“It’s a sail—a sail!” fairly shouted our hero. “See that vessel over there! It’s bearing down on us! A big sailing ship!”
The two sailors and the former professor gazed off to where Tom pointed. There was no doubt of it, they were gazing at a full-rigged ship.
“I saw her as soon as I opened my eyes!” Tom explained. “I was dozing, I guess. At first I couldn’t believe it. But it’s a ship all right, isn’t it?”
He was half afraid that the others would say he was only dreaming. Anxiously he awaited their verdict.
“It’s a ship all right,” agreed Abe.
“And coming this way,” added Tom.
“No, I’m afraid she’s leaving us,” put in Joe, a moment later.
“Don’t say that!” cried Mr. Skeel. “I—I can’t stand any more!” He was fairly quivering with fear.
“It does look as though she was going away from us,” agreed Abe gloomily. “Still, she may come around on the other tack, and see us.”
“Then we must make signals!” cried Tom. “They’ve got to see us! Yell! Shout! Make ’em hear us!”