The men were then placed in adjoining cells, without the thought of
resistance even occurring to them. They supposed there had been some
changes at headquarters, and were rather relieved to have the
assurance of the Prince that their arrest would prove temporary.
Further investigation showed that there would be no danger of
starvation for six months at least.
Next day Jack, at great risk of his neck, scaled to the apex of the
island, as he had thought of flying, if possible, a signal of distress
that might attract some passing vessel. But even though he reached the
sharp ridge, he saw at once that no pole could be erected there, not
even if he possessed one. The wind aloft was terrific, and he gazed
around him at an empty sea.
When four days had passed they began to look for the Russian relief
boat, which they knew would set out the moment the Governor's telegram
reached St. Petersburg.
On the fifth day Jack shouted down to Drummond, who was standing by
the door.
"The Russian is coming: heading direct for us. She's in a hurry, too,
crowding on all steam, and eating up the distance like a torpedo-boat
destroyer. I think it's a cruiser. It's not the old tub I came on,
anyway."
"Come down, then," answered Alan, "and we--"
A cry from above interrupted him. Jack, having at first glance spied
the vessel whose description he had shouted to Drummond, had now
turned his eyes eastward and stood staring aghast toward the sunrise.
Pages:
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228