I came to this island in the skiff, and was trying to make a line fast, when the skiff got away from me." "And they didn't notice it through the gloom until it was too late to do anything, and so you got left! Yes, yes.

I see just how it all happened! Such accidents are of common occurrence on the river, and you were very fortunate to find us here.

I shall be delighted to have you for a guest tonight, and in the morning your friends will undoubtedly return to look for you." As he thus rattled on in cheery fashion, Cap'n Cod gathered up Winn's wet clothing, preparatory to taking them to the galley to be dried.
Not finding either coat or shoes in the water-soaked pile, he inquired if the boy had left the raft without them.
"No, sir," replied Winn; "but I took them off, and left them in the skiff." "You did! That's bad; for when your friends find the skiff with your clothes in it, they will be apt to imagine you are drowned.

Then they'll search the river below here for your body, instead of coming back to look for you.

Never mind, though," he added quickly, mistaking the expression of relief which this suggestion brought to Winn's face for one of dismay, "we'll soon relieve their anxiety.