, with the spy-glass old
Staples abused so, and a pretty row there was went on below on deck.
The chaps were half mad, and were dancing about the planks, and all
bubbling over with excitement, as they tried to get a peep at you. And
when--oh, my!--we did at last come up to you, a nice pretty respectable
lot you looked, lying about in the boat, with no more discipline than
you'd see in a shoal of seals on a rock. You looked as if you had all
been pitched in anyhow, and--_gug_!"

"Why, Bob! what's the matter, old chap?"

Mark turned to gaze on the convulsed face, and just obtained one glance
before it was turned away. For Bob's voice had suddenly changed from
its light, half-cynical, playful tone. There was a sudden choking as if
something had come in his throat; and as Mark read his feelings
thoroughly stole a thin, feeble hand into his, and whispered softly,
"Oh, Bob, old chap!" the face was turned sharply back at him, and its
owner burst out in a half-whimpering, half-angry way:

"Well, so would you if you'd seen it. Even iron Staples pretty nearly
broke down. It was just horrid. Didn't seem to be a bit of life in any
one of you but Tom Fillot, and he couldn't have cut a joke to save his
life. As for you, I wouldn't have given a penny more for you than the
worth of your uniform, and that was all shrunk. You looked--"

"How will he look to-morrow, Mr Howlett?" cried a sharp voice, that of
the doctor. "So this is the way you keep watch over a patient, is it,
sir? He was getting better, and now my work's all undone again. I
expect you've killed him."

"Silence!" cried that gentleman, feeling Mark's pulse. "Yes, of course.
Fever greatly increased. Hush, not a word, Vandean. Lie perfectly
still. I ought to have been told that you had fully recovered your
consciousness. Now, Mr Howlett, you had better be off."

"No, sir; don't send me away. I'll be so careful in future."

"I can't trust you, my lad."

"You may indeed now, sir. It was all with being so glad that poor
Vandean's better."

"Glad! Why, you looked sorry. There, then, if you promise to be very
quiet, you may stay. Vandean, he must not talk to you, and you must
hardly say a word. I'll go and get you a little draught."

The doctor left the midshipman's quarters, and as he departed Bob made a
gesture suggestive of kicking him before returning to his seat beside
his messmate.

"Tell me, Bob," whispered Mark.

"No; mustn't speak."