f we find no ropes hanging over the
side," observed Bill; "or they will enable us to withstand the sea
should it catch us before we can climb up." They now advanced more
boldly.

The vessel lay over on her bilge, with her deck partly turned towards
the shore, the sea, after she struck, having driven her round.

They waded up to her, for their impatience did not permit them to wait
till the water had entirely receded. The risk they ran of being carried
off was considerable, but, dashing forward, they planted the spars
against the side.

Bill swarmed up first, Jack followed, and the deck was gained.

Scarcely were Jack's feet out of the water, when a huge sea came rolling
up, which would inevitably have carried him off.

They knew that they had no time to lose, for the wreck once seen from
the shore, crowds of people were certain to visit it to carry off the
cargo.

The after-part of the vessel was stove in, and nothing remained in the
cabin; but the centre part, though nearly full of water, was unbroken.
The water, however, was rushing out like a mill-stream, both at the
stern and through some huge holes in the bows. Nothing whatever
remained on deck.

The lads plunged down below, and gained the spar-deck, which was already
out of the water. Here the first object their eyes alighted on was a
chest.

It was the carpenter's, and contained axes, and saws, and nails, and
tools of all sorts.

There were a good many light spars and planks stowed on one side.

"Here we have materials for a raft at hand!" cried Bill. "We must build
one; for I agree with you, Jack, that there's no use in attempting a
boat. It would take too much time, even if we could succeed in making
her watertight."

"I said so," replied Jack. "I wish we had some grub, though; perhaps
there's some for'ard. I'll go and find it if I can."

Jack made his way into the forepeak, while Bill was cutting free the
lashings, and dragging out the spars. Jack returned in a short time
with some cold meat, and biscuit, and cheese.

"See! we can dine like lords," he exclaimed; "and we shall be better
able to work after it."

They sat down on the chest, and ate the provisions with good appetites.

Bill cast a thought on the fate of the poor fellows to whom the food had
belonged; their bodies now washing about in the breakers outside.

Every now and then they alternately jumped up, and looked east and west,
and to the top of the cliff, to ascertai