pearance seemed to suggest; to which she replied, laughingly, that she
had, and that she hoped she could return the compliment.

"Oh yes," answered Leslie; "I have slept admirably, thanks. I have had
eight hours in, and four hours--the four hours of the middle watch--on
deck, having undertaken to stand watch and watch with Purchas during the
skipper's indisposition, the mention of which brings me to the point of
asking you, Miss Trevor, whether you will permit me to enter your cabin
for the purpose of removing a medicine-chest that, I understand from the
mate, is there."

"Yes, certainly," assented the girl, "you may enter it at once, if you
wish, Mr Leslie. I have tidied it up myself this morning, and intend
to do so regularly in future; it will provide me with something to do.
But you spoke of Captain Potter's indisposition. Is he unwell, then?"

"Why, yes," said Leslie; "he appears to be. The fact is, that he has
not yet recovered from the blow that he received yesterday evening when
he forced upon me the disagreeable necessity to disarm him. He has lain
unconscious the whole night through, without moving so much as a muscle,
so far as one can see; and, to tell you the whole truth, Purchas and I
are beginning to feel more than a trifle uneasy about him. Hence my
request for permission to have access to the medicine-chest."

"Oh dear, I am _so_ sorry," exclaimed the girl, a note of concern at
once entering her voice. "Pray go at once, Mr Leslie, I beg, and do
whatever you may deem necessary. I _hope_ it will not prove that the
captain is seriously injured; it will be so--so--very--embarrassing for
you."

"Well," answered Leslie, "of course I should be very sorry if, as you
say, anything serious were to happen; but, even so, the man will only
have himself to thank for it."

And, with this attempt to justify himself, Leslie raised his cap again,
and vanished down the companion-way.

As his footsteps sounded on the companion ladder, Purchas emerged from
the cabin occupied by Potter, and joined him.

CHAPTER FOUR.

DEATH OF THE SKIPPER.

"Well, Mr Leslie," inquired the mate, "is there any chance of our
coming at that medicine-chest? To speak plainly, I don't half like the
look of the skipper, and that's a fact. It ain't natural for a man to
lie like that, hour a'ter hour, without movin'; and the sooner we can
bring him back to his senses, the better I shall be pleased."

"Yes," answered Leslie,