nd Tom took no notice of this and similar remarks made by others
of the crew; but after having again fed me, he called to a stout-looking
lad who was coming forward from the companion-hatchway to assist in
carrying me to his berth under the topgallant forecastle. The lad,
without hesitation, did as he was directed, and took up my legs, while
Tom lifted me by the arms. As I was being carried along, my eyes turned
towards the lad who was stepping backwards, when I at once recognised
him as Mark Riddle, though he looked very different to the smart young
chap he was when I last saw him, and he evidently did not know me.

"Can't you find a shirt and a pair of trousers for the poor fellow?"
cried Tom; "his own want washing terribly."

Mark ran aft, and in a short time returned with the garments, in which
Tom clothed me.

Notwithstanding the food which had been given me, I was still too weak
to speak. He and Tom lifted me into an upper bunk on the starboard
side. As he did so, I stretched out my hand and seized his, which I
pressed between my bony fingers. I could just say, "Thank you, Mark."
He looked at me very hard, but still did not seem to have a suspicion
who I was. This was not surprising, as he did not even know that I had
gone to Liverpool. I was so altered, that even my mother would scarcely
have recognised me. He, however, asked Tom Trivett who I was. Tom
replied that I was a young stowaway, but that he knew no more about me
than did the man in the moon.

"Go and fetch the remainder of the broth," I heard Tom say. "A little
more will do him good, and then if he gets a sound sleep he'll come
round, I have a notion."

"If he does, it will only be to lead a dog's life," murmured Mark, as he
left to get the broth.

Tom stood by me arranging the blankets, and trying to make me
comfortable till Mark returned with some soup, with some biscuits and
rice floating in it. Though I could drink the liquid, it was with
difficulty that I could masticate the latter, but I managed to get down
a few pieces.

"He has eaten enough now," said Tom; "but, I say, Mark," he whispered,
"you keep an eye on him whenever you can, so that none of the fellows
play him any tricks. They'd do so, though they knew he was dying, out
of devilry."

"Aye, aye," answered Mark. "They shan't hurt the poor young chap if I
can help it, though I've enough to do to keep clear of them myself."

"Well, we shall be three now, and shall be b