Part 26 (1/2)
”What do you think about it, To inventor
”Think about what?”
”Why Mr Jenks has just proposed that we build a big raft, and launch it He thinks we should leave the island”
”It ht of the scant food supply ”Of course, I can't say when a reply will be received to my calls for aid, and it is best to be prepared”
”Especially as the island may sink any minute,” added Mr Parker
”If it does, even a raft will be little good, as it ood plan to make one, then anchor it some distance out from the island Then we canone in a hurry if need be”
”Yes, that's a good idea, too,” conceded Tom
”And we must stock it ith provisions,” said Mr Damon ”Put plenty of water and food aboard”
”We can't,” spoke Tom, quietly
”Why not?”
”Because we haven't plenty of provisions That's what I came down to speak about,” and the lad related what Mrs Nestor had said
”Then there is but one thing to do,” declared Mr Fenwick
”What?” asked Captain Mentor
”We o on half rations, or quarter rations, if need be That will --we must not let the wory, but take only a quarter, or at most, notThere is plenty of water, thank goodness, and we may be able to live until help comes”
”Then shall we build the raft?” asked Mr Hosbrook
It was decided that this would be a good plan, and they started it that same day Trees were felled, with axes and saws that had been aboard the WHIZZER, and bound together, in rude fashi+on, with strong trailing vines from the forest A smaller raft, as a sort of ferry, was also made
This occupied them all that day, and part of the next In the meanwhile, Tom continued to flash out his appeals for help, but no answers came The men cut down their rations, and when the two ladies joked thelad that Mrs Nestor did not renew her request to hiet out the reserve food supply from what remained in the wreck of the airshi+p Perhaps Mr Nestor had hinted to her the real situation
The large raft was towed out into a quiet bay of the island, and anchored there by means of a heavy rock, attached to a rope On board were put cans of water, which were lashed fast, but no food could be spared to stock the rude craft All the castaways could depend on, was to take with the to sink, what rations they had left when the final shock should come
This done, they could only wait, and weary was that waiting Tom kept faithfully to his schedule, and his ear ached from the constant pressure of the telephone receiver He heard h space, and click on his instrument, but none of theri the erection of the wireless station, Mate Forda them over on their backs, and also located a nus under the war to eat,” he said, joyfully, and indeed the turtles forht, and some clams were cast up by the tide, all of which eked out the scanty food supply that remained The two ladies suspected the truth now and they, too, cut down their allowance
To shack, that evening, rose, as the hour of ten approached It was tiht, and then he would lie down on an improvised couch, with the telephone receiver clamped to his ear, to wait, in the silence of the darkness, for thethat help was on the way
”Well, are you off?” asked Mr Damon, kindly ”I wish some of us could relieve you, Tom”
”Oh, I don't e ht”
Hardly had he spoken than there sounded the oed another earthquake The shack rocked, and threatened to come down about their heads
”We must be doomed!” cried Mr Parker ”The island is about to sink!
Make for the raft!”