a bit queer. S'pose I go and
shake it off on deck."

He went up, saw that the gentlemen were right aft, and he walked forward
to where the crew were busy here and there, and nodded first to one and
then another in the most friendly way, as if he had known them all his
life. Then he thrust his hands in his pockets, trying to look perfectly
unconcerned, and balanced himself so as to try and give and take with
the vessel.

But it was no good; he fought against the inevitable as long as he
could, and finally staggered to the cabin hatch and descended to where
Jack was lying. "Here's a go, sir," he cried. "I thought it only
wanted a bit of pluck, and it would be all right."

"Oh, go away," groaned Jack. "Don't bother me. I'm dying."

"I'm worse than that, sir," said the man piteously. "What's to be done,
sir?"

"Oh, go to your hammock or berth. I can't bear to be bothered now."

"But it will be dinner-time soon, sir, and I shall have to help wait at
table. I couldn't carry the soup or fish, sir. I couldn't carry
myself. What will the guv'nor say?"

"Ned, will you please to go!" said Jack with a groan.

"Certainly, sir; directly, sir; but I can't move."

"Nonsense!"

"Yes, sir, that's what I thought about you, and that you'd only got to
make a try; but it isn't to be done."

"Go away," groaned Jack.

"Wish I could, sir. I oughtn't to have come. It's all through being so
jolly cock-sure that I could do anything, and I can't. Wish I was at
home cleaning the plate. Oh, Master Jack, can you feel how the boat's
a-going on?"

"Yes, it's dreadful," sighed Jack.

"Is it going to be like this always, sir?"

"Don't! pray don't bother me. Can't you see how ill I am?"

"No, sir, not now. I can only see how bad poor miserable me is. Oh
dear! did you feel that, sir? she give a regular jump, just as if she
went over something.--Master Jack!"

There was no reply.

"Master Jack!" groaned the man. "Oh, please, sir, don't say you're
dead."

"Will you go away and leave off bothering me!" cried the boy angrily.

"Wish I could, sir; I'd be glad to."

There was a pause, during which the yacht bounded along before a fine
fresh breeze. Soon Edward began again.

"Mr Jack!"

No answer.

"Mr Jack, sir!"

"Ned! will you go!"

"I can't, sir. 'Strue as goodness, sir, I can't."

"Where are you?" moaned the boy, who was lying on his back staring with
lack-lustre eyes up at the ceiling just above his