The coconuts afforded them both food and drink.

Occasionally they heard the boom of the culverins at the castle, and knew that the natives were showing within range; but as these shots were only heard at times, they were assured that no persistent attack was being made.
It was late in the afternoon of the fifth day that the lads observed a sail in the distance.

It was indeed so far away that, as the light was fading, they could not say with absolute certainty that it was the longed-for ship.

They both felt convinced, however, that they had seen a sail; and watched intently, as night darkened, for some sign of its passage.
It was four hours later when they saw, passing along at a distance of about half a mile, a light on the ocean which could be no other than that on board a ship.
"Now is the time," Ned said.

"I will keep along the shore, under the cliff, until I get nearly to the landing; and will then strike out.