This contrivance was particularly useful when they wished to send ashore a portion of the coal to be used in the range, and, thanks to it, very much more could be accomplished in a given time with less labor than by the former haphazard fashion of working.
Roy’s proposition was to dismantle the yacht entirely, saving everything possible, even to the machinery, and Ned raised no objections, for all this would be necessary in order to carry into execution a plan he had already formed.
It was his intention to float the little craft if possible.
While engaged in wrecking he examined thoroughly every portion of the hull, and became convinced that she was as sound as ever, unless, by chance, some of the starboard timbers, which it was impossible to see because of her being heeled over on that side, had been stove.
Without saying anything regarding this matter to his companions, he was mentally calculating how the task might best be performed with the limited appliances at their disposal, and this problem occupied his mind even to the exclusion of the supposed treasure.
It must not be fancied, however, that because Ned put from him all thought of the wealth which might yet be gained from the hulk, the subject was dropped entirely.
Vance talked of little save what they would do when the work of treasure-hunting was begun, and Roy was quite willing to join in such conversation.
When the second day of wrecking had come to an end and while the cook was yet busy over the range with a certain mysterious compound which Vance declared would be either a stew or a roast as it chanced to turn in the process of cooking, Ned proposed that his store of silver be taken better care of than by allowing it to remain under the sand, where there might be some trouble in finding it quickly should such a necessity happen to arise.
Vance was all the more willing to assist in the work because he had a most intense desire to learn how many dollars there were in the pile, and the two set about the task, having first converted three pillow-cases into bags.
Counting the money proved to be a long job.