FEVER STRICKEN SHIP. 53

Having done what I could for the other man,
I went to look for Raven. I found him in the se-
cond mate’s berth. He too was ill with fever, and
seemed to have forgotten that he ought to have
been on deck, and that the vessel had been left
without anyone to look out. I told him that the
captain had resolved to put to sea the next day.
‘Had he gone a week ago the lives of some of
us might have been saved, but it is too late now,’
he answered with a groan.

Sick at heart, after attending to him, I
returned to the cabin, to make my report to the
captain.

‘What, all! everyone of them sick!’ he ex-
claimed, sighing deeply. ‘Then God have mercy
upon us. ‘You must not fall ill, Harry.

* Not if I can help it, sir,’ I replied.

‘I must keep up,’ he said, and if I can get
these Krumen on board we will still put to sea.
They are trustworthy fellows, and, Harry, you
must be my mate. You are somewhat young; but
you have got a head on your shoulders. You must
keep your wits alive.

‘Tl do my best, sir,’ I answered, feeling not a
little proud of the rank to which I thus was raised.