Fitz the Filibuster | Page 8

be closely followed
by a bluff-looking, middle-aged man, sun-browned, bright-eyed and
alert, dressed in semi-naval costume, and looking like a well-to-do
yachtsman.
He smiled pleasantly as he gave a searching look at the invalid, and sat
down at once upon a chair close to the lad's pillow, leaning over to
touch his brow and then feel his pulse.
"Bravo!" he said. "Capital!--Humph! So you are thinking I don't look
like a doctor, eh?"
"Yes," replied Fitz sharply. "How did you know that?"
"Because it is written in big letters all over your face. Why, you are
getting quite a new man, and we will have you on deck in a day or
two."
"Thank you," said Fitz. "It is very good of you to pay so much attention
to an invalid. I knew you were not a doctor because your son here said
so; but you seem to have done me a great deal of good, and I hope you
think I am grateful. I am sure Captain Glossop will be very much
obliged."

"Humph!" said the skipper dryly. "I hope he will. But there, try your tea.
I dare say it will do you good."
As he spoke the skipper passed one muscular arm gently under the
boy's shoulders and raised him up, while his son bent forward with the
tea.
"Thank you," said Fitz, "but there was no need for that. I could have--
Oh, how ridiculous to be so weak as this!"
"Oh, not at all," said the skipper. "Why, you have been days and days
without any food--no coal in your bunkers, my lad. How could you
expect your engines to go?"
"What!" cried Fitz. "Days and days! Wasn't I taken ill yesterday?"
"Well, not exactly, my lad," said the skipper dryly; "but don't you
bother about that now. Try the tea."
The cup was held to his lips, and the lad sipped and then drank with
avidity.
"'Tis good," he muttered.
"That's right," said the skipper. "You were a bit thirsty, I suppose. Why,
you will soon be ready to eat, but we mustn't go too fast; mind that,
Poole. Gently does it, mind, till he gets a bit stronger.--Come, finish
your tea.--That's the way. Now let me lay you down again."
This was done, and the boy's face wrinkled up once more.
"I am so weak," he said querulously.
"To be sure you are, my lad, but that will soon go off now. You've got
nothing to do but to lie here and eat and drink and sleep, till you come
square again. My boy Poole here will look after you, and to-morrow or
next day we will carry you up on deck and let you lie in a cane-chair.
You will be able to read soon, and play draughts or chess, and have a
fine time of it."

"Thank you; I am very much obliged," said the young midshipman
warmly. "I want to get well again, and I will try not to think, but there
is one thing I should like to ask."
"Well. So long as it isn't questions, go on, my lad."
"I want you to write a letter home, it doesn't matter how short it is,
about my having been ill--so long as you tell my mother that I am
getting better from my attack. Your son said when I asked him, that I
got it on the head, and I am afraid my mother would not understand
that, so you had better say what fever it was, for I am sure she'd like to
know. What fever was it, Captain? You might tell me that!"
"Eh, what--what fever?" said the skipper. "Ah, ah," and he gave a
peculiar cock of his eye towards his son, "brain-fever, my lad,
brain-fever. It made you a bit delirious. But that's all over now."
"And you will write, sir? I'll give you the address."
"Write?" said the captain. "Why not wait till you get into port? You
will be able then to write yourself."
"Oh, but I can't wait for that, sir. If you would kindly write the letter
and send it ashore by one of the men in your boat, it will be so much
better."
"All right, my lad. I'll see to it. But there, now. You've talked too much.
Not another word. I am your doctor, and my orders are that you now
shut your eyes and go to sleep."
As he spoke the skipper made a sign to his son, and they both left the
cabin, the latter bearing the empty cup.
CHAPTER FIVE.
AGHAST.
As the cabin-door closed Fitz lay back, trying to think about his

position, but he felt too comfortable to trouble much. There had been
something so soft and comforting about that tea, which had relieved the
parched