A VOYAGE. 53

Phonny’s flag-staff. A handkerchief for a flag. Sail-boat coming.

 

 

 

beach, with a handkerchief tied to the end of the blade
of it, as a signal, she said, for any ship that might chance
to pass near their island to come and rescue them.
Phonny made the oar stand upright, in using it thus for
a flagstaff, by placing stones around it at the foot. The
handkerchief which was to serve for the flag, was tied
to the blade of the oar before the oar was raised, and as
there was a gentle wind at the time, it spread itself out
and fluttered m the breeze as soon as Phonny had
elevated it, as if it had been a veritable signal.

At length, after spending about half an hour upon the
island, Caroline said that it was time for them to re-embark
and proceed. on their voyage. So she directed Phonny
to go and take down the oar. Phonny proceeded to do
so, when suddenly Malleville pointed to something at a
distance on the water, and said,

“See, Caroline, there is a ship coming.”

Caroline looked in the direction which Mallevile indi-
cated, and to her surprise she saw what appeared to be a
small sail-boat coming toward them.

«“Phonny, what is that ? ” said she.

“TTi—yo!” said Phonny, “there comes a sail-boat.”

The three voyagers stood for a few minutes gazing in
silence at the unexpected sight. ‘The boat appeared to
be a small one, and the sail was of a very simple con-~-
struction. It adwanced rapidly, however, as there was a
very pleasant evening breeze, and it seemed to be coming
directly toward the island.

“ { wonder who it can be,” said Caroline.

“ T expect it is some men from the mill,” said Phonny.
«“'That is the kind of boat they have at the mill”

Phonny was right in his conjecture. ‘The boat was