ght," observed Tom. "Still we must get a
flag-staff set up, in case she should appear before we can launch the
boat, and we shall be fortunate if we can do that before night." As
soon as breakfast was over, Tom having told the men what was wanted, all
hands went in search of a tree fit for the purpose. None, however, were
discovered. At last it was agreed that a young cocoa-nut tree must be
cut down. This was soon done by Jerry and Tim, while the rest
recommenced their attempt to free the boat. All hands were required to
get the flag-staff to the top of the rock and set it up. The three men
offered their handkerchiefs, which with others belonging to the
midshipmen formed a tolerably sized flag. As they had no halyards, it
was fixed with rope yarns to the top of the staff, before it was set up.
A crevice was found in the rock, into which it was driven, and fixed on
either side with large stones.

"That will show clearly enough where we are, and if they can count the
number of handkerchiefs, they will know we are all right," observed
Desmond.

"I trust that the ship will come," said Tom, though he could not throw
much confidence into his tone. "Now, lads, we must go back and dig away
at our boat. I should like to see her afloat to-night or early
to-morrow morning."

In spite of the heat, they toiled on, not even returning to the camp for
dinner; Pat instead being sent to bring provisions and water.
Notwithstanding their perseverance, the work was not finished when Tom
set off alone to have another look out from Flag-staff Hill. He was
soon seen coming back.

"Not a sign of her," he said; and taking up his spade he resumed his
labours. A heap of sand still remained between the boat and the water,
that had to be removed before she could be launched.

"We must get rollers under her, or it will be more than we can do to
drag her into the water," observed Jerry, as he stamped his foot into
the soft yielding sand under her keel.

"You are right," said Tom, "and we must make them the first thing in the
morning."

The songs sung and yarns spun that evening were not so cheerful as they
had been; indeed, all hands were so sleepy that they were glad to turn
in as soon as supper was over. Tom hoped against hope, that the next
morning the ship would appear, had no accident happened to her. Even
without her machinery she would surely be able to beat up to the island
by this time.

Tom was at the flag-staff as s