Part 29 (1/2)

THE CULMINATION OF DISASTERS.

The first thing necessary was to ascertain exactly what portion of the steamer's hull was imbedded in the sand, and this Bob proceeded to do with the lead-line.

It was found that only about twenty feet of the keel rested on the shoal, the remainder overhanging four or five fathoms of water. The tide was at its highest point, which accounted for the movement of the steamer as the hawser shrank, and Bob cried in a cheery tone:

”I reckon it won't be impossible to launch the little craft, after all.

By bringing the hawser on to the winch, s.h.i.+ftin' the ballast aft, an'

heavin' down with every ounce of muscle we've got, somethin' oughter be done at the next tide.”

Every one was ready to exert himself to the utmost, and in a very short s.p.a.ce of time the heavy rope was brought to the winch, after which all hands tugged and strained at the bars until the cable had been hove taut again.

That done, there was an opportunity for rest. It would be useless to attempt anything more until the now receding waters should rise again, which would be the case twelve hours later, and the little crew gathered under the awning aft to discuss the new phase of affairs, while Joe continued his work on the metal; for this task, apparently so useless a few hours previous, had suddenly become very important.

”The question is, How long may we have to stop here after the tug's afloat?” Bob remarked as he lighted his pipe, and began once more to select from the timbers taken out of the cabin such as could be used on the shattered hull.

”By hard work it may be done in a week's time,” Joe replied after some thought.

”Then you'll keep steady at it while me an' the boys 'tend to the other matters. You sha'n't be called to turn your hand on anything else till thas is done. Have we got coal enough for a three-hundred-mile run?”

Joe shook his head.

”I'm afraid not; but by taking on some wood we ought to be able to make it, for I suppose you're counting on going to Na.s.sau?”

”That's the nearest port; an' we'll see to choppin' fuel when she's afloat, an' I've patched the bow a leetle more s.h.i.+p-shape.”

During the remainder of the day, when they were not engaged in the galley, Joe had some trifling work which could be performed by the boys, and his every command was obeyed with alacrity, for all hands were eager to utilize each moment in preparing for departure.

That night a watch was kept, although there was nothing to be feared from their late enemies. Bob proposed to have some more exercise at the winch when the tide was at its full height again, and to that end it was necessary one of the party should remain awake to arouse the others at the proper time.

This work, however, had no other result than that of awakening the weary sleepers unnecessarily. Labor as they did to the utmost of their strength, the steamer was not moved so much as a single inch, and the old sailor said, after realizing the uselessness of the task:

”We'll have to s.h.i.+ft everything aft, I reckon, before it's possible to pull her off this blessed sand. After sunset to-morrow we'll tackle the job, an' by the second tide have another turn at the winch.”

Had the weary ones known just how fortunate they were in thus failing to pull the Sea Bird into deep water there would have been far less repining as they laid down once more on the mattresses under the awning.

The gray light of approaching dawn had but just begun to steal across the sky when Bob called all hands for another day's labor, and when the sun showed himself above the horizon each member of the crew was busily engaged.

Jim had positive orders to finish his task in the galley in the least possible time, because Joe wished to use the stove as a forge; and the breakfast was by no means elaborate, coffee being the only thing served hot.

”There isn't anything you boys can do on board this mornin', an' I reckon you'd better begin the job of cuttin' fuel to help out on the coal,” Bob said when the rather unsatisfactory repast was brought to a close.

”How are we to get ash.o.r.e?” Harry asked. ”The raft went adrift when the heaving-line parted.”

”She didn't go very far. Look off the port bow an' you'll see her on the beach. It won't be much of a job for Jim to run another rope out, an'

he'll be all the better for a bath.”

The young fisherman was not averse to what was little less than sport, and if he did spend considerably more time in the water than was absolutely necessary, no one could say any had really been wasted.

When the raft was in working order once more Harry and Walter clambered on board, and soon the sh.o.r.es of the harbor resounded with the blows of their axes. Owing to the scarcity of tools it was only possible for two to work at a time, consequently each had a certain number of minutes in which to rest.