CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
HOW THE WATCH HEARD A NOISE.
That was a weary watch, but, as the major said, they did not want to sleep, with the wounded men moaning and muttering in their uneasy rest.
For there was so much to do, seeing to the shade and altering the positions of the leaves, so that while the sun was kept off, the soft breeze from the sea was allowed to cool the fevered brows of the patients.
Then there were flies which were disposed to be troublesome and had to be kept at a distance, Mark making a loose chowry, like a horse-tail, of long wiry grass, and this proving so effective that the major annexed it, and advised Mark to make another.
And so an hour passed away, after which Mark took a tin and fetched some of the cool spring-water which came trickling down from the interior, deeply shaded by the ferns, and so low among mossy stones that he had to climb into a narrow chasm to the clear basin-like pool.
With this he prepared to bathe Morgan's forehead; but as he bent over him the poor fellow's countenance wore so terrible an aspect, the skin being absolutely green, that the lad shrank away and signed to the major.
"Well, my lad, what is it ?" "Look!--his face! What does it mean ?" "Eh!--mean! What ?" "Don't you see?
That horrible green!" "Tchah! what are you talking about ?" said the major, picking up a leaf and holding it over his head.

"Now, then, what colour is my face ?" "Green," said Mark, smiling.

"How stupid of me!" "Well, we will not call it stupid, my lad; but with so many real difficulties we must not make imaginary ones.

Why, Mark, this voyage is making a man of you--self-reliant, business-like, and strong.

When we get over it--" "Shall we get over it, sir ?" said Mark sadly.
"Ah!" said the major, speaking in a low tone so as not to disturb the patients; "now, that's a chance for a sermon for you, my lad, only I can't preach.