their fate."

"Perhaps," returned the other, "they would not thank us for taking them
aboard."

"I don't understand you."

"The fever has broken out."

Vickers raised his brows. He had no experience of such things; and
though the intelligence was startling, the crowded condition of the
prison rendered it easy to be understood, and he apprehended no danger
to himself.

"It is a great misfortune; but, of course, you will take such steps--"

"It is only in the prison, as yet," says Pine, with a grim emphasis on
the word; "but there is no saying how long it may stop there. I have got
three men down as it is." "Well, sir, all authority in the matter is in
your hands. Any suggestions you make, I will, of course, do my best to
carry out."

"Thank ye. I must have more room in the hospital to begin with. The
soldiers must lie a little closer."

"I will see what can be done."

"And you had better keep your wife and the little girl as much on deck
as possible."

Vickers turned pale at the mention of his child. "Good Heaven! do you
think there is any danger?"

"There is, of course, danger to all of us; but with care we may escape
it. There's that maid, too. Tell her to keep to herself a little more.
She has a trick of roaming about the ship I don't like. Infection is
easily spread, and children always sicken sooner than grown-up people."

Vickers pressed his lips together. This old man, with his harsh,
dissonant voice, and hideous practicality, seemed like a bird of ill
omen.

Blunt, hitherto silently listening, put in a word for defence of the
absent woman. "The wench is right enough, Pine," said he. "What's the
matter with her?"

"Yes, she's all right, I've no doubt. She's less likely to take it than
any of us. You can see her vitality in her face--as many lives as a cat.
But she'd bring infection quicker than anybody."

"I'll--I'll go at once," cried poor Vickers, turning round. The woman of
whom they were speaking met him on the ladder. Her face was paler than
usual, and dark circles round her eyes gave evidence of a sleepless
night. She opened her red lips to speak, and then, seeing Vickers,
stopped abruptly.

"Well, what is it?"

She looked from one to the other. "I came for Dr. Pine."

Vickers, with the quick intelligence of affection, guessed her errand.
"Someone is ill?"

"Miss Sylvia, sir. It is nothing to signify, I think. A little feverish
and hot, and my mistress--"

Vickers was down the l