the recovery of the wounded
man.

Van Graoul, who had a very fair knowledge of surgery, and a sufficient
modesty not to attempt more than his skill would warrant, after a
careful examination of the wounds, pronounced them not dangerous; and
making up a dose from the medicine chest, Prior swallowed it, and soon
afterwards had gained sufficient strength to speak and sit up. Van
Graoul had charged me to let him say only a few words, to give me any
information which may be on his mind, and then to urge him to go to
rest. The first word he uttered was my name.

"It is all very strange, indeed," he said. "But it is indeed a
satisfaction to be with you, Seaworth, though I cannot tell how it has
all occurred."

I told him how we had been attracted to the spot by the burning vessel,
and picked him out of the water, urging him not to say more than was
necessary at the moment.

"Ah, now I remember," he answered. "We were attacked by a pirate--a
treacherous, cowardly pirate. They took us by surprise. We fought,
however; but most of the crew were killed; some were carried off, I
believe. I was knocked down below after being wounded, and supposed to
be dead or dying. I was left to be burnt by the miscreants. I was only
stunned, and soon recovering, I gained the deck just as they left it.
The idea of being burned to death was too horrid to be endured. The
boats were all destroyed, there was no time to make a raft; so, casting
loose a hen-coop, I lowered it into the water, and lashed myself to it,
trusting that Providence would find some means of preserving me; or, at
all events, that I might thus enjoy a longer time to offer up my prayers
to Heaven, and to prepare for death. It was an awful time, Seaworth;
but I did not feel unhappy. I never possessed greater reliance in God's
mercy. I trusted that, if He did not think fit to preserve my life, He
would, through the merits of our Saviour, lead me to a glorious
immortality in the next. I had no fear, strange as it may seem, I
assure you."

"I should have said that of you, Prior, believe me," I replied. "But I
must not let you talk more now. I have one question first to ask before
I impose silence. What sort of a craft was the vessel which attacked
you?"

"A low black brig; and her crew seemed of all nations," he replied.

"I thought so," I exclaimed. "It was the _Emu_, and she it is which is
still in sight."

I instantly sent for Fairburn,--for he had left