our trip depends
upon our being staunch to one another."

Mr Burne declared that it was absurd, and ridiculous, and nonsensical,
and raked out a few other adjectives to give force to his sentiments,
speaking in the most sour way possible; but it was very evident that he
was highly pleased, and the steamer sailed without them.

The next day Mr Burne was so stiff that he could not walk about; but he
refused to see a doctor, and a week passed before he could move without
pain. Then one morning he declared that he was mending fast, and
insisted upon inquiries being made respecting the sailing of the next
steamer that would stop at one or other of the little towns on the south
coast; but there was nothing bound in that direction, nor likely to be
for another fortnight.

"And all my fault!" cried Mr Burne angrily. "Tut-tut-tut! Here, ring
for the landlord."

The landlord came and was questioned.

No, there was no possibility of a passage being made for quite a
fortnight, unless the visitors would go in a small sailing boat
belonging to one or the other of the trading crews.

The professor glanced at Lawrence, thought of the probable discomfort,
and shook his head.

"The very thing!" exclaimed Mr Burne sharply.

"We can make trips in steamers at anytime; but a trip in a Greek
felucca, with real Greek sailors, is what I have longed for all my life.
Eh, Lawrence, what do you say?"

"I think with you, sir, that it would be delightful--that is, if you are
well enough to go."

"Well enough to go! of course I am. I'm longing to be off. Only a bit
stiff. Look here, landlord, see what you can do for us. One moment,
though; these Greeks--they will not rob us and throw us overboard--eh?"

"No fear, sir. I'll see that you go by a boat manned by honest fellows
who come regularly to the port. Leave it to me."

The landlord departed and the question was discussed. The professor was
ready enough to go in the manner proposed so long as Lawrence felt equal
to the task, and this he declared he was; and certainly, imperceptibly
as it had come about, there was an improvement in his appearance that
was most hopeful.

The principal part of their luggage had gone on by steamer, and would be
lying waiting for them at Ansina, a little port on the south coast which
had been considered a suitable starting-point; and they had been
suffering some inconvenience, buying just such few things as would do to
make shift with till they