"My name is Manuel Yard, and my place of business is next door to that of your fathers."
"You know them then."
"I have known them both very well for years, and now that you have given me your names I remember you both."
After a few more words, our friends recognized him as a tall, pale-looking man, with whom they had exchanged greetings more than once on their passage from Panama.
"I've been down to the Isthmus," he added, "and was on my way home when the steamer took fire."
"Where were you when you heard the alarm?"
"Sound asleep in my berth; I had no time even to put on my clothes; but, thank God, if I can escape in any way."
"Stick to us, and help shove this craft, and I'm in hopes we'll fetch up somewhere by morning."