"
They tried the door to the brig, but found it locked and bolted. In
vain Dick kicked against it, and shoved with his shoulder. It refused
to budge.
"This looks as if we'd have to stay here--at least for the present,"
said Dick, with a sigh. "I must say I don't like the prospect."
"How long do ye calculate we've been here, lad?"
"There is no telling, unless by my watch." But when he looked at the
timepiece, he found that it had stopped.
They ate some of the biscuits and drank some water and rested for a
while longer. Outside the wind blew furiously and they heard the rain
and the waves dash in all directions. Then some water came trickling
in slowly, at one corner.
"It seems to me as if the wreck was shifting," cried Dick presently.
"It won't shift very far in this bed o' sand, lad. But she may break
up and go to pieces," added old Jerry.
"If she goes down, we'll be drowned like rats in a trap," said Dick.
"We must get out somehow."
They talked the matter over and began a systematic examination of
their prison. The four walls were solid and so was the ceiling above
them.
"The flooring has a couple of loose planks in it," announced. Dick.
"If we can get them up, where will the opening lead to?"
"The forward hold, lad, and that is now half full of sand and water."
"Never mind, I'm going to get the planks up if I can."
With his head still aching Dick set to work and old Jerry helped him.
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