Part 11 (1/2)

”Seems clearer, eh?”

”Yes, uncle”

”Feel feverish?”

”No, uncle, I think not I'ood deal knocked about, then?”

”I don't quite know, uncle I suppose so It all seems very dreamy now”

”Consequence of injury to the head Soldiers are in that condition sometimes after a blow from the butt end of a musket”

”Are they, uncle?” asked Aleck, as half ready to believe that this was all part of his dream

The captain nodded, and sat silent for a fewat the bundle, hat, and cane Then--

”So you've been o away, uncle; not run”

”Hah! Sa, my lad”

”No, uncle”

”What! Don't contradict ain?”

”No, uncle”

”Hu away?”

”I had some such ideas, uncle, when I tied them up,” said the lad, firmly; ”but I should not have done that”

”Indeed! Then why did you tie theo away, uncle”

”Well, that's what I said, sir”

”That was not quite correct, uncle If I ran away it would have been without telling you”

”Of course, and that's what you meant to do”

”No, uncle; I feel now that I could not have done that I should have co to tell you that I felt as if I should be better away, and that I would go to sea at once”

”Humph! And if you went away, sir, what's to become of me?”

”I don't know, uncle, only I feel that you'd be better without such an obstinate, disobedient fellow as I am”