Now, finding that he was able to talk, his host could no longer restrain his curiosity, but began to ask questions.

He had already learned Cabot's name, and told his own, which was Whiteway Baldwin, "called White for short," he had added.

Now he said: "You needn't talk, if you don't feel like it, but I do wish you could tell how you came to be drifting all alone on that raft." "A steamer that I was on was wrecked yesterday, and so far as I know I am the only survivor," answered Cabot.
"Goodness! You don't say so! What steamer was she, where was she bound, and what part of the coast was she wrecked on ?" "She was the 'Lavinia' from New York for St.Johns, and she wasn't wrecked on any part of the coast, but was lost at sea." "_Jiminetty_! The 'Lavinia'! It don't seem possible.

How did it happen?
There hasn't been any gale.

Did she blow up, or what ?" "I don't know," replied Cabot, "for I was down-stairs when it took place, and my stateroom door was jammed so that I couldn't get out for a long time.