nd stretch our limbs.

We were on the top, it must be remembered, so that we did not run the
same risk of falling off as we should have done if we had had only the
mast to support us.

With straining eyes we watched the ship. Still she held the same course
on which she had been steering when we first saw her, and which was
bringing her nearer and nearer to us.

"Hurrah, Jim! We shall soon be seen, depend on that," I exclaimed, at
last, "and perhaps before to-night we shall be safe on shore. Who can
say that we shan't be landed at Portsmouth itself?"

"I wish I could say I was as sure as you are, Peter," observed Jim, in a
doleful voice. "If she had seen us it would have been all right; she
would pick us up, but she may alter her course. Even now the wind is
shifting, and she may have to keep away."

I could not contradict this; still I kept on hoping that we should ere
long be seen. I had a white handkerchief in my pocket, although it was
rolled into a ball by the wet. I pulled it out, and waved it above my
head as high as I could reach. Even now we might have attracted the
attention of those on board the stranger, although we could distinguish
no signal made to us in return.

"She's a thumping big ship, whatever she is," I remarked.

"She's high out of the water, and that makes her look bigger," observed
Jim. "I have seen some like her brought up at Spithead, and to my mind
she's a South Sea whaler, outward bound. That's the reason she looks so
high. Yes, I am right, for I can make out her boats hoisted up at the
davits."

"I think you are right," I said; "but even if she is an outward bound
ship, she'll put us on board another vessel homeward-bound, or land us
on some part of the coast, the back of the Isle of Wight, or Portland."

"First let us get on board her before we talk of where we shall be
landed," said Jim. "It seems to me as if she was going about. The head
sails are shaking."

"No, no! the man at the wheel was not minding his helm," I answered.
"I'll wave again."

"They won't see that little bit of a rag," cried Jim, "I'll try what I
can do. Here, Peter, just take hold of my jacket," he continued, as he
stripped it off, and then loosening his waistband he pulled his shirt
over his head, and began to wave it frantically. I waved my
handkerchief, and then in our eagerness we shouted out at the top of our
voices, as if the faint sounds could be carried as far as the ship.

Present