Late in the afternoon of the following day, Frank, who stood upon the bridge, made out a distant speck upon the horizon. Save for this one little dot on the water, there was nothing in sight but the sea.
Frank reported his discovery to Lord Hastings, who ordered the Sylph’s head turned in that direction. He finally picked up the object with his glass.
“Looks like a bit of driftwood,” he declared, after a long scrutiny. “I guess there is no need of going further,” and he turned with an order to alter the Sylph’s course on his lips.
But at that moment Frank, who also had been gazing through a glass, cried:
“There is someone on it, sir!”
Lord Hastings stayed his command, and again leveled his glass.
“So there is,” he said finally, and ordered the Sylph forward with even greater speed. Presently the vessel drew close enough for the naked eye to discern a figure lying upon what appeared to be a small raft.
“Mr. Chadwick, take the launch and bring that man aboard,” ordered Lord Hastings.
Frank leaped to obey, and under his direction the launch was soon alongside the raft. As it drew close, the figure on the raft stirred, and then sat up.
“Great Scott!” ejaculated Frank. “It’s a girl!”