“We’ve gone wrong somehow,” said Serge, without an attempt to conceal his anxiety.
“Do you mean, old man, that you think we have missed the island altogether?”
“I am afraid we have.”
“Then may God help us, for we can no longer help ourselves.”
“Amen,” responded Serge, solemnly.
“I suppose we had better continue paddling, if only to keep her headed with the sea.”
“And to keep from freezing,” said Serge. “I’m chilled to the bone now.”
So they resumed their labor, but they worked listlessly and without heart.
At length the short night came to an end, and daylight, dim and shadowy, began to steal over the tossing waters. Occasionally the round head of a seal rose above the surface close at hand, and the animal stared at them for a moment with great wondering eyes before again sinking silently from their sight.