Dorothy’s first feeling was one of delight. There were people then in this place of desolation, and people, to Dorothy, meant civilization and all that it connotes--including facilities of communication with the world. She was about to answer the hail when something made her hesitate. It might be all right, but she was alone. She turned, and, slipping back to the galley fire, rapidly thrust into it an armful of wet straw. An exclamation outside, faintly heard, showed that the smoke had changed accordingly. Twice she repeated the signal with an interval between; then warned by the thump of feet on the deck overhead, she thrust in a last armful and hurried toward the companionway. As she reached its top, the sailors appeared at the door. Dorothy bowed. “Good morning, gentlemen!” she cried. The men started back with one accord; their hands flew to their caps and pulled them from their heads. One seemed too amazed for speech, but the other was somewhat bolder. “Beggin’ your pardon, ma’am,” he stammered. “I--we--Bill an’ me hailed, but--I hopes you’re well, ma’am.” Dorothy smiled. “Yes! I’m well,” she returned, “and very glad to see you. Tell me, do you live here?” “On this ship, ma’am? No, ma’am.” “Oh, no, I know you don’t live on this ship, for we have just drifted in on it. I mean here.” She waved her hand comprehensively. Bill had recovered somewhat by now. “No, ma’am,” he declared positively. “Joe and me live in little old New York. But we’ve been here ten years!” “Ten years!” Dorothy’s cheeks paled. “Ten years! Oh! can’t you get away? Don’t tell me you can’t get away!” “No, ma’am, we can’t get away. We’d go like a shot if we could. You see, ma’am, nothing but wrecks ever come in here, and there ain’t no way of getting out.” “Can’t you build a boat?” “We might, ma’am, but how could we get it through the weed. Nobody ever has. Everybody who’s ever come in here is here yet.” “Everybody! How many are there of you?” “Twenty-two--not countin’ the women and the child.” “Women! Are there women here? I’m so glad! Oh! poor creatures! Have they--But, there! Come up here and sit down. We drifted in here only yesterday--three of us. The men have gone to explore, but they will be back soon. While we are waiting for them, you must tell me all about everything.” Dorothy led the way aft, reaching the taffrail just in time to see Howard and Jackson speeding toward her over the wrecks. She waved her hand at them; assured of their safety she felt more secure. “There comes the rest of our party,” she explained.