Through the morning they went, and into the afternoon; then Venning, who was outlook-man, gave tongue-- "A sail--a sail!" "Where--away ?" yelled Compton, waking up.
"On the port bow, hull down, paddle showing." "Then it's a canoe, you duffer, not a sail." "A canoe it is, sir; single-handed, and bearing right down upon us.
Shall we speak her ?" "Luff--luff! and we'll pour a broadside into her lee scuppers," said Compton, ferociously.
"She's signalling," returned Venning; "distress signal, I think." Mr.Hume went forward and took a look through his glasses.

A solitary canoe was certainly in view, with a single boatman aboard, who was frantically waving his paddle.

Then he swept the shore for signs of life.
"There are some people squatting just by that tall palm," he muttered.

"Have a look, Venning." Venning made out several persons at the spot.

"They can't do us any harm," he said, and brought the glasses to bear on the canoe.