Chalk it seemed as though the night would never end. A dozen
times he sprang to his feet and gazed fearfully into the darkness, and a
dozen times at least he reminded the silent Stobell of the folly of
throwing other people's guns away. Day broke at last and showed him
Tredgold in a tattered shirt and a pair of trousers, and Stobell sitting
close by sound asleep.
"We must try and signal to the ship," he said, in a hoarse whisper.
"It's our only chance."
Tredgold nodded assent and shook Stobell quietly. The silence was
oppressive. They rose and peered out to sea, and a loud exclamation
broke from all three. The "_Fair Emily_" had disappeared.
[Illustration: "The 'Fair Emily' had disappeared."]
Stobell rubbed his eyes and swore softly; Tredgold and Chalk stood gazing
in blank dismay at the unbroken expanse of shining sea.
"The savages must have surprised them," said the latter, in trembling
tones. "That's why they left us alone."
"Or else they heard the noise ashore and put to sea," said Tredgold.
They stood gazing at each other in consternation. Then Stobell, who had
been looking about him, gave vent to an astonished grunt and pointed to a
boat drawn upon the beach nearly abreast of where their tent had been.
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