It's over ten years ago since it happened.

My ship had been bought by a firm in Sydney, and while I was waiting out there I went for a little run on a schooner among the islands.

This Don Silvio was aboard of her as a passenger.

She went to pieces in a gale, and we were the only two saved.

The others were washed overboard, but we got ashore in the boat, and I thought from the trouble he was taking over his bag that the danger had turned his brain." "Ah!" said the keenly interested Mr.Chalk.
"He was a sick man aboard ship," continued the captain, "and I soon saw that he hadn't saved his life for long.