“Made out any lights ahead?”

“Not yet.”

“Neither have I. There’s some ashore, though.”

“What of it?” questioned Bill.

“They are of the coaling station at Brookville. I am sure some craft is there.”

“Suppose so.”

“We had better advise them of our errand. It may be a big steam tug. Two are better than one, and the Olivia may be in a desperate fix.”

“If she’s really on the rocks she’s stove bad long before this,” was the discouraging rejoinder of Bill, sending a chill through Tom’s frame.

“We could never pull the steamer off the rocks, but a larger craft might,” suggested Tom.

“What are you getting at?” asked Bill.