the water rippled by
her bows.

Then everything was plain: there had been no attack in the night, the
breeze had sprung up with the sun, and the brig was gliding at a fair
rate up the river.

But best all and most welcome was the appearance of Sir Humphrey when
Brace descended after going on deck for a refreshing morning bath, the
toilet equipment consisting of a rough towel and a bucket of water
dipped out of the river by one of the men.

For as Brace went to the side of the berth to gaze anxiously in his
brother's face, Sir Humphrey's eyes opened and he stared wonderingly up
into those bent upon him.

"What a horrible dream!" he said slowly. "I dreamed I--Why, it was all
true: I was shot with a poisoned arrow."

"Yes, Free, it's all true enough," said Brace, laying a hand upon the
other's forehead, to find it burning hot.

"Yes, I remember everything now. I felt that I was going to die."

"We were afraid so too."

"But I'm not dead, Brace."

"Not a bit, old fellow. Does your arm hurt much?"

"When I move it. Then it stings. I say, that must be a good, healthy
sign!"

"I should think so."

"But my head aches terribly--it is burning and throbbing."

"Aha! good morning, Sir Humphrey," cried the captain cheerily. "Come,
that's better. Why, you frightened us all last night."

"I am very sorry."

"And I am very glad," said the captain. "Did I hear you say just now
that your head was aching very badly?"

"Yes, terribly."

"Well, don't be uneasy about that. I gave you a strong dose of opium
yesterday, and you've only just slept it off. Never mind about the
head. Let your doctors see your arm."

This was carefully unbandaged, the captain displaying no mean skill.

"Swollen a bit," he said; "the bandages have been drawn too tight. A
nasty hurt; but you're a healthy man, and the wound looks the same.
There's no poison here."

"Do you feel sure?" asked Sir Humphrey, while Brace looked anxiously on.

"Certain, sir. Look for yourself. A bit hot and inflamed, and very
tender to the touch, but quite natural. A poisoned wound would look
very different from that. Here, squire, we'll give it a good bath and a
new bandage and it will be quite easy. We're not going to turn back
from our voyage because our leader has been hurt."

"Your words do me good, captain," said Sir Humphrey, smiling. "A man
cannot help feeling just a bit nervous when he has received such a
wound, can he?"

"Of course