The mist cleared before his eyes and he realized that he had not been mistaken. Coming towards the wreckage was a destroyer.
X
“Wake up, Doc!” exclaimed the midshipman. “We’re saved!”
“Sure?” asked his companion, rubbing his eyes; for he, too, was suffering from blurred vision, caused by the terrific glare.
“Sure.”
They waited in silence.
The oncoming vessel was travelling at high speed, and throwing up a huge bow wave. Then, when within a cable’s length, she reversed engines and lost way. A boat was lowered and brought alongside the remains of the junk.
A sub-lieutenant in the stern sheets shouted to the two survivors to jump for it.
Raxworthy was able to do so, but his companion was not. He had fainted through exhaustion and loss of blood.
The midshipman recognized the young officer in the boat.