"Certainly; longer than that, if necessary. Ah, I see it was time—high time for me to come for you boys."
Harold smiled in a rather melancholy way at that.
"I have grown to feel quite old since we have been here in the midst of so much suffering, and obliged to take so heavy a load of care and responsibility—performing serious operations and the like," he said with a sigh. "I must find you a seat," he added, glancing about in search of one.
"No, no," the captain hastened to say; "I should prefer walking around here and making acquaintance with some of these poor brave fellows—if you think it would not be unpleasant to them."
"I think they would be pleased to have you do so," was Harold's reply.
A few minutes later he and the captain went into the tent where Herbert lay in a burning fever. The very sight of the captain and the news that he had come to carry him and Harold north to cooler climate, mother, and other dear ones seemed so greatly to revive him that he insisted upon being considered quite able to be taken immediately on board the yacht, and his brother and brother-in-law promptly set about preparations to carry out his wish.
"You will go too, Harold?" he said inquiringly to his brother.
"To the Dolphin? Yes, certainly, old fellow; you are my patient now, and I must see to it that you are well accommodated and cared for," returned Harold in a sprightly tone.
"And you are going with me to see to that throughout the voyage?"