"Did you see Dick?"

"I saw two persons on the lumber, but I don't know who they were. They
looked more dead than alive."

"Oh, I hope Dick isn't dead!" burst out Sam, and the tears stood in his
eyes as he spoke.

"Wot's dat you dun said?" came from out of the darkness.

"Dick's overboard," answered Tom.

"No!" A groan of genuine regret came from Aleck Pop. "How it dun
happen?"

"We must have struck a lumber raft and the shock knocked him over,"
answered Sam. "Oh, Tom, what shall we do?"

"I'll try another rocket, Sam--I don't know of anything else."

It took fully a minute to obtain another rocket, and some red fire as
well. The red fire made quite an illumination, in spite of the storm.

"I don't see nuffin," said Pop.

"Nor I," added Tom. "The raft has disappeared."

As the light died out all set up a loud shout. But only the howling
wind answered them. And now Sam noticed that the lifeline was drifting