wrong, and you are right," observed Mr Grey.
"If the captain falls ill again I do not know which of us two is to
navigate the ship. If we go by his calculations, the chances are that
we shall run her bows on some rock or other."

"I sincerely hope that the captain will not fall ill," said Owen. "If
he does, I am afraid that Mr Scoones will not acknowledge that he
himself is ever out in his calculations."

Unhappily the captain's fever returned, and he became utterly unable to
leave his berth. The doctor shook his head when speaking about him, and
expressed a fear that his illness would prove fatal.

CHAPTER FIVE.

The "Druid" had run more than half across the Indian Ocean. She had
encountered a heavy gale, and had been driven somewhat out of her
course, but the weather moderated, and she was now steering for the
Straits of Sunda. Unfortunately she received considerable damage. One
of her boats had been lost, her bulwarks stove in, and her fore-yard
sprung.

The captain, who had been on deck during the continuance of the gale,
had over-exerted himself, and was now again confined to his cot. For
several days, owing to a cloudy sky, no observation had been taken.
Owen had one evening entered the cabin shortly before the time for
taking a lunar observation, in order to ascertain the longitude. Mr
Grey had just before gone on deck with his sextant.

"Is the weather clear?" asked Captain Aggett.

"Yes, sir. There are but few clouds, and I think we shall get a good
observation."

"I must go on deck and take one," said the captain, attempting to rise.
He sank back, however, before he could get out of his cot. Owen
endeavoured to assist him, but his strength was insufficient. Again the
captain endeavoured to rise. "I am weaker than I fancied," he murmured.
He lay quiet for a few minutes.

"Owen," he said at length, "I am afraid that my days are numbered. I
should have been thankful had I lived to carry the ship into port, but
God may will it otherwise. If I die, when you get home, see my poor
widow, and deliver to her such property as I possess. She will not be
left as well off as I should wish. I have not been as prudent as I
ought to have been."

"You may trust that to me, sir, and I will do the best I can," answered
Owen; "but perhaps you are not so ill as you suppose. Let me call the
doctor, and he may give you something to restore your strength."

"Yes, call him; but I doubt if anything h