It must be admitted that all were much cast down by this happening. When the steamer had headed directly for them they had thought sure they would be rescued.
"They must have done it deliberately," said Mr. Tarbill. "Oh, the villains! the scoundrels!"
"I don't believe that," answered Captain Spark. "More'n likely they didn't see us. No captain would be so inhuman as to pass us by."
Two hours dragged by slowly. Tim Flynn was tired out with much watching and had lain down and Ned Scudd had taken his place.
"I see something," said Ned, presently. "Don't know what it is."
He pointed to the southward. There was some low-lying object, with the waves dashing against it.
"Perhaps it's a ship with the masts gone," said Mr. Carr.
"Or a dead whale," suggested Bob.
"It's too big for either a ship or a whale," said the captain.
"Let us sail toward it and make an inspection."
"Don't—don't run into any new danger!" pleaded Mr. Tarbill.