He could occasionally speak a few words in a hoarse whisper, but that was all; and he would sometimes break down in the midst of a sentence.
This grieved Dave very much, but he could do nothing for the sufferer.
"It is time alone can do it," said Doctor Barrell, encouragingly.
But Dave was downcast. What if his father should never be able to talk again as of old?
"I'd rather let the fortune go than have that happen," he told himself, over and over again. He was afraid that the affliction might grow worse, so that his parent would not be able to make any sound at all!
CHAPTER XXIV
ATTACKED BY A FIRE FISH
"And this is the spot where the Happy Hour went down?"
"It is, according to the markings on the chart, Dave."
"And how deep do you reckon the ocean is at this point?"