Let those who held Fernando Noronha with the armed forces of Brazil once come to regard the isolated rock in mid channel as providing even a possible refuge for the ex-President and his friends, and it would mean the complete overthrow of the slender chance of saving their lives that still offered itself.
So they waited in silence, watching the rigid figure of the prostrate Brazilian, just as those among them who were saved from the _Andromeda_ had watched the arch of spray and spindrift from the slowly sinking forecastle.
At last Domingo turned his head slightly, and gave them a reassuring little nod.

He said something, which De Sylva translated.
"They have a photograph of the wreck," he said, "and are now steaming through the northerly channel to the anchorage on the west side of the island.

Most fortunately, they do not seem to be aware of your drifting boat." Then he added, with a courtliness that was so incongruous with his unkempt appearance and patched and tattered garments;--"If the Senhora permits, the men may smoke now.

In another hour the channel will not be navigable.

We have a hot and tiring day before us, and I advise sleep for those to whom it is vouchsafed.