An altercation ensued between the seamen. Brack had insulted Carl's man; the wordy warfare became furious. "Row back to the harbor!" shouted Carl in a rage. "And you sheer off or it will be the worse for you." This was all Brack wished to hear. If Hackler returned, there was no danger. "Keep cool," shouted Brack. "I reckon I'll be home first." His mother was sitting up anxiously awaiting the news when he came. "He's got safe away, but we had a narrow squeak for it," he said, and told her what happened. "I wish our Bill were on the _Sea-mew_," she said with a sigh. "Maybe he will be some day, mother," said Brack. The _Sea-mew_ forged ahead toward the North and Captain Ben watched at Hector's bedside. The unfortunate man slept heavily but uneasily; he groaned and raved incoherently, tossed from side to side, sometimes in danger of falling out of the berth. Toward six o'clock Ben sent for Abe Glovey, who came and took his place while he went to meet Picton. Ben had a difficult task before him. He wished to break the news gently; the shock would be great; then they would have to think what was best to be done. Picton was out early; he had not slept well; strange dreams caused him uneasiness. "I've had a restless night. You look as though you had," he said to Ben. "I have; it has been a strange night. I've something to tell you," and he proceeded to explain about Brack coming to the yacht. "What on earth did he want at that hour of the night?" said Picton. "He brought some one to see me." Picton was surprised. "Who was it?" "A man," said Ben. He was not a good hand at this sort of thing; he wanted to blurt it all out in his blunt way. Picton smiled. "Don't beat about the bush, Ben; you can't do it." "That's a fact, I can't. You'll stand a shock, Picton, a very great shock." "Is it tremendous?" "Yes," said Ben seriously. "The man Brack brought here last night is aboard now; he's asleep in my cabin; he is very ill; he has suffered a lot; he will require a great deal of care. We shall have to be very careful." Picton looked at him wonderingly. Gradually a light broke in upon him; he turned pale and felt giddy. Ever since the boom of the gun startled him he had had Hector in his mind. "Was it Hector who escaped?" he asked. Ben nodded. "Was it Hector Brack brought to the _Sea-mew_?" Again Ben nodded. "Let us go to him," said Picton. Ben wondered at his taking it so calmly, but he knew the strain must be great. They went to Ben's cabin. "Glovey's inside; I'll send him out," said Ben. When the man was gone Picton stepped inside and looked at his brother with tears in his eyes. "What a wreck, Ben; it's awful." Captain Ben turned away his head. There are some things worse than death to look upon, cause more sorrow and pain. Hector lay on his back. His face told a tale of misery such as few care to hear, and none to suffer.