Care
was taken to keep the provisions as dry as possible, for there was
no telling how long it would be before they would be able to get more.
Slowly the night dragged by, and, with the coming of morning, the
wind went down, the storm passing to the northward.
"It is growing lighter," announced Dora. "The sunlight is beginning
to, show over the rim of the sea."
Half an hour later the sun came up, like a great ball of fire from
a bath in the ocean, capping the high waves with gold. As the light
spread around them, Dick stood up on a seat and gazed eagerly in all
directions.
"What do you see?" demanded the others.
"Nothing," he answered, with a sinking heart; "nothing but water on
all sides of us."
"The islands--they must be somewhere!" cried Tom, and he, too, took
a look, followed by the others. The last to look was old Jerry.
"Can't see much," said the old sailor slowly. "But I kind of reckon
there's a dark spot directly southward."
"It must be one of the islands the captain mentioned!" exclaimed Dora.
"We might as well row in that direction," said Dick. "There is nothing
else to do."
"It's queer what became of the other boats," said Sam.
Some of the provisions were brought forth and they ate sparingly,
and drank a little of the water. Then the boys and old Jerry took up
the oars once more and began to pull as nearly southward as they
could make it, steering by the sun.
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