"With so many vessels around, we ought to be picked up soon," said Hodge.
"We would be, if any one could see anything. But a boat would have to run right over us to find us. Hark! wasn't that rowlocks?"
Again they listened. The sound of oars was certainly heard.
Clug-clank, clug-clank, clug-clank.
"Let us call together," said Merry. "Now! As loud as you can."
Both shouted with all their might. For an instant they fancied the boat was coming toward them, and they shouted again. But it was almost impossible to determine the direction of sound. They could not themselves be sure of the direction of the boat. The "clug-clank" grew fainter and fainter.
"We're bound to be picked up soon," Merriwell cheerily declared. "We must be right in the track of vessels. We'd be picked up right away if it wasn't for this beastly fog."
Hodge was silent.
"What do you suppose has become of the others? They were right with us, you know, when we went over!"
"I'm afraid to think about it," said Frank, with a shudder, which was not caused by the chill of the water.