But they thought I was going to jump overboard, and I was carried bodily into the cuddy and locked in.

I didn't know at the time that they could read writing, or I should have tried that; though I was kept locked in the cuddy so long that it would have done no good!" Then she began to motion to the men; and one of the fellows came toward Bart in a sheepish way and held out a hand.

Bart hesitated about taking it, fearing a trick; but the man's intentions were honest.

Having made this advance, the way to an understanding was so fully paved that within less than ten minutes thereafter both Frank and Hodge, having wrung out their clothing in a contracted place below deck, were warming themselves and trying to get dry by the cuddy stove, while Inza was rattling on with the story of her adventures.
"I really don't know yet whether I am awake or dreaming!" said Bart.
"This about knocks everything I have ever seen!" "Just fishermen," said Inza.

"They would have picked you up, no doubt, if they had seen you--they couldn't hear you; or if I had been able to make them see you.