that's what you've come for. Shall I tell
you what, doctor? You've come like the gentlemen who went to the Holy
Land, and came back carrying grapes, eh? I remember the picture when I
was a boy--a precious huge bunch, too. Well, you can have the grapes if
you'll take 'em in a liquefied form, and carry them in your belly."

I rose. "I'll see these men," I said abruptly.

He led me to the bunks, and I examined the wounded men. One was beyond
hope; the other was but slightly injured; and I told Holgate the truth.
He nodded.

"I don't much want Coyne," he said musingly. "I've no use for him. He's
a bungler."

The cold-blooded way in which he delivered this heartless criticism
raised in me a feeling of nausea. I was moving away when he stopped me.

"Stay; you're not going back empty-handed, doctor, after all your
kindness. Any one you'd like to see?"

I thought. "Yes," said I. "Naylor or Williams."

Holgate moved out, and lifted the hatch. "Naylor!" he called. "Granger,
let Naylor up." He turned to me. "We don't starve 'em. It's pretty
comfortable 'tween decks when you're used to it."

I made no reply, and presently a voice hailed us from below.

"Is that Naylor?" asked Holgate.

"Yes."

"Naylor, here is the doctor inquiring after your health. Any questions
he puts to you you are at liberty to reply to."

He moved away whistling cheerfully, and I called out, "Naylor, I only
want to know one thing. How many of you are there?"

"Six, sir," said the man.

"All under hatch?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well; keep up your hearts. This is not the end. Good-night."

I went to Holgate. "Really," said I lightly, "I find there are more
honest men in this ship than I had anticipated."

I don't think he liked that. "You've got twelve," he said drily. "And
there's more than thirty with us."

"You forget one thing," I said. "We have the wheel, and to-morrow you
may find yourselves steaming cheerfully up the river to Buenos Ayres,
like any good liner."

"That would be a pity, wouldn't it?" he said with a grin. "But you also
forget one thing doctor--that is, I've got the engines. Supposing those
engines stopped?"

"Well, we can get a press of canvas on her," I suggested.

"Great heavens!" says he. "Can you? What are we doing?"

"I think," said I, "that we have a good marksman on board."

"You're right," he said savagely, "and, by thunder, I won't forgive him
for that. I had meant---- By thunder, I'll play Old Harry and