Meanwhile Jack remained on deck.
Suddenly the man on the look-out reported a sail to leeward.
The steamer altered her course and made directly for the vessel, as she showed signals of distress and appeared to be in a water-logged condition.
When near enough the captain ordered the engines to be stopped and a boat lowered.
This was done and a crew manned the boat to row to the distressed craft.
An event like this relieved the monotony of a sea voyage and the deck was soon crowded with passengers.
In half an hour the crew had rowed to the vessel and returned without boarding her.
They reported that the ship was leaking badly and had been abandoned by her crew, after suffering severely from the late storm.
Her masts had all gone by the side; her sails were blown to rags; her bulwarks were stove in. She was rudderless and it was a wonder how she kept afloat.
When this was reported and the boat hauled up to the davits once more, the captain of the steamer ordered the engineer to go ahead, and proceeded on his course.