"Look, Jack!" exclaimed Ronie, in the midst of his speech. "I believe that is the boat!"
His companion glanced in the direction pointed out by Ronie, and a glad cry escaped his lips.
"Boat, ahoy!" he cried. "Help! H-e-l-p!"
Then they listened for a reply, fearing lest the other should fail to catch their faint appeal, for both were so hoarse and exhausted that their united voices could not reach far.
"It is a sloop," declared Jack. "It is coming straight down upon us. They cannot miss us—ay, they are veering away! They have not heard us—they have not seen us—they are going to pass us. Once again, lad, shout for your life. It is our only hope."
Never did two poor mortals appeal with greater desperation for succor, and a moment later a low cry of rejoicing left their sea-wet lips as the reply rang over the water in a piercing tone:
"Ahoy—there! Where away?"
"Here—to your lee!" replied the castaways, and then, quite overcome, they suddenly lost consciousness.