life I've been leading for nine weeks, anybody would have got out
of condition. I wasn't capable of swimming round as far as your
rudder-chains. And, lo and behold! there was a ladder to get hold
of. After I gripped it I said to myself, 'What's the good?' When
I saw a man's head looking over I thought I would swim away
presently and leave him shouting--in whatever language it was. I
didn't mind being looked at. I--I liked it. And then you speaking
to me so quietly--as if you had expected me--made me hold on a
little longer. It had been a confounded lonely time--I don't mean
while swimming. I was glad to talk a little to somebody that
didn't belong to the Sephora. As to asking for the captain, that
was a mere impulse. It could have been no use, with all the ship
knowing about me and the other people pretty certain to be round
here in the morning. I don't know--I wanted to be seen, to talk
with somebody, before I went on. I don't know what I would have
said. . . . 'Fine night, isn't it?' or something of the sort."

"Do you think they will be round here presently?" I asked with some
incredulity.

"Quite likely," he said, faintly.

He looked extremely haggard all of a sudden. His head rolled on
his shoulders.

"H'm. We shall see then. Meantime get into that bed," I
whispered. "Want help? There."

It was a rather high bed-place with a set of drawers underneath.
This amazing swimmer really needed the lift I gave him by seizing