"You mean we dropped in on them," amended the other with a laugh, "come here, Harry," he called, raising his voice, "we've got some company out of the fog."
In response to his call a lad about the age of Rob appeared from the after-end of the ship, where the cabins were, and greeted the boys with a smile and a nod. He, like his father, wore a sombrero and was quite as sunburned. For the rest he was well-knit and athletic looking and had evidently lived an out-door life.
"Well, we are getting plenty of experiences away from the ranch, eh, Harry?" observed his father, after the boys and the captain had introduced themselves and there had been a great and ceremonious hand-shaking all round.
"We just naturally are," responded the rancher's son. "Say, captain," he went on, "when do you expect to get off?"
"If we are not too badly hung up we ought to get off at high-water," rejoined the Britisher.
"That won't be till late to-night," observed Rob.
"If I could only get a tug we might do better," observed the captain, "in fact, since I've had the engines going I don't think we can back off under our own power."
"Have you got a wireless?" asked Hiram, his pet subject uppermost.
"Yes, but our operator went ashore in London and I guess he had too good a time; anyhow he never showed up so we had to cross without one."
"Is she working?" asked Hiram interestedly.