“But we’ll soon have all we want,” declared Joe, with a laugh that sounded queer and cracked, coming from between his swollen lips. “Enough water—all we want!”
“And food, too, food!” added Abe. “I’m as hungry—as hungry——” but a simile failed him, and he sat down weakly to stare at the approaching vessel.
There was nothing more to do save to wait for the arrival of the ship, which soon was seen to be a large sailing craft. Nearer and nearer she came, with the big sails bulging out with the wind. Those aboard the lifeboat steered as best they could to make the distance between her and the rescuing vessel as short as possible, but their small sail did not catch much of the breeze.
Nearer and nearer came the ship. A crowd of sailors could now be made out on her deck, lining the rail to find out the meaning of the strange sight of a small open boat on the trackless ocean.
“Lifeboat ahoy!” came the hail when the big ship was near enough. “Are you in distress? Do you need help?”
“We sure do!” cried Tom. “We’ve been shipwrecked, and on a derelict. Take us off. We have no food or water.”
“What ship are you from?”
“Silver Star out from San Francisco for Sydney. Wrecked by a derelict about two weeks ago,” answered Tom. “Who are you?”
“The Alexandria, from Melbourne, bound for Honolulu. We’ll have you on board shortly. Do you want your boat saved?”
Thus answered the first mate of the rescuing vessel. Tom looked at his sailor companions, and they shook their heads. The lifeboat, patched as it was, could be of little real service or value, and to hoist it aboard would delay matters.