CHAPTER THIRTY.
HOW MARK SAW THE SEA-SERPENT.
"He's about the most misfortnatest chap as ever was born, Jimpny is," said Billy Widgeon.

"He do get it bad and no mistake, allus." For the stowaway had been at once taken up to the hospital, as the shady spot under the cocoa-nut trees had to find him lying there looking already quite another man.

Kindly hands had been busy with water and bandages; he was decently clothed, and the feverish haunted look had gone out of his eyes, as he lay chatting with the sailors under a capital shedding of palm leaves and bamboos, which had been rigged up just in time for the storm, and which, like the other huts, had proved fairly water-tight.
"Oh yes, Mr Mark, sir, I'm a-getting on splendid now," he said.

"This is a deal better than being aboard." It was an understood thing that the party should start at once so as to have a long day for the search for the ship, and they had just prepared to start well armed for defence and to obtain fresh supplies of birds when Mark got back to the men's hut.

The captain was loth to leave the camp, but most eager to see the ship, so it was decided that the major should remain and Mr Gregory be the captain's companion, Billy Widgeon and another man being appointed to the party.
"Good luck to you!" said the major.