Part 35 (1/2)

”This looks as if we'd have to stay here--at least for the present,”

said d.i.c.k, with a sigh. ”I must say I don't like the prospect.”

”How long do ye calculate we've been here, lad?”

”There is no telling, unless by my watch.” But when he looked at the timepiece, he found that it had stopped.

They ate some of the biscuits and drank some water and rested for a while longer. Outside the wind blew furiously and they heard the rain and the waves dash in all directions. Then some water came trickling in slowly, at one corner.

”It seems to me as if the wreck was s.h.i.+fting,” cried d.i.c.k presently.

”It won't s.h.i.+ft very far in this bed o' sand, lad. But she may break up and go to pieces,” added old Jerry.

”If she goes down, we'll be drowned like rats in a trap,” said d.i.c.k.

”We must get out somehow.”

They talked the matter over and began a systematic examination of their prison. The four walls were solid and so was the ceiling above them.

”The flooring has a couple of loose planks in it,” announced. d.i.c.k.

”If we can get them up, where will the opening lead to?”

”The forward hold, lad, and that is now half full of sand and water.”

”Never mind, I'm going to get the planks up if I can.”

With his head still aching d.i.c.k set to work and old Jerry helped him.

It was no easy matter to s.h.i.+ft the heavy planking, but after a while they got one plank up and then used this as a pry to bring up the second.

A dark hole was revealed, covered at the bottom with water. Then d.i.c.k took the lantern and let himself down cautiously.

”The water is only about a foot deep,” he announced. ”I'm going to make a search around with the lantern.”

”Hold on, I'll go with ye,” cried old Jerry, and came down with a splash.

With great caution they moved around the hold, wading through sand and water, and climbing over boxes, barrels, and crates.

”What a mixture of cargo,” said d.i.c.k. ”And what a pity so much of it is going to ruin,” and he pointed to some valuable mining machinery which was rusting in the salt water.

Fortunately old Jerry had been in the hold before the _Golden Wave_ was wrecked, so he knew something of the surroundings. He led the way to some boxes directly beneath the forward hatch.

”I don't reckon the hatch is fastened down,” he said. ”An' if it aint we may be able to shove it up by standing one box on top of another.”

This was tried, and after much difficulty the hatch was thrown to one side, and they crawled to the deck of the schooner.

”I'm glad I am out of that!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed d.i.c.k. ”But how it's raining!

Let us go to the cabin for shelter.”

Once in the cabin they proceeded to make themselves as comfortable as the state of affairs permitted.