"I wonder where our mothers are now," remarked Lulu mournfully. "Mine must be on the boat coming home from the city."
"And mine is driving with Mrs. Martin," said Winifred. "Oh, what will they all do when they get home and we're not there." The picture called up by this remark was too dreadful to be borne with fortitude, and all four children simultaneously burst into tears.
Suddenly Jack's voice broke in upon the wails of the three little girls.
"Look, oh, look! there's a steamboat; it's coming this way."
Every eye was turned in the direction Jack pointed. Sure enough, a large steam yacht was coming rapidly down the river, her head pointed straight towards them.
"Wave, keep waving as hard as you can," cried Betty excitedly. "Let's all shout together again, and perhaps they'll hear us."
"Wait till they get a little nearer, they couldn't hear us yet," advised Jack. "Oh, do you really think they'll save us?"
"Of course they will," said Lulu confidently. "Oh, look, look, they see us already; there's a man waving back to us. Maybe they think we're only doing it for fun. How shall we let them know we want them to help us?"
"We must shout," said Betty, and she set the example by raising her voice to its highest pitch.
"Please, please help us! Our boat's drifting, and we haven't got any oars. Oh, please, do come and help us!"