but stood with the others watching the lad's
unsteady steps till he disappeared.

"He'll do now, sir," said the captain.

"Do?" cried the doctor; "I should think he will. Why, Meadows, he has
got all the right stuff in him: it only wants bringing out. Nothing
like the sea for a lad, is there, captain?"

"Nothing, sir," said that gentleman. "It makes a boy manly and
self-reliant. He may turn out a bit rough, but it's rough diamond. Sir
John, pray don't you think from what I say that I'm one of those
carneying, flattering sort of chaps who ought to be kicked all round the
world for the sneaks they are. What I say is quite honest. That's a
fine lad of yours: he's as nervous now as a girl, and no wonder, seeing
how weak and delicate he is, but I watched him this morning, and he's
fighting it all down like a fellow with true grit in him, at a time too
when he's feeling downright bad. You won't hardly know him in a month."

Sir John nodded and walked away, to go and stand by himself looking out
to sea.

"Whew!" whistled the captain, turning to the doctor. "I hope I haven't
offended our chief."

"Offended him? no," said the doctor, taking his arm and walking him off
in the other direction. "It's all right, captain. You spoke out the
truth, and he'll tell you before the day's out that he is obliged. Poor
fellow! he is very tender-hearted about his boy. Lost the lad's mother,
you see, and he worships him. But you're quite right, my plan's good,
and I shall bring him back a healthy man."

"You shall, doctor, for we'll all try and help you; there!"

CHAPTER TEN.

JACK BEGINS TO COME ROUND.

"Oh dear, I do feel so ashamed of myself," said the doctor at breakfast
that morning. "Edward, bring me another egg, and some more of that
ham."

"Well, sir, if you do," said the captain, smiling, "I ought to be, but
I'm not. More coffee, Sir John?"

"Thanks, no, I'm taking tea. Jack, my boy, will you try another cup?"

The lad hesitated for a moment, and then drew aside for Edward to refill
his cup, with which he had been eating sparingly of some well-made
toast.

"Find that rather stale, Mr Jack?" said the captain.

"No; it is very nice," said the lad. "Ah, the toasting takes it off.
Four days out. That's as long as we go with the same bread. Begin
making our own to-morrow."

Just then Edward handed Doctor Instow a goodly rasher of broiled ham,
upon which was a perfectly poached egg; and directly