to himself more than once. Paul was unwearied in
following the surgeon's directions. Devereux, however, was totally
unconscious, and unaware who was attending on him. He spoke now and
then, but incoherently, generally about the home he had lately left.
Once Paul heard him utter the name of Gerrard.

"We beat them, though they kept us long out of our fortune, and now they
are beggars as they deserve. Hard for the young ones, though, I think;
but it cannot be helped--must not think about them."

Such expressions dropped at intervals from the lips of Devereux. How he
came to utter them at that time Paul could not guess. Did he know him,
or in any way associate his name with the family of whom he was
speaking?

"He has some sympathy, at all events, poor fellow, with our
misfortunes," thought Paul. "I wish that I had not thought so ill of
him. I hope he won't die. I will pray that God will spare his life;
even if he were my enemy I should do that."

The surgeon, when he came his rounds, expressed his approval of the way
Paul had managed his patient.

"Will he live, sir?" asked Paul, in a trembling voice.

"That is more than the wisest of us can say," was the answer.

Paul was at length relieved from his charge by a marine who acted as
Devereux's servant. He was, however, very unwilling to quit his post.
He was feeling more interest in the wounded midshipman than he could
have supposed possible.

Paul, as soon as he could, made his way on deck. He wanted to know what
had become of the burning ship. He looked around; she was nowhere to be
seen. He inquired what had happened to her. She had blown up; and
probably nearly all on board had sunk beneath the waves. There were men
aloft, however, looking out, and now they were pointing in the direction
of where the burning ship had gone down. A speck on the ocean was
observed; it was probably part of the wreck, and perhaps some of the
crew might be clinging to it. The captain ordered a boat to be lowered,
for the wind was so light that the frigate would take a much longer time
than it would to reach the spot. The boat pulled away; the men in the
rigging and all on deck eagerly watched her progress. It seemed,
however, doubtful whether any one of their late foes had escaped
destruction. The crew in the boat made no sign that they saw any one.
At length, however, they reached the spot towards which they were
rowing.

"Anyhow, they've got something," cried