have some broth
prepared as quickly as possible. Meanwhile the blister was snipped and
dressed, another dose of medicine administered, with considerable
difficulty, and the man was once more left to himself, the
self-constituted physicians having then done all, for the moment, that
was possible.

"I wish something big would come along--a man-o'-war, for instance,"
observed Leslie, as he and the mate left the cabin together; "we could
then signal for medical assistance. A properly qualified doctor could
soon say precisely what is wrong, and what would be the proper treatment
to adopt. And if the case is really serious--as, to be frank with you,
Purchas, I am beginning to fear it is--we might even trans-ship him, and
thus give him the best chance possible for his life. You, of course, in
such an event, would fully report all the circumstances of the case, and
I should accompany the man to the other ship, to take the responsibility
for whatever might happen. And Miss Trevor would go with me, since she,
of course, now wishes to return home--failing an opportunity to continue
her voyage to Australia or India--as soon as possible. What do you
think of my plan?"

"Why," answered Purchas, "it seems a good enough plan, so far as it
goes. And if that there ship that you're talkin' about could spare me a
navigator to help me take the brig to Valparaiso, why, I'd be perfectly
satisfied. But there don't seem to be much chance of our fallin' in
with nothin'; we haven't spoke a single craft of any sort this side of
Finisterre."

"The greater the likelihood of our doing so soon," remarked Leslie. "It
may be quite worth while to keep an especially bright look-out, with a
view to the intercepting of anything that may happen to heave in sight."

On board small craft of the _Mermaid_ type it is usual to have dinner
served in the cabin at midday; and accordingly, the steward having
already announced that the meal was on the table, and summoned Miss
Trevor, Leslie and Purchas entered the cabin and proceeded to dine. It
was Leslie's afternoon watch below and his eight hours out that night,
so he decided to lie down on the cabin lockers and get an hour or two's
sleep after he had smoked his pipe on deck. Before doing so, however,
he went forward to the galley to inquire how the chicken broth was
progressing, and finding that it was ready, he took it aft, and, on his
way below, requested Purchas to accompany him, and assist him