put his hand to his
forehead and felt a cut that was bleeding profusely.

Drew had a horror of scenes, and instead of reporting to Tyke or to the
captain, he resolved to go quietly to his room, bind up the wound as
well as he was able, and then get into his berth with the hope that a
good night's rest would put him in good shape again.

He wondered in a dazed way where Parmalee was. Why had not the other
young man sought to help him? He had been standing close by at the
time and could not have failed to notice the accident. Was it possible
that Parmalee still nourished a grudge, and had refused the slight
service that humanity should have dictated? No, Parmalee was not that
kind. There was no love lost between the two, but Drew refused to do
him that injustice.

But Drew's wound demanded attention, and he was too confused just then
to solve problems that could wait till later. So he picked his way
rather unsteadily to the companionway and went down.

He had to pass the captain's cabin on his way to his own room. As he
did so, the light streamed full upon him, and Ruth, who had not yet
gone to her own room, looked up from her sewing and saw him. She gave
a little scream and rushed toward him.

"Oh, Allen, Allen!" she cried, taking his face in her hands. "What has
happened? Your head is bleeding! Are you badly hurt?"

"Don't be frightened, Ruth," he returned. "I was stupid enough to fall
and cut my head a little. Bu it's nothing of any account. I'll bind
it up and I'll be as right as a trivet in the morning."

"_You'll_ bind it up!" she exclaimed. "You'll do nothing of the kind.
You'll come right in here and let me fix that poor head for you."

She drew him in and he went unresistingly, glad to yield to her gentle
tyranny.

Ruth found warm water, ointment, lint and bandages, and deftly bound up
the wound. She was a sailor's daughter, and an adept in first aid to
the wounded. Her soft hands touched his face and head, her eyes were
dewy with sympathy, and Drew found himself rejoicing at the accident
that had brought him this boon. She had never been so close to him
before, and he was sorry when the operation was ended.

"Through so soon?" he asked regretfully.

She laughed merrily. She could laugh now.

"I can take the bandage off and start all over again if you say so,"
she said mischievously.

"Do," he begged.

"Be sensible," she commanded. "Go at once now and get to bed.
Remember, yo