We have only ourselves to depend on." At the end of an hour's rowing the boat astern had gained little; but the exertions of the rowers were telling severely upon them.

They were still doing their best, but their breath came in short gasps, the rowing was getting short and unsteady, and there was a sensible decrease in the speed of the boat.

Three miles ahead of them was an islet about half a mile in diameter.

In some parts it was covered with foliage, but elsewhere it was bare rock.
"That must be our goal," Sir John said.

"They will be close to us by the time we get there." Then he said to the rowers, "Stop for a minute to get breath.