iously
incapable of discretion in his state. He entered presently with a heavy
sigh, and only then observed me. A malignant look worked in his face
blackly, but I interposed at once.

"Captain," said I. "If you are captain, I am doctor. This can only end
one way, and I won't have it end that way if it is in my power to
prevent it."

"You are wrong," he said snappishly. "You are captain and doctor in
one."

"I am going to try on you a particular drug which I have faith in," I
said, ignoring his words. "It is new, but there are great possibilities
in it. If it is all I believe it to be, you will get up to-morrow
another man."

He put his arms on the table. "Oh, my God!" he groaned. "Night and day,
night and day. For God's sake, doctor, give me something."

That was what I wanted. He was a little querulous, spiteful child now,
and I had possession of him. I had seen his soul undressed and naked,
and it frightened me. I felt more than anxiety for him; I felt
compassion. And it was I that put him to bed that night. But meanwhile
we were on the way to Rio Janeiro.

CHAPTER VII

THE RISING

In advising that the yacht's course should be laid for Rio I assumed
that possibly the mutineers would not have completed their
arrangements, and would be taken by surprise. My assumption was
justified, though its very correctness came near to wrecking what
reputation I had left as a man of sense. I had long recognised that I
was looked upon as having a bee in my bonnet, and the fact that we
arrived safely in the port must have increased the doubts of those who
knew I was responsible for the alteration of the course. The change
could not, of course, be concealed very long. The watch was privy to
it, when Day set the new course, and by next morning it was all over
the ship. Yet the same dignified routine proceeded; no one volunteered
any act of violence; and if I believed in myself no one else did, I am
sure. Little Pye mused openly on the change, but withdrew himself at
once into his legal reticence when I also expressed my surprise. To say
the truth, I was not anxious that it should be known that I was the
author of the alteration, and so made inquiries with a show of
innocence. Nor do I think that any one suspected me, for neither the
Prince nor Day would be likely to talk. Day, indeed, surprised me. He
thanked me privately for my medical advice, and, with a smile, added:

"Perhaps I should say also nautical."

I sh