"Don't try to talk," went on the boy. "Take it easy and you will be yourself in a few days."
Again Mr. Fearless nodded, and then fell back, to doze off again.
The next day he was strong enough to sit up. The storm was now over and the Swallow was proceeding on her way to the island at which she was to stop.
"You are better now, surely," said Dave, speaking as cheerfully as he could.
For answer, Amos Fearless pointed to his mouth and then made a motion as if writing on paper.
A sudden horror seized Dave, causing a cold chill to run down his backbone.
"What is it?" he cried. "Oh, father, can't you speak?"
Again the old diver made a motion as if writing, and Dave hurriedly brought him a pencil and a writing pad.
Quickly Amos Fearless set down the following:
"My tongue is paralyzed and I cannot talk."