ld you
expect? Well, my young shrimp, you have the satisfaction of knowing
that you've broken your companion's leg, and you'll have to be his
nurse. Do you hear?"

"Yes, sir," said Phil; "but he won't die, will he?"

"Not if I know it, boy. Ah, he's coming-to now."

For the injured lad opened his eyes, to stare about him, trying to
understand what it all meant, and grinning as he saw Phil.

"I say," he whispered, "I caught you!"

"That you didn't!" said Phil, indignantly.

"Well, nearly. But what's the matter with my leg?"

"Broke," said Phil, in a whisper.

"That all?" said the boy, coolly. "Well, then, I sha'n't be able to
walk."

"No," said Phil, in a hurried whisper. "You're to be in hospital, and
he says I'm to be your nurse."

"Who? The doctor?"

"Yes, sir," said that individual, sharply. "Your right leg's broken
just below the knee, and you may think yourself very lucky it wasn't
your neck."

Phil turned upon him an indignant look which made the doctor stare.

"Be a warning to you both not to play such monkey tricks again," he
added, sourly. "There, little one, stop with him, and I'll tell one of
the men to bring you some breakfast here."

CHAPTER SIX.

That mishap and the boy's illness worked a complete change. His
companions were not allowed to come to what was called the sick bay, but
somehow they soon came to know that Phil had been appointed nurse, and
that he was constant in his attendance, and doing everything he could to
help the sufferer. Possibly they heard a good deal from Jack Jeens, who
did manage to steal a few minutes with Phil once a day. So did the
ship's boys whenever Phil showed himself on deck. He tried to avoid
them at first, but they cut him off, and to his surprise instead of
plying him with blows they wanted to shake hands, while ever after they
were the best of friends.

"Why is it?" Phil asked Jack Jeens, who laughed, and said he supposed
it was because he tended the injured lad so well.

But Phil found that there was other work for him besides nursing a boy
with a broken leg, for at certain times he was called up on deck when
the men were working the guns, and he had to learn what was required
from him in connection with the great gun to which Jack Jeens belonged,
and in his quick way Phil soon did what was required, and that was, to
run down to the magazine and fetch a flannel bag that seemed to be full
of sand up on deck ready for the crew of t