somewhat concealed at the time by
two black eyes, a swollen nose, a cut lip, and a torn cheek. Poor
fellow, he had suffered severely at the hands of the pirates, and
suddenly checked the stretch in which he was indulging with a sharp
groan, or growl, as he sat up and pressed his hand to his side.

"Why, what's the matter with me, an' where am I?" he exclaimed, gazing
round the cave, while a look of wonder gradually displaced the
expression of pain.

"You're all right--rescued from the pirates at all events," answered Sam
Shipton, rising from table and sitting down beside the seaman's couch.

"Thank God for that!" said the man earnestly, though with a troubled
look; "but how did I escape--where are the rascals?--what--"

"There, now, don't excite yourself, my man; you're not quite yourself in
body. Come, let me feel your pulse. Ah, slightly feverish--no wonder--
I'll tell you all about it soon, but at present you must be content
merely to know that you are safe in the hands of friends, that you are
in the pirates' cave, and that the pirates and their vessel are now at
the bottom of the sea."

"That's hardly c'rect, Mr Shipton," murmured Slagg; "I would have said
they was blow'd to hatoms."

The seaman turned and looked at the speaker with what would have been a
twinkle if his swelled visage would have permitted, but the effort
produced another spasm of pain.

"I must examine you, friend," said Sam; "you have been severely handled.
Help me to strip him, Robin."

The poor man at once submitted.

"You're a doctor, sir, I suppose?" he asked.

"No," said Sam, "only an amateur; nevertheless I know what I'm about.
You see, I think that every man in the world, whatever his station or
profession, should be at least slightly acquainted with every subject
under the sun, in connection with which he may be called on to act. In
other words, he should know at least a little about surgery, and physic,
and law, and carpentering, blacksmithing, building, cooking, riding,
swimming, and--hallo! why, two of your ribs are broken, my man!"

"Sorry to hear it, sir, but not surprised, for I feels as if two or
three o' my spines was broken also, and five or six o' my lungs bu'sted.
You won't be able to mend 'em, I fear."

"Oh, yes, I shall," said Sam cheerily.

"Ah! that's well. I'd thowt that p'r'aps you wouldn't have the tools
'andy in these parts for splicin' of 'em."

"Fortunately no tools are required," returned Sam.