But I don't mind that so much--it's poor old Skipper I'm worried about.

But come on up ter the house, lads, and see fer yerselves." Followed by the sympathetic four, the old man hobbled up from his little wharf to a small eminence on which stood his neatly whitewashed hut.

He opened the door and invited them in.

A first glance discovered nothing much the matter, but a second look showed the boys poor old Skipper lying on the floor in front of the open fireplace which was filled with fresh green boughs--and evidently a very sick dog indeed.

He gave the boys a pathetic glance of recognition as they came in, and with a feeble wag or two of his tail tried to show them he was glad to see them; but this done, he seemed to be completely exhausted, and once more laid his head between his forepaws and seemed to doze.
"Poor old dog," said the captain, shaking his head.