lawful prize," he
observed, as he put it back into the chest. Fastening ropes to the
handles of the chests, they were soon hauled on deck, and secured to the
raft. Now came the important work of provisioning their ark of safety.
They had already got on deck some biscuits, and salt beef and pork
uncooked. They again descended for more articles which they had seen,
and which, together with some blankets, they brought up. Once more they
went below, and even during the short time they had been on deck, they
observed that the water had considerably risen. Still they were
persevering in their search for more provisions, when old Jefferies'
voice summoned them hastily on deck.

"She is going down!--she is going down!" he shouted.

They rushed up, and had just time to drag him on to the raft, and to
seize the oars and spars they had got ready, when the vessel's bow rose,
and her stern gradually sank, till she glided away towards the bottom,
literally from beneath their feet. Just before this the cat, who seemed
determined to stick to the vessel to the last, made a spring on to the
raft, where she stood trembling with fear and astonishment at the
disappearance of her home. As soon as the water reached the raft, by
means of the poles they shoved off from the wreck, and then pulled away
with all their might, so as completely to clear her. The raft rocked
violently, and, in spite of all their efforts, seemed dragged towards
the vortex formed by the sinking vessel. In another instant the brig
was no longer to be seen, and her secret, whatever it was, was buried
with her. They looked anxiously around. The ship was standing in the
direction the schooner had gone. They floated alone on that wild,
stormy waste of waters. The old man had been placed in the middle of
the raft, while the boys took their places on either side of him,
endeavouring with the oars to keep the raft before the seas. Among
other things placed on it were some carpenter's tools, spars, blankets,
and a good supply of rope. They had thus the means of rigging a mast.
They did this by nailing boards between the two front legs of the table,
and lashing the mast to the middle of the boards, while they carried
stays forward and on either side. The wind was so much warmer, that
they supposed it must have shifted to the west, though the thick clouds
which still shrouded the sky prevented them from finding out the points
of the compass. By Jefferies' advice