Part 7 (1/2)
”Yes, we did get rammed by one just before we went out in the _Gull_,”
said Frank, a bit solemnly, for the events of the past few hours had made quite an impression on him. Then he briefly told the story of the monster's attack.
”We didn't say anything to your father about it when we came in,”
explained Andy, ”as we didn't want to be delayed. But if you see or hear of that whale, don't forget he belongs to us.”
”I won't,” declared Bob. ”Now I've got to hustle, as it's almost supper time.”
”Supper!” cried Andy. ”That reminds me, we haven't had dinner yet, Frank.”
”My stomach reminded me of that some time ago,” declared the brother.
”We had such a strenuous time that it slipped our minds, I guess. But I'm going to make up for it now. So long, Bob; see you later.”
”So long.”
Then, as the rickety wagon was driven away Frank and Andy went in the house to change their wet garments.
The two brothers were tiptoeing their way to the room where the wounded lad lay, having first ascertained from Mary, the cook, that supper would soon be ready, when they saw Dr. Martin coming from the apartment.
”Is he better?” asked Frank in a whisper.
”Yes,” and the doctor smiled. ”I succeeded in fully restoring him to consciousness, and he is now sleeping quietly. I have given him a powder and it will be some time before he awakens. He is worn out, in addition to being injured.”
”Is he badly hurt?” Andy wanted to know. ”Is his arm broken?”
”No, only severely sprained. In addition, he has several big bruises and a number of cuts where he must have been tossed against the rocks.
His hands are burned slightly, but there is nothing dangerous, and with care he ought soon to recover.”
”He must have gotten burned trying to put out the fire on the boat,”
commented Frank. ”But, Dr. Martin, did you learn anything about him?
What's his name? Where does he belong? What was he doing near the Shark's Teeth in a gale?”
”I can't answer any of your questions,” replied the physician gravely.
”I asked the lad who he was, thinking that his people would be worried, and that I might be able to send some word to them. But, though he was fully in his senses, and seemed to realize what he had gone through, I couldn't get a word out of him about his name.
”When I asked him, as I did several times, and as also did your mother, he would begin, 'I am----' Then he would stop, pa.s.s his hand across his forehead, and look puzzled. He did this a number of times, and it seemed to pain him to try to think. So I gave it up.”
”How do you account for that?” asked Andy.
”Well, the fright and injuries he received may have caused a temporary loss of memory,” replied the doctor. ”Or there may be some injury to the brain. I can't decide yet. But I'll look in again this evening.
He'll be much improved by then, I am sure.”
”It's getting queerer and more queer,” commented Andy, as the physician hastened away in his car. ”Think of forgetting who you are, Frank!”
”It sure is too bad. We must try to help him. That motor boat would be a clue, I think. As soon as the weather gets better, and this storm blows over, we'll have a search for it.”
”Yes, we're in for a hard blow, I think. It's a worse gale now than when we were out.”