"We're learning something practical now about the handling of big craft." "I wonder if Hally's a goner ?" murmured Dan in an awe-struck voice.
"I don't believe it," Dave answered promptly.

"Once we get him back aboard ship the medicos will do a little work over him and he'll sit up and want to know if dinner's ready." Then they fell silent, for, with the roar of wind and waters, it was necessary for them to shout when they talked.
As the minutes went by slowly, the two conscious midshipmen found themselves filled with amazement.
A dozen times the launches darted by, not far away.

It seemed impossible that the keen, restless eyes of the seekers should not discover the imperiled ones.
At such times Dave and Dan shouted with all the power of their lusty young lungs.
Alternately Dan and Dave tried the effect of rising as far as they could and frantically waving an arm.

There was not a cap to wave among the three of them.
"I'm beginning to feel discouraged," grunted Dave in disgust at last.
"They must have spent a full half day already looking for us." "Merciful powers!" gasped Dan at last, as they rode half way up the slope of a big wave.

"I just caught sight of the 'recall of boats' flying from the flagship!" "No!" gasped Dave incredulously.
"Yes, I did!" "But--" "They've failed and have given up the search," spoke Dan rather despairingly.
"But--" "We may as well face it," muttered Dan brokenly.