“I’m rather afraid to go below on account of what may be loose down there,” said Fred.
They found a door, and beyond this there was a sort of runway, or gangplank, leading to the deck below. As the ship was on so much of a slant, it was no easy matter for the boys to get down, and they advanced with caution, Jack holding up before him a ship’s lantern he had found and lit.
The smell of wild animals was powerful below decks, and the sounds they had heard above were now increased tenfold. Close at hand were a number of empty stalls, or cages. But presently they came upon one cage containing a live tiger. Farther on were several more tigers and also four lions. Then came a number of leopards and other wild beasts, some of which the boys were unable to identify.
This was on the upper side of the vessel. On the lower side were two cages of monkeys, three of parrots, and several heavy wire cages the occupants of which made the boys draw back in a hurry.
“Snakes!” cried Fred, in disgust. “What do you know about that? Great big snakes!”
“Yes, and look at the number of them!” returned Randy. “There must be fifteen or more. Just look at that big brown thing! He’s as thick as my arm and at least ten feet long.”
“This certainly is a menagerie ship, and no mistake,” came from Jack, and then he added: “I suppose those poor beasts haven’t had anything to eat or drink since the crash came. We ought at least to give them some water.”
“Here’s a hogshead full of water,” said Fred, “and half a dozen pails. We might as well give them a drink while we’re at it.”
The hogshead, even though on a slant, was more than half full of water, and into this the lads dipped the pails, and soon all of the animals were supplied. At once they stopped their roaring and growling, and set about satisfying their thirst.
In another part of the ship the boys discovered a dozen sheep and goats, and also a cage of live rabbits. In a closet they discovered many canisters of crackers which were not unlike dog biscuit, and they rightly guessed that these were food for the monkeys. There were also several kegs of grain for some birds which hung suspended in a row of cages, and for the parrots.