We were alone but for a vague white form erect in the shadow, that, being looked at, cringed forward, hesitated, backed away silently.

It was getting late, but I did not hurry my guest.
'In the midst of his forlorn state he heard his companions begin to abuse some one.

"What kept you from jumping, you lunatic ?" said a scolding voice.

The chief engineer left the stern-sheets, and could be heard clambering forward as if with hostile intentions against "the greatest idiot that ever was." The skipper shouted with rasping effort offensive epithets from where he sat at the oar.

He lifted his head at that uproar, and heard the name "George," while a hand in the dark struck him on the breast.