I WAS wakened -- indeed, we were all wakened, for
I could see even the sentinel shake himself together
from where he had fallen against the door-post --
by a clear, hearty voice hailing us from the margin
of the wood:

"Block-house, ahoy!" it cried. "Here's the doctor."

And the doctor it was. Although I was glad to
hear the sound, yet my gladness was not without
admixture. I remembered with confusion my insubor-
dinate and stealthy conduct; and when I saw where
it had brought me -- among what companions and
surrounded by what dangers -- I felt ashamed to look
him in the face.

He must have risen in the dark, for the day had
hardly come; and when I ran to a loop-hole and looked
out, I saw him standing, like Silver once before, up to
the mid-leg in creeping vapor.

"You, doctor! Top o' the morning to you sir!"
cried Silver, broad awake and beaming with good
nature in a moment. "Bright and early, to be sure;
and it's the early bird, as the saying goes, that gets
the rations. George, shake up your timbers, son,

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