"I say, captain," said Frank, "hadn't we better put another man to the wheel, and tack and half tack for a time. Or suppose we lie to, eh?"
"Providence is at the wheel, Frank, but we're at the mercy of every breeze that may blow."
They were evidently being driven out to sea, but there was no help for it.
And so easterwards, ever easterwards, they drifted for many hours. The island itself was now but a little dark dot on the blue, and several other islets had come into view, and latterly, oh, joy! a steamer.
Evidently on her way to China or Japan!
Could they communicate?
In case of meeting a ship, several tin flagons had been prepared and ballasted, with letters in them.
The balloon was drifting but slowly now, and seemed to be on the turn.
Signals were accordingly made, while Conal, with the telescope, kept the ship's quarter-deck well under observation.
"Ha!" he cried, "they see us, and are signalling back."