and sad story, doctor," said Orlando, evading the
question, "and I have not time to tell it now, for I want you to visit
another patient."

"Another patient?" repeated the surgeon, in surprise; "ah! one of the
natives, I suppose?"

"No, a white man. He is a sailor who ran away from his ship, and was
caught by the natives and tortured."

"Come, then, let us go and see the poor fellow at once. Does he live
far from here?"

"Close at hand," answered Orlando, as he led the way; "and perhaps,
doctor, it would be well not to question the poor man at present as to
his being here and in such a plight. He seems very weak and ill."

When the surgeon had examined Rosco's feet he led Orlando aside.

"It is a bad case," he said; "both legs must be amputated below the knee
if the man's life is to be saved."

"Must it be done now?"

"Immediately. Can you assist me?"

"I have assisted at amateur operations before now," said Orlando, "and
at all events you can count on the firmness of my nerves and on blind
obedience. But stay--I must speak to him first, alone."

"Rosco," said the youth, as he knelt by the pirate's couch, "your sins
have been severely punished, and your endurance sorely tried--"

"Not more than I deserve, Orlando."

"But I grieve to tell you that your courage must be still further tried.
The doctor says that both feet must be amputated."

A frown gathered on the pirate's face, and he compressed his lips for a
few moments.

"And the alternative?" he asked.

"Is death."

Again there was a brief pause. Then he said slowly, almost bitterly--

"Oh, death! you have hovered over my head pretty steadily of late! It
is a question whether I had not better let you come on and end these
weary struggles, rather than become a hopeless cripple in the prime of
life! Why should I fear death now more than before?"

"Have you any hope of eternal life, Rosco?"

"How can _I_ tell? What do _I_ know about eternal life!"

"Then you are not prepared to die; and let me earnestly assure you that
there _is_ something well worth living for, though at present you do
not--you _cannot_ know it."

"Enough. Let it be as the doctor advises," said the pirate in a tone of
resignation.

That night the operation was successfully performed, and the unfortunate
man was afterwards carefully tended by Ebony.

Next day Tomeo and Buttchee were told that their old friend Zeppa could
not yet be seen, but that he required many