rowing up all
sorts of articles, among which were a number of oranges, melons, and
other fruits of a southern clime.

The melons were mostly broken, but they got hold of two unbroken, and
very welcome they were. The oranges were mostly green, though a few had
turned sufficiently red to be eaten.

"I would rather have had more substantial food," observed Jack; "but I
am glad enough to get these."

"What's that?" asked Bill, pointing to the opposite side of the cavern,
where a creature was seen struggling in a hollow half filled with water.

Jack dashed across at the risk of being carried off by the receding sea;
and, grasping a large fish, held it up as he rushed away to escape from
the following wave, which came rolling in with a loud roar.

"Here's a prize worth having," he shouted. "Hurrah! we may spend
another week here without fear of starving."

He carried his prize well out of the reach of the water, and a knock on
the head put an end to its struggles.

The lads piled up their various waifs, contemplating them with infinite
satisfaction; but it was evident that what was their gain was somebody
else's loss.

"Some unfortunate ship has gone on shore, or else has thrown her cargo
overboard," observed Bill.

He went first to one side of the cavern, and then to the other, so as to
obtain as wide a prospect as possible.

"See! there's a vessel trying to beat off shore," he exclaimed; and just
then a brig with her foretopmast gone came into view, the sail which she
was still able to carry heeling her over till her yard-arms seemed
almost to touch the foaming summits of the seas.

"She'll not do it, I fear," said Jack, after they had been watching her
for some time. "It's a wonder she doesn't go right over. If the wind
doesn't fall, nothing can save her; and even then, unless she brings up
and her anchors hold, she's sure to be cast on shore."

They watched the vessel for some time. Though carrying every stitch of
canvas she could set, she appeared to be making little headway, and to
be drifting bodily to leeward.

The lads uttered a cry of regret, for down came her mainmast, and
immediately her head turned towards the shore.

In a few minutes she struck, though no rock was visible, and the sea
swept over her deck, carrying her remaining mast, boats, caboose, and
round-house overboard, with every person who could be seen. In an
instant, several human forms were discernible struggling in the seething