Of the time he spent on the island you would not be interested to hear. One day was like another, save as he had better or worse luck in providing food. His great anxiety was to be taken off and to this end he made a signal, but it was a small one, and it is doubtful it would ever have been seen.
Gradually his hardships, his exposure and the loneliness preyed on him until he was well-nigh insane. He became almost like an animal in his fight against nature.
He was on the verge of madness when he saw the boat load of fishermen approaching for water, and it was his queer actions that drove them off. In his despair he threw his cap at them, the most fortunate thing he could have done.
"And now you come to me!" he said, simply.
"Yes, we're here," admitted Jack. "But can you give us any more news of the Ramona? That is what we want to know. Which way was she headed when you were forced to leave her? Have you any idea where she is now?"
"She was headed southeast," was the answer.
"And how long would you say she could keep afloat?" Walter wanted to know.
"She ought to be afloat now!" was the startling reply.
"Now!" cried Jack. "What do you mean?"
"Why, she was in no danger of sinking," Ben went on, and Cora and the girls felt new hope springing up in their hearts.