It was no will-o'-the-wisp on the water, appearing a moment, then gone, foully cheating his hopes.

If she kept her course, and there was no reason why she should not, she would make the island.

He had no doubt from the first that a landing there was its definite purpose, most likely for water.
When he took the glasses from his eyes the second time he gave way to joy.

Rescue was at hand.

The ship, wherever she went, would take him to some place where human beings lived, and he could go thence to his own country.