le, even though Stone kept the
canoe before the wind.

"If we had a couple of paddles, we might gain on the corvette; but I'm
afraid of using this bit of board, for fear of taking the water in on
one side or the other," said Stone.

"Do not attempt it," answered Ned; "we should not overtake her unless it
should fall calm again, and the commander will surely come and look for
us."

"Provided Mr Rhymer doesn't tell him we are all lost," remarked Stone,
who had evidently little confidence in the old mate.

Hour after hour went by, the boat was nowhere to be seen, and the dhows'
sails had sunk beneath the horizon. Night was approaching, and as far
as the occupants of the canoe could judge, no help was at hand. Ned
endeavoured, as well as he could, to keep up the spirits of his
companions.

The wind remained light, and the sea was as smooth as a mill-pond. The
approaching darkness so far brought relief that they were no longer
exposed to the burning rays of the sun, while the cooler air of night
greatly relieved them. As the day had passed by, so it appeared
probable would the night, without bringing them succour. Ben and the
Arab slept, but Ned was too anxious to close his eyes, and Stone
insisted on keeping a look-out, on the chance of any vessel passing
which might take them on board. Even an Arab dhow would be welcome, for
the Arabs would doubtless be willing to receive them on board for the
sake of obtaining a reward for preserving their lives. At last the
Arab, whose head was resting on Ned's side, awoke. He appeared to be in
a very weak state, and told Ned, in his broken English, that he thought
he was dying.

"Try and keep alive until to-morrow morning," said Ned; "by that time
our ship will be looking for us, and as they know where we were left, we
are sure to be seen."

Ned had been calculating that it was about two hours to dawn, when, in
spite of his efforts to keep awake, he found his head dropping back on
Ben's legs, and he was soon fast asleep. How long he had been lost in
forgetfulness he could not tell, when he heard Stone give a loud hail.

"What is that?" asked Ned, lifting up his head. "I heard voices and a
splash of oars, sir," he answered; "they were a long way off, and, I
fancied, passed to the southward."

"Silence, then," said Ned; "we will listen for their reply."

No answering hail came, and he feared that Stone must have been
mistaken; again he listened. "Yes, those were hu