"Go fer the doctor. I c-can't git anybody else."

"H'm, is that so? I thought it must be something pretty desperate
which would send ye to me."

"So ye won't go?" and Tom raised his eyes appealingly to the captain's
face. "Fer God's sake, do, or my Sammy'll die."

"Certainly I'll go, Tom, jist as soon as I git ready. You call at the
rectory on yer way back, and tell the Royals that Rod won't be home
to-night, fer I must have him with me. It'll take two to handle the
_Roarin' Bess_. I know they won't mind so long's the boy's with me."

"It's good of ye, and I shan't soon----"

"There, keep that fer some other time, Tom Dunker," the captain
interrupted. "I can't be bothered with sich nonsense now. Where's my
oil-skins, Betsey?" and he turned to his wife. "Better let Rod have
that old suit of mine; he might need it before we git back."

Rod was delighted with the idea of a run on the river on such a night.
He had often imagined what it would be like to be out there in the
_Roaring Bess_ with a strong wind blowing. To him, fear was unknown
when on the water, especially when the captain was along. And so as
the yacht left her mooring, and headed down-stream, he sat in the
cock-pit and peered ahead into the darkness, pleased that he was on
watch to give warning of any approaching vessel.

A strong wind was racing in from the east, giving the captain a busy
time in handling the boat. This was still more difficult when they