The Captain folded his arms as the surgeon worked, “Aye, too right you are” he remarked with a half grin as Adam passed his comments about Rat. He cast his eyes over Elissa’s scars and the fresh brand on her neck as the surgeon revealed them, he grumbled agreeably, musing as Adam made his observations - the surgeon was sharp and knowledgeable, and Joseph was always careful to listen to him. Elissa had lost enough blood to render her weak, but she was lucky to survive. Her shirt was sticky with clotted blood and of course, had been cut.

“I suppose you’d better tend to him Adam if you feel rightly that you should” Joseph nodded, “although if you’d keep Miss Bishop company just a little while longer, I will fetch for her some fresh garments”; he darted to Elissa’s cabin and returned in a short time with a clean shirt and a thick woollen blanket.

Elissa’s cabin below deck was habitable, but chilly, the sea had a tendency to soak warmth from the ship, and of course, it was always difficult to keep the general mustiness at bay. Joseph considered reluctantly that the comparative warmth, dryness and safety of his own accommodation would prove more suitable for her recovery.