o sea. "I see something dark on the water."

All gazed in the direction he pointed out and made out a mass of
wreckage. They watched it steadily until the breakers cast it almost
at their feet.

"Some wreckage from the ship!" cried Dick, on examination. "See, here
is the name on some of the woodwork. I reckon the vessel went to
pieces on the rocks."

The wreckage consisted mainly of broken spars and cordage. But there
were also some boxes, which, on being opened, proved to contain
provisions.

"It's not such a bad find, after all," said Tom. "I hope some more
comes ashore." But though they waited the best part of the night,
nothing more came to view.

In the morning the boys felt tired and they did not rouse up until
nearly noon. They found old Jerry at the beach, inspecting the wreckage.

"The ropes may come in handy," he said. "But the wood is of small
account, since' we have all we want already to hand."

It was decided to remain at the beach for the next day, to look for
more wreckage. But none came in, and then they started in a body to
skirt the shore around to the South Bay, as old Jerry called it. At
first they thought to carry the boat around, but concluded to come
back for that later.

It was a journey full of interest, for the sandy beach was dotted
with many strange and beautiful seashells, and just back of the sand
was the rich tropical growth already mentioned. The woods were full
of monkeys and birds, and once Tom thought he caught sight of some
goats or deer.

They reached an ideal spot fronting the little bay a little before
noon, and then the girls were glad enough to sit down in the shade
and rest. The bay was full of fish, and before long they had caught
three of the finny tribe. Fruit was also to be had in plenty, and a
spring of fresh water gushed from the rocks of the hill behind them.

"This is certainly a beautiful place," murmured Dora, as she gazed
around. "Were it not for the folks at home worrying about us, I could
spend quite some time here and enjoy it."

"Well, as our situation cannot be helped, let us make the best of
it," said Dick cheerfully. "There is no use in being downhearted when
we ought to be glad that we were saved."

Close to the rocks they found several trees growing in something of
two circles, and they decided that these trees should form the corner
posts of a double house or cabin.

"If we had an ax we might cut down some wood, but as it is we will
have t