n bowed and quitted the room, followed by the surgeon.

As soon as the door was closed the two midshipmen turned their heads
round and looked at each other, but they were afraid to speak at first,
in case of the return of the surgeon. As soon as it was announced to
them that Captain Wilson and Mr Daly were outside the barrack gates our
hero commenced--"Do you know, Ned, that my conscience smites me, and if
it had not been that I should have betrayed those who wish to oblige us,
when poor Captain Wilson appeared so much hurt and annoyed at our
accident, I was very near getting up and telling him of the imposition,
to relieve his mind."

"I agree with you, Jack, and I felt much the same--but what's done
cannot be undone. We must now keep up the imposition for the sake of
those who, to help us, have deceived him."

"I don't think that you would find an English surgeon who would have
consented to such an imposition."

"No, that is certain; but after all, it is an imposition that has hurt
nobody."

"Oh, I do not wish to moralise--but I repent of my share in the deceit;
and had it to be done over again I would not consent to it."

"Not even for ---? but I won't mention her name in barracks."

"I don't know," replied Jack; "but let's say no more about it, and thank
these gentlemen for their kindness."

"Yes, but we must keep it up until we see the _Aurora_ under all sail."

"And longer too," replied Jack; "we must not let the affair get wind
even on shore. We must not recover quickly, but still appear to
recover. Don Rebiera and his wife must be deceived. I have a plot in
my head, but I cannot work it out clear until I see Mesty."

Don Philip now came in. He had seen Captain Wilson, who had requested
him to look after the two invalids, and stated his intention to sail the
next morning. They consulted with him, and it was agreed that no one
should be acquainted with the real fact but his brother Martin, and that
all Palermo should be as much deceived as Captain Wilson, for if not, it
would put Father Thomaso on the _qui vive_, and make him fulminate more
than ever. Our midshipmen ate an excellent dinner, and then remained in
bed conversing till it was time to go to sleep; but long before that,
Mesty had made his appearance with their clothes. The eyes of the
Ashantee said all that was necessary--he never spoke a word, but
unlashed his hammock and lay down in a corner, and they were soon all
three asleep.