For an instant the boy could scarcely believe his eyesight.  Then, with a cry, he rushed forward.

“It’s Mr. Tarbill!” he exclaimed.  “He, too, must have fallen overboard and been washed ashore.  But he seems to be hurt.”

The man’s eyes were closed and he was scarcely breathing.

“He’s dying!” thought Bob, his heart beating hard.

Then, thinking perhaps the man might be partly drowned, the young castaway began to put into operation as much of the directions as he remembered for restoring partially drowned persons to life.  He had not worked long before he saw Mr. Tarbill’s eyes open.  Then the nervous passenger began to breathe better.

“Where—­where am I?” he asked faintly.

“You’re safe,” replied Bob.  “On an island with me.  But where is the captain—­and the others?”

“Boat foundered.  Wave washed over it—­soon after you fell overboard.  No chance to get life-preservers.  It was every one for himself.”

“Are they drowned?”

“I don’t know!  Oh, it is terrible!  I swam as long as I could, then I seemed to be sinking.”

“You’re all right now,” said Bob cheerfully.  “You’re just in time to have some breakfast.”

He helped Mr. Tarbill to his feet.  The nervous man seemed to recover rapidly, and when, at Bob’s suggestion, he had taken off most of his wet clothes and was drying out near the fire, his face took on a more cheerful look.

“Those fish smell fine,” he said.  “I’m very fond of fish.  Are you sure those are not poisonous?”

“I’m not sure,” replied Bob, “and I’m too hungry to care much.  They’re a sort of big sun-fish, such as I used to catch at home.  The meat looks nice and white.  Better have some.  I’ll warm them again.”

He put them once more on the pointed sticks near the fire, and when they were sizzling he laid them on the green leaves.  Then, with sticks for knives and forks, the two castaways made a fairly good meal.

“I thought I never would see land again,” said the nervous man, as he began to dress in his dry clothes after the breakfast.  “This has been a terrible experience for me.”

“I guess it has,” admitted Bob.  “And for all of us.  I wish I knew what has happened to the captain and the others.”

“Our boat was swamped by a big wave,” said Mr. Tarbill, “and suddenly we were all thrown into the water.  That is the last I remember.  Perhaps the captain and some of the crew may have swum ashore on another part of this island.”

“I hope so.  We’ll search for them.  I guess we’re in for a long stay.”

“Have we got to remain here?” demanded Mr. Tarbill.

“I don’t see what else there is to do,” replied Bob.  “We haven’t any boat, we can’t walk on the water, and we’ll have to stay until a ship comes and takes us off.”

“Oh, dear!” exclaimed the nervous man.  “I wish I had stayed at home!”