Part 32 (1/2)

”And think of it, it may have been Merwell, or Jasniff, or both of them!” returned Phil.

On the following day they reached the lat.i.tude and longitude as given by the captain of the tramp steamer. In that vicinity they saw some smaller wreckage, but nothing of importance.

”Cave Island is two miles east of here,” said Captain Sanders.

”Any other islands around?” asked Dave.

”Nothing within fifteen or twenty miles.”

”Then, if the crew and pa.s.sengers took to the small boats, wouldn't they be likely to steer for Cave Island?”

”I think so,-that is, if the storm let 'em do so. It might be the wind would force 'em the other way. But I think it would be a wise move to sail for Cave Island and take a look around. The one trouble is, so I learned at Barbados, the island hasn't any sort of harbor. We'll have to lay-to outside and go ash.o.r.e in a small boat.”

”Perhaps it won't be necessary to go ash.o.r.e,” said Roger.

”Oh, it can be done easily enough.”

The bow of the _Golden Eagle_ was turned eastward. They ran slowly, all hands keeping their eyes open for more signs of the wreck.

Presently they came in sight of the reef outside of Cave Island. It formed a large horseshoe, and beyond was the island itself, long, low, and irregular, the sh.o.r.e fringed with tropical trees and bushes and the center rocky and barren.

”This ain't no easy place to land,” said Billy Dill to Dave, as the sails were lowered and the s.h.i.+p was brought about. ”If them critters from the wreck got here in their small boats in the dark they must have had a fierce time o' it!”

”I don't see a sign of a boat anywhere,” said Dave, as he swept the reef and the sh.o.r.e with the gla.s.ses. ”And not a sign of a human being either,” he added, with a sinking heart.

”That's queer, too, lad, if they came here. Fust thing I'd think about, if I was wrecked, would be to put up a signal o' distress.”

It was growing dark, yet Dave and his chums were anxious to go ash.o.r.e, to see if they could discover anything concerning those who had been wrecked, so Captain Sanders ordered out the largest of the small boats.

”I'll go with you,” he said. ”And we can take Billy Dill and Smiley.”

”We had better take some things along-in case we remain ash.o.r.e all night,” said Dave.

”To be sure. And we'll go armed, lad-no telling what may turn up.”

”Any wild animals here?” questioned the senator's son.

”I don't know, but I don't think so-that is, not large ones. You'll find rabbits maybe, and any number of birds.”

Soon the small boat was ready to go ash.o.r.e. Billy Dill and the other sailor, Smiley, were at the oars, while Captain Sanders was in the stern, to steer and give directions.

”If it starts to blow better move off a bit,” said the captain to the mate. ”No use in taking chances around these reefs.”

”I'll watch out,” was the answer. ”I know just what a blow down here means, and I'll keep her off.”

”Do you think we'll have another storm?” asked Dave.

”Can't tell about that, lad. Sometimes a storm comes up pretty quick in these parts.”

Soon the small boat was close to the breakers. The water boiled and foamed on every side, and it must be confessed that Roger was somewhat scared. Dave and Phil did not mind, although wis.h.i.+ng it was over.