As Horton spoke, the object of his solicitude, with incredible speed, slid down the forestay and disappeared through the scuttle of the forecastle.
"Please, sir, listen to me."
"All right; only be quick, and don't talk such nonsense about it's being murder."
With their guns in their hands, and taking good care to shut the door both at the top and bottom of the companionway, the two lads followed Bok and Horton through the dark death-cabin and passage to the kitchen, lit up by the cheerful firelight.
"Now, say what you have to, and be quick about it," cried our hero. "I can't rest quiet when a huge wild animal is within a few yards of us, though how it got there I can't imagine, for I thought there were no such things in the polar regions."
"That animal, as you call him, is Charlow, one of our sailors. He has gone mad."
No more was just then seen or heard of the crazy sailor, and the party retired for the balance of the night.
When the captain came from the yacht he brought Mrs. Cromwell and Viola with him, but left them in the small boat.
Bob quickly repeated Horton's tale.
"We must capture that madman and bind him with ropes," said Captain
Sumner.