n the case, my boy," said the doctor. "It was a
battle between the poor fellow's strength and the poison on that
wretched arrow, and Ned has won."

"Oh!" ejaculated the man softly.

At that moment the captain and Mr Bartlett entered the cabin.

"We have heard all you said," exclaimed the former, as he came to the
side of the couch and took the patient's hand, to give it a firm grip.
"Good lad: well done."

"And I am very glad, Ned," said the mate warmly.

"There, that will do," said the doctor sharply. "He is forbidden to
speak, but he says through me, that he is very grateful to you all, and
glad to find that his manly, straightforward, willing ways have won him
so many friends. Nod your head to that, Ned."

The man gave him a comically pitiful look, which seemed to Jack to mean,
"Oh, I say, doctor, you're pitching that last too strong," but he
remained quiet after giving every one an attempt at a nod.

"Now then," said, the doctor, "I want this cabin cleared, for he is
going to sleep for a few hours, to get cool and calm. Yes, you are,"
said the doctor, in answer to a look full of protest. "And as soon as
you wake I'll have you carried to your own berth. There, behave
yourself, and you'll be all right in a few days."

Half-an-hour later both patient and Jack were sleeping soundly, and that
evening, thoroughly out of danger, Ned was resting again in his own
berth, and Jack was dining with the rest in the cabin as if nothing
whatever had occurred; the yacht many miles now from the island, which
stood in the evening light like a blunted cone of perfect regularity
resting upon the placid sea.

That night the regular watch was kept, and the sea was steadily swept in
search of danger in the shape of canoes stealthily approaching to try
and take the yacht by surprise. But no danger came near, and at last,
after lying awake for some time, thinking of the account his father had
given him of the attack made by the enemy, and the terrible anxiety
about the little shooting party, Jack fell into a deep and dreamless
sleep, to rise refreshed and find the doctor's prognostic was correct,
the patient having also had a quiet night, with the steward and Lenny to
keep watch by his pillow, and there was no sign of fever to check a
rapid recovery.

That day, with his mind at ease, Jack sat listening to a discussion held
under the awning, as the yacht softly rose and fell upon the long
pulsations of the calm sunlit sea,