ossible--all
other damage must remain until we arrive at Sierra Leone. I will do the
same as soon as I have seen the prisoners properly secured. Our own
damages are but slight, and as soon as I have put matters in train
aboard the schooner I will send Simpson and a party aboard here to see
to things, while I go aboard you to hear what Hamilton has to say. But
we shall have to use the brigantine's boats, I expect, to get back to
our own craft. I have not left enough hands with Keene to enable him to
send a boat."

This arrangement we duly carried out; but, owing to one delay and
another, it was nearly three o'clock that afternoon when I was able to
pay my promised visit to the brig, by which time Hamilton had coopered
up all his most serious cases and was able to spare me a moment.

"Ah, Grenvile," he exclaimed, as I descended into the brig's cabin,
which, by the way, was almost as sumptuously arranged as that of the
_Francesca_, and which the medico was then using as a surgery. "I am
glad to see you and to learn that you don't need any of my delicate
attentions! The skipper is very anxious to see you, poor chap, but he
would not signal for you to come aboard, as Freeman told him that you
intended coming as soon as possible, but that, in the meantime, you had
your hands pretty full looking after things in general. This affair has
been as sharp a thing of its kind as I have ever known, I think."

"And how is he now, Hamilton? Do you think he can see me without
detriment to himself?" I asked.

"Certainly, if he is not asleep, as to which I will investigate," was
the reply. "It will not harm him to see you," continued Hamilton; "on
the contrary, it may do him good. For I fancy that he wishes to arrange
certain matters with you, and when he has done that he will perhaps be
able to compose himself and give himself a chance. Not that I think
there is much hope for him; I tell you that candidly. But for pity's
sake don't let your manner to him betray the fact that we are taking a
very serious view of his case. If we can get him ashore, and into the
hospital alive, he may perhaps pull round; so pray shove ahead with your
repairs as fast as possible, and carry on like fury when you fill away
again."

"Trust me," said I. "If `carrying on' will _get_ him ashore alive, I'll
do it. And now perhaps you had better ascertain whether I can see him
or not, for the sooner I am free again to look after matters the soone