"All right, mate," I answered; "no harm has come of the capsize, except
a few wet jackets."
Just then, on looking round, I saw a man, who by his uniform I knew to
be a naval surgeon, standing near me. "So I see you've saved me my
work, gentlemen," he said, smiling. "You could not have acted better
than you appear to have done; and, thanks to you, we shall soon have him
all right again."
"Thank'ee, Doctor, I've come round pretty well already," sung out the
midshipman. "But, I say, mate, I just want another glass of your stuff.
It's prime physic."
The medico smelt the tumbler, which stood on the table full of grog, and
then felt the youngster's pulse and looked at his tongue.
"You may take half a glass--it's quite enough for you, and then we'll
have you wrapped up in blankets, and carried on board," he answered.
"Oh, thank'ee, Doctor, I'm very comfortable where I am, and my clothes
ain't dried yet; so if you'll let me stay here, I think it would be the
better for me," said the midshipman.
The Doctor's objections, if he had any, were soon overruled; and,
telling the midshipman to return on board the frigate as soon as his
clothes were dry, he quitted the cutter.
"What's your name, mate?" asked my new friend, as he was sipping his
glass of grog.