The Medico thereupon stole quietly after him; but we did not seem to
miss either--a young sub had usurped the deserted throne, and there we
were all once more in full career, singing and bousing, and cracking.
bad jokes to our hearts' content. By--and--by, in comes the doctor once
more.
"Doctor," quoth young sub, "take some wine; can't recommend the Madeira
this time," mimicking his predecessor very successfully; "the claret,
you know, has been condemned, but a little hot brandy and water, eh?"
The doctor once more bowed his pate, made his hot stuff, and volunteered
a song.--After he had finished, and we had all hammered on the table to
his honour and glory, until every thing danced again as if it had been a
matter of very trivial concern, he said, "Sorry I was away so long; but
old Spatterdash has got a damned thick skin, I can tell you--could
scarcely get the lancet into him--I thought I should have had to send
for a spring phleme--to tip him the veterinary, you know--and he won't
take physic: so I fear he will have but a poor chance."
Spatterdash was no other than mine host who had just vacated!
"What, do you really think he is in for it?" said the second oldest
captain who sat next me; and as he spoke he drew his leg from beneath
the table, and, turning out his dexter heel, seemed to contemplate the
site of the prospective fixed spur.
"I do, indeed," quoth Dr Plaget. He died within three days!
But as I do not intend to write an essay on yellow fever, I will make an
end, and get on shipboard as fast as I can, after stating one strong
fact, authenticated to me by many unimpeachable witnesses.
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