"She has not heard us!" exclaimed impatient Madge in despair.
"Wait!" commanded the young lieutenant.
A splendid boom broke on the air. It was the answering salute from the war vessel. She had heeded the call of the "Merry Maid."
Jimmy repeated his signal of distress. A few moments after the great battleship slowed down. A small boat was dropped over her side. A boat's crew in their blue uniforms rowed swiftly out to the houseboat.
A voice called up: "Who's there, and what can we do for you?"
"Lieutenant James M. Lawton, U.S.N., with six friends, five of them women," returned Jimmy Lawton. "We have drifted from land in a houseboat and ask you to take us aboard."
Soon after Miss Jenny Ann and the girls were safe on board a battleship belonging to the American Navy. The officer in command gave them his hand of welcome. A group of sailors, their faces beaming with curiosity and kindness, crowded as near them as discipline would permit.
The man-of-war took on headway again. Her engines thumped. The superb ship began to move. The houseboat party knew that their peril was over. Home and friends lay safe ahead of them.
Yet neither Miss Jenny Ann nor one of her four girls looked perfectly happy.
"Won't you let me show you to your cabins?" one of the officers suggested.