e doctor, who was pretty
busy over his own early breakfast.

Jack made no reply, but went on sipping his coffee, and feeling much
better.

Sir John looked up, and raised his eyebrows a little.

"Doctor Instow spoke to you, my boy," he said gently, and, to the
speaker's surprise, his son said coolly--

"Yes, father, I heard him."

"Then why do you not answer?"

"Because he doesn't expect me, father. He knows what I should say."

"Knows?"

"Yes, father; he's only making fun of me. He only said that to make me
speak out."

"Then why do you not speak out? If you are so tired, it is excellent
advice for you to go and take a good long rest."

"And be fidgeting in that hot berth, thinking about the adventures you
are having? It would do me harm instead of good. Bring, me some more
toast, Edward."

The doctor threw himself back in his revolving seat at the table, and
clapped his hands on his knees.

"Well done, Jack!" he cried. "Bravo, lad! You've got the stuff in you
that good strong men are made of, after all. You're quite right. I did
want to stir you up and make you speak. Stop in bed all day! Not you."

The captain came in.

"How are you getting on, gentlemen?" he said in his bluff way.

"Nearly ready," said Sir John. "Then you will not go with us to-day?"

"No, sir. Let Bartlett have a turn, and I'll take care of the yacht.
One word though. I don't for a moment think you will come across
savages, but if you do I should like you to take the lead. You don't
want to fight, only to get back safely to the yacht, so make the best
retreat you can."

"Of course," said Sir John, and Jack looked from one to the other in an
excited way, "I expect the doctor here would like a fight," said the
captain with a grim smile.

"I! Why?" cried Doctor Instow, with a surprised look.

"So as to be getting a specimen or two to take home. I know what you
naturalists are."

"Oh, pooh! nonsense! absurd!" cried the doctor, taking a good deep
draught of the coffee Sir John's man knew so well how to provide.
"Doctors want to save life, not to destroy it--clever doctors do; and
I'm not such a very bad one, am I, Jack?"

"I can't talk properly with my mouth full," was the reply.

"But this is not breakfast, my boy," said Sir John, smiling.

"He's quite right, sir," said the captain. "Always make your hay while
the sun shines, especially when you're travelling."

There was no sign of any light when they w