shooting back broke the spell. The first
detachment were coming down from "exercise." The door was flung back,
and the bayonets of the guard gleamed in a ray of sunshine that shot
down the hatchway. This glimpse of sunlight--sparkling at the entrance
of the foetid and stifling prison--seemed to mock their miseries. It was
as though Heaven laughed at them. By one of those terrible and strange
impulses which animate crowds, the mass, turning from the sick man,
leapt towards the doorway. The interior of the prison flashed white with
suddenly turned faces. The gloom scintillated with rapidly moving hands.
"Air! air! Give us air!"

"That's it!" said Sanders to his companions. "I thought the news would
rouse 'em."

Gabbett--all the savage in his blood stirred by the sight of flashing
eyes and wrathful faces--would have thrown himself forward with the
rest, but Vetch plucked him back.

"It'll be over in a moment," he said. "It's only a fit they've got." He
spoke truly. Through the uproar was heard the rattle of iron on iron, as
the guard "stood to their arms," and the wedge of grey cloth broke, in
sudden terror of the levelled muskets.

There was an instant's pause, and then old Pine walked, unmolested, down
the prison and knelt by the body of Rufus Dawes.

The sight of the familiar figure, so calmly performing its familiar
duty, restored all that submission to recognized authority which
strict discipline begets. The convicts slunk away into their berths,
or officiously ran to help "the doctor," with affectation of intense
obedience. The prison was like a schoolroom, into which the master had
suddenly returned. "Stand back, my lads! Take him up, two of you, and
carry him to the door. The poor fellow won't hurt you." His orders
were obeyed, and the old man, waiting until his patient had been safely
received outside, raised his hand to command attention. "I see you know
what I have to tell. The fever has broken out. That man has got it. It
is absurd to suppose that no one else will be seized. I might catch it
myself. You are much crowded down here, I know; but, my lads, I can't
help that; I didn't make the ship, you know."

"'Ear, 'ear!"

"It is a terrible thing, but you must keep orderly and quiet, and bear
it like men. You know what the discipline is, and it is not in my power
to alter it. I shall do my best for your comfort, and I look to you to
help me."

Holding his grey head very erect indeed, the brave old fello