“So far we haven’t seen anything that’s alive,” answered Jack.
“Well, we might as well go aboard,” called Andy. “If there are any wild animals loose, though, I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
The wreckage was pounding so hard and constantly against the side of the steam yacht, nobody cared to remain upon it, and so with all the care possible Andy and the old sailor were helped to the deck above, and then Fred followed them.
“Better not cut the wreckage loose just yet,” advised Jack. “We may want to get on it in a hurry.”
“Gee! do you think those wild animals might get loose and chase us around?” questioned Fred.
“I don’t know what to think, Fred. We haven’t had a chance to look the boat over. I guess the best thing we can do first is to arm ourselves.”
It was no easy matter to find anything in the way of clubs, because the storm had swept the deck of the steam yacht almost clean. But they finally managed to break out some pieces of wood from the wreckage at the bow, and from these made a number of heavy sticks.
“You two had better stay near the ladder leading to the roof of the cabin,” said Jack to Ira Small and Andy. “Then, if there’s any trouble, you can climb up there somehow to safety. There is no use of staying down on the deck with those game legs of yours.”
The two injured ones did as advised, and then the others moved around cautiously to the cabin door. Opening it inch by inch, Jack peered into the compartment to find it deserted.