Chapter Ten.
Sunshine Bill and his two companions stood for some time watching the objects they had seen floating in the lagoon.
“Yes, I’m sure there’s a man there!” exclaimed Bill. “Let us shout to him: he will hear us, maybe, and it will keep up his spirits.”
They raised their voices in a hearty cheer. A faint answer came back.
“I thought so,” cried Bill; “but the man, whoever he is, must be tired, and the cheer did him good. I have a great mind to go off and help him on shore.”
“No, no, Bill,” said Jack, “I’ll do that. I am stronger than you are, and we cannot afford to risk losing you.”
Saying this, Jack, rushing into the water, boldly swam off through the surf towards the man they had seen. He soon got up to him, but only just in time to find him relaxing his hold of the timber he had been clinging to.
“Come, mate, whoever you are,” said Jack, as he saw him; “hold on, and I’ll help tow you ashore.”