"Glad to see you, William," said the doctor. "I want a crew; come,
ship for a cruise."

"But where away, doctor?"

"To Holden's island, to visit a wounded man. Jump aboard, and tend
jib-sheets."

By this time the sails were hoisted, and, the young man complying with
the invitation, the little craft was soon under weigh, and rapidly
proceeding down the river. The distance was only three or four miles,
and quickly passed over. They were met on the beach by Holden, to whom
the gentlemen were both known, but he was unable to inform them of the
name of the wounded man. As soon as the doctor beheld him, however, he
exclaimed:

"It is Mr. Pownal. God forbid the hurt should be serious."

The countenance of the doctor's companion, and the few words he
uttered, denoted also recognition of the stranger.

"So, my poor fellow," said the doctor, as the sufferer extended a
hand, and expressed in a few words his pleasure at the coming of the
two, "that is enough, I claim a monopoly of the talking."

He proceeded at once to examine the wound, which he did with great
care and in silence. He found, as Holden had said, that the charge
had only grazed the surface, tearing the flesh from the side up to
the shoulder, pretty deeply, indeed, but making an ugly, rather than
a dangerous wound. After the task was completed, and lint and fresh