smoke curled from the funnel of the craft, nor could they make out anybody on the deck.
"Yacht ahoy!" yelled Dick, when he felt that his voice might be heard.
To this hail there was no answer, and although the boys strained their eyes to the utmost, they saw nobody moving on the craft ahead.
"Yacht ahoy!" screamed Tom, using his hands as a trumpet. "Yacht ahoy!"
Still there was no answer, nor did a soul show himself. The curiosity of the castaways was aroused to the highest pitch, and as vigorously as they could they paddled to the side of the steam yacht. The craft was not a large one, but seemed to be of good build and in first-class trim. The wheel was lashed fast, causing her to ride fairly well in the faint breeze. Not a sail was set.
"Ahoy! ahoy!" yelled all of the boys in concert.
"Vos you teat, alretty?" asked Hans. "Of you vos, vy ton't you tole somepoty?"
"Gracious, do you think all on board are dead?" cried Sam.
"Either that or else the owners belong to a deaf and dumb asylum," responded Tom.
The castaways continued to call out and in the meantime brought their rude raft close to the side of the steam yacht. As the vessel slipped
