“Ship’s bell,” said Bevis presently, as they listened. “In these latitudes the air is so clear you hear ships’ bells a hundred miles.”
“Pirates?”
“No; pirates would not make a noise.”
“Frigate?”
“Most likely.”
“Any chance of our being taken off and rescued?”
“Not the least,” said Bevis. “These islands are not down on any chart. She’ll be two hundred miles away by tea-time. Bound for Kerguelen, perhaps.”
“We shall never be found,” said Mark. “No hope for us.”
“No hope at all,” said Bevis. They poled towards Serendib, intending to circumnavigate that island. By the time they had gone half-way, the bell ceased.
“Now listen,” said Mark. “Isn’t it still?”