But more than once as they drank of the water, and nibbled the hard biscuits, or crackers, in the water-tight box, Russ and his companion blessed the forethought of honest Jack Jepson—I beg his pardon, Captain Jepson it was now, though neither Russ nor Mr. Sneed knew that.
"I think I'll hoist a signal," said the actor, as they drove on, now seeing the steamer, and again losing her.
"Good idea," Russ agreed, as he busied himself with an oil can.
Mr. Sneed managed to lash an oar upright, and on it he fastened a bit of canvas. It stood out straight, like a board, so strong was the wind that whipped it.
"I hope they see that," commented the actor.
"I hope so, too," added Russ. "It doesn't do any good to yell, for the wind is blowing from them to us."
More than once, as they urged their craft on a long slant toward the steamer, they almost gave up hope. But it sprang up again, and finally, as a break in the clouds let out a little rift of light, someone on the watch aboard the steamer saw the fluttering signal.
"She's seen us! She's seen us!" cried Russ in delight.
"How can you tell?" demanded his companion.
"She whistled. I saw the steam. You'll hear the blast in a second."