THE TALE OF THE RESCUED BOYS

Night set in without a sign of attack. The heavens were filled with
stars, but there was no moon, and this afforded a cover for both
parties.

And now, when they were at last quiet for the first time since the
release of the boys from their loathsome captivity, all were eager to
hear their history.

Harry and John had both learned during the snatches of conversation that
they were able to take advantage of, that Ralph and Tom were companions
on the ill-fated _Investigator_, when she went down. They were not
remembered at the hut, and neither of the boys recalled the others,
because the emaciated condition of the two was such as to make
recognition impossible, and Ralph and Tom were too much excited to know
or care who had delivered them, but they recognized the Professor before
it dawned on them that the two boys were their former companions.

But let us listen to the tale as Ralph told it: "We were on the after
part of the ship at the time the explosion took place. It was between
nine and ten at night. The explosion seemed to break the ship in two,
and an officer, a seaman, and three of my companions, including Tom
here, launched one of the boats, and when it was apparent that the
vessel was sinking, the officer ordered the boat away. We saw two of
the lifeboats, and made for the nearest one, when the wave from the
sinking ship nearly overturned us. Soon after a heavy fog covered
everything, and when that disappeared a high wind arose, and the sea
became choppy and the froth was blown over us so that all became
drenched."

"All that tallies exactly with our experience," remarked George.

"Instead of decreasing the wind grew more furious during the following
day, and Tom and myself became very ill and helpless. When I recovered
consciousness there was only Tom and another companion in sight, and
neither of them knew what happened, or how the others disappeared. We
were lashed to the boat, and just before I became unconscious I
remembered that the seaman gave me some biscuits and canned meat, as
well as a flask of water, and those I found beside me when I awoke.
During the night Tom also awoke and began to rave, and I tried to quiet
him, and after making a number of trials found the locker and gave him
some stimulating medicines, which you will remember were put up and in
the use of which we were instructed. Our other companion died of
exposure the fourth day."

"Weren't the other