nts, had
them supplied, and went back to the cabin ready to prepare for catching
the first fish.

"Look here, Burnett," he said, "it'll be very awkward fishing out of
this window. How'd it be if I put a cane-chair close up under the rail?
Don't you think you could manage if I helped you up there?"

"I don't know. I am afraid I couldn't walk," said the boy dubiously.
"I'd try."

"Oh, never mind about your walking! If you'll come I'll run up and put
a chair ready, and then come back for you. I could carry you easily
enough if I got you on my back."

One moment Fitz had been looking bright and eager; the next a gloomy
shade was passing over his face.

"Like a sack," he said bitterly.

"Well, then, shall I make two of the lads carry you in a chair?"

"No," said the boy, brightening up again. "If I put my arm over your
shoulder, and you get one round my waist, I think I could manage it if
we went slowly."

"To be sure," cried Poole, and he hurried on deck, thrust a long cane
reclining chair into the place he thought most suitable, and had just
finished when his father came up.

"What are you about, boy?" he said; and Poole explained.

"Well, I don't know. I meant for him to come up this afternoon, but I
thought that it was all over after that upset. How does he seem now?"

"Just as if he were going to make the best of it, father."

"Then bring him up."

A minute later the tackle and bait were lying on the deck beside the
chair, and Poole hurried down to the cabin to help his patient finish
dressing, which task was barely completed when there was a tap at the
door and the Camel appeared, bearing his morning "dose," as he termed
it.

This was treated as a hindrance, but proved to be a valuable fillip
after what the boy had gone through, and the preparation for that which
was to come, so that, with the exception of once feeling a little faint,
Fitz managed to reach the deck, leaning heavily upon his companion; but
not unnoticed, for the mate caught sight of him from where he was on the
look-out forward, and hurried up to take the other arm.

"Morning, Mr Burnett," he said eagerly. "Come, this is fine! Coming
to sit in the air a bit? Oh, we shall soon have you all right now."

The boy flushed and looked pleased at the kindly way in which he was
received, and as he reached the chair there was another welcome for him
from the hand at the wheel, who had the look of an old man-of-war's man,
and gave hi