“Suppose we set a signal flag for the Belden to see?”
It was certainly not a bad idea.
So a long pole was procured and upon it was nailed a huge square of canvas. This could be seen far out to sea.
Then faggots were collected with which to keep a beacon light at night.
If the Belden should come anywhere within range of the island it could not fail to be attracted.
But what Captain Uriah feared was that it would continue to cruise in the same limited area, and then after a disheartening period give up the quest and go back to San Francisco.
In that case they would be indeed badly off. Abandoned on a desert isle! What a fearful fate!
For days they climbed the cliffs and gazed seaward, hour after hour, in quest of the welcome sail.
But it came not.
Then a sort of grim despair began to settle down upon all. Some of them became taciturn and morose.