They rested there.
They knew they were seen.
In the stillness of the early summer’s morning they could hear the wild shouts of greeting that arose from their shipmates.
And you may easily guess that assistance was speedily on its way to the top of the valley.
I leave you to guess also the kind of welcome accorded to men and dogs.
Why, Slap-dash himself came in for hugging, and Wallace hugged every one indiscriminately all round. Dr. Wright, Ingomar, Curtis, and the boys were all sadly worn and sallow. They had but little life in them. Even their courage appeared to have left them. They smiled, it is true, but it was the smile of sickly old men.
When they were helped on board at last, and had a little food and wine, they begged for a bath and to be shaved. After this, and dressed in fresh clothing, they were in some measure restored.
Captain Bell and the other officers of the Sea Elephant had come on board, and to them Ingomar, who was stronger than the rest, told the sad story of their terrible hardships, and their struggle to reach the ships. When he spoke of poor MacDonald, there was not an eye in the room that was not dimmed with tears.
But there! I myself must pull up. I would not have my very last chapter dimmed with sorrow.
Suffice it to say that not only these five real heroes, but the Yak-Yaks, including Slap-dash and Sheelah and Taffy, were in a month’s time their old selves again.