“What? Why, what else can we do but run ashore, just as we did before.”
“I suppose we can’t do anything else; but it’s a pity, too. Still we must take Tom and Phil. Though, if they were on board, we could at least find a better part of the coast. This is so remote, and I haven’t seen any houses near the place at all.”
Bad as it was, there was no help for it; and so Bart had to keep the schooner straight on. On account of the currents, however, and the loss of way, the Antelope could not come within a mile of her former landing-place. Phil and Tom saw this, and ran down the beach, carrying the bundles; and just as they came opposite to their companions, the Antelope grounded about a hundred feet from the beach. Without waiting another instant, Phil and Tom threw off their clothes, and waded out. They got on board without any adventures, and celebrated the restoration of their companions by dancing like wild creatures about the deck. Long explanations followed from both sides, after which they discussed their future prospects.
“Hallo!” said Arthur, as the schooner sank a little on one side. “She’s aground. No farther drifting till next tide. And now what can we do, or where can we fasten her?”
“We’ll have to try and use the chain and line, as we did before.”.
“I wonder if we are not too far out.”
“No; I think not,” said Phil.
“There’s a good stump up there to fasten a line to,” said Tom.
“I dare say we can get a line up. If not, we can bury the anchor in the mud, and put stones over it.”
“And what can we do about exploring the country?”