“Matter! matter! Why noo, lad, hit could be something wrong on Cobra ’Ead, but t’ my judgment hits like as not a wessel what’s comin’ ashore, like es ’ow t’ schooner Jessie Joy did two years back. She came ashore down t’ sow’east hend o’ t’ hisland an’ was lifted ower t’ reef an’ thirty feet hup onto t’ rocks an’ smashed t’ kindlin’ afore ’e could say scat. Yes-siree, not a man ner a stick as was saved an’—”
“Jiminy, do you suppose it’s a wreck?” shouted Jack. Then pulling his hat down over his eyes he shouted:
“Come on!”
And in a moment all three were fighting their way up the slope toward the men in the lee of the stone pile.
So loud was the roar of the storm and boom of the surf and so intent were the men on whatever they were watching out at sea that none of them heard the three arrive. Indeed, they did not know of the lads’ presence until Jack stopped alongside of Mr. Warner, who was on the outside of the group, and clutched his arm.
“Why, Jack, thank goodness you’re here—and here’s Ray, too. We thought sure you had been caught in this storm. All safe? Good. And here’s Mr. Mitchell again. Brought ’em safely back once more, just as you did from Frenchman’s Point. Fine—we were getting worried but—”
“What’s going on, anyway? What’s the trouble?” interrupted Jack, who had been peering out into the storm.
“What’s the matter? Why there’s a vessel out there fighting its last fight, I guess, and trying to keep off the reef. Storm’s a little too thick now. When it quiets for a few moments you’ll be able to see her. Both masts are gone and—There, there! See her! Look quick before the storm shuts in again!”
The lads looked and, sure enough, out beyond the reef they saw the battered hulk of a vessel being tossed about on the big waves like a cork. Only two stumps remained of the masts and the wreckage of sails and spars dragged over the sides and into the sea. The bowsprit had been snapped, too, but on the stump of what remained was the little pulpit-like affair that characterized the vessel as a swordfisherman.
“Why she’s a swordfisherman,” exclaimed Jack.