Таємничий острів

           Hewaslaiddown,strictdietwasimposed,"justlikearealperson,"asNebsaid,andtheymadehimswallowseveralcupsofacoolingdrink,forwhichtheingredientsweresuppliedfromthevegetablemedicinechestofGraniteHouse.Jupwasatfirstrestless,buthisbreathinggraduallybecamemoreregular,andhewasleftsleepingquietly.FromtimetotimeTop,walkingontip-toe,asonemightsay,cametovisithisfriend,andseemedtoapproveofallthecarethathadbeentakenofhim.OneofJup’shandshungoverthesideofhisbed,andToplickeditwithasympathizingair.

           Theyemployedthedayininterringthedead,whoweredraggedtotheforestoftheFarWest,andthereburieddeep.

           Thisattack,whichmighthavehadsuchseriousconsequences,wasalessontothesettlers,whofromthistimeneverwenttobeduntiloneoftheirnumberhadmadesurethatallthebridgeswereraised,andthatnoinvasionwaspossible.

           However,Jup,afterhavinggiventhemseriousanxietyforseveraldays,begantorecover.Hisconstitutionbroughthimthrough,thefevergraduallysubsided,andGideonSpilett,whowasabitofadoctor,pronouncedhimquiteoutofdanger.Onthe16thofAugust,Jupbegantoeat.Nebmadehimnicelittlesweetdishes,whichtheinvaliddevouredwithgreatrelish,forifhehadapetfailingitwasthatofbeingsomewhatofagourmend,andNebhadneverdoneanythingtocurehimofthisfault.

           "Whatwouldyouhave?"saidhetoGideonSpilett,whosometimesexpostulatedwithhimforspoilingtheape.