"That ends putting up another mast."
Slowly the day wore along. The girls were silent, and if the truth
be told more than one tear was shed between them, although before
the boys they tried to put on a brave face. There were no regular
meals, and by the advice of Captain Jerry and Dick they were sparing
of the provisions and the water.
"Our only hope now is for the storm to go down, or else to sight some
passing ship," said Dick. "Getting back to Santa Barbara at present
is out of the question. For all we know, we may be a hundred or two
hundred miles from the coast."
About two o'clock in the afternoon the sky cleared a little. But as
the fog lifted, the wind blew with greater force, sending them reeling
and plunging into the mighty waves.
"It looks as if we should be swamped after all," said Tom dolefully.
"Never say die, Tom," came from Sam resolutely.
"I suppose Mrs. Stanhope will be worried half to death."
"No doubt of it."
Nobody had any heart to talk, and each watched eagerly for some sign
of a sail. Tom had a spyglass, and just before sunset he let out a shout:
"A ship! A ship!"
"Where?" came from the others.
"Off in that direction," and Tom pointed with his hand.
All took a look through the glass, and saw that he was right. There
was a steamer approaching.
"If only they see us." said Dick, and his brothers nodded.
The girls had heard the cry, and now came on deck to learn what it meant.
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