All eyes followed his outstretched hand.
There on the shore rested a familiar-looking boat, containing three figures—Mrs. Cromwell, Viola, and the madman.
Mrs. Cromwell and Viola were waving their hands. Then, assured they were seen, both fell back unconscious.
As for the mad sailor, he never stirred. He was dead.
It did not take the captain and Bob long to reach the women folks. They were taken on board the Dart, and, after Bob had kissed his mother and the captain had hugged his daughter, and both were given food, they told their story.
"When the madman struck Bob I nearly fainted," said Mrs. Cromwell. "When I came to he had hoisted the sail, and we were leaving the shore. The crazy fellow was eating some ship biscuit, which lay in a basket.
"When the madman had appeased his hunger he looked at us for some minutes without speaking.
"We were dreadfully frightened, but he never once came aft to annoy us.
"He placed some tinned meat and water near us, and then sat by the mast, singing loudly and rocking himself backward and forward.
"Viola and myself slept in turn; but the madman sat in the bow, looking out ahead, hour after hour.