"Look!" he whispered.
Hughie peered under the flap. He saw water-barrels, a spirit-keg, and various bags and boxes. Then the match went out, and Allerton withdrew his hand.
The pair retired once more to their shelter behind the wheel-house.
"You saw that?" said Allerton.
"I did. Do they usually keep the boats provisioned on this ship? If so, I don't blame them."
"Not they. Somebody is going for a water-picnic shortly—that's all."
Hughie mused.
"Am I the man, do you think?" he said at length.
"No, I don't think so. There's too much grub for one. Besides the other boats are provisioned too. It looks as if the ship were to be abandoned."
"But why? There's no reason why she should drop to bits for a long time yet. Rust is very binding, you know. Probably they keep her provisioned just in case—"