“He’s—he’s going ri-i-ight past!” wailed Bess.
“Wave to him! Shout to him!” commanded Nan.
“A lot of good tha-a-at’ll do!” pursued the unhappy Bess. “They’re so-o fa-a-ar away.”
Nan uttered a shriek just then that must have been heard a long way down wind. A big wave boarded them, filling the canoe almost full, and throwing Bess on her face. Nan seized her chum and drew her up out of the water so that she might get her breath.
The canoe shook and staggered. It was going down! Another such shipment of water and the girls would be engulfed!
“Scream! Let’s both scream together!” commanded Nan.
Her chum’s cry was a very weak one indeed. But Nan’s voice rang out vigorously across the waves.
“Help! We’re sinking!”
Almost immediately an answering cry came down the wind:
“Hold o-on! We’re coming!”