Таємничий острів

           Theytoldhim,andSpilettbeggedhimtoremainperfectlystill,tellinghimthathislifewasnotindanger,andthathiswoundswouldhealinafewdays.However,Herbertscarcelysufferedatall,andthecoldwaterwithwhichtheywereconstantlybathed,preventedanyinflammationofthewounds.Thesuppurationwasestablishedinaregularway,thefeverdidnotincrease,anditmightnowbehopedthatthisterriblewoundwouldnotinvolveanycatastrophe.Pencroftfelttheswellingofhisheartgraduallysubside.Hewaslikeasisterofmercy.likeamotherbythebedofherchild.

           Herbertdozedagain,buthissleepappearedmorenatural.

           "Tellmeagainthatyouhope,Mr.Spilett,"saidPencroft."TellmeagainthatyouwillsaveHerbert!"

           "Yes,wewillsavehim!"repliedthereporter."Thewoundisserious,and,perhaps,eventheballhastraversedthelungs,buttheperforationofthisorganisnotfatal."

           "Godblessyou!"answeredPencroft.

           Asmaybebelieved,duringthefour-and-twentyhourstheyhadbeeninthecorral,thecolonistshadnootherthoughtthanthatofnursingHerbert.Theydidnotthinkeitherofthedangerwhichthreatenedthemshouldtheconvictsreturn,oroftheprecautionstobetakenforthefuture.

           Butonthisday,whilePencroftwatchedbythesick-bed,CyrusHardingandthereporterconsultedastowhatitwouldbebesttodo.

           Firstofalltheyexaminedthecorral.TherewasnotatraceofAyrton.