vigorously as at first, and he hated to give up. They were nearing the
ship rapidly, and ere long would be close enough to hail her, when, to
their surprise, she came about, and went off on another tack, leaving
them rapidly astern.

"Hullo!" exclaimed Raoul in a tone of consternation. "What did she do
that for? We shall soon be farther away from her than we were at
first."

Joe stopped paddling for a moment, and looked very cross. Then, rising
to his full height, he swung the paddle above his head, hoping to
attract the attention of some one on board the vessel. But it had no
effect. The ship continued in her course, and, there being plenty of
wind, her speed was so great as to make it useless for the canoe to
follow her.

[Illustration: "RISING TO HIS FULL HEIGHT, JOE SWUNG THE PADDLE ABOVE
HIS HEAD."]

The occupants of the canoe looked blankly at each other. Even the
usually impassive Joe did not disguise his chagrin, while Jean sought
relief for his feelings in some strong language that would have brought
upon him a reproof from Madame La Tour had she been present. The sun
had already set. Night was drawing near, and unless they reached the
ship before darkness fell they might miss her altogether, and she would
go on to become a prize for the waiting Charnace. Raoul clearly
realized their critical position, and while Joe and Jean discussed what
should be done, he lifted up his heart in earnest prayer that God would
guide them to the ship even through the darkness.

Rested by their brief halt, the paddlers resumed work, steering the
canoe straight up the Bay, so as if possible to intercept the vessel in
her next tack. Meanwhile the daylight faded out of the sky, the wind
dropped, and the water became perfectly calm. In almost complete
silence the canoe glided steadily forward, Raoul, who had paddled until
he was tired, once more taking it easy in the bottom.

Suddenly there came through the gloom the sound of a man's voice giving
a command, and it made the hearts of those in the canoe leap for joy.
Joe and Jean had been paddling listlessly, but now they went to work
with fresh energy. Their light craft shot over the smooth water in the
direction of the voice, and, a few minutes later, the dark bulk of the
ship they sought loomed up before them.

Jean promptly hailed her, and was bidden to come alongside. A rope was
thrown, whereby all three clambered up, and the next instant stood on
the deck