," whispered the man. "He couldn't do me no
good. Don't call him, pray."

"But you look horrible," cried Jack.

"So would you look horrible, sir, if you was like me."

"Then why don't you speak out and tell me? Are you in pain?"

"Well, yes, sir, it is pain, and yet it ain't, if you can understand
that."

"Well, Ned, I can't. Let me fetch Doctor Instow."

"No, no, sir, please don't; he'd only laugh at me."

"He would not be so unfeeling, I'm sure."

"But he couldn't do me no good, sir. Please don't. Nobody but you
could do me any good."

"What nonsense, Ned! Just because I gave you a seidlitz powder once."

"I don't mean powders, sir."

"Then what is the matter?"

"Oh, sir, you'd be just the same if you was like me. Can't you see?"

"No; only that you look rather yellow."

"Oh, don't laugh at a fellow, sir. It does seem so hard. Sharks! and
me left behind."

"That's it, is it?" cried Jack, laughing.

"Yes, sir; ain't it bad enough? But I say, sir, it does do a fellow
good to see you laugh like that."

"Absurd! But I meant you to go, Ned."

"Did you, sir?" cried the man joyfully.

"Of course. My father said the other night that I was to take you with
me everywhere I liked, and have you as my regular attendant."

"Did he, sir?" cried the man joyfully. "Think of that now. Well, I was
going to ask him to raise my wages, and now I won't. I say, Mr Jack,
sir, ain't it a lovely morning?"

"I thought it looked rather cloudy just now, Ned," said Jack dryly.

"Now, my boy, are you ready?" said Sir John, coming up.

"Yes, father, but you're not."

"No, I'm not coming this morning. There'll be plenty in the boat
without me."

"Oh!" ejaculated the lad, "you go, and I'll stay behind."

"Certainly not. You'll have the doctor with you."

"And Mr Bartlett," said the captain, strolling up.

"But you're coming," cried Jack. "No; Bartlett's a better hand at this
sort of work than I am. He and Lenny will show you plenty of sport, and
help to rid the seas of some of these dangerous brutes. Now then, over
with you."

Ned did not need the order, for he had already stepped over the side
with the oarsmen.

"Make anything out, Bartlett?" shouted the captain.

"No," came from the mast-head. "I've swept well round, and there's
nothing in sight."

"Come down then, and I'll send up one of the watch."

The mate came down and joined the party in the boat, which pushed off in
the directio