med eager to let
his son come well to the front.

"Very good," said the captain. "Then I think we'll run outside and
lie-to a mile or so beyond the reef, and see what they mean to do, for I
suppose you don't want to give up the island to the enemy!"

"No, it would be a pity," said Sir John, "just when we are getting on so
well. But what do you say, Bradleigh, will not this be a sufficient
lesson for them?"

"It ought to be, sir; but we are dealing with savages, and I will not
venture to say."

The steward came hurrying up at that moment, to give a sharp look-out
for danger, but seeing the enemy far astern, and the yacht gliding
swiftly along toward the open sea, he walked confidently to where the
group stood by the wheel.

"Doctor Instow would be glad if you would come into the cabin, Sir
John."

"It's about, Ned," cried Jack. "I'd forgotten him."

He ran to the cabin hatch, and Sir John followed quickly.

"Hah!" cried the doctor. "I'm glad you've come. He's very bad, Jack.
Yes, very bad, Meadows, poor lad."

"But from a wound like that?" said Sir John, and he and his son bent
over the poor fellow where he lay on one of the cabin settees, with his
eyes wide open, and looking very fixed and strange.

"Yes, from a wound like that," replied the doctor. "It would be nothing
in an ordinary way, but I saved the head of the arrow which passed
through his arm, and it and the top of the shaft had been well smeared
with some abominable preparation. The poison is affecting his system in
a very peculiar manner."

"Can he hear what you say?" whispered Jack anxiously.

"No; he is quite insensible. He was talking wildly a few minutes ago,
but he could not understand a word."

"Surely you don't think it will prove fatal?" said Sir John.

The doctor was silent.

"Oh, Doctor Instow," cried Jack in agony, "this is too terrible. The
poor fellow came out for what he looked upon as a pleasure-trip, and now
he is like this. Oh, pray do something."

"My boy," said the doctor gravely, "I have done everything possible."

"But try something else," cried Jack angrily. "I thought doctors could
do anything with medicine."

"I wish they could," said his father's friend sadly; "but it is at times
like this, Jack, we doctors and surgeons find out how small our powers
are."

"But only this morning he was so happy and full of life and fun," cried
Jack, as he sank on his knees by the couch to take the poor fellow's
col