e, and
quinine acts as a cure. But there's one thing I want to know, and it's
this, how in the name of all that's wonderful these South American
people first found it out."

Fitz looked at him in a puzzled way. "What does he mean," he thought,
"by wandering off into a lecture like this?" The skipper smiled at him
as if he read his thoughts. "Hah!" he said. "I am beginning to feel
better now. The shivers are going off. Not such a bad doctor, am I?
You see, one always carries a medicine-chest, but one has to learn how
to use it, and I have been obliged to pick up a few things. I shouldn't
be at all surprised some day if I have to doctor you for something more
than a crack on the head. Look here, Poole," he continued, with a
broad, good-humoured smile crossing his features, "come into
consultation. What do you think? Our friend here is a bit too
hot-blooded. Do you think he need be bled? No, no; don't flush up like
that, my lad. It was only my joke. There," he cried, holding out his
hand, which had ceased to tremble--"shake. I'll never allude to it
again. You did rather a foolish thing, but it is all over now--dead and
buried, and we are going to be just as good friends as we were before,
for I like you, my lad, none the less for the stuff of which you are
made--the pluck you have shown. But take my advice; don't attempt
anything of the kind again. Fate has put you into this awkward
position. Be a man, and make the best of it. Some day or other you
will be able to say good-bye to us and go back to your ship, feeling
quite contented as to having done your duty. Come now, let's shake
hands and begin again."

He held out his hand once more, and after a moment's hesitation, Fitz,
who dared not trust himself to speak, placed his own within it, to have
it held in a firm, warm pressure for some moments before it was
released.

"There," said the skipper, smiling, "I am coming out in a nice soft
perspiration now, and I feel as if that bit of excitement has done me
good. Here, Poole, I'm tired, and I think that I can sleep and wake up
better. Burnett, my lad, perhaps you would like to stay below the rest
of the day.--Poole, mix Mr Burgess a dose. You know how many grains.
Tell him I can't come to him myself, and see that he takes it. It's my
orders, mind. These attacks are sharp but short. I'm half asleep
already. Oh, by the way--"

He stopped short, drawing a heavy breath.

"By the way, I--"

H