"How would you get him off, if you found him?"
"I suppose we must be governed by circumstances, when on the spot."
"But you have probably thought of some way, if you should succeed in getting hold of him, to get him and yourselves home?"
"I have heard Uncle John say," said Walter, "that he has come out of the West Indies in yellow fever time, when there was only one man besides himself and his first and second mates fit for duty, and all he could do was to sit in a chair and steer, and the crews of other American vessels hove up the anchor and mast-headed the topsails for them; and, as soon as they got to sea, they all began to come right up. So, as it will be right in the sickly time of year, if we don't die ourselves, there will be plenty of vessels short-handed that will be glad enough to ship us."
The captain, perceiving by the looks of Ned that he had some ideas in respect to the matter in hand, but was too modest to speak, asked his companion.
"Please, sir, I don't think my opinion would be of any value; but if you will plan for us, sir, it will all go right."
"I know you have some ideas, Ned, and I want to hear them. Speak up, like a man. If you are going to risk your life, and spend hard-earned money, you certainly are entitled to your opinions."
Thus exhorted and encouraged, Ned, after some hesitation, said,—
"You know, sir, after you took us from the raft I was a long time at Charlie Bell's, very weak and miserable—could only sit in a chair, and walk about the room."
"Yes."