Part 22 (1/2)

It was very clear that the naval officers would not get any inforive theainst hi him a prisoner, and he therefore allowed him to remain with his wife

Tom and Gerald made themselves happy on board with their new shi+pmates, and Billy was always liked wherever he went, never being out of huhed at, besides which he had a store of a a

Tom had plenty to talk about to his brother Jack, who in course of tiers had been very unwilling to leave his wife, but the co been offered him, he felt himself bound not to refuse It had cost Murray also not a little to leave _Stella_

”We shall have his ,” said Jack ”How old it makes one! It seems to me only yesterday since I was a midshi+pman like you, Tom, and I can scarcely fancy myself even now a post-captain”

”I hope I shall not be a ,” said Toet promoted”

”There's little doubt about that,” said Jack, ”if there is anything to do in China, and I fully expect there will be so out troops and ive in without a sound thrashi+ng By-the-by, have you told Desht it ht upset him,” answered Tom ”I merely hinted that you had heard fro a fortune, but that there was soot off without co myself”

Jack commended Tom's discretion ”It would be better indeed that he should hear the whole matter from his uncle, ill probably be sent out to China, where we shall ,” observed Jack

The shi+p had run on for a couple of days, the weather continuing calh a favourable breeze would have been acceptable to save coal About noon land was sighted on the starboard bow The master stated that it was the Island of Dolores, very appropriately so called, as it consists of a s up amid a collection of coral reefs, which would prove the destruction of any unfortunate vessel driven on theroup, and the glasses of several of her officers had been turned towards the land to ascertain its appearance, when, just as they were leaving it on the starboard quarter, the look-out from aloft hailed the deck to say there hat appeared to him to be a wreck on an outer reef off the western side

Thealoft, were convinced that such was the case, and the shi+p was accordingly headed in that direction at half speed, a bright look-out being kept for any dangers which ht lie off at a distance from the reef below the water As soon as the shi+p arrived abreast of the wreck, two boats were lowered, and sent off under the second lieutenant and master to examine and ascertain what she was, and, if possible, what had becoers and Tom ith the first-mentioned officer, and Desmond with theup to the island, Captain Murray directed the party in the boats, should no persons be found on board, to make their way to the shore and see whether any people were there or had been there lately

The perfect calot near, they saw from her shattered condition that it was not likely any one was re on board When they were almost up to her, Jack exclaimed--

”She is a steamer, for I see some of her machinery above water, and a on_”

”I am afraid that she is,” said Toet on board, for I know every inch of her, and knocked about as she is, I should recognise so or other, which would put the matter beyond doubt”

The shi+p lay broadside on the reef The stern had been completely knocked away, and nearly the entire part of the lower side, but the fore part had suffered less, although the bulwarks had been swept off, and the bowsprit had gone Indeed, she greatly resembled the skeleton of a vast animal, with the head attached

There was but little footing anywhere, but To over the rocks, scrambled up

”Yes, this is the old craft; there is no doubt about it,” said Tom, after they had made such a survey as was possible

”I am very sure of it,” answered Desmond ”If Bird or Nolan had come with us, they would have known this part of the shi+p even better than we do”

They were now joined by Captain Rogers, as perfectly satisfied that they were right For a few seconds he stood conteallant vessel he had coined Whether or not he heaved a sigh is not known, but Jack Rogers was not addicted to being sentimental

”We must ascertain whether any of the poor fellows have escaped,” he exclai the way to the boat ”We will now carry out Captain Murray's directions, and visit the island”

The boats were accordingly steered for the shore It required a careful look-out to keep in the right channel, so that the rocks, which appeared in all directions under water, ht be avoided

The shore was reached at last, but no one was seen, though fragments of the wreck were found scattered about and fixed in the crevices of the rocks Here and there were pieces of casks, cases, and cabin furniture, but all were so shattered that it was inise them

The whole island was searched, but no huts had been put up No rens of any one having landed; not even a skeleton was discovered

”They must all have been lost, I fear,” said Jack ”We can easily conceive, with a fierce gale blowing, what a fearful surf would be dashi+ng over these rocks Not a boat could live in it”

The other officers were of opinion that every one on board must have been lost

”Poor Archie!” said Toone, then I wish he had co expedition Captain Murray will be very sorry when he hears it”