"Yes--yes," said Dutch strangely. "I had forgotten. My God, I must have been mad," he muttered. "I beg your pardon," said the doctor, in a low whisper. "Nothing, nothing; go on, sir, pray." "I am glad I have awakened your interest," said the doctor. "You thought me officious, but indeed, Mr Pugh, she needs your care and thought. That night I thought she would have died; some trouble, I fear, had given her incipient brain fever, and I really dread what may happen if she is subjected to this shock. If anything can be done." "I shall see, I shall see," said Dutch hoarsely. "It was you, then, who carried her up-stairs--not our regular practitioner," he added, with his voice trembling. "No," said the doctor; "I thought you knew." "Don't speak to me any more now, doctor," said Dutch, feeling for Mr Meldon's hand, and pressing it warmly. "God bless you for this. I shall never forget it." "It is nothing, Pugh, nothing," said the other warmly. "Forgive me if I seemed to resent your words; I know you are much troubled now." "Hark!" exclaimed Dutch; "listen." There was a rush across the deck, evidently far forward, and once more silence. "Heaven forgive me!" said Dutch to himself; and then, in spite of the terrible peril they were in, he felt his way to the further cabin, and in a low voice whispered his wife's name. "Hester--here!" With a faint cry of joy, she stretched out her hands to him, for there was that in his voice which made her heart leap. "Dutch! Dutch!" she whispered, as she wreathed her arms round his neck, and clung to him tightly. "Hester, darling," he whispered, "you should curse me, and not treat me so. My darling, I have been mad, and have but just learned the truth. Forgive me, dear, forgive me. One word, for I must go." "Forgive you?" she whispered back, as she pressed her lips to his in a long passionate kiss. "Husband, dear husband, tell me you believe in me again." "Never to doubt you more, darling," he groaned. "I cannot tell you now. Loose me--quickly--I must go." "No, no," she whispered; "not yet, not yet--one more word, Dutch, one more word." "Stand ready there, everyone," cried the captain, in a loud stern voice, "and close up, gentlemen. Let every man aim at getting the weapons from the cowardly villains. Be firm: we have right on our side." There was a sharp rustling noise, and the loud tramp of feet overhead; and then the captain's voice was heard once more out of the darkness. "Quick there! Where is Dutch Pugh? The scoundrels are coming down." The noise overhead increased as Dutch tore himself from his wife's arms, and hurried to join the defenders; but the captain's words were premature, as, after a few minutes, the sounds seemed to go forward once more and almost to cease, and just then Rasp's voice was heard.