“We don’t seem to be making much progress,” answered Jack, dubiously. “What do you think, Ralph?”
The former major of the Colby Hall battalion shook his head while his face showed his disappointment.
“I’m afraid she’s getting away from us.”
“That’s jest how it looks to me,” burst out Ira Small. “Guess she’s one o’ them fast boats runnin’ from South America to New York.”
“Can’t we make some kind of a signal to her?” asked Fred. “Why not hang a flag out upside down, or something like that?”
Several flags were stowed away in one of the lockers, and now Old Glory was brought forth, and this several of the lads took turns in waving wildly, keeping the stars at the bottom.
The steamer was a goodly distance away, and it is doubtful if a signal could have been seen without the aid of a glass. As it was, no attention was paid to the motor boat, and presently the big liner passed out of sight in the distance.
“Good-bye to our first hope,” remarked Spouter, mournfully.
“And may we have better luck next time,” said Fred, hopefully.
Slowly the remainder of the day wore away. A little after noon they prepared a dinner of baked beans, canned corn and a few strips of bacon, washing this down with a little more coffee. They did not dare make very much of the beverage because they wished to save their water supply.