He certainly looked like a very sick man, though he appeared to be in no immediate danger, so far as the new captain of the Leopard was able to judge from his appearance.
"How do you find yourself, Captain Pecklar ?" asked Christy in sympathetic tones; for he really pitied the poor man, far away from his friends, and apparently on the very brink of the grave.
"I am a great deal better," replied the invalid, looking earnestly into the face of the young man in front of him.
"I am glad to hear it.

Major Pierson has gone in the boat to the Bellevite for Dr.Linscott, and I am sure he will be able to do something for you when he comes," added Christy.
"When he comes," repeated Captain Pecklar, with a smile on his thin and blue lips.

"I don't expect to see him at present." "But the major has gone for him; at least, he told me he should." "I have no doubt he told you so; but he has not gone for the doctor, though I may see the surgeon of the steamer in the course of the day," replied the captain, turning his gaze upon the floor of his room, as though his mind troubled him as much as his body.
"If the major has not gone for the doctor, what has he gone for ?" asked Christy.
"I know what he has gone for; and, as you belong on board of that steamer, I should think you might easily imagine." "Perhaps I can," added Christy rather vaguely.
"Was it necessary for a major and a lieutenant, with six soldiers, to go for the doctor, when five at the most could have done it better?
But have they gone ?" asked the captain anxiously.
"They have; they started some time ago.

They are making bad weather of it, for they don't know how to handle the boat in a sea," replied Christy.
"They have gone!" exclaimed Captain Pecklar, getting out of his bunk.
"Then I need not stay in my berth any longer." Christy looked at him with astonishment when he saw him get out of his berth without any apparent difficulty; for he certainly looked like a very sick man, though his appearance had somewhat improved since he left the pilot-house.
"Do you feel able to get up, captain ?" asked he, as the sufferer put on his coat.
"I was exhausted and worn out by being on duty all night, and I had a faint turn; but I am subject to them.

If you are the son of the man that owns that steamer, you will be able to understand me," replied the captain; and his feeble condition seemed to make him somewhat timid.
"I am the son of Captain Passford, who owns the Bellevite," added Christy.
"I should not have been down here now, if I could have got away; but they seem to hold on to me, for the reason that I am a pilot of these waters.