th at sea.
I did, indeed, take the precaution of putting my Colt under the pillow;
but I was so weary and fatigued with my sufferings in the open boat
that I fell asleep at once, and must have slept for many hours.

CHAPTER XV.

THE PRISON OF STEEL.

I awoke in the day, but at what hour of it I know not. The red curtains
opposite to my bunk were drawn back, admitting dull light from a
port-hole through which I could look upon a tumbling sea, and a sky all
girt with rain-clouds. But I had not been awake five seconds when I saw
that my arm-chair was occupied by a man who did not look more than
thirty-years old, and was dressed with all the scrupulous neatness of a
thorough-going yachtsman. He was wearing a peaked cloth cap with a gold
eagle upon it, a short jacket of blue serge, with ample trousers to
match, and a neat pair of brown shoes; while his linen would have
touched the heart even of the most hardened _blanchisseuse_ of the
city. He had a bright, open face, marred only by a peculiarly
irritating movement of the eye, which told of a nervous disposition;
and there was something refined and polished in his voice, which I
heard almost at once.

"Good-morning to you," he said; "I hope you have slept well?"

"I have never slept better; it must be twelve o'clock, isn't it?"

"It's exactly half-past three, American time. I didn't wake you before,
because sleep is the best medicine in your case. I'm a doctor, you
know."

"Oh! you're the physician-in-ordinary to the crew, I suppose; you must
see a good deal of practice."

He looked rather surprised at my meaning remark, and then said quite
calmly, "Yes, I write a good many death certificates; who knows, I may
even do that service for you?"

It was said half-mockingly, half-threateningly; but it brought home to
me at once the situation in which I was; and I must have become
serious, which he saw, and endeavoured to turn me to a lighter mood.

"You must be hungry," he continued; "I will ring for breakfast; and, if
you would take a tub, your bathroom is here."

He opened the door in the passage, and led the way to a cabin furnished
with marble and brass fittings, wherein was a full-sized bath and all
the appurtenances for dressing. I took a bath, and found him waiting
for me when I had finished. We returned to the scarlet room, and there
spread upon the table was a meal worthy of Delmonico's. There was
coffee served with thick cream; there were choice dis