headache. As evening came on it grew worse, and he was not able to sleep during the night.
"I hope I'm not getting the Cuban fever," he remarked to Caleb, who had offered several simple remedies ready at hand.
"Better report and go on the sick list," advised the old gunner. "If it's fever, the sooner you take it in hand the better."
At first Walter demurred, but finally, as the ache in his head began to creep all over him, he reported to one of the surgeons. "I don't want to go into the sick bay," he said, "but I wish you would give me something."
"Yes, you need something," was the answer. "We don't want any men to get down so soon. We may have to stay on the blockade here for some time, if Cervera refuses to come out and fight us."
"Or we block him in with the wreck of the Merrimac," said Walter, with a faint smile.
"Oh, that will be only a temporary check, to give Admiral Sampson time to get his fleet into shape and give the army authorities time to send on an army of invasion. The army is already gathering at Tampa," replied the surgeon.
