There they stood, frantically waving their hands toward those on the submarine. Across the water that separated the two craft, there came a faint hail. "I suppose they are nearly dead," exclaimed the inventor. "We must save them." He ordered the _Porpoise_ sent ahead slowly toward the wreck. The distance was about half a mile, and was soon covered. As the submarine approached closer those on the schooner could be observed more plainly. "One of 'em is a woman!" exclaimed Jack, who was using the glasses. "Let me see," spoke the professor. "You're right," he added. "The other is a little girl." A few minutes later the _Porpoise_ was alongside. The woman and child came to the rail of the schooner, which was barely five feet above the waves. "Can you jump down, or shall I come aboard and get you?" asked Mr. Henderson seeing the woman hesitate. "I can jump down, if you will catch the child," said the woman. "Oh I am so glad you came," she added. "We are almost dead from hunger and thirst, and the wreck is ready to sink and cannot last many hours longer." "Pass the little girl down to me," spoke Andy. "Then you jump. We'll save you all right." The little girl reached the deck in safety, and the woman, who proved to be her mother, followed. "Now take us to your ship," said the woman. "You must be a long way from her, as she is not in sight." "Our ship is right here," spoke Mr. Henderson with a smile. "Where, I don't see her," and the woman looked in all directions. "Allow me to introduce you to Profess Amos Henderson's famous submarine, the _Porpoise_," spoke the inventor with a bow. "But come, let us go below. You must be suffering, and here I am making speeches." "Indeed I am hungry, and thirsty too," said the woman. "So is Nellie. But I thought this was merely a small boat, sent from some large ship to get us." The woman and girl descended to the cabin of the submarine, where Washington set before them a fine meal. Under the advice of the professor they partook sparingly of food and drink at first, as, having eaten nothing in many hours, the inventor said they must begin by taking a little at a time. As soon as they had finished and become somewhat rested, the woman told her story. She was Mrs. Johnson, a widow, her husband having once owned and been captain of the schooner that was wrecked. After his death she and her daughter, having become part owners of the craft, disposing of a third interest to the former mate of the ship, had set out on one of the voyages to South American ports. They had had good weather going, and took on a valuable cargo of lumber and rare woods. But the return trip was more perilous. Heavy storms had buffeted the craft almost from the time of leaving port, and in one heavy blow, ten days before, the ship had been wrecked. "What became of the crew?" asked Mr. Henderson.