It was like coming into a full stable.
He ran his eye down the double tier of bunks which lined the side of the ship, and stopped at the one opposite him.
There seemed to have been some disturbance there lately, for instead of the six pair of feet which should have protruded therefrom, the gleam of the bull's-eye showed but four.
"What's the matter here, sentry ?" he asked.
"Prisoner ill, sir.

Doctor sent him to hospital." "But there should be two." The other came from behind the break of the berths.

It was Rufus Dawes.
He held by the side as he came, and saluted.
"I felt sick, sir, and was trying to get the scuttle open." The heads were all raised along the silent line, and eyes and ears were eager to see and listen.

The double tier of bunks looked terribly like a row of wild beast cages at that moment.
Maurice Frere stamped his foot indignantly.
"Sick! What are you sick about, you malingering dog?
I'll give you something to sweat the sickness out of you.

Stand on one side here!" Rufus Dawes, wondering, obeyed.