s that there dear lad asleep comf'table and getting
better, and you and me with the pick o' the berths and the saloon all to
ourselves, getting ready to have a reg'lar good, square meal. Aren't
got so werry much to grumble at, have we?"

Doctor Kingsmead gave the speaker a hearty slap on the shoulder.

"Bostock," he said, "you're a philosopher. There, we'll make the best
of things, and, in the hope that our poor friends are all saved, I will
not murmur against our fate."

"That's right, sir, and now if you don't mind my being a bit rough I'll
be cook and stooard, and you'll soon have your bit to eat, and when
you've done--"

"You will have done too," said the doctor, "and we must drop
distinctions now. So help me make the coffee, and then we'll have our
meal, and afterwards we must make our plans."

They made very few plans that night, for in spite of their long sleep
that day the exhaustion they had gone through during the typhoon still
told upon them so that, after seeing to Carey, who was sleeping
peacefully enough, they took it in turns to keep watches of three hours'
length, and passed the night sleeping or listening to the soft, low boom
of the breakers on the reef.

The morning broke gloriously, and the sunshine and soft air seemed to
send a thrill of elasticity through the doctor, which grew into a
feeling of joy as he examined his patient, who slept still as if he had
not moved during the night.

He stepped out of the cabin to hear Bostock whistling away cheerily in
the steward's department: but the whistling ceased as soon as the doctor
appeared.

"Morning, sir. What do you make o' the young skipper?"

"Sleeping still," said the doctor; "a beautiful, restful sleep, without
a trace of fever."

"Hooroar for that, sir. Best thing for him, aren't it?"

"Yes, so long as we keep up his strength."

"We, sir? You mean you."

"I mean we, Bostock, for you will help."

"All right, sir, ready _and_ willin'."

"The sleep will be the best thing for him, and when we can move him
we'll have him up on deck, and contrive a shade."

"Oh, I can soon do that, sir. We couldn't rig up the old awning again,
but there's plenty of canvas to set up a little un. Is he ready for
some breakfast, do you think?"

"I would not wake him on any consideration. Let him sleep."

"Good, sir. There's a bit ready as soon as you like, and after that we
can get to work."

Carey still slept on whilst the doctor and old