What a pity we haven't a wide hatchway with slings! That twisting down the curved steps means years off the poor soul's life." The gentle sailors did their best, but the patient suffered badly, and Ferrier found it hard to force beef-tea between the poor fellow's clenched teeth.
Lucky Tom Betts! Had he been sent back to the smack he would have died like a dog; as it was, he was tucked into a berth between snowy sheets, and Tom Lennard kept watch over him while Ferrier went off to board the disabled smack.

All the ladies were able to meet in the saloon now, and even the two invalids eagerly asked at short intervals after the patient's health.

Lucky Tom Betts! Marion Dearsley begged that she might see him, and Tom gave gracious permission when he thought his charge was asleep.

Miss Dearsley was leaning beside the cot.

"Like to an angel bending o'er the dying who die in righteousness, she stood," when she and Lennard met with a sudden surprise.