They had been enabled, when the waters grew calm, to creep upon the grating, but they were so chilled and exhausted that they were only conscious of suffering and misery.
Both looked eagerly in the direction where Jack’s glance was fixed.
“I don’t see anything, Jack,” said Will.
“The sun blinds your eyes, lad, and the salt water makes them weak. It’s a sail, and it’s drifting this way.”
And a few minutes later the boatswain reported:
“A raft—two people on it! Do you see it now?”
“Yes, plainly!” cried Will, in excited tones. “Oh, Jack, will they see us?”
Some distance away, on the surface of the waters, could plainly be made out a floating object resembling a raft.
A single pole with a piece of sail was fixed upon it, while two forms, apparently human beings, sat on the raft.
“It’s bearing our way. Now, then, lads, yell your loudest.”