"He was the captain of the steamer."
"Is that so? How did it happen that you three were together?"
Bob told him the story of their escape. "Did you hear anything of any of the other boats?" he asked when he had finished.
"Yes, three of them came ashore about ten miles down the coast and the others were picked up early this morning a few miles out."
"Then there were no deaths?"
"Not unless some of them die from the effects."
"It's good to know that," Bob assured him.
The doctor left an hour later promising to come again the next day and somehow the boys felt encouraged although they realized that the captain was a very sick man.
"We'll have to stay here till it goes one way or the other," Bob whispered to Jack as the doctor drove off.
"Of course, unless we'll be in the way."