Part 14 (1/2)

CHAPTER XIV

VISIONS IN DELIRIUM

There ca in the balance A burning fever was upon his

”Maain he plead: ”Uncle Robert, give me a drink of water! Uncle Robert, I'm so thirsty! Oh, I'm so thirsty!”

And then it would be Abel Zachariah or Mrs Abel, or Jimmy, or Skipper Ed himself, as addressed Every subject under the sun was running through Bobby's poor, delirious lish ”Father!” he would cry, ”see this cod He's a fine one! We'll have a fine catch this season” And so he would ra for a tirow silent, only to resuht

After each brief silence there was so that he knew he could get the bear if he only had ti Mrs Abel that he was tired, oh, so tired, and begging her to sing a lullaby to him as she used to do when he was little

Skipper Ed, foreseeing this state of affairs, had re, to his own tent, where he gave them strict instructions as to their conduct, and such casual attention as he could But for thethe day and night of Bobby's delirium he scarcely left Bobby's side for an instant And il and fear and foreboding Skipper Ed fell upon his knees and poured out his soul to the Great Master in an appeal for his young friend's life

It was near sunrise on the secondof his delirium that Bobby suddenly ceased to speak and lay very quiet--so quiet that an awful dread came into Skipper Ed's heart He leaned over the still for that he could not hear, and felt for heart beats that were too faint for his discovery

And then again he fell upon his knees, for he was a God-fearing man and he had the love of God in his heart, and he prayed that if it were not too late God in His goodness would again place the breath of life into Bobby and return him to them He prayed aloud, and as he prayed the tears ran down his weather-beaten cheeks

At last he rose Bobby's face had assumed an unnatural, peaceful repose

The color had left the cheeks that had been fever flushed for so long

The lips were partly open, and there was no ered to the tent front, and thrusting the flaps aside staggered out The world lay quiet and serene, as though it held no grief The waves lapped gently against the rocks The sky was afire with radiant beauty

For a long while Skipper Ed stood there, his face drawn and haggard, his tall form bent, uncertain which way to turn or what to do Presently the fire faded from the sky, a breeze sent a ripple over the calh to ask him why he mourned And then he whispered, ”Thy will be done If it is Thy will to take hie to accept our bereavee peace caain over Bobby's couch, and as he did so his heart gave a bound of joy, and a lu--ever so softly--but breathing

With the passingbecaer, and at the end of an hour, when Bobby at last opened his eyes Skipper Ed saw that reason had returned to the--queer--dreams,” Bobby murmured faintly

”Yes,” said Skipper Ed, ”you've been asleep”

”I--feel--very--weak”

”Yes, you're very weak, for you've been very sick, lad,” and Skipper Ed, choking back his emotion, added cheerily: ”But there's better luck for you now, lad Better luck”

”May--I--have--a--drink?”

Skipper Ed poured so Bobby's head, held the cup to his parched lips

”Father--and mother--and Jimmy--where--are--they?” Bobby feebly asked, for even in sickness his eye was quick to note their absence

”They're in et chilled, though they're ready enough for it, and tired enough of staying in,” said Skipper Ed

And then, wearied with the exertion, Bobby fell into deep and strength-restoring slumber, and Skipper Ed joined the others to cheer their hearts with the good news that Bobby's illness had passed its clier breakfast