excitedly, "Look yonder, fellows! Isn't that a boat coming this
way?"

Instantly the eyes of all three turned in the direction in which
George pointed. Far away a trail of smoke was visible and from
the direction in which it was moving it was apparent that it had
come from a boat which was coming nearer the place where the boys
were drifting than had any boats since their mishap.

"I believe it's coming," exclaimed Grant. "We'll get some help
pretty soon."

"Yes," broke in John, whose hands now were blistered and whose
temper had suffered from his efforts. "Yes, she's probably bound
for Liverpool and won't stop until she's gone across the ocean. A
lot of good it will do us!"

"Don't take all the joy out of living, String," laughed George
good-naturedly. "Maybe we shan't have any chance to be taken on
board, but we'll do our best anyway."

Silence followed as the three boys eagerly watched the
approaching boat, for there was no question in their minds now
that the unknown steamer was approaching.

A few minutes later Grant said, looking through the field glasses
at the approaching stranger, "That's a yacht of some kind, in my
opinion." As soon as he had spoken, his companions eagerly
demanded an opportunity to confirm his statement.