ed the appearance of the stranger, hoping that she might prove to
be the _Empress_.

"She looks as if she had met with bad weather, sir; her foremast and two
topmasts are gone. She has just hoisted a signal of distress half mast
high."

Tom at that moment came on deck, and on hearing this went aloft with his
spy-glass to have a look at the stranger. Being satisfied that she was
really in distress, on coming down, he sent young Alick to inform the
captain, and asked leave to steer for her.

Jack, quickly coming on deck, ordered the ship to be headed up towards
the stranger. As the _Bellona_ approached, her battered condition
became more clearly visible; her boats were gone, her bulwarks stove in,
and she lay a mere wreck on the water; a few people only were seen on
her deck, and even through the telescopes directed at them, their
countenances appeared worn and haggard as they stood leaning over the
bulwarks gazing at the approaching man-of-war. The _Bellona's_ way was
stopped, and a boat being lowered, Tom was soon alongside the wreck.

"What ship is that?" he asked, as he pulled up.

"The _Argo_, Captain Robson, from Hong-kong. In Heaven's Dame, I trust
you can render us assistance," said the man, in a hollow voice. "We are
short of provisions, and consumed our last drop of water yesterday. We
are dying of thirst, and scarcely strong enough to keep the pumps
going."

"We will give you all the help we can," said Tom, climbing up on deck,
where the spectacle which met his view convinced him of the truth of the
master's statement. Five of the hands, whose countenances showed the
sufferings they had endured, were working away at the pumps with all the
strength they possessed, the clear stream which issued from the side
showing the large amount of water the vessel must be making; while
several others lay about the deck, exhausted from their previous
exertions. A few only remained on foot, who looked ready to sink.

Tom, on seeing this, without further inquiries sent young Alick back in
the boat with a report of the state of the ship, requesting that the
carpenter and his crew and some hands might return, to assist in
repairing as far as possible the damages, as also that a supply of water
and provisions might quickly be sent.

"Water! oh, water! Let us have water first!" cried the master.

The men bent to their oars, and quickly reached the _Bellona_. Two
other boats were immediately lowered, and into Al