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Updated: May 12, 2025
Even Bob, with the little knowledge of the sea he possessed, realized what that meant. They would have to "go it blind" now, and the chances of finding a comparatively small island in that vast ocean were little indeed. "Did I knock the compass overboard?" asked Mr. Tarbill. "You certainly did," spoke the captain grimly. "I I didn't mean to." "No, I don't suppose you did.
It was a large one, and the first sight they had of it showed them a big ship in the harbor. At this they set up a cheer. It did not take Captain Spark long to arrange matters with the American skipper. He agreed to let the sailors, Bob and Mr. Tarbill work their passage home, and Captain Spark was to give his services as assistant navigator in lieu of passage money.
He looked around him, noted several ships which were not visible from below and then glanced down. He saw Mr. Tarbill come out on deck, and then, more in good spirits than because he wanted, to cause the nervous passenger a scare, Bob gave a great shout. Mr. Tarbill looked up, saw the boy far in the air, clinging to what, at that distance, Seemed but a slender stick, and then he cried: "Quick!
"Not more than two hundred miles." "But how can we go two hundred miles?" asked Mr. Tarbill. "In the small boat my gig to be sure. We have sufficient provisions for twice that journey, and the boat is large enough," "I'll never venture to sea in a small boat!" declared the nervous passenger.
Tim started a fire, and over this they broiled and roasted the birds, each fixing the evening meal in the way that best suited him. "Are there any cannibals here?" asked Mr. Tarbill. "I don't believe there is a soul on the island besides ourselves," answered the captain. "I can't go to sleep if there are cannibals," groaned the nervous passenger.
"Are you really going to put to sea in that small boat?" asked Mr. Tarbill nervously, when the time for departure came. "That's what we are," replied the captain. "Then I'm not going." "Very well. If you want to stay we'll leave you some provisions, and perhaps, in six months, a ship may pass here and see the shirt signal." "Six months?" "Well, maybe longer; maybe a shorter time."
How anxiously each morning and a dozen times a day did he scan the horizon with his glasses for a sight of the island or a ship! But nothing was to be seen save the heaving billows. Mr. Tarbill became weak-minded, and babbled of cooling streams of water and delicious food until Ned Scudd, losing all patience, threatened to throw the nervous man overboard if he did not cease.
I wish I had never come on this trip! I know I shall never live to see home again!" "I, too, wish you hadn't come," thought the captain, but he really felt sorry for the nervous man. Finally it grew so hot that Mr. Tarbill could stand it no longer. He decided he would make his way forward, where he could be in the shade of the sail. The others were very warm also, but they did not complain.
Tarbill slid to the stern, clutched at the gunwale, and disappeared with a splash. "Man overboard!" "Of all the fools!" muttered Mr. Carr. "Why couldn't he sit still and behave himself?" His patience, so far as the nervous passenger was concerned, was completely exhausted. Bob reached for the boathook, and as soon as Mr.
In a few minutes her dark form was swallowed up in the distant haze. It must be admitted that all were much cast down by this happening. When the steamer had headed directly for them they had thought sure they would be rescued. "They must have done it deliberately," said Mr. Tarbill. "Oh, the villains! the scoundrels!" "I don't believe that," answered Captain Spark.
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