d the meager allowance on the little stand at the head of the
bed.

Paul was in bed number eleven. Number twelve was occupied by a
Frenchman, who was fast dying, and number thirteen by an English sailor
with a leg and arm broken. The Frenchman was so far gone that his
appetite had failed so that he could neither eat nor drink.
Notwithstanding this, his rations were always left on his stand at the
head of his bed. The invalid and his provisions were watched by the
English sailor and Paul with deep interest. Two or three times by the
aid of his good leg Paul succeeded in confiscating the major portion,
before the sailor could reach his unbroken arm out. One day after a
consultation, the doctor shook his head slowly and told the sister that
number twelve would not much longer remain a charge in her hands.
This news was gladly listened to by Paul and the sailor. His dinner was
placed as usual at the head of the bed but the Frenchman paid no
attention to it. His labored breathings showed plainly to the watchers
that the end was near. A few convulsive heavings followed, then
the English sailor remarked: "I think he has slipped his cable." Paul
got quietly out of bed to ascertain the truthfulness of the sailor's
remark and made a grab for the soup and bread at the same time the sun-
bronzed arm of the sailor reached out for the wine. Soon afterwards
the nurse discovered that the patient had passed away and his body was
carried to the dead house.

A couple of weeks later Paul was discharged from the hospital thoroughly
cured, and eager to embark in anything that promised adventure. He was
anxious if possible to secure some ship bound for America, and for this
purpose haunted the docks and watched every new arrival closely. While
sauntering around one morning he was accosted by a rough looking man who
inquired if he was a sailor and wished to ship, Paul answered yes but
that he wanted to ship on a vessel bound for the United States. "Well,"
said the stranger, "I am the captain of the bark Pilgrim and am bound
for Valparaiso, why not that trip?"

Paul absolutely refused to go around the Horn. The captain then told him
that they intended to start that night; but on the way out would stop
at Malaga where he could land, and by going to Gibraltar get a ship much
easier. He promised to pay him well for the run, so Paul consented to
go. The Pilgrim was then laying in the offing and when Paul went to t