said for the next few hours. All kept their eyes strained for the
sight of some friendly light, but none came to view.

"How many miles do you think we are from shore?" asked Sam, presently.

"I haven't any idea," answered Dick. "At least fifty or a hundred."

"Ve vill nefer see der land again!" groaned Hans. "I vish ve had gone
to dot Dampa py railroad drain, ain't it!"

"Well, even railroad trains occasionally have smash-ups," answered
Dick, philosophically.

At last it began to grow light and with the coming of morning the
mist lifted a trifle, so that they were able to see around them. A
gentle breeze was blowing, causing the bosom of the gulf to ruffle
up. Sam climbed up to the top of the crates.

"See anything?" queried his brother.

"Well, I never!" ejaculated the youngest Rover. "If that doesn't beat
the nation!"

He pointed off to their left and then all looked--and actually laughed.
And well might they do so.

There, on the waters, rode a rude raft made of several empty boxes
and crates. On the top of this affair stood a campstool, and on the
stool sat Tom Rover, making himself as comfortable as possible.

"Tom!" the others yelled in concert, and the fun-loving Rover looked
around eagerly.

"Hello, you!" he called back. "How many?"

"Three," answered Sam. "Dick, Hans, and myself."

"Good enough."

"You certainly seem to be taking it easy," said Dick, as the two rude
rafts floated close to each other.

"Well, why not take it easy if it doesn't cost any more?" demanded
Tom, coolly. "I either had to sit on the chair or in the water, and
I preferred to sit on the chair."

"Do you know anything about the others, Tom?"

"No, but I am afraid they are drowned," and now the fun-loving Rover
became serious. "What makes you think that?" asked Sam.

"I think the steamer went down with nearly everybody on board."

"Dot is terrible!" burst out Hans. "Poor Fred! Und poor Songpird!
Vot vill der folks say ven da hear dot?" And he shook his head,
dubiously.

"And poor Harold Bird!" added Dick. He had taken a strong liking to
the young Southerner.

As it grew lighter those on the bosom of the gulf looked vainly for
some sign of land or a sail, but hour after hour passed and nothing
came to view but the waters under them and the mist and sky overhead.

"I am more than hungry," grumbled Tom. "I didn't get half enough to
eat on that steamer and now I could lay into almost anything."

"Ditto here," an