"I can't sleep any more, and we may as well talk--there are things to be arranged," he said. "In the first place, as soon as I feel a little easier, you'll have to sail across to Comox and hire some men to pack me out. When you've sent them off, you'll make for Vancouver, and get a timber licence and find out how matters are going on." "That," said Carroll firmly, "is out of the question. Nairn can look after our mining interests--he's a capable man--and if the thing's too much for him they can go to smash. Besides, they won't give you a timber licence without full particulars of area and limits, and we've blazed no boundaries. Anyhow, I'm staying right here." Vane began to protest, but Carroll raised his hand. "Argument's not conducive to recovery. You're on your back, unfortunately, and I'll give way to you, as usual, as soon as you're on your feet again, but not before." "I'd better point out that we'll both be hungry by then. The provisions won't last long." "Then I'll look for a deer as soon as I think you can be left. And now we'll try to talk of something more amusing." "Can you see anything humorous in the situation?" "I can't," Carroll confessed. "Still, there may be something of that description which I haven't noticed yet. By the way, the last time we were at Nairn's, I happened to cross the room near where you and Miss Horsfield were sitting, and I heard her ask you to wait for something at Nanaimo or Comox. I thought it curious." "She told me to wait, so she could send me word to come back, if it was needful." "Ah!" said Carroll; "I won't ask why she was willing to do so--it concerns you more than me--but I fancy that as regards your interests in the Clermont a warning from her would be worth as much as one from Nairn; that is, if she could be depended on." "Have you any doubt upon the subject?" "Don't get angry. Perhaps I've talked too much. We have to think of your injury." "I'm not likely to forget it," Vane informed him. "But I dare say you're right in one respect--as an amusing companion you're a dead failure, and talking isn't as easy as I imagined." He lay silent afterwards, and, though he had disclaimed any desire for sleep, worn by the march and pain, as he was, his eyes presently closed. Carroll, however, sat long awake, and afterwards admitted that he felt badly afraid. Deer are by no means numerous in some parts of the bush; they had not seen one during the journey; and though there was a little food left on board her, it was a long way to the sloop.