d by a group of stately
cocoa-nut palms. Mr. Elmer showed Mark how to climb one of these by
means of a bit of rope fastened loosely around his body and the smooth
trunk of the tree, and the boy succeeded in cutting off several bunches
of the great nuts that hung just below the wide-spreading crown of
leaves. They came to the ground with a crash, but the thick husk in
which each was enveloped saved them from breaking. The nuts were quite
green, and Mr. Elmer with a hatchet cut several of them open and handed
them to his wife and children. None of them contained any meat, for
that had not yet formed, but they were filled with a white, milky
fluid, which, as all of the party were very thirsty, proved a most
acceptable beverage.

After eating the luncheon they had brought with them, and satisfying
their thirst with the cocoa-nut milk, Mark and Ruth explored the beach
of the little island in search of shells, which they found in countless
numbers, of strange forms and most beautiful colors, while their
parents remained seated in the shade of the palms.

"Wouldn't it be gay if we could stay here always?" said Mark.

"No," answered the more practical Ruth; "I don't think it would be at
all. I would rather be where there are people and houses; besides, I
heard father say that these little islands are often entirely covered
with water during great storms, and I'm sure I wouldn't want to be here
then."

It was nearly sunset when they returned to the schooner, with their
boat well loaded with the shells and other curiosities that the
children had gathered.

At high tide that night the strain on the cables proved sufficient to
move the stranded ship, and, foot by foot, she was pulled off into deep
water, much to the joy of Captain Gillis and those who had worked with
him.

The next morning the entire fleet--ship, schooner, and wrecking
boats--set sail for Key West, which port they reached during the
afternoon, and where they found they would be obliged to spend a week
or more while an Admiralty Court settled the claims for salvage.

CHAPTER V.

MARK AND RUTH ATTEND AN AUCTION.

Although Mr. and Mrs. Elmer regretted the delay in Key West, being
anxious to get settled in their new home as soon as possible, the
children did not mind it a bit; indeed, they were rather glad of it. In
the novelty of everything they saw in this queerest of American cities,
they found plenty to occupy and amuse them.

The captain and