“He wants nourishment more than doctoring,” answered the surgeon.
While the midshipman was being carried into the cabin, the assistant-surgeon was examining the other men. He ordered some broth to be given to the three who had first been taken into the boat, observing that it was the only thing they required; and he then at once turned his attention to a fourth man, whose pulse he felt with a serious countenance.
“There’s life in him still,” he observed; and ordering his head to be slightly raised, he hurried down to his dispensary, and quickly returned with a stimulant, which he poured down his throat. The effect was wonderful, for scarcely had it been swallowed than the patient gave signs of returning animation. The last poor fellow, after a careful examination, he pronounced beyond human aid.
“Had we arrived half an hour sooner, his life might have been saved,” he observed, “for even now he is scarcely cold.”
The surgeon soon came up.
“We’ll try what can be done,” he said, “for I never despair in a case of this sort.”
All his efforts, however, proved vain; and he at last had to acknowledge to the assistant-surgeon that the unfortunate man was beyond recovery. The yards had in the meantime been braced round, and the ship had been standing on her course.
Rayner was now sent for into the cabin, where he found the midshipman he had saved placed in the commander’s cot.
“Do you see a likeness to any one you know?” asked Commander Saltwell.
“Yes,” answered Rayner, looking at the countenance of the young stranger, who was sleeping calmly; “I thought so from the first; he reminds me of Mrs Crofton, or, rather, of her daughter.”