flushed to the roots of his hair, and tore his hat from his head as
if the weight troubled him. He stared at Mr Pepson in amazement, and
then, seeing the smile, smiled back at him.

"You are chaffing me," he said. "Trying to humbug me. You know well
enough that no decent fellow would do that. You wouldn't. I wasn't
going to desert a comrade who was down and helpless, particularly when
there were such ruffians about. So I set to work as quickly as
possible."

"You made up your mind to see the business through?"

"Yes. I was staggered at first. Then I caught you up, not too gently,
I fear, and dumped you into the boat. After that I pushed her out and
shoved off into the shadow of the trees."

"Why? What was your reason?"

Mr Pepson was like an inquisitor. He still smiled the same little
smile, and still treated his agent to an occasional flash of his
brilliant eyes, as if he would probe him to the utmost depth.

"My reason? Oh, we were in the light, you see. The moon was up, and
the beggars could pot us easily. They had guns, remember, else you
would not have been hit. I reckoned--all of a sudden--I don't know how
it was, quite--that we should be safer there, and so into the shadow I
went. Then they occupied our position. I could see to shoot, while
they were bothered. Still, they made a fine rush, and things began to
look ugly when the launch came into view. Our friend showed his mettle,
for he fired at once, and his shot practically ended the engagement.
Then we steamed off, and, and--"

"And here we are. And I owe you a life again, Master Dick. Very good.
No, I won't say a word more, save that you tackled the task well. It
was an ugly position and you seem to have chosen the only way out. I'm
glad, too, that Meinheer put a spoke in their wheel. Now do me the
favour of dressing these wounds again, and then we will breakfast. Get
the bandages and a looking-glass, for then I shall be able to see the
hurts myself, and give an opinion. You see, I am a bit of a surgeon."

At this moment the blanket beneath which the ample figure of the
Dutchman was shrouded stirred and was thrown back, and very soon,
yawning and stretching his arms, Meinheer came along the deck. By then
Dick had the bandages and fresh dressings, as well as a bowl of water,
drawn from the river, and some clean linen to act as a sponge. How
different, how lighthearted he looked, for, thanks to his chat with Mr
Pepson, and