her
courses, and then her hull, appeared, and I fancied that I could almost
see the people moving on her deck. I was congratulating myself that I
should have a speedy deliverance, when the thought came to me that she
might be the "Emu."

If I were discovered I should be worse treated than before. I had not
so often seen the ship on which I had spent so many dreary months, to be
certain about her appearance at a distance. I trembled lest I should be
right, though she had been steering in a different direction. As the
stranger approached, I became more and more convinced that she was not
the "Emu." Still I felt a feeling of uncertainty on the subject.
Should I make a signal, and try to attract the attention of those on
board? The beacon would certainly be observed; perhaps they were
looking out for it. Had I possessed a supply of water, I might have
hesitated longer; but my perilous position determined me at all risks to
make a signal. I watched till the ship came nearly abreast of the
beacon, when, stripping off my shirt, I climbed as high as I could,
until I reached the cask. I waved the shirt frantically. In my
eagerness I shouted also, though I might have known that my puny voice
could not be heard. For some time it appeared to me that I was waving
in vain; and then, what was my dismay to see the ship's head turned away
from the shore. I was deserted.

Presently the sheets were let fly, the main-topsail was backed against
the mast. She hove-to. I almost fell from my post with joy as I saw a
boat lowered, which came rapidly pulling towards the rock. Putting on
my shirt--it was now perfectly dry--I descended from my perch to the
rock, and there stood eagerly watching the boat. Again a thought
occurred to me, that she might, after all, be the "Emu," and in another
few minutes I might be in the clutches of old Growles and the boatswain,
and my other persecutors. But as I strained my eyes to discern their
countenances. I became aware that none of the "Emu's" crew were there.
As far as I could make out, they were all perfect strangers. The boat
steered for the lee-side of the rock. I hurried down to meet them.

"Why, my lad, who are you, and how came you here?" exclaimed one of the
strangers. "Has your ship gone to the bottom?"

"That's more than I can say," I answered; "I came in a boat. The boat
floated away, and I have been left here."

"What ship do you belong to?" asked the stranger.

"The