“Cowards!” came excitedly from Archie, and he once more tried to raise his head, but only for it to sink back wearily. “Burning—always burning! Oh, how hot—how hot!”
“Like some water, Mister Archie, sir?”
“Water! Who said water?”
“Me, sir. There is a little. Let me give you a taste.”
There was no reply, so Peter quickly tilled the cocoa-nut shell, bore it to his companion’s side, and knelt down.
“Now then, sir, you let me hyste you up a little. Don’t you try—I can do it, and hold the nut to your lips. You will have nothing to do but drink.”
At the first touch Archie started violently.
“Who’s that?” he cried.
“Only me, sir. Steady, or you will upset the whole blessed apple-cart, and make yourself wet.”
“Only me—only me,” said Archie, and directly after the poor fellow sank back again with a weary sigh.