Fred was peering anxiously at his friend, fearful that his courage had gone and that he would be compelled to exert himself to his utmost in order to force John to any action. Whether or not it was the effect of the cool water, John's courage apparently had returned. At all events in response to the call of his friend he swam quickly toward the boat. Acting upon the directions of Fred he placed one hand on the bow while Fred seized the stern. "Now turn her over," called Fred and under the united action of the boys the leaking boat speedily reversed its position and lay upon the water, keel upward. "We can keep afloat here all day," said Fred, speaking with a confidence he was far from feeling. "We'll have to be careful, but if we rest only one hand on the boat that will keep us afloat and I don't believe she'll sink." Both were aware now of the desperate plight in which they found themselves. There were no indications of help within sight and each understood that unless help came before sunset they were likely to become so chilled by their long stay in the cool waters that they would be unable longer to retain their hold. Before the mind of Fred there came a momentary vision of his far away home. For an instant he fancied he could imagine the scene when the report was received there of the loss of their boy. "Jack," he called, his voice breaking in spite of his efforts at self-control, "if anything happens to either of us it is understood, isn't it, that the other fellow will send word?" It was John's turn now to manifest a strong determination and facing his friend he said, "Don't give up the ship yet! We have most of the day before us and something will happen." "I wish we could get that mast over yonder and rig it on the bottom of the skiff. Perhaps some one might see that when they couldn't see us. We are so close to the water." "That's a good suggestion," said John. "We're going ahead yet." Quickly releasing his grasp John swam toward the floating mast, which had been lost when the skiff was overturned. He easily secured it and swam back to the overturned skiff. "Can you break a hole in the bottom, Jack?" asked Fred. "I don't know; I'll try it," responded John. Pounding upon the bottom of the skiff where it had been broken when the boat had struck the rock, he succeeded in making a hole big enough to enable him to thrust the mast into the place. "Never mind the handkerchiefs," called Fred; "they will dry out and will be floating in the breeze pretty soon. Now the main thing for us to do is simply to hang on and wait until somebody sees that signal of distress." The moments passed slowly and to both boys there came an increasing fear that their plight was not likely to attract the attention of passing boats. Indeed, apparently there were no boats passing nearby. The low clouds of smoke in the distance were tantalizing in their effect upon the minds of the watching boys.