"Then I must speak as the medical man, and give my patient orders. You ought both to have some sleep now." "Wonderful!" cried Mr Preddle, excitedly. For, with the wondrous rapidity of change from night to day so familiar in the tropics, the morning broke without any of the gradations of dawn and twilight. There was a brilliant glow of red, which, as we gazed at it, became gold; and then, dazzling in its brightness, the edge of the sun appeared above the gleaming water, still and smooth as ever; then higher and higher, sending its rays across the vast level, and turning all to gold. It was between us and the sun now one broad patch of light, but not quite all golden glory, for as I looked right away from the poop-deck, with that indescribable feeling of joy in my breast which comes when the darkness of night and its horrors give place to the life and light of day, I felt a strange contraction about my heart--a curious shrinking sensation of dread. For, far away on that gleaming path of gold, I could plainly see a couple of black specks. Half-stifled with emotion, I caught at Mr Brymer's arm, and pointed as I looked in his face, and tried to speak, but no words would come. I must have pointed widely, for he turned quickly, looked in the direction indicated by my finger, and then clapped me on the shoulder. "Why, Dale, my lad, what's the matter?" he said. "Did you see a whale?" At that moment Barney shouted from where he stood forward, unseen for the mist of dimly illuminated steam which lay between us, though his voice was plainly heard, and sent a thrill through all who heard-- "Boat-ho! Two on 'em astarn." "Ay, ay!" roared Bob Hampton in a voice of thunder, "lying doo east. It's Frenchy and his gang come back." For a few seconds there was a dead silence, and no one stirred. Then, as if electrified, I ran half-way down the ladder, and leaped the rest of the way, dashed through the saloon to Mr Brymer's cabin, seized his glass, and ran back with it and up on to the poop-deck. He gave me a quick look which seemed to say, "Good!"--snatched the glass, brought it to bear upon the two black specks, and then stood motionless, while all present waited breathless for the lowering of the glass again, and the mate's first words. For we hoped against hope. The boats might be two sent from some invisible ship to our aid. All such thoughts were swept away as the mate lowered his glass and nearly threw it to me. "He's right," he said calmly. "They are our boats and men. They must have been somewhere near, and seen the light rising up from the ship, and come back to see what it means." "Then all is lost!" said Mr Denning, wildly, as he seized his sister's hand. "Oh, no," replied Mr Brymer, coolly, "by no means. Miss Denning, kindly see what you can do in the way of breakfast for us. Those men cannot be here under an hour, and we shall all be faint. Cheer up. They're not on board yet."