“What—what in the world did he do that for?” asked Ned, in puzzled tones.
“He’s insane—he doesn’t know what he is doing,” declared Mr. Sheldon. “Poor man!”
“Those two Germans! We must get them up here and have them call to him!” cried Jerry. “We’ll have them tell him we will treat him as kindly as he will let us. All we ask is to be allowed to go home. Then he can do as he likes with his boat. We must get them up here and have them call to him in that queer language they use.”
[CHAPTER XXX]
HOMEWARD BOUND
Trembling, blinking in the strong light, which must have hurt their eyes after spending so much time in the dimness of their cabins, the two old Germans were again summoned to the deck. Jerry gently explained to them what had happened. The old men seemed greatly startled, and spoke rapidly together in their strange language. Then, at Jerry’s request, they called in the direction of the island.
There was no response. A megaphone was made of some cardboard, and that was given to them. But though they shouted again and again the name of the unfortunate commander, adding what was assumed to be assurances that he would be well cared for, there was no answer.
“I guess he doesn’t want to come back,” remarked Jerry.
“But what are we to do?” asked Ned. “This is his boat and——”