“It looks as if we should be swamped after all,” said Tom dolefully.

“Never say die, Tom,” came from Sam resolutely.

“I suppose Mrs. Stanhope will be worried half to death.”

“No doubt of it.”

Nobody had any heart to talk, and each watched eagerly for some sign of a sail.  Tom had a spyglass, and just before sunset he let out a shout: 

“A ship!  A ship!”

“Where?” came from the others.

“Off in that direction,” and Tom pointed with his hand.

All took a look through the glass, and saw that he was right.  There was a steamer approaching.

“If only they see us.” said Dick, and his brothers nodded.

The girls had heard the cry, and now came on deck to learn what it meant.

“Oh, I hope they take us on board and back home,” said Nellie.  “I must say I am heartily tired of this yacht.”

The wind was increasing, and the girls had to go back to the cabin to keep from getting wet.  The boys put up a flag, upside down, on a piece of planking, and waited eagerly for the steamer to come nearer.

“The yacht is settling,” cried Dick, a little while later.  “Don’t you notice it?”

“The Old Glory has sprung some leaks,” responded Captain Jerry sadly.  “Take the wheel while I go and look them over.”

Tom and Sam, took the wheel, while old Jerry and Dick inspected the leaks.  They soon reported that two seams had opened at the bow, and that there was a bad break at the stern, which was bound soon to interfere with the rudder.

“I believe that steamer is going to leave us!” cried Sam, a little while later.

“Oh, don’t say that,” said Dick.  “We must signal her somehow.”

“We’ll fire some rockets,” said Captain Jerry.

This was done, and a little later they saw that the steamer was heading in their direction.  By this time the Old Glory showed unmistakable signs of being on the point of foundering, and the girls were told to come on deck.  Everybody was given a life preserver, which had been kept close at hand since the beginning of the trouble.

“We are seen!” cried Sam joyously, as a signal came from the steamer.

Gradually the strange vessel drew closer, and they saw that she was a rather clumsy affair of the “tramp” pattern, used to carry all sorts of cargoes from one port to another.

“They are lowering a small boat,” said Sam, a little later.

“I wish they would hurry,” returned Tom, in a low voice.  “I believe this yacht is going to go down very soon.”

At last the small boat was close enough to be hailed, and preparations were made for transferring the girls first.

It was no easy matter to make the change, and it took a good quarter of an hour to land the girls on the steamer’s deck.

By this time the Old Glory was completely water-logged.

“We have got to jump for it, lads!” cried Captain Jerry, “unless you want to go down with her!”