"We can tell in another mile or so, I guess." Phil gave up the glasses to the others, who had clustered to the bridge, while the _Follow Me_ altered her course in obedience to the signal, her company probably wondering why Steve had suddenly chosen to stand out to sea.

At the end of ten minutes it was plainly to be determined with the aid of the binoculars that the object which had attracted their attention and curiosity was without any doubt a wreck, and as the _Adventurer_ drew momentarily closer her plight was seen to be extreme.
Whether anyone remained aboard was still a question when the cruiser was a mile distant, but everything pointed against it.

The craft, which proved to be a small coasting schooner, had evidently seen a lot of trouble.

Both masts were broken off, the foremast close to the deck and the mainmast some dozen feet above it.

She lay low in the water, with her decks piled high with lumber.