ly our hearts sank, for there was no doubt that the ship was
keeping away. Still, should anyone on board be using a spy-glass, and
turn it towards us, we should, we hoped, be observed. We waved and
shouted even more vehemently than before, but even I was almost in
despair.

"She's going to pass us after all," cried Jim, "and there's not another
sail in sight."

Just as he spoke there came a puff of smoke with a bright flash, from
the ship's bows, followed by a sharp report.

"We are seen! We are seen!" shouted Jim. "That's a signal to us.
Hurrah! Hurrah!"

The ship now came rapidly on, and we had no longer any doubt about being
rescued. This very circumstance caused a reaction in our feelings, and,
strange as it may seem, we both burst into tears. We recovered
ourselves, however, very soon, and continued waving, still having an
idea that the ship might sail away from us, but on and on she came.
Presently her courses were brailed up, and she hove-to about three
cables' lengths from our mast. Almost at the same instant one of her
boats was lowered, and came pulling towards us as fast as the men could
bend their backs to the oars. In a few minutes kindly hands were
stretched out to help us into the boat.

"Are you the only two?" asked the mate, who was steering.

"Yes, sir; all the rest are gone," I answered.

"Well, we'll hear all about it when we get you on board, lads, for you
both seem as if you wanted looking after," he said.

The boat leaving the mast, returned rapidly towards the ship.

While most of the crew scrambled up the sides, the tackles were hooked
on, and we were hoisted up in the boat, from whence we were speedily
handed down on deck. I could not have stood if I had not been
supported, and Jim was much in the same condition.

We were soon surrounded by strange faces, some looking compassionately
upon us, others with indifference, as if it was a matter of very little
consequence that two boys should have been saved from perishing.

Meantime the yards were swung round and the ship stood on her course.

"We must have the lads below at once," said one of the persons standing
round. "They have been many hours wet through and exposed on the mast,
and even now, if we don't look out, they may slip through our fingers."

"Very true, Doctor Cockle," said another, who was, I saw by his dress,
an officer. "One of them may be put into my cabin, where you can look
after him better than for'ard