Part 20 (1/2)

Jim did not say this all at once, for he stopped soer, and every now and then a sea washed up and rowing less and less, and we at last unlashed ourselves that we ht move about a little and stretch our limbs

We were on the top, it must be re off as we should have done if we had had only theeyes atched the shi+p Still she held the sa e first saw her, and which was bringing her nearer and nearer to us

”Hurrah, Jim! We shall soon be seen, depend on that,” I exclaiht we shall be safe on shore Who can say that we shan't be landed at Portsmouth itself?”

”I wish I could say I was as sure as you are, Peter,” observed Jim, in a doleful voice ”If she had seen us it would have been all right; she would pick us up, but she , and she may have to keep away”

I could not contradict this; still I kept on hoping that we should ere long be seen I had a white handkerchief in h it was rolled into a ball by the wet I pulled it out, and waved it above ht have attracted the attention of those on board the stranger, although we could distinguish no signalshi+p, whatever she is,” I reh out of the water, and that er,” observed Jiht up at Spithead, and to my mind she's a South Sea whaler, outward bound That's the reason she looks so high Yes, I aht, for I can make out her boats hoisted up at the davits”

”I think you are right,” I said; ”but even if she is an outward bound shi+p, she'll put us on board another vessel homeward-bound, or land us on soht, or Portland”

”First let us get on board her before we talk of where we shall be landed,” said Ji about The head sails are shaking”

”No, no! thehis helain”

”They won't see that little bit of a rag,” cried Jim, ”I'll try what I can do Here, Peter, just take hold of my jacket,” he continued, as he stripped it off, and then loosening his waistband he pulled his shi+rt over his head, and began to wave it frantically I waved erness we shouted out at the top of our voices, as if the faint sounds could be carried as far as the shi+p

Presently our hearts sank, for there was no doubt that the shi+p was keeping away Still, should anyone on board be using a spy-glass, and turn it towards us, we should, we hoped, be observed We waved and shouted even more vehemently than before, but even I was al to pass us after all,” cried Jiht”

Just as he spoke there caht flash, from the shi+p's bows, followed by a sharp report

”We are seen! We are seen!” shouted Jinal to us

Hurrah! Hurrah!”

The shi+p now ca rescued This very circue as it may seem, we both burst into tears We recovered ourselves, however, very soon, and continued waving, still having an idea that the shi+p ht sail away from us, but on and on she came

Presently her courses were brailed up, and she hove-to about three cables' lengths from our mast Almost at the sa towards us as fast as the men could bend their backs to the oars In a few minutes kindly hands were stretched out to help us into the boat

”Are you the only two?” asked the one,” I answered

”Well, we'll hear all about it e get you on board, lads, for you both see after,” he said

The boat leaving the mast, returned rapidly towards the shi+p

While most of the crew scrambled up the sides, the tackles were hooked on, and ere hoisted up in the boat, from whence ere speedily handed down on deck I could not have stood if I had not been supported, and Jim was much in the sae faces, so compassionately upon us, others with indifference, as if it was a matter of very little consequence that two boys should have been saved fro round and the shi+p stood on her course