Milly and Brandon ate a little solid food too, but their companion was unable to do that.
Now that it was light enough for them to see over the expanse of waters, they found as they had feared, that the whaleback had left them behind during the night.
Not a sign of her presence nor of the presence of any vessel which might come to their assistance, appeared.
The condition of the Success worried them a great deal—or worried Don and Milly at least—for she was gradually sinking at the stern, and the water was gaining more rapidly than they liked in the cabin. Whereas it had only been to Brandon’s knees when he had first gone below, it was now up to his waist.
During one of these trips of his to the flooded interior of the brig, he heard Milly’s voice excitedly calling to him to come on deck.
“What is it?” he asked, hastily making his appearance.
“Look! look, Brandon!” cried the girl.
She was standing up in the stern and looking over the starboard side.
Brandon hurried toward her and followed the direction of her hand with his eyes.
Far across the tossing sea a dark object rose and fell upon the surface. It was not far above the level of the water, and therefore, though hardly three miles away, had until now remained unseen by the voyagers of the Success.