"We"ll have it ash.o.r.e in time," observed Andy. "It will come in useful."
"How?"
"Never mind how. I have an idea, and, all being well, I"ll fix it up to a good purpose."
"Suppose we try and find the bill of lading and the charter-party; they will give us some idea of the nature of the cargo."
A search revealed the required doc.u.ments, but, being in Spanish, the apprentice could make no meaning to the text.
"Snakes!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Andy. "There"s enough to set us up as universal providers! Woollen and cotton goods, boots and leggings, hardware of American manufacture, nine cases of rifles--for some blooming insurgents more than likely--30,000 rounds of ammunition, and--hullo, this looks dangerous!--two tons of dynamite; building and railroad materials, agricultural implements, and one petrol-driven runabout, consigned to Monsieur Georges Lacroix, Grand Ba.s.sin, Tahiti. Well, I"m afraid Monsieur Georges Lacroix will have to wait for his motor-car!"
"By Jove, we are lucky!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Ellerton. "That is, provided we get the stuff ash.o.r.e."
"We"ll do it," replied his chum resolutely. "Only give us time and good weather, and we"ll leave precious little on the _San Martin_, I can a.s.sure you."
"Time to be off," exclaimed Terence. "It will be dark in an hour."
So, thrusting the doc.u.ments into his belt, Andy dropped over the side, and received the rest of the articles that the lads had collected.
Then, well laden, the boat returned to the sh.o.r.e.
"We"ve much to be thankful for," exclaimed Mr. McKay, after he had perused the ship"s papers. "There is, I think, no need for anxiety as to our future. You brought the signal flags, I hope?"
"Yes," replied Ellerton, "and a couple of Peruvian ensigns."
"Good! I"m going to make up a Union Jack. There are two reasons for doing so. The first is that it can be used as a means of attracting pa.s.sing vessels; the second, and more important to my mind, is that it signifies that the island becomes part of the British Empire. I"ve been going into the question pretty deeply. You may be aware that the Low Archipelago belongs to France. These islands consists of a number of flat coral islands, hence their name. Now, as this island is lofty and of volcanic origin, I cannot see that it can be cla.s.sed as belonging to the Low Archipelago, even though it is not far distant from that group. Neither does it appear to have been inhabited, so we may be pretty safe in claiming it. Terence, there"s a pencil and paper close to your elbow; will you please sketch a plan of a Union Jack?"
Terence did so, but the result was not to Mr. McKay"s satisfaction.
"You try, Andy."
Nor was Andy"s attempt any more satisfactory, so Ellerton was put to the test.
"Shame on you, lads!" exclaimed Mr. McKay reproachfully. "Three members of the good old British Empire, and unable to draw its national ensign correctly. Here, hand me that pencil."
"Now do you see," he continued, after he had explained the various minute particulars of the flag. "There"s a broad white diagonal above the two portions of St. Patrick"s cross next to the pole, and a broad white diagonal below the two portions farthest from the pole. If the flag is hoisted in any manner but the correct the ensign becomes a signal of distress. Often in bygone days hostile ships have attempted to sail under British colours, and in nine cases out of ten their ignorance of its peculiarities has led to their undoing. However, we"ll postpone the cutting out till the rest of the boat"s cargo is brought up."
"How is Quexo getting on?" asked Ellerton.
"He"s been away the whole afternoon. I guess your fence is nearly completed by now."
"Then I"ll go and see how he is progressing," remarked the apprentice.
The mulatto had indeed made rapid strides, for only a few feet more remained to be done, so Ellerton returned to the boat to liberate the sheep. Ere nightfall the pen was tenanted by a score of animals, frisking with enjoyment at finding themselves once more in pasture.
That evening three large lamps contributed to the comfort of the tent.
The lads, tired out with their exertions, were "taking things easy,"
lamenting the fact that there was no literature to beguile the time.
Mr. McKay, having been raised to a sitting position, called for the bunting. Laboriously he threaded a needle and commenced his lengthy task.
"One moment, sir," exclaimed Ellerton. "Wouldn"t a sewing machine be better?"
"A what? Bless the lad! Where"s a machine to be had?"
"On board, sir. I noticed a couple in the fo"c"sle. You see, a seaman has to make his own duds."
"Very well, I"ll put off the job till to-morrow, if you"ll remember to bring one of the things ash.o.r.e."
"Any need to keep watch to-night, pater?" asked Andy.
"I think it would be advisable till we"ve explored the island. Not that I antic.i.p.ate any interference, but forewarned is forearmed."
Mr. McKay"s words proved to be correct. Nothing occurred to disturb the camp during the second night ash.o.r.e.
"Do you think that Terence and you can manage by yourselves?" asked Mr.
McKay during breakfast.
"I think so," replied Ellerton.
"Then Andy can take Quexo and make an exploration of the interior. I particularly want him to reach the summit of the hill, so as to find out if there are other islands in the vicinity."
"You understand, Andy?" continued his father. "Keep a sharp look-out for signs of past or present inhabitants, any animals you may come across--there may be a few pigs--and, above all, note the general extent of the island and the position of its neighbours, if visible.
Don"t overburden yourselves; a revolver and twenty rounds apiece, a water-bottle, and some provisions will be quite enough to carry. Rest on the summit of the hill during the heat of the day, and get back here well before sunset."
Having seen the explorers on their way, Ellerton and Donaghue pushed off the cutter and rowed to the wreck.
It was again an ideal morning, and without the faintest hitch the boat was made fast alongside the battered hull of the _San Martin_.
"I"ve a mind to try and patch up that gig," remarked Ellerton, gazing at the battered boat.
"Take too much time," was Terence"s reply.
"No, I mean to fasten some painted canvas over the hole and nail some copper sheathing outside the canvas to protect it. It won"t be a long job, so meanwhile you might clear all the light gear out of the cabins and saloon."
Two hours sufficed to effect the temporary repairs, and the gig on being launched let in very little water. Ellerton was overjoyed with his success.
"We"ll take a double load ash.o.r.e, Terence," he exclaimed. "We may as well make a start by clearing the for"ard hold."
So saying, Ellerton began to strip off his clothing. He was an expert swimmer and diver, and these qualifications stood him in good stead.
Taking a strong hook attached to a rope in his hand, he dived from the coaming of the hatchway. The top of the stacks of galvanised iron was but a few feet below the surface, and in a few seconds the hook was affixed to the wire rope that held the plates together.
Then, regaining the deck, the apprentice a.s.sisted his companion in hauling their booty out of the hold.
Six times the operation was repeated, till the deck resembled a "tin"
city in the western plains of Arizona.
"It takes it out of you," remarked Ellerton. "I wish we could get rid of the water in the hold; though I"m afraid the vessel"s too badly strained to be able to patch up her sides."