Part 5 (1/2)
”I might take some planks from the wreck.”
”But you have no tools.”
”I have a stout jack-knife.”
”It will take a long time, and see, it is already beginning to rain.”
Marion was right, the rain had started, and as it grew heavier they withdrew to the shelter of the wreck.
”I wouldn't mind staying here until the shower was over, only I wouldn't want mother to worry about us,” went on Marion, when they were safe under cover.
”That's just it. But we do not know if she is home yet.”
The rain soon increased, while the thunder rolled in the distance. But they felt fairly safe in the cabin of the wreck, and sat down on a bench running along one of the walls.
”This looks as if it was going to keep up all night,” observed Jack, an hour later, after another look at the sky from the top of the companion way.
”Oh, you don't mean we'll have to remain here all night!” exclaimed Marion.
”Perhaps, Marion.”
”But I do not wish to remain in such a place all night.”
”Are you afraid of ghosts?” and Jack gave a short laugh.
”No, Jack; but you'll admit it isn't a very nice place.”
”I know that. But that isn't the worst of it.”
”Not the worst of it?”
”No. You must remember that we have nothing to eat or to drink here.”
”That is true, but I do not feel much like eating or drinking just now.”
”Yes, but you'll be hungry and thirsty before morning, Marion.”
”Perhaps. We can drink rain water, if we wish.”
Another hour pa.s.sed and the storm grew more violent. The lightning flashed across the sky and lit up the wreck from end to end. Then a blackness as of night followed.
”We could not row ash.o.r.e now, even if we had oars,” observed Marion, as she listened to the howling of the wind.
”You are right, Marion. My, how it does blow!”
Suddenly, the sounds of footsteps on the deck of the wreck reached their ears.
”Somebody is coming!” said Jack, and looked up the companion way. ”Why, it's Old Ben!”
He was right; it was Ben the fisherman who had put in an appearance, market basket in hand.