ith
James Allen. After they had finished their investigations, the officials
left one of their party to inspect the remaining passengers as they came
on board, and to check them off the list. They then again took their
seats in the galley and were rowed to the next ship.

By dint of great exertions the cargo was got out by sunset, the sails
were at once loosened and the anchor weighed, and before the short
twilight had faded away the _Flying Scud_ was making her way with a
gentle breeze towards the mouth of the harbour.

"We are well out of that," Mr. Atherton said as he looked back at the
lights of the city.

"I think you are very well out of it indeed, in more senses than one,"
said the surgeon, who was standing next to him; "but you have had a
wonderfully close shave of it, Mr. Atherton. Another inch and either of
those blows might have been fatal. Besides, had you been detained for a
month or six weeks, it is as likely as not that, what with the heat and
what with the annoyance, your wound would have taken a bad turn. Now,
you must let me exercise my authority and order you to your berth
immediately. You ought not to have been out of it. Of the two evils,
getting up and detention, I chose the least; but I should be glad now if
you would go off at once. If you do not, I can assure you I may have you
on my hands all the rest of the voyage."

"I will obey orders, doctor. The more willingly because for the last
hour or two my back has been smarting unmercifully. I do not feel the
other wound much."

"That is because you have been sitting still. You will find it hurt you
when you come to walk. Please go down carefully; a sudden movement might
start your wounds again."

It was two or three days before Mr. Atherton again appeared on deck. His
left arm was bandaged tightly to his body so as to prevent any movement
of the shoulder-blade, and he walked stiffly to the deck-chair, which
had been piled with cushions in readiness.

"I am glad to be out again, Mrs. Renshaw," Mr. Atherton said as she
arranged the cushions to suit him. "Your husband, with Wilfrid and the
two Allens, have kept me company, one or other of them, all the time, so
I cannot say I have been dull. But it was much hotter below than it is
here. However, I know the doctor was right in keeping me below, for the
slightest movement gave me a great deal of pain. However, the wounds are
going on nicely, and I hope by the time we get to Buenos Ayres I shall