of any
more bleeding, and it will heal up again in a very short time."

Sir Humphrey unconsciously sighed again, but it was a sigh of relief and
a few minutes after Dan brought him a cup of tea, of which he partook,
and once more dropped asleep when everything had been done.

"Bit weak," said the captain softly. "Best thing he can do. Sleep's a
fine thing, and it seems the best thing in the world when you've got the
watch and your eyelids keep on sticking together and making you feel as
if you must break up a couple of sticks to turn into props. Now come
and have some breakfast, my lad. I want mine. Eh? what do you say?
We're sailing up?"

"Yes; we're going fast."

"Ever since sunrise, my lad, and we're miles away from where we
anchored, and likely to get miles more ahead by night, so that we may
hope for better anchorage and better sport than we had yesterday.
Hungry?"

"Well, yes," said Brace. "I feel more at ease about my brother."

"That's right," said the captain, sniffing. "I say! ham smells good.
Coffee too. That skinny chap of Briscoe's makes a splendid steward.
You'll feel in better heart still when you've had your breakfast. Sun's
out again."

"Yes," said Brace; "I saw it was a bright morning."

"I didn't mean that: I meant your sun, squire--the one inside a man
which gets clouded over sometimes, and means dumps till it comes out
again and lights him up. Sun's in: a man can't eat. Sun's out: he can.
See?"

"Yes," said Brace, laughing; "I think I shall have an appetite to-day."

The next minute he was proving his words; but his efforts did not bring
him abreast of the captain and the others, though the captain said
afterwards in confidence:

"The passengers did not play such a very bad knife and fork."

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

RAPID PROGRESS.

A favourable breeze sent the brig higher and higher up the river all
that day, the captain taking advantage of the many broad reaches to
spread ample canvas.

There was only one drawback to their full enjoyment, and that was the
absence of the wounded man.

Brace had the satisfaction of seeing his brother asleep again and again,
sinking into pleasant restful slumbers, from which he awoke sensibly
refreshed and freed from fever. In fact, all cause for anxiety seemed
to have disappeared, and all on board became more cheerful.

The banks of the river were for the most part densely wooded, but twice
over open park-like patches were passed wher