But just as everyone was at a loss, unsure of what to do next, a beam of light suddenly appeared on the distant, pitch-black horizon—the steamboat's searchlight. A ship was coming.
"We're saved! There's a boat coming! Hey! We're over here!" The crew waved their shirts wildly in excitement.
Yet as the light approached, Charles felt the ship looked strangely familiar.
Wait a minute, isn't that our ship? Where have they been?
Charles immediately turned to the Pope, suspicion in his voice. "Did you give them some other orders before we set out?"
Charles had always been doubtful of the Pope. It was hard to believe the man had nothing to do with this strange situation.
"Absolutely impossible! Even if a God appeared before them, they wouldn't leave!" the Pope argued furiously.
Just then, everyone on shore saw two landing boats being lowered and heading toward them. The crew on board waved their hands and shouted incessantly in their direction.
