“Feels it every time I breathes, my lad. Bad job when a ship’s timbers goes.”
Sydney knew what to do under the circumstances, and sending Pan for Rogers to help him, he proceeded to examine his fresh patient, to find that two ribs were broken on the right side, the rest of the injuries consisting of severe bruises and grazings of the skin. In addition there were a couple of cuts on the back of the head, which called for strapping up.
Part of these injuries had been attended to by the time Pan returned with Rogers, and then the ribs were tightly bandaged with a broad strip of sail-cloth.
“I say, sir,” growled the boatswain, “not going to do this all over me?”
“No! Why?”
“’Cause I shan’t be able to move, and my boy’s been a-haskin’ for something hot ’fore you come.”
“That I didn’t, father.”
“Oh, yes, you did, my lad. You didn’t ask with yer mouth, but have a way of asking for what you’re so fond on without making no noise.”
Pan screwed up his face, and the lieutenant, who had been lying apparently asleep, burst into a loud laugh.
“Come, Strake,” he said, “you had better leave that, and think of getting better.”