To tell
the truth, I had forgotten all about the case. Perhaps I swaggered
just a bit as I went over to wash my hands. It was my first
opportunity, and I was young, and the Girl was there.
"I see you looking at my case, boys," I said. "Perhaps I'm a little
late explaining, but I guess after what you've seen you'll understand.
The case belonged to my grandfather, who was a surgeon. He was in
the war. That case was at Gettysburg."
"And because of your grandfather you brought it on shipboard!" Clarke
said nastily.
"No. I'm a cub doctor myself. I'd been sick, and I needed the sea
and a rest."
They were not so impressed as I had expected--or perhaps they had
known all along. Sailors are a secretive lot.
"I'm thinking we'll all be getting a rest soon," a voice said. "What
are you going to do with them knives?"
I had an inspiration. "I'm going to leave that to you men," I said.
"You may throw them overboard, if you wish--but, if you do, take
out the needles and the silk; we may need them."
There followed a savage but restrained argument among the men.
Jones, from the tent, called out irritably:--
"Don't be fools, you fellows. This happened while Leslie was asleep.
I'll swear he never moved after he lay down."
The crew reached a decision shortly after that, and came to me in
a body.
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