"Well, doctor," said the major, "what do you think of your patient? I hope you are better, Sim?" "Thanky kindly, sir," said Private Sim, screwing up a terrible face. "I was thinking which I ought to prescribe," said the doctor, very seriously. "Sim's is a peculiar case. There's pressure on the brain, and also congestion of the vascular system of the spinal column." "Indeed!" said the major. "Yes, sir," replied the doctor, pursing up his lips, "and I'm hesitating between two courses." "Try 'em both, doctor," said Bob Roberts, laughing with his eyes. "Right, youngster," said the doctor, clapping him on the shoulder, "I will. We'll have the moist application first, and the warm dry application after." Private Sim screwed up his face a little tighter. "If I might make so bold, sir," he said in a whining voice, "I think what you've given me's done me ever so much good, and all I want now is rest." "Rest, my man!" said the doctor. "Nonsense man! You want the most brisk and active treatment. Yours is a sluggish system, but we'll soon put you right. Here, my lads," he continued to the sailors, "bring a stout rope, and lash it round his chest. We'll give him four dips overboard for the head pressure, and then four dozen on the back to increase the circulation." "Oh, doctor!" groaned the man, looking round for sympathy; but only to see everyone within hearing on the grin. "Don't you be afraid, Sim; I'll soon put you right," said the doctor kindly. "I'll make a man of you." "I don't think I could bear it, doctor. I mean I do really feel better, sir." "Let's see if you can stand, Sim," said the doctor. The man rose groaning, and held on by one of the sailors, who, at a word from the doctor, slipped away, and left the invalid standing. "You are better, decidedly, Sim. You couldn't have done that two days ago." "No, sir." "There, now walk across the deck." "If I'm able to walk, sir, shall I have to be dipped?" "Walk away, and go below to your mess, you idle, shamming scoundrel," cried the doctor. Private Sim opened his lips to speak, but the look he received was too much for him, and he slowly walked off, trying hard to appear ill-used, till he reached the companion ladder, down which he shuffled to the intense delight of the men. There was no land in sight, but the sea was glorious in the brilliant sunshine--so clear and blue that the darting fish could be seen far below; and before long, Bob Roberts had borrowed a fishing-line from Dick, the old sailor, baited the hooks, and was trailing it behind the vessel, in the hope of catching enough fish for a dinner for his mess. At first his sport was not very good; but after a time he captured a large glistening fish, evidently, from its silvery skin, belonging to the mackerel family; and this so excited Ensign Long, who had been looking on rather contemptuously, that he borrowed a line of the boatswain, and was also soon at work fishing.