Читать книгу Wrecked on Spider Island; Or, How Ned Rogers Found the Treasure онлайн

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An hour later the door of his room was opened, and the captain entered, bringing a supply of food.

“Here’s enough to eat and drink till morning,” he said gruffly as he placed the tray on a locker. “Take hold and enjoy yourself as much as you can, for this terrible thing isn’t any fault of yours.”

“What do you mean?” Ned cried. “What have I done?”

“Nothing, lad; but the men are not willing to have you around.”

“The men!” Ned repeated in bewilderment. “What can they have against me?”

“They’re afraid of catching the disease, and I can’t say I blame them.”

“But I ain’t sick.”

“Do you mean to tell me you didn’t know you had the leprosy?” and the captain now appeared to be thoroughly surprised.

“Have I?” and Ned in turn evinced astonishment.

“There’s no question about it. If I had noticed you more carefully the day you came on board, I should have known what the trouble was. Now it will be necessary to stay here quietly until we can set you ashore where there’s a hospital, for you need immediate care.”