oy. You and I can talk that over another time.
So you mean to say I did it?"

Roylance did not answer, and just then Sydney recovered his voice, the
faintness passing away like a cloud. "Was it he?" whispered the boy.
"I'm not sure," whispered Roylance. "Don't quarrel because of me. Does
my head bleed now?"

"No; I've tied my handkerchief tightly round it. Lie still, you'll be
better soon.--Here, marine, knot up that hammock again. You shan't be
cut down again, for I'll keep watch."

"There's nothing the matter," said Terry, from the other end of the
berth; "it's only one of Miss Roylance's fads. Currying favour with the
skipper by making a pet monkey of his boy."

Roylance ground his teeth, and Syd lay very quiet listening, and
watching the marine as he knotted together the broken lines, helping him
in afterwards, and going away with the lantern.

"Don't wait," whispered Syd; "it's very good of you, but I'm not hurt
much. They cut the ropes up by my head, didn't they?"

"Yes; the cowards! But I don't think they'll touch you again now.
Shall I stop?"

"No; don't, please. I may as well take my chance."

"Very well," said Roylance, and he went back to his own hammock amongst
the remarks and laughs of those who, from liking or dread, had made
themselves the parasites of the leader of the mess.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

Syd started into wakefulness in the morning to find that he had been
sleeping heavily. His head ached a little, and when he moved there was
a smarting sensation, but he felt disturbed mentally more than in body.
He turned out of his hammock and dressed as quickly as the new stiff
buttonholes of his uniform would allow, all the time suffering from a
sensation of misery and discomfort which made his temper anything but
amiable.

"How's your head?" said Roylance, who was one of the last to wake.

"Bad--sore--aches."

"Let me look."

Syd submitted himself unwillingly.

"Only wants a bathe, and a bit of plaister. I'll see to that."

The dressing was finished, the hammocks rolled up, and Syd was wondering
how long breakfast would be, and what they should have. Terry, who was
strolling about the place watching him furtively, suddenly stood aside,
the others watching him.

At that moment Roylance came down into his berth with a pair of scissors
and some sticking-plaister.

"Here you are," he said. "I'll just cut a little of the hair away, and
put a bit of this on. It won't show u