“And—and were they the only ones saved?” asked Tom.
“I can’t be sure of that,” answered the captain, “but from the captain of the Belgrade I learned that another boat load of other survivors of the Kangaroo set out for some island near Tongatabu, in the Friendly group. They may have reached it. They may be there yet.”
“Were there passengers among them?” asked Tom, his heart beating with a new hope.
“There were, my boy, though I can’t tell you to hope that your parents were there. Still it may be that they were.”
“I’m going to hope!” cried our hero eagerly. “Now how can I get to Sydney, or some Australian port, and set out for that island?”
“I’ll speak the first Australian bound ship we meet,” promised Captain Buchanan, “and put you aboard. Oh, boy, I hope you find your folks!” and he shook Tom’s hand.
[CHAPTER XXIII]
OFF TO THE ISLAND
Once the excitement over the rescue of himself and his companions was over, Tom settled down to another task. And it was that of looking for a ship bound back to Australia, that he might once more set out in search of his parents.