py, and thinking makes you forget where you are, and if your
work is mechanical you do it unconsciously, and may fall asleep over it.
I dozed more than once, and woke with the horrible idea that I had lost
my hold, and was not doing my work. That woke me effectually, but even
then I had to look at my hands to see that they were there. I pushed,
but I could not feel, my fingers were so numb with cold.

The second time I dozed and started again, I heard the captain's voice
close beside us. He was bawling upwards now, to Mr. Waters on the
bridge. Then he pushed me on one side and took my place at the wheel,
shouting to the steersman--"I meant the Scotch lad, not that boy."

"He's strong enough, and steady too," was the reply.

They both drove the wheel in silence, and I held on by a coil of heavy
rope, and sucked my fingers to warm them, and very salt they tasted.
Then the captain left the wheel and turned to me again.

"Are you cold?"

"Rather, sir."

"You may go below, and see if the cook can spare you a cup of coffee."

"Thank you, sir."

"But first find Mr. Johnson, and send him here."

"Yes, sir."

Whilst the captain was talking, I began to think of Dennis O'Moore, and
how he groaned, and to wonder whether it was true that he would get
better, and whether it would be improper to ask the captain, who would
not be likely to humbug me, if he answered at all.

"Well?" said the captain sharply, "what are you standing there like a
stuck pig for?"

I saluted. "Please, sir, _will_ he get better?"

"What the ---- Oh, yes. And hi, you!"

"Yes, sir?"

"He's in the steerage. You may go and see if he wants anything, and
attend on him. You may remain below at present."

"Thank you, sir."

I lost no time in finding Mr. Johnson, and I got a delicious cup of
coffee and half a biscuit from the cook, who favoured me in consequence
of the conscientious scouring I had bestowed upon his pans. Then
mightily warmed and refreshed, I made my way to the side of the hammock
I had swung for the rescued lad, and by the light of a swinging lamp saw
his dark head buried in his arms.

When I said, "Do you want anything?" he lifted his face with a jerk, and
looked at me.

"Not I--much obliged," he said, smiling, and still staring hard. He had
teeth like the half-caste, but the resemblance stopped there.

"The captain said I might come and look after you, but if you want to go
to sleep, do," said I.

"Why would I, if you'll