re," I said roughly, "where are you wounded, so that I can tell Mr
Frewen?"

"I'm--I'm--"

"Well, where?" I said, still very roughly, for the sight of the
treacherous young wretch made a hot feeling of rage against him rise in
my throat.

"Not--not wounded," he said feebly.

"Then what's the matter with you?" I cried contemptuously; "sea-sick?"

"No--no, that--that wretch, Jarette."

"What?" cried Mr Brymer, with a mocking laugh. "What? `Wretch
Jarette!' Do you mean your captain, my worthy young lieutenant?"

Walters' eyes gave a roll and then closed as he lay there; but they
opened again directly, for Mr Brymer gave him an angry thrust--a
thrust, not a kick--with his foot.

"Here, get up, cur! You're our prisoner now. What do you say?"

Walters' lips were moving as Dumlow held the light over him and bent
down.

"Says as you're to stow him in prison, sir, and not let the skipper see
him."

"Bah! Has it come to this? Speak to him, Dale. What does he say now?"

"Water; he is asking for water," I said, as I saw how piteously weak the
lad was.

"Suffering from exhaustion and want of air."

"Then he must have a rest," cried Mr Brymer. "Now, sir, can you get up
and walk?"

"No," said Mr Frewen, decisively.

"Lift him up, Dumlow," said Mr Brymer, "and bring him aft to one of the
cabins. Will you see to him, Mr Frewen?"

The doctor nodded, and I felt as if I wanted to go; but my duty was
there, and I had to stay.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

That storm showed no signs though of abating, and we watched on through
the night, constantly on the strain, attacked as we were by alarms from
below, and the furious assault of the winds and waves. Several times
over during the night, when I was suffering from the cold, and faint
with hunger and exhaustion, a horrible chilly feeling of despair came
creeping over me. I began thinking of home and those there who would be
heart-broken if I was lost; but always at these worst times something
seemed to happen that took me out of myself, giving me work so
particular to do that all my energies were directed to that duty, and in
consequence I forgot my own troubles.

Twice over, when Mr Brymer came with one or other of the men, Mr
Denning expressed a wish to be relieved, and I had to take his arm and
help him along under the shelter of the bulwarks to the saloon and the
cabin where his sister was waiting anxiously for news, and as we
struggled aft, he talked