He was a young soldier, but he had been well informed of the artfulness of convict stratagems; and, moreover, Captain Vickers had carefully apprised him "that by the King's Regulations, he was forbidden to reply to any question or communication addressed to him by a convict, but, in the event of being addressed, was to call the non-commissioned officer on duty." Now, though he was within easy hailing distance of the guard on the quarter-deck, he felt a natural disinclination to disturb those gentlemen merely for the sake of a sick convict, and knowing that, in a few minutes, the third relief would come on duty, he decided to wait until then.
In the meantime the tailor grew worse, and began to moan dismally.
"Here! 'ullo!" called out his supporter, in dismay.

"Hold up 'ere! Wot's wrong with yer?
Don't come the drops 'ere.

Pass him down, some of yer," and the wretch was hustled down to the doorway.
"Vater!" he whispered, beating feebly with his hand on the thick oak.
"Get us a drink, mister, for Gord's sake!" But the prudent sentry answered never a word, until the ship's bell warned him of the approach of the relief guard; and then honest old Pine, coming with anxious face to inquire after his charge, received the intelligence that there was another prisoner sick.

He had the door unlocked and the tailor outside in an instant.

One look at the flushed, anxious face was enough.
"Who's that moaning in there ?" he asked.
It was the man who had tried to call for the sentry an hour back, and Pine had him out also; convictism beginning to wonder a little.
"Take 'em both aft to the hospital," he said; "and, Jenkins, if there are any more men taken sick, let them pass the word for me at once.