my father and the doctor along with old Jonas Uggleston.
We leaped up the side eagerly, and yet with fear and trembling, not knowing what our reception might be, and a few words explained all.
"Humph!" said old Jonas, "nice chase we've had after you.

Well, I suppose I mustn't after all." He picked up a capstan-bar, and balanced it in his hands before throwing it down under the little bulwark with a loud clatter.
"Mustn't what, father ?" said Bigley.
"Knock you down with that, as you've had such a rough time of it.

I was in hopes that you were all three drowned." "And he went himself to see and find ze bodies, and sheat ze sharks!" cried the French skipper laughing, and clapping us on the shoulders.
"Perhaps Captain Duncan, my landlord, would like to use that bar on his boy!" growled old Jonas sourly.
"No!" said my father bluffly, "I can preserve discipline, Mr Uggleston, without treating my boy like a dog.

Come, Sep, my lad, let's get ashore." "The doctor, then ?" said old Jonas, with his eyes twinkling maliciously.
"What, to knock my boy down, Uggleston?
No, thank you, sir.

I've little things at home that will put him to bed for a fortnight and keep him quiet without giving myself a job to mend his broken bones." He looked at Bob, and I saw my school-fellow turn yellow and shudder as if he were about to take a dose of some horribly nauseous medicine.
Just then Bob caught my eye, and I suppose he saw that I was amused, for he doubled his fist, and showed his teeth in a snarl just like a disagreeable dog who had been threatened by a stranger with a stick.
"My faith, gentlemen," said the French skipper, "ze boys is brave boys and make fine sailor.