"Don't try to talk, my man; you are too much exhausted," interrupted Dr. Travilla, for he, Captain Raymond, Max, Mr. Lilburn, Chester, and Dr. Percival had all hurried to the spot to see and assist the rescued stranger.
"Thanks! I'll do," he said, "if you'll kindly help me to rub down, and lend me some things till these can be made dry."
"Certainly," replied Captain Raymond, and at once gave directions that the stranger be taken to a comfortably warm stateroom, provided with everything needful, and his wet garments dried and returned to him as quickly as possible. Then turning to his brother-in-law, "I leave the rest to your care, Harold," he said.
"Oh, Brother Max," cried Ned, as the gentlemen rejoined the ladies and children, "I thought it was you or Cousin Ronald calling for help just for fun, and it was a real drowning man, after all."
"A mere lad, Ned, and I am very glad we were able to give him help in season."
The incident had created quite a little excitement, and all eagerly awaited Harold's report. He rejoined them in a few minutes, looking so undisturbed that they at once felt that his new patient was in no danger.
"He will be all right presently," he said, in answer to their eagerly inquiring looks and questions. "When we heard his cry for help he had hardly more than just realized his danger. He is somewhat ashamed of his venturesomeness, and anxious to get back to his friends without letting them know of the peril he was in."
Turning to Captain Raymond, "He will be very glad and grateful if you will go a little out of your way and land him at the spot where he entered the water, so that he may be able to steal up to the house of his friends without arousing their suspicions concerning the danger he has been in."
"I think we may do that," the captain said, in his kindly tones. "It will probably not delay us more than an hour or so, and we are not so hurried for time that we need decline to submit to that."
Max at once gave the necessary orders, the course of the vessel was changed, and ere long the young stranger was landed at the spot where he had entered the water. Then the Dolphin proceeded on her westward way, and when her passengers awoke in the morning they were nearing Penobscot Bay.