Tenderly they carried him below, inwardly cursing the dead priest who had brought him to the gates of death. Even their fear for the missing inventor was swallowed up by that for Haverly. They could not bear to think of losing their cheery friend, their comrade in so many dangers, and anxiously they awaited the result of the scientist’s examination. “Leave me a while,” the scientist murmured brokenly at length, and at that the three stole forth, moving silent as spectres to the engine-room, to look for Garth. The Ayuti noted everything with wonder: the rich carpet which covered the floor of the corridor; the numerous cabins on either side, of the furniture of which he could catch a glimpse through the partly open doors. All had been rifled by the savages. Drawers and chests had been overthrown, lockers burst open, and their contents strewn about the floors. The usual spick-and-span condition of the boat, due to the care of the inventor, was conspicuous by its absence. It was with a dread gripping their hearts as to what they should find within, that they opened the engine-room door, and at first their worst fears seemed realised. Beside his engines, motionless as the gleaming cranks themselves, lay Garth, his head in a puddle of rapidly-congealing blood. With a low, fearful cry, Wilson flung himself down beside his friend, anxiously feeling for the beating of his heart. “Thank God!” he muttered at last, “he lives!” and, without wasting further words, set to work to restore the unconscious man. Half an hour passed ere Garth came round, and then so weak was he from loss of blood, that the engineer insisted on him retiring at once to his berth. Only when he was sleeping soundly did the comrades return to the cabin where Haverly lay. With their eyes asking the question they dared not put into words, they approached the professor, who still watched beside his patient; and surely, never was prisoner more glad to receive reprieve, than they to hear Mervyn’s verdict: “He will live.” Almost Seymour leapt for joy as he heard the words; but, remembering in time the need for absolute quiet, he restrained himself, and returned with Chenobi to the deck, there to use his superfluous energy in casting overboard the carcases of the slain wolf-men and their priest. That done, he and the engineer turned their attention to getting the _Seal_ afloat again, as while she remained ashore they were exposed to the constant danger of an attack by the savages; and this, while Haverly’s condition was so serious, they wished to avoid, if possible. By taking the tide at its flood, they managed to effect their purpose, their actions being keenly watched by the Ayuti. Then, when the vessel was once more in her natural element, they deemed themselves more secure.