“Never mind,” said Teddy, “we’ve got Bill’s eyes to fall back on, and if they can see as far out over the water as they used to over the prairie, they’ll be almost as good as glasses.”
Over an hour elapsed without any trace of the derelict, and Lester began to feel uneasy in regard to his long absence from home.
“I hate to cut this short,” he said reluctantly, “but I know just how father is feeling after yesterday’s storm, and I feel it’s up to me to let him know we’re safe. As soon as we’ve done that, we can put right out again and spend the whole day looking for the boat.”
“You’re just right,” answered Ross heartily. “You fellows have done enough for me already and you ought to make a bee-line for home. The chances are all against our finding the motor boat anyway. It may have sunk long ago.”
Just as Lester was about to act on the suggestion, there was a cry from Bill:
“There’s something over there that may be what we’re after. I’ve been watching it for some minutes. It’s a boat of some kind, and it hasn’t any sails. It doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, but is just tossing up and down.”
The rest strained their eyes, but at first could see only a tiny dot. Lester steered straight toward the 54 object and as a stiff breeze filled the sail he made rapid progress.
“That’s it!” shouted Ross jubilantly, as they came closer; “I’ve handled it too long to be mistaken.”
“Hurrah!” cried Teddy.
“Great!” exclaimed Fred. “It wasn’t a forlorn hope after all.”