"Singular that the ship hasn't moved in twenty minutes or more."
Then, enthusiastic at the mere thought, he cried out, as he ran toward the Professor: "Do you think they have seen our signal? Have they stopped; and are they returning?"
"Either that or they have changed their course, and are now leaving us dead ahead."
This was a blow to the poor boy, whose hopes, brought about by the apparently checked motion of the ship, were now dashed to the ground, when the Professor continued: "They are sailing away, I am sorry to say."
He left the observation stakes. Poor Harry was still signaling frantically. The Professor told Harry that further effort in that direction would be useless, and he slowly and sadly came down the hill.
They looked at each other most sorrowfully, and the boys could scarcely restrain their tears, while the Professor carefully avoided their gaze, or seemed not to notice their grief.
"It is one satisfaction to know," said Harry, as he dolefully looked across the broad sea, "that vessels do come this way, and that it is not out of the world entirely."
George quickly recovered. "Why not make a big signal flag for Observation Hill?" This was seconded by the Professor.
"And while we are about it why not make a good old American flag?" was Harry's comment.
The cave had been forgotten in this incident. When their wondering and questionings had ceased, the descent was made around the point, and the entrance soon reached.