CHAPTER XVI.
SPATTERDOCK POINT.
The three boys in the boat soon reached the stern of the burning steamboat. Here the wind kept them entirely free from smoke and sparks, and they rowed several times around the stern, shouting loudly, so as to attract the attention of any one who might be on board.
But no answer came to them, and they saw no signs of any living being on the vessel. The tide carried them along with the steamboat, but the wind had so much influence on the larger craft that Chap had to row quite steadily to keep up with her.
Phil, who was forward, threw the rope of the small boat over the chain on the rudder of the steamboat, and held fast.
“Look out!” cried Chap, as he turned around. “We don’t want to go down with her if she sinks!”
“You needn’t be afraid of that,” replied Phil; “I’ll let go in time.”
“She’s not going to be in any hurry to sink,” said Phœnix. “The fire is all forward and in her upper works; but there’s no use in hanging on to her, there’s nobody on board.”
“Boys,” cried Phil, “this chain is loose at the other end! We’re pulling it out. The pilot-house and wheel must be all burnt up.”
“Let’s pull the whole of it out!” cried Chap. “We might as well save something from the fire. We could use the chain in our work on the wreck.”