"No, rocks," said the skipper.
"Boats," repeated the mate, obstinately.
"So they are! Damn!" cried the skipper.
And then the same verdict came from aloft, and was confirmed by the entire sea jury.
The disappointed captain dropped back on deck.
"Now, if they were the Palembang's boats," suggested Green.
"No such luck," said the skipper. "Is there any one in 'em, and do they see us?"
"By the same token they see us now!" shouted Green, and in a quarter of an hour the boats were alongside, and the Simoom lay to.
"What boats are those?" squealed Banks.
"The Palembang's," replied a voice from the tumbling cockleshells.