nd
trembled against his side.

"Little ass!" said Saltash again. "Been lying here sweating with terror,
have you? There's nothing whatever to sweat about. She's as safe as
houses."

"Yes, sir. I know, sir," whispered Toby apologetically.

Saltash's arm surrounded him with a comforting closeness. "You miserable
little shrimp!" he said. "How's the head?"

"Better, sir. Thank you, sir," muttered Toby.

"Why not tell the truth for once and say it hurts like hell?" suggested
Saltash.

Toby was silent.

"Do you know what I'm going to do with you?" said Saltash.

"No, sir." Toby stirred uneasily.

The vessel pitched to a sudden slant and Saltash braced himself,
protecting the fair head from a blow against the woodwork behind him.
"I'm going to put you to bed in my bunk here," he said. "You've got to
have a decent night's rest. Did Murray look you out any spare slops? I
told him to."

"Oh, yes, sir. Thank you, sir. But I couldn't sleep in your bunk,
sir,--please, sir--indeed, sir!" Toby, still held by the sheltering arm,
waxed incoherent, almost tearful.

Saltash pulled him up short. "You'll do as I tell you--now and always,"
he said, with royal finality. "You've put yourself in my hands, and
you'll have to put up with the consequences. Got that?"

"Yes, sir," said Toby meekly.

"Then don't forget it!" said Saltash.

Toby subsided without further protest. Perhaps the brandy helped to make
him quiescent, or perhaps it was only the realization of his utter
weakness and dependence; but from that moment he was as submissive as if
he had been indeed the small captive animal to which his new owner had
likened him. At Saltash's behest and with his help, he presently crept
back to his own cabin to divest himself of his hotel-livery and don the
very roomy suit of pajamas that Murray the steward had served out to him.

Then, barefooted, stumbling, and shivering, he returned to where Saltash
leaned smoking in the narrow dressing-room, awaiting him.

Saltash's dark face wore a certain look of grimness. He bent without
words and lifted the shrinking figure in his arms.

Ten seconds later Toby sank down in a berth as luxurious as any ever
carried by private yacht.

He was still shivering though a grateful warmth came about him as Saltash
tucked him in. He tried to murmur thanks, but ended with a quivering chin
and silence.

"Go to sleep, you little ass!" commanded Saltash.

And so at last Toby slept, the deep, unst