h's work before he left
England, and must have possessed a large amount of mechanical talent,
such as none of us can boast of."

Encouraged by Tom, the doctor recovered his spirits, and once more their
shipbuilding progressed at fair speed. The main beams had been fixed
up, and the skeleton was almost complete, but as yet not a plank had
been fixed on. This, however, appeared to them comparatively easy work,
and no one entertained a doubt of the success of their undertaking.
Regular discipline had been maintained all the time. At daybreak Tom or
Desmond visited the hill, hoisted the flag, and took a look round. In
the evening, when the flag was hauled down, generally two went up, in
case a distant sail might escape the observation of one, and be
discovered by the other, when they intended to light the beacon fire, in
the hopes of attracting her attention.

Billy Blueblazes, who had got a sharp pair of eyes, whatever might be
said about his wits, had one evening accompanied Desmond. They stood
for some minutes scanning the horizon, but not a speck was visible in
the blue sky except here and there, where a sea-fowl was winging its way
towards the shore.

"It would save us a great deal of trouble if a vessel would come,"
observed Billy. "If we could build a steamer it would be very well; but
we may be becalmed for days together, and I should not like to go
through what we had to endure in the boat--mashed yams and oil. Bah!
I've not got the taste out of my mouth yet."

"You've put a good many things into it, though, since then," said
Desmond. "For my part, after we have done so much, I should be almost
disappointed if we were to be taken off before our craft was finished.
I should not exactly wish to go round Cape Horn in her, but I would go
anywhere else. I hope Rogers will decide on sailing for Hong-kong."

"At all events, I wish she was finished, for I am tired of that sawing
work," cried Billy.

"Well, Billy, we will haul down the flag, as there appears to be nothing
in sight; but before we go, just swarm up the flag-staff, and take
another look round; the horizon is remarkably clear, and you might see a
ship's royals, even though they were but just above it."

Billy did as Desmond asked him to do. Presently he took off his cap,
and waving it, shouted--

"A sail! a sail! to the eastward!"

"Are you certain of it?" asked Desmond.

"As sure as if I had it in my hand," answered Billy. "A ship's roya