CHAPTER XVI 

A DESERTED STEAM YACHT 

"Dick, am I mistaken, or do I see a vessel over yonder?" 

Tom asked the question, as he suddenly straightened up and took a long look over to where the mist had temporarily lifted. 

"It certainly does look like a ship of some sort," answered Dick, gazing forward with equal eagerness. 

"Shall ve call owid?" asked Hans. 

"It is too far off." 

"Is she coming this way?" asked Sam, who had gotten so much salt water in his eyes that he could not see very well. 

"I am not sure if it is a ship," said Tom. "But it is certainly something." 

"Let us try to paddle closer," suggested his older brother, and all set to work; Tom using the folded campstool, and the others some bits of boards from the crates. 

Very slowly they approached the object, until they felt certain it was a vessel, a steam yacht, as they made out a few minutes later. But no smoke curled from the funnel of the craft, nor could they make out anybody on the deck. 

"Yacht ahoy!" yelled Dick, when he felt that his voice might be heard. 

To this hail there was no answer, and although the boys strained their eyes to the utmost, they saw nobody moving on the craft ahead. 

"Yacht ahoy!" screamed Tom, using his hands as a trumpet. "Yacht ahoy!" 

Still there was no answer, nor did a soul show himself. The curiosity of the castaways was aroused to the highest pitch, and as vigorously as they could they paddled to the side of the steam yacht. The craft was not a large one, but seemed to be of good build and in first-class trim. The wheel was lashed fast, causing her to ride fairly well in the faint breeze. Not a sail was set. 
what is the chapter title?
A DESERTED STEAM YACHT 