ith his trained vision he
looked long where Bob pointed. Then he cried:

"Thank God! There's a boat coming toward us. I think we're saved!
There are natives in it, but they don't seem to have any weapons!
I believe they're from the big island. Row, men, row as hard as
you can and we'll meet them the sooner!"

Tim and Ned caught up the oars and sent the gig over the calm water
at a fast rate of speed.

CHAPTER XXV

HOMEWARD BOUND----CONCLUSION

Before an hour had passed the oncoming boat was in plain sight.
Then the castaways could see it contained four brown-skinned
natives. But, though they were savages, they were not warlike. In
fact, they waved their hands in welcome, and called encouragingly
to those in the gig.

"I hope they have some water aboard," said Mr. Tarbill. "I'd give
anything for some right off the ice."

"I'd be glad of some out of a tea-kettle," said the captain, for
the last in the cask had been dealt out some time before.

A little later the commander was exchanging a few words with the
natives, as he found he could speak a little of their language.

"We're within a few miles of the big island," he told his anxious
companions. "This is a fishing party in one of their big native
canoes. They'll show us the way back, and they have plenty of
water."

The parched throats and swelling tongues of the castaways were soon
relieved by a fairly cool drink from the filled skins in the native
boat. Then the brown men passed over some cocoanuts and other
fruit that were grateful to the palates of the half-starved ones.

Captain Spark conversed a little longer with the friendly savages,
and some news they gave him seemed to give him great satisfaction.

"There's an American ship in port at the island," he said, "and
she's homeward bound around the Horn. We can take passage in her.
Hurrah, men, our troubles seem to be over!"

"Thank God!" said Mr. Carr fervently, and so great was the strain
on Mr. Tarbill that when it was relieved by the good news he cried
like a child. Nor were Bob's eyes altogether dry.

A little breeze had sprung up, and, guided by the natives, the
castaways were soon at the island. It was a large one, and the
first sight they had of it showed them a big ship in the harbor.
At this they set up a cheer.

It did not take Captain Spark long to arrange matters with the
American skipper. He agreed to let the sailors, Bob and Mr.
Tarbill work their passage home,