man voices and the dip
of oars in the water. We'll shout together. Rouse yourself, Cox," he
said.

Ben sat up, and, Stone leading, they shouted together at the top of
their voices, the young Arab joining them. Again they were silent, but
no answer came. "If that is a boat, they surely must have heard us,"
observed Ned.

"They may be talking themselves, sir, or the noise of their oars
prevented them," remarked Stone.

"We'll shout again, then," said Ned.

Again they shouted, this time louder than before. They waited a few
seconds, almost afraid to breathe, and then there came across the water
a British cheer, sounding faintly in the distance.

"Hurrah! hurrah! All right, sir!" cried Stone. They shouted several
times after this to guide the boat towards them. At length they could
see her emerging from the gloom; but no one on board her had apparently
seen the canoe, for, from the speed the boat was going and the course
she was steering, she was evidently about to pass them.

"Boat ahoy!" shouted Stone. "Here we are, but take care not to run us
down."

The boat's course was altered; they soon heard a voice, it was that of
Charley Meadows, crying out, "There is something floating ahead of us, a
raft or a sunken boat."

"Meadows ahoy!" hailed Ned. "Come carefully alongside." The oars were
thrown in, and the boat glided up to the canoe.

"Why, Ned, Ned! I am so thankful that I have found you," cried Charley,
as he grasped the hand of his messmate after he had been helped on
board.

"There is a poor Arab, take care of him, for he is pretty far gone
already," said Ned.

"Water, water," murmured the Arab faintly.

There was fortunately a breaker in the boat, and before many words were
exchanged some of the refreshing liquid was served out to Ned and his
companions. Except a few biscuits there was nothing to eat, but even
these soaked in water served to refresh the well-nigh famished party.

Charley then explained that the corvette, having captured three of the
dhows, all with slaves on board, had hove to for the purpose of
transferring their cargoes to her deck; and that while so occupied,
Rhymer had arrived with a fourth, several of the Arab crew having been
wounded in attempting to get away. "The commander seeing you were not
on board, inquired what had become of you, when Rhymer, with very little
concern, replied that he feared you all had gone to the bottom with the
dhow, as his boat's crew as