tay on deck through the weakness produced by their wounds.

Drew saw it as he came on board and related their experience.

"Come, I say," he exclaimed at last, "don't look so down-hearted."

"All very well for you," said Oliver, "you can get about. We're
prisoners."

"Only for a little while. It may be my turn next," said Drew.

"A little while!" said Oliver, sadly.

"Yes; your wound is getting better fast."

Panton groaned.

"And yours, too," said Drew smiling.

"Yea, that's right, grin," said Panton, sourly. "You'd laugh if I were
dying."

"I don't know about then," replied Drew, "but I can't help laughing
now."

"Brute!"

"No, I'm not, I was only laughing at your irritability and petulance.
Sure sign that you are getting better, my lad, isn't it, doctor?"

Mr Rimmer gave the speaker a good-tempered nod.

"Oh, yes," he said, "Mr Panton's coming right again, fast. Nice
healthy appearance about his wound, and Mr Lane's, too. When the sea
fails to get me a living I think I shall set up as quack doctor. Come,
gentlemen, you are getting better, you know. Not long ago you were on
your backs; then you managed to sit on deck; then to stand for a bit,
and now you have been here for ever so long watching us. That don't
look as if you were going back."

"No," said Oliver, "but I feel so weak, and it seems to be so long
before we get strong."

"Oh, never mind that, my dear sir, so long as you are travelling on the
right way. Patience, patience. Let's get a few more days past, and
then you'll be running instead of walking, and getting such a collection
together as will make us all complain about the smell."

Oliver smiled sadly.

"Ah, but we shall," cried the mate. "That's what I like in Mr Drew's
collecting, he presses and dries his bits of weeds and things, and then
shuts them up in books. Mr Panton's work, too, is pleasant enough only
lumpy. I shall have to get rid of the brig's ballast and make up with
his specimens of minerals to take their place."

"Then you mean to get the brig down to the sea again?" said Oliver
sharply.

Mr Rimmer took off his hat and scratched his head, as he wrinkled up
his forehead and gazed with a comical look at the last speaker.

"I didn't think about that," he said sadly. "Seems to me, that the
sooner we set about building a good-sized lugger the better, and making
for some port in Java."

"No, no," cried Oliver; "there is no hurry. This is an exceptional