"Oh yes, sir, I'm all right," said the wounded man, speaking more strongly now. Then in quite an apologetic tone, "Not quite all right, Sir John; you see, there's my arm. Sorry to have give so much trouble, Sir John; but you see, it wasn't quite my fault." "Ah, lie still, you rascal!" said the doctor, as the man made an attempt to rise. "Yes, don't move, Edward," said Sir John warmly. "I am very very thankful to see you so much better." "Thankye, Sir John. It's very good of you to say so. But I can't stop here in your way. Seems as if I was shamming ill like so as to get waited on: and if there's anything I hate it's that. Don't seem nat'ral, Mr Jack, sir." "Now lie still and be silent," said the doctor sharply. "Your tongue's running nineteen to the dozen, and it will not do your arm any good." "But really, sir," protested Ned, "if you'd put on a couple of good round pieces of sticking-plaster, and let me wear it in a sling for a day or two, it would be all right." "Will you hold your tongue, sir, hang you!" cried the doctor sharply. "I'd better put a bit of sticking-plaster on that. Do you think I want you to teach me my profession as a surgeon?" "No, sir; beg pardon, sir." "Silence, sir!" Ned screwed up his mouth and his eyes as well. "Now, Jack, my lad," said the doctor, "I can't afford to have you ill too. Go to your room, undress and get into bed." "Doctor! Now?" "Yes, my lad, now. You went through a terrible day of excitement yesterday, and you have not stirred from this poor fellow's side all night." "Mr Jack, sir! Oh!" cried Ned in a voice full of reproach. "Look here, Ned," said the doctor, "if you say another word I'll give you a draught that will send you to sleep for twelve hours.--Now, Jack, my lad, do as I advise. Believe it is for your good. Go and sleep as long as you can. Never mind about it's being daylight. Ned is quite out of danger, and in a few days, when the poison is quite eliminated, he will be himself again." At the words "danger" and "poison" the man's eyes opened wonderingly, and he looked at Sir John and his young master in turn. "Yes, Jack, my lad, go." "But if--" "There is no _if_ in the case, my boy," said the doctor. "It was a battle between the poor fellow's strength and the poison on that wretched arrow, and Ned has won." "Oh!" ejaculated the man softly. At that moment the captain and Mr Bartlett entered the cabin. "We have heard all you said," exclaimed the former, as he came to the side of the couch and took the patient's hand, to give it a firm grip. "Good lad: well done." "And I am very glad, Ned," said the mate warmly. "There, that will do," said the doctor sharply. "He is forbidden to speak, but he says through me, that he is very grateful to you all, and glad to find that his manly, straightforward, willing ways have won him so many friends. Nod your head to that, Ned."