Red glanced back over his shoulder. “You’re supposed to take off your wet clothes, and put those on,” he said, but it was clear he did not expect me to understand. He turned around fully and mimed the action for me as I stared.

Perhaps, I thought, they really didn’t intend to hurt me. In any event, there was little to lose. I could feel the fever gripping me, burning. I had enough common sense left to know dry clothes would help. Red turned his back again.

“Why bother talking to her?” inquired Ben. He looked several years younger than his friend, possibly only just old enough for an expedition of this kind, whatever it was. If they were indeed Britons, they were a long way from home. “You’ve only got to look at her to tell she’s not all there. You may have had your reasons for coming here, but even you must admit it has been a waste of time. And now we’re risking our one chance of escape for some half-witted girl. This is the last time you drag me along on some fool’s errand.”

“You talk of fools,” said John, “in the heat of the moment. But when he asks you, next time, you will go with him. Now hold your tongue, lest you make bad worse.”

And while they argued, I managed, heart pounding, to take off my sodden gown and struggle into the dry garments, tying the vast shirt as well as I could around my waist. The belt went around me twice, and was still loose.

The argument, such as it was, drew to a close. The three of them turned back and scrutinized me as I sat, still shivering, by the tiny fire. There was the faintest hint of amusement on the older man’s face as he regarded me. I suppose I did look a little odd.

“So far, so good,” said Red, whose own expression gave away nothing at all. “Put the cloak on, too.” I gave no sign that I understood. He picked it up and dropped it over my shoulders. I flinched as his hands drew close, but its warmth was welcome now, and I drew the folds around me.

“Good,” he said. “Now rest. Rest.” He pointed to the ground by the fire, and pillowed head on hands. That seemed, suddenly, like quite a sensible idea, and I lay down, still shivering, and soon sank into a feverish half sleep in the midst of which their low voices came to me in snatches.

“You’re mad, Red. We’ve got less than a day to get down there and meet the boat. What are we supposed to do with her?” That was Ben, who had held a lantern on the shore.

“In any event, not leave her to drown,” said John. “She’ll do well enough here by morning, if we leave her a blanket.”

“I wonder what she was doing out there. Pretty strange weather for fishing,” remarked Ben.

“These are strange people,” said the older man. “I’ve heard they sometimes cast their own adrift from the shore, as a punishment. Maybe this girl offended someone.”