“What do you mean?” Ned cried. “What have I done?”
“Nothing, lad; but the men are not willing to have you around.”
“The men!” Ned repeated in bewilderment. “What can they have against me?”
“They’re afraid of catching the disease, and I can’t say I blame them.”
“But I ain’t sick.”
“Do you mean to tell me you didn’t know you had the leprosy?” and the captain now appeared to be thoroughly surprised.
“Have I?” and Ned in turn evinced astonishment.
“There’s no question about it. If I had noticed you more carefully the day you came on board, I should have known what the trouble was. Now it will be necessary to stay here quietly until we can set you ashore where there’s a hospital, for you need immediate care.”
Ned was so bewildered that he did not question the man further; but threw himself on the bunk once more, entirely at a loss to understand anything in regard to the matter, save that the crew had suddenly grown afraid of him.
“You must keep very quiet,” the captain continued. “Don’t exert yourself by moving around, and I will see you have everything that’s needed until we put you on shore, which will be by to-morrow, or the next day at the latest.”