The schooner would not go in for two weeks, and it was out of the question to keep the castaways on board for that length of time.

However, at that moment the pilots were cruising in the neighbourhood on the lookout for two Cape Horners that were expected to be up at any moment.

It was decided that when the first of these should be met with the party should be transferred.
An hour after they had been picked up, the wind had begun to freshen.

By noon of the second day it had come on to blow half a gale.

One could hope only for the best as regarded the rest of the _Mazatlan's_ boats and rafts.