"We must make a signal or she may pass us," exclaimed Langton. "The mast and yard of our raft will serve as a flag." Mike possessed a coloured handkerchief, which he had hitherto worn round his waist. Other handkerchiefs were produced. Nat contributed his shirt, so that a flag of good size was formed. The fire having been first made up so as to emit a large amount of smoke, they hastened with their flagstaff to the end of the point, where it was speedily erected. As no other means of attracting the attention of those on board could be devised, they sat down, anxiously waiting the result. With some small line, which they got from the raft, they drew out the flag so as to present a broad surface to the approaching ship. Her hull soon rose above the water. "Thank Heaven! She is a British sloop-of-war, and is sure to keep a bright look-out," said Langton. "She will pass within a mile of the island, and cannot fail to see us." The wind had by this time shifted to the southward. The corvette--for such she was--came on before it, under easy sail, with the lead going. The party watched her with intense eagerness. Every moment they feared that she might haul off the shore, but the water was deep, and she continued on her course. Already she was abreast of the spot where the signal was flying. "She takes no notice of us; she is standing on as before," exclaimed Owen. "No, no; see, she is heaving to," cried Langton. The courses were hauled up, the ship's head was turned off shore, the main-topsail was backed, and she remained stationary. "Hurrah! hurrah!" cried Mike. "We are seen." The rest echoed the cheer. A boat was lowered, and came pulling towards the point. As she approached, the party on shore unshipped the flagstaff and hurried with it to the bay to guide her in; she soon reached the beach. Langton explained to the officer in command in a few words what had occurred. They were helped on board, and the boat immediately pulled back to the corvette. She proved to be the "Kestrel," of 18 guns, Commander Holmes. Directly the commander heard of the loss of the "Sylvia," he steered for the spot where the ill-fated vessel had gone down, in the hopes of rescuing any more of her crew who might have escaped. Mike and Nat were placed under the doctor's charge, but Langton and Owen, though still feeling very weak, were anxious to remain on deck while the corvette was searching for their shipmates. Owen learned, with satisfaction, that, after her cruise among the islands, she was at once to return home. He was naturally anxious to ascertain the truth of the account given him by Reginald Ashurst. Sometimes he thought the imagination of his dying shipmate might have been excited, and that the story he had told was without foundation. Langton, when he talked the matter over, did not give him much encouragement.