The object, whatever it was, was a long way ahead, and by the time they drew closer it was too dark to see clearly. But Dick saw enough to make him cry out in astonishment:
"A rowboat, and full of men!"
The eldest Rover was indeed right, it was a large rowboat and it contained six persons, four of whom were at the oars and the others in the stern. The rowboat contained in addition a keg of water and several small boxes and tins.
"Ship ahoy!" came hoarsely over the water, as the steam yacht drew closer to the small craft.
"Ahoy!" called back Dick, and ran forward, while Sam signaled to Tom to stop the engine.
"Can you take us on board?" was the question from a man in the rowboat.
"We've lost our ship and we are played out."
"Certainly we can take you on board," answered Dick. "Wait a minute, and I'll throw you a rope ladder."
"Thank you very much!" called back the man.
The steam yacht was brought to a standstill and the ladder thrown out. Soon the rowboat came tip to the ladder, and one after another those aboard the small craft mounted to the deck of the Mermaid. The three Rovers and Hans were at hand to see who they were.
"Dan Baxter!"