l ravenous. But, as I was
going to say, there were abundant signs of the change beginning. He's
ashamed of his--his--"

"Well, say it--cowardice," said Sir John sadly. "Yes, poor fellow! he
is ashamed of it, as I well know."

"But he can't help it, weak and unstrung as he is. It will come all
right, only let's get him out of his misery, as we used to call it. Get
him to make his first plunge, and he'll soon begin to swim. Did you see
what a brave fight he made of it over and over again to-day? There, I'm
sure we're right; and, my word, what a chance over this yacht."

"Yes, it would have been folly to hesitate."

"But it's going to cost you a pretty penny, my friend."

"I do not grudge it, Instow, if we can bring him back well. We'll be
off as soon as I can get the preliminaries settled."

"These things don't take long when a man has the money."

"Hush!" said Sir John; "here he is. Don't say anything to upset him."

Jack came in, looking sad and dispirited.

"Ah, Jack, my boy, ready for dinner?"

"No, father."

"Hah! chance for the doctor," cried that gentleman merrily. "Let me
administer an appetiser."

"No, no, Doctor Instow; I'm sure it would do no good."

"Wait till you hear what it is, O man of wisdom, and be more modest.
You don't know everything yet. Now then: prescription--take a walk as
far as the kitchen door, wait till it is opened, and then take four
sniffs quickly, and come back. That will give you an appetite, my boy,
if you want one; but I don't believe you do, for you have a lean and
hungry look, as Shakespeare calls it. It's the sea-air, Jack; I'm
savage."

"Some one coming," said Sir John, and a minute later the waiter showed
in the two guests.

Jack did not notice it himself, but others did: he ate about twice as
much as he was accustomed to, and all the while, after looking upon the
dinner and the visitors as being an infliction, he found himself
listening attentively to Captain Bradleigh, who was set going by a few
questions from the doctor, and proved to be full of observation.

"Oh no," he said, "I'm no naturalist, but I can't help noticing
different things when I am at sea, and ashore, and if they're fresh to
me, I don't forget them. Let me say now, though, Sir John Meadows, how
glad I am that you will buy the yacht and go on this cruise. The lads
are half wild with excitement, for we've all been, as the Irishmen call
it, spoiling for something to do. It has se