“No matter what kind of a place it is I’ll certainly be glad to get on shore again,” said George eagerly. “I’ve had about all I want of boats for a while.”
“I agree with you, Pop,” said Fred. “I’ve had enough, too.”
“I wish we’d see a steamer,” sighed John.
“I wish a steamer would see us,” said Grant. “I think that would be more to the point.”
“We’ve simply got to be picked up soon,” said John. “Our food won’t last a great many days longer.”
“It’s good for a week, anyway,” said Fred. “Some one will surely find us by that time. We can hoist a flag on top of that hill up there. A passing steamer would be sure to see it.”
“There may be people on the island for all we know,” said Grant. “We can’t see it all from here and it must be at least a mile long.”
“We’ll know soon, anyway,” exclaimed John. “Don’t run us onto any rocks on the way in, Sam.”
“No, sah,” grinned Sam. “Jes’ leave dat to me.”
The shore of the island was low and sandy. Wide white beaches ran down to the water’s edge, while a short distance back were many palms and other trees of which the boys did not know the names. As Fred remarked, the island certainly looked fertile. Great excitement filled the breasts of every member of the party as they neared the shore.