"Is it necessary that I should take to my berth, Dr. Linscott?" asked the patient. "I am feeling very nicely now; and since my arm was dressed it gives me very little pain."
"Dr. Davidson ordered you to your berth because you were so weak you could not stand," replied the surgeon.
"But I have got over that, and I feel stronger now."
"We will see about that later, Mr. Passford. Captain Breaker, all our wounded except a few light cases, which my mates can treat as well as I can, are disposed of," added the doctor.
"I am very glad to hear it," replied the captain.
"May I stay on deck, doctor?" asked Christy, who did not like the idea of being shut up in his stateroom while the arrangements for the disposal of the prize were in progress.
"You may for the present if you feel able to do so," answered the surgeon. "But you must have a berth-sack or an easy chair on deck, and keep very quiet."
"Punch!" called the commander; and this was the name of the cabin steward, who was not, however, as bibulous as his surname indicated. "Pass the word for Punch."
The steward, like everybody else on board able to be there, was on deck, and immediately presented himself.
"Bring up the large easy-chair at my desk, and place it abreast of the mizzen mast," added the commander.