s to attend to you down here. I've
got some one else for you on deck."

"Tell him to make haste, then."

"Come in," cried Bob; and Tom Fillot came in, pulled his forelock, and
kicked out one leg behind, as he stood grinning, but looking rather
white and pulled down.

"Ah, Tom," cried Mark, "glad you have got well again. Coming to help
me?"

"Yes, sir! Mr Howlett said I was to come and wally de sham you, as he
calls washing yer down and dressing of yer up. Same to you, sir, only
you don't look quite as I should like to see yer."

Half an hour later Mark was on deck in a long cane chair, the awning
above his head, the monotonous-looking coast off astern, and forward and
to right and left the blue dancing water, rippled by a light breeze
which made the _Nautilus_ careen over and glide through the little
waves.

"And how beautiful it all looks!" sighed the lad. "I never thought the
ship so delightful, nor the sea so bright before."

Just then, Dance the coxswain came by, and saluted, Bob Howlett passing
them the same moment.

"Here you are, then, skipper," he said. "What do you think of Joe
Dance? Looks yellow about the gills, don't he? Here comes the captain.
Can I do anything for you, Vandean?"

"Morning, Mr Vandean," said the captain. "Come, that's better. Now
then, be smart and get well."

"I almost think I am well, sir," replied Mark, "and feel ashamed of
being so idle."

"Humph!" said Mr Staples, from behind him, "first midshipman I ever
knew with so fine a conscience. But come, he does look better, sir."

"Oh yes. Only wants time," said the captain. "You'll be ready to help
take the next slaver, Vandean--eh?"--this to the lieutenant; "well, say
the next but one. By the way, Mr Vandean, you can send your attendant
to the cabin for any books you like to read. Look here, Staples."

They went aft together talking, and then descended to the cabin, when
Bob Howlett hurried up.

"Why, you're holding quite a levee, old chap. I want to introduce two
gentlemen to you, only I don't know about bringing them on the
quarter-deck. All right, I will. It can be to move your chair."

Before Mark could say a word, the lad was off, and a minute later he
returned with a couple of black sailors in white duck shirt and
trousers--big built, fierce-looking fellows, whose black faces, hands,
and feet showed strangely in contact with their snowy clothes.

They followed Bob Howlett on deck and to the chair