er icy bulwarks on to
slippery decks was miserable, and the most awkward operations had to be
performed at times when it needed dexterity merely to keep a footing.
One man had the calf of his leg taken clean away by a topmast which came
down like a falling spear; the frost had caught the desperate wound
before Ferrier came on the scene, and the poor mortal was near his last.
The young man saw that the leg must go; he had never ventured to think
of such a contingency as this, and his strained nerve well-nigh failed
him. A grim little conversation took place in the cabin between the
skipper, the doctor, and the patient. I let the talk explain itself, so
that people may understand that Ferrier's proposed hospital was not
demanded by a mere faddist. The man was stretched on a moderately clean
tablecloth laid on the small open space in the close dog-hutch below; a
dull pallor appeared to shine from _underneath_, and glimmered through
the bronze of the skin. He was sorely failed, poor fellow. The skipper
stood there--dirty, unkempt, grim, compassionate. Ferrier put away a
bucket full of stained muslin rags (he had tried his best to save the
limb), and then he said softly, "Now, my son, I think I can save you;
but you must take a risk. We can't send you home; I can't take you with
me until we get a turn of smooth water; if I leave you as you are, there
is no hope. Do you consent to have the leg taken off?"

"Better chance it, Frank, my boy. I dursn't face your old woman if I go
home without you."

"Will it give me a chance? Can I stand the pain?"

"You'll have no pain. You'll never know, and it all depends upon
_afterwards_."

"I stand or fall with you, doctor. I have some little toebiters at home
I don't want to leave yet."

"Very good. Now, skipper, stand by him till I come back; I have some
things to bring."

Two wild journeys had to be risked, but the doctor's luck held, and he
once more came on that glassy deck. Sharply and decisively he made his
preparations. "Have you nerve enough to assist me, skipper?"

"I'll be as game as I can, doctor."

"Then kneel here, and take this elastic bag in your hand; turn this rose
right over my hands as I work, and keep the spray steadily spirting on
the place. You understand? Now, Frank, my man, when I put this over your
face, take a deep breath."

* * * * *

Ferrier was pale when Frank asked "Where am I?" He waved the skipper
aside, and set h