By this time the sun had sunk below the adjacent hills, and it was necessary to decide on some course.  Winchester consulted the surgeon as to the expediency of removing his patient.  Could it be done, it had better be done soon.

“Mon lieutenant,” answered this personage a little dryly, “mon brave capitaine has but a short time to live.  He has entreated to be left here, on the scene of his glory, and in the company of that female whom he so well loved—­mais—­you are the victors”—­shrugging his shoulders—­“and you will do your own pleasure.”

Winchester colored and bit his lips.  The idea of torturing Raoul, either in body or mind, was the last intention of one so humane, but he felt indignant at the implied suspicion.  Commanding himself, notwithstanding, he bowed courteously, and intimated that he would remain himself with his prisoner, until all were over.  The Frenchman was surprised, and when he read the sympathy of the other in the expression of his countenance, he felt regret for his own distrust, and still more at having expressed it.

“Mais, Monsieur” he answered, “night will soon come—­you may have to pass it on the rocks.”

“And if we do, doctor, it is no more than we seamen are used to.  Boat-service is common duty with us.  I have only to wrap myself in my cloak, to enjoy a seaman’s comfort.”

This settled the matter, and no more was said.  The surgeon, a man accustomed to the exercise of such resources, soon managed to make his dispositions for the final scene.  In clearing the lugger, a hundred light articles had been thrown on the islet on which she had touched, and among Others were several rude mattresses of the seamen.  Two or three of these were procured, placed on the smoothest surface of the rock, and a bed formed for Raoul.  The medical man and the seamen would have erected a tent with a sail, but this the wounded man forbade.

“Let me breathe the free air,” he said—­“I shall use but little of it;—­let that little be free.”

It was useless to oppose such a wish; nor was there any motive for it.  The air was pure, and little need be apprehended from the night, in behalf of Ghita, surrounded as they were by the pure waters of the ocean.  Even when the Tramontana came, although it was cool, its coolness was not unpleasant, the adjacent hill sheltering the islets from its immediate influence.

The English seamen collected some fuel from the spare spars of the lugger, and lighted a fire on the rock where they had been found.  Food of all sorts was abundant, and several casks of water had been struck out whole, as provision against a siege.  Here they made coffee, and cooked enough food for the wants of all the party.  The distance prevented their disturbing those who remained near Raoul; while the light of the fire, which was kept in a cheerful blaze, cast a picturesque glow upon the group around the dying man, as soon as the night had fairly set in.  It superseded, too, the necessity of any lamps or torches.