They were to land on the beach below what was left of the wreck and
crawl through the bushes on a tour of discovery. If they found that
they were not absolutely needed, they were to return without making
their presence known to the mutineers and Dan Baxter.
The two boys and the old sailor were soon on the way. Care had been
taken to wrap cloth around the oars where they slipped in the row-locks,
so that the boat moved through the water, as noiselessly as a shadow.
Once out in the bay the boys and old Jerry, pulled with a will, and
in less than half an hour the beach north of what was left of the
wreck was gained. They approached with great caution.
"Do you see or hear anything?" whispered Tom.
"No," answered Dick, and then the rowboat grated on the sand, and
all leaped ashore.
With their medicines and bandages in their pockets, and pistols in
hand, they commenced to crawl through the bushes. Before long they
came to a point from which they could look toward the wreck. All was
dark and deserted and the air was filled with the smell of burnt
wood and water.
"I don't see anybody, do you?" whispered Dick.
"Nary a soul in sight," answered old Jerry.
With equal care they moved around to the other side of the wreck,
over a mass of burnt brushwood.
"Hark!" said Tom.
They listened, and, from a distance, made out a faint groan.
"That is somebody, and in great pain," said Dick.
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