In reply to the boy's question the ensign declared that it would be impossible for the Seneca to pick them up until the weather cleared, if then.
"It would be risking the vessel to cruise about in this smother," he said; "why, she'd be as likely to strike the Good Hope as not!"
Rob's face grew long, though he did his best to make light of the situation.
"Then we've got to picnic here till the fog clears off," he said.
"That's the case exactly, Rob," was the officer's rejoinder.
"But what are we going to picnic on?" inquired Tubby anxiously. "There's no food or water on board, and we haven't brought any."
"There you go again. Always thinking of that precious tummy of yours," cried Hiram. "A little starving won't hurt you."
"Huh, just because you look like a human bean pole, you don't think anyone has a right to be fat. You're jealous, that's what you are," was the indignant reply of the fat youth.
Under other conditions there might have ensued a rough and tumble battle; but just at this instant, through the fog, there came the booming sound of a vessel's whistle.
"Waugh-gh-gh-gh!"