They waved by turns, and again peered anxiously at the craft on which so much depended. She seemed to grow in size, at times, and again, to their despairing hearts, she appeared to become smaller, showing that she was leaving them.
But at last Joe sprang to his feet with a shout of joy.
“She sees us! She sees us!” he cried. “Look, they are putting about! They’re going to pick us up! We’re saved! We’re saved!”
“Are you sure?” asked Tom, not wanting to have his hopes raised, only to lose them again.
“Of course! Can’t you see by the way her sails are trimmed?”
“Right you are!” agreed Abe. “She’s going to pick us up. She’s seen us!”
This was more apparent to the eyes of the two sailors than to Tom or Mr. Skeel, but they gladly accepted the news. In a little while it was evident, even to Tom, that the vessel he had sighted so opportunely was indeed growing in size, showing that she was coming nearer.
“Water! Water!” gasped Mr. Skeel sinking down in the bottom of the boat. “I’m going to faint!”
Indeed he did look to be in a bad way, and, though the others wanted and needed the precious fluid almost as much as he did, some was given him. Though, as Abe remarked, the professor had had more than his fair share. Still it was not a time to grumble, and, after Mr. Skeel had been revived, the rest of the water was apportioned out among the others. And they needed it very much, for their tongues were swelled more than ever.