“Bob! Professor!” a voice shouted.
“Why—why—he knows us!” gasped the stout lad. “Who can it be?”
A moment later the mist completely cleared away and the setting sun shone clearly. Bob saw who was aboard the derelict and cried in delight.
“Jerry! Jerry boy! It’s Jerry Hopkins! Oh, what luck!”
And a moment later the life raft grated gently against the side of the Altaire. The refugees were reunited.
[CHAPTER XXII]
NED AND PEPPER-POT
“There are three passengers, sir, and one sailor, for whom we are unable to account.”
The chief officer was thus reporting to Captain Munson of the transport Sherman, and Ned, standing near, disheartened and with his mind torn by cruel worries, overheard.