"How came you here?"
"We were left here. The vessel went without us."
"How long have you been here?"
"Six weeks."
"There is something about this which I do not understand. Are you here of your own accord?"
"We are anxious to get away, captain," said Robert. "Will you take us?"
"To be sure I will. There's room enough on my ship for both of you. But I can't understand how you were left here."
"It's a long yarn, captain," said Bates. "If you haven't time to hear it now, I will tell you aboard ship."
"You look like a good seaman," said the captain, addressing Bates. "I'm short-handed just now. If you will engage with me, I will enroll you among my crew."
"That I'll do," said Bates, with satisfaction. "I wasn't made for a passenger."