r and I felt frightened, because it would have been
so serious; but there, I won't say another word. I am going to get you
some tea."

The invalid made an effort to stay him, but the lad paid no heed--
hurrying out of the cabin and shutting the door quietly after him,
leaving Fitz deep in thought.

He lay with his white face wrinkled up, trying hard, in spite of what
had been said, to think out what it all meant, but always with his
thoughts tending towards his head rolling round in a mill and getting no
farther; in fact, it seemed to be going round again for about the nth
time, as mathematicians term it, when the cabin-door once more opened,
and his attendant bore in a steaming hot cup of tea, to be closely
followed by a bluff-looking, middle-aged man, sun-browned, bright-eyed
and alert, dressed in semi-naval costume, and looking like a well-to-do
yachtsman.

He smiled pleasantly as he gave a searching look at the invalid, and sat
down at once upon a chair close to the lad's pillow, leaning over to
touch his brow and then feel his pulse.

"Bravo!" he said. "Capital!--Humph! So you are thinking I don't look
like a doctor, eh?"

"Yes," replied Fitz sharply. "How did you know that?"

"Because it is written in big letters all over your face. Why, you are
getting quite a new man, and we will have you on deck in a day or two."

"Thank you," said Fitz. "It is very good of you to pay so much
attention to an invalid. I knew you were not a doctor because your son
here said so; but you seem to have done me a great deal of good, and I
hope you think I am grateful. I am sure Captain Glossop will be very
much obliged."

"Humph!" said the skipper dryly. "I hope he will. But there, try your
tea. I dare say it will do you good."

As he spoke the skipper passed one muscular arm gently under the boy's
shoulders and raised him up, while his son bent forward with the tea.

"Thank you," said Fitz, "but there was no need for that. I could have--
Oh, how ridiculous to be so weak as this!"

"Oh, not at all," said the skipper. "Why, you have been days and days
without any food--no coal in your bunkers, my lad. How could you expect
your engines to go?"

"What!" cried Fitz. "Days and days! Wasn't I taken ill yesterday?"

"Well, not exactly, my lad," said the skipper dryly; "but don't you
bother about that now. Try the tea."

The cup was held to his lips, and the lad sipped and then drank with
avidity.

"'Tis g