nt, rolling his eyes. "I feel as if a little
wine would do me good."

"Has the buzzing sensation left your head?"

"Very nearly, sir."

"And you don't feel so much pressure on your chest?"

"Well, sir, not just now."

"Less pain too, under your left shoulder?"

The major walked up just now.

"Yes, sir; it's not quite so painful."

"But you slept well?"

"Pretty well, sir, for me; I should think I had quite an hour's sleep
last night."

"A whole hour, eh?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, doctor," said the major, "what do you think of your patient? I
hope you are better, Sim?"

"Thanky kindly, sir," said Private Sim, screwing up a terrible face.

"I was thinking which I ought to prescribe," said the doctor, very
seriously. "Sim's is a peculiar case. There's pressure on the brain,
and also congestion of the vascular system of the spinal column."

"Indeed!" said the major.

"Yes, sir," replied the doctor, pursing up his lips, "and I'm hesitating
between two courses."

"Try 'em both, doctor," said Bob Roberts, laughing with his eyes.

"Right, youngster," said the doctor, clapping him on the shoulder, "I
will. We'll have the moist application first, and the warm dry
application after."

Private Sim screwed up his face a little tighter.

"If I might make so bold, sir," he said in a whining voice, "I think
what you've given me's done me ever so much good, and all I want now is
rest."

"Rest, my man!" said the doctor. "Nonsense man! You want the most
brisk and active treatment. Yours is a sluggish system, but we'll soon
put you right. Here, my lads," he continued to the sailors, "bring a
stout rope, and lash it round his chest. We'll give him four dips
overboard for the head pressure, and then four dozen on the back to
increase the circulation."

"Oh, doctor!" groaned the man, looking round for sympathy; but only to
see everyone within hearing on the grin.

"Don't you be afraid, Sim; I'll soon put you right," said the doctor
kindly. "I'll make a man of you."

"I don't think I could bear it, doctor. I mean I do really feel better,
sir."

"Let's see if you can stand, Sim," said the doctor.

The man rose groaning, and held on by one of the sailors, who, at a word
from the doctor, slipped away, and left the invalid standing.

"You are better, decidedly, Sim. You couldn't have done that two days
ago."

"No, sir."

"There, now walk across the deck."

"If I'm able to walk, sir, shall I have