"I would like to know what he is doing out here."
"On a pleasure trip, most likely."
The talk went on for some time, and then Dan approached one of the mates of the freighter, who had just come from the stateroom to which Dick had been taken.
"How is that young fellow getting on?" he asked carelessly.
"He's in bad shape," was the answer.
"Do you think he'll die?"
"Hardly, but he is very weak and completely out of his mind. The hot sun, coming after the storm, must have affected his brain."
"Out of his mind? Doesn't he recognize anybody?"
"No, he talks nothing but lumber, and cries out to be pulled from the water. Poor boy! it's too bad, isn't it?"
"It is too bad," said Dan Baxter hypocritically. "Do you know his name?"