Let me help you to get up." I looked at Clara and at Croyden.
"How has this happened ?" I asked.

"Tell me." "We were on the same ship," Croyden said.

"There came a great storm.
Even the Captain had never seen----" "I know," I interrupted, "so had ours." "The ship struck a rock, and blew out her four funnels----" "Ours did too," I nodded.
"The bowsprit was broken, and the steward's pantry was carried away.

The Captain gave orders to leave the ship----" "It is enough, Croyden," I said, "I see it all now.

You were left behind when the boats cleared, by what accident you don't know----" "I don't," said Croyden.
"As best you could, you constructed a raft, and with such haste as you might you placed on it such few things----" "Exactly," he said, "a chronometer, a sextant----" "I know," I continued, "two quadrants, a bucket of water, and a lightning rod.