doctor room.--Say, Master
Syd," he whispered, "don't let that young sneak know what I said, but I
do feel a bit skeared."

"You are weak and faint."

"But it's about my legs, Master Sydney. Don't take 'em off, lad, unless
you are obliged."

"Nonsense! I shall not want to do that. You are much bruised, but
there are no bones broken."

"Ay, but there are, my lad," said the boatswain, sadly. "I didn't want
to say much about it, but I am stove in. Ribs."

"How do you know?"

"Feels it every time I breathes, my lad. Bad job when a ship's timbers
goes."

Sydney knew what to do under the circumstances, and sending Pan for
Rogers to help him, he proceeded to examine his fresh patient, to find
that two ribs were broken on the right side, the rest of the injuries
consisting of severe bruises and grazings of the skin. In addition
there were a couple of cuts on the back of the head, which called for
strapping up.

Part of these injuries had been attended to by the time Pan returned
with Rogers, and then the ribs were tightly bandaged with a broad strip
of sail-cloth.

"I say, sir," growled the boatswain, "not going to do this all over me?"

"No! Why?"

"'Cause I shan't be able to move, and my boy's been a-haskin' for
something hot 'fore you come."

"That I didn't, father."

"Oh, yes, you did, my lad. You didn't ask with yer mouth, but have a
way of asking for what you're so fond on without making no noise."

Pan screwed up his face, and the lieutenant, who had been lying
apparently asleep, burst into a loud laugh.

"Come, Strake," he said, "you had better leave that, and think of
getting better."

"Ay, ay, sir; but I hope I see you better for your nap."

"I wish you did, my man, and I wish you the same. But there, we've such
a skilful young doctor to look after us, we shan't hurt much."

"Not us, sir. I am't nothing to what you was, and see what a job Mr
Belton's made o' you."

"Yes; it's wonderful. I can never be grateful enough."

"Beg pardon, sir," said Sydney, "but I want to finish bandaging the
boatswain; and if you keep on talking like that I can't."

"I am silent, O doctor!" said the lieutenant, laughing. "And so you've
got a boat, have you?"

"Such as it is, sir."

"Then if the captain does not come back we shall have the means of
getting away from this place. No; that will not do, Mr Belton: we must
hold it till we are driven out. Keep to it to the very last. I say we:
you m