“We caught the wild man!”
And Bunny added:
“But he isn’t going to be wild any more and he wants to come on our ship when it comes back!”
Before Mr. or Mrs. Brown could say anything the man hurried toward them and exclaimed:
“It’s just as the children say! They have caught me, but I was willing to be caught. And I guess I have been a bit wild, living here all alone on this island. I’ve been sick—that made me out of my head, I reckon—and I did all sorts of queer things. That’s why I ran away when I first saw you people. I hope I didn’t scare you.”
“We didn’t know what to think. I’m very sorry,” said Mrs. Brown.
“I’m tame now,” and the man smiled at the children. “But tell me,” he went on, “is it true that you are off a ship and that the vessel is coming back for you?”
“We hope so,” said Mrs. Brown.
“Oh, yes, the Beacon will surely come back,” said Mr. Brown. “She went away because of some accident, I’m sure. She may be back this very day.”
“Do you think they will take me off?” asked the man.