Part 31 (1/2)

CHAPTER XXIX.

PREPARING THE BEACONS.

After leaving the sentinel on duty Bob and Joe walked around the sh.o.r.e at a rapid pace, for it was their purpose to explore the island while searching for food and wreckage; and since it would be almost dangerous to remain on the open beach after the sun was high in the heavens, there was really but a few hours during which their investigations could be pursued.

As a matter of course they were eager to get some definite idea of where the Bonita had been stranded in order to know at which point the wreckage would be likely to come ash.o.r.e, and this information was soon gained. After a brisk walk of half an hour the searchers were at the most northerly end of the key, and directly before them, not more than half a mile from the beach, in a westerly direction, was the wreck.

The gale which had driven the Sea Bird ash.o.r.e had torn and riven the ill-fated brig until she was little more than a shapeless ma.s.s of timbers, and then thrown her high up on the sands, where she presented a mournful-looking spectacle. In every direction could be seen casks, spars, cordage and splintered timbers, some half-buried on the beach, while others dotted the shoals along the west side of the key.

”It will be a good week's work to overhaul all that stuff,” Joe said after the two had surveyed the scene of desolation several moments in silence. ”There is plenty of material with which to make a flare in case it should be needed.”

”That's what we'd better prepare fer before doin' anything else,” Bob replied. ”Those casks are full of alcohol, an' by rollin' half a dozen to different points along the sh.o.r.e from here to where we left Walter, I reckon we can make sich a show of fireworks that none but a blind crew could get past without seein' us.”

”I'm beginning to think vessels don't come this way. We shouldn't have seen a single one since we've been here if that schooner hadn't put in for the express purpose of capturing those men.”

”Don't get sich an idee into your head, lad,” the old sailor said cheerily. ”We're right in the track of traders an' steamers; but this is the wrong season of the year. A month from now you'll see two or three a week.”

”That's a long while to wait on short allowance.”

”It's way ahead of how we might 'a' been fixed. Now, instead of moonin'

'bout what can't be helped, s'pose we get the casks where they can be used when the right time comes.”

Joe's depression was but momentary. He understood quite as well as did his companion the evils of giving way to dismal thoughts when so much depended upon their own efforts, and without further words the task was begun.

To roll the heavy casks over the loose sand was fatiguing, and when the sun climbed so high that the heat became almost unbearable, only three of the barrels were in position. The first of these was at the most northerly point of the island; another had been set on end beyond reach of the tide, two hundred yards south, and the last was about the same distance down the sh.o.r.e.

These could be made ready for lighting in a few seconds, since it was proposed only to knock in the heads, pour out half the contents to prevent the possibility of an explosion, and set fire to the remainder.

”By rollin' thirty or forty casks beyond high-water mark we shall have plenty of fuel in case the first attempt is a failure!” Bob said as they walked down the beach to where Walter was on watch. ”There won't be any change in the weather for a week or more, an' in that time we can gather a good stock of alcohol.”

When Bob and Joe arrived at the point there was little need of asking if the sentinel had sighted anything resembling a sail, for while working they were able to gain even a more extended view than he, and not so much as a sea-gull's wing could be seen.

Jim and Harry were with Walter, they having accomplished their task in the most satisfactory manner.

”It didn't take ten minutes to catch all we can eat between now an'

mornin'!” Jim said in reply to Joe's question. ”If the Mary Walker was here she could get a full fare in half a day, for the fish bite like mackerel. Jes' say the word an' I'll roast some now, so we sha'n't have to walk back to the tent.”

”Go ahead, lad; an' after the sun gets a little lower we'll take you an'

Harry up the beach, where there's considerable work to be done.”

Antic.i.p.ating that his proposition would be accepted, Jim had made ready for the culinary operations to the extent of collecting a goodly supply of fuel, and in less than an hour the little party were feasting on fish roasted in leaves among the hot ashes.

Until about three o'clock they remained within shelter of the foliage near the sea enjoying the siesta, even though their condition was well calculated to dishearten the most sanguine, and then Bob proposed that they continue the work of preparing beacons.

In this labor the two boys could accomplish quite as much as Bob and Joe, and half an hour before sunset ten casks were in the desired positions. Now it would be possible in a very short time to send up such a volume of flame as would illumine all that portion of the coast, and from a craft within ten miles of the key it could readily be seen.