CHAPTER XV
TWO MYSTERIES CLEARED UP
"Heave to! Lower your sails and we'll send you a boat!"
Thus came the command through a megaphone from an officer on the deck of the steamer, which had come to a stop not far from the schooner. The steamship had approached as close as she dared.
The boys, all thought of breakfast forgotten now, crowded to the rail, eager for their rescue.
"Lower your sails!" came the command again, for the schooner was still sweeping on.
"That's right—we've got to stop!" shouted Frank. "Come on, fellows, let's let down the sails."
They knew just enough, from having sailed the Puff, to loosen the proper ropes. Of course they loosened a good many wrong ones before they got the right ones, but finally the two big sails came limply down.
The Mary Ellen slowly lost headway, and rode gently on the surface of the ocean.
"That's right!" came the voice through the megaphone. "Stand by to throw us a rope. I'm sending you a boat."
The rail of the steamer was crowded with passengers who were much interested in the novelty of a rescue at sea. The steamer seemed to be a coast liner, probably engaged in the fruit trade, Frank thought.
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