On closer approach Jack perceived that the entire surface of the reef was covered with coal, which had fallen through great holes in the lee-bilge of the vessel. On passing to leeward round her stern numerous casks of salted provisions and other floatable gear were drifting away before the wind. She was indeed a pitiable spectacle.
On getting alongside the mizen chains, the puzzling difficulty of how to reach her saloon immediately arose, for the deck stood like a huge wall, up which not even a sailor could climb, and Mr. Statten had been directed to search the cabin for any document likely to indicate what had become of the missing crew.
'I think I could reach it, sir!' Jack eagerly exclaimed.
'Well, bear a hand,' the mate replied. 'Those drifting casks are valuable, and might be saved.'
Seizing a favourable opportunity Jack sprang into the lee rigging, and nimbly climbing up its inner side presently succeeded in reaching the mizen top, crossed to windward, and with a wave of his cap to the 'Alert' he promptly descended the weather shrouds, and sliding down the steep deck reached the saloon skylight.
A few moments later he had swung himself into the cabin below, where nothing seemed disturbed. Nailed to the table was a piece of paper, which in good English stated that the whole crew had decided to attempt the passage of the strait in their boats, and if possible reach Turtle Island, at the opposite end, where it was known that British war-vessels frequently left provisions for those in distress. With that information Jack promptly returned to his companions.
'A mighty risky procedure,' Mr. Statten exclaimed, on perusal of the document. 'Suppose they are becalmed near any of the islands, and are seen by the savages? Those, however, might be passed during the night, and the boats could easily clear sunken reefs which larger vessels would strike.'
The boat pushed off, and Captain Thorne was informed of the note.
'We might save a lot of good gear, sir,' the mate added.
'No, no,' the old man replied. 'Our lives are much more important. I shan't lose a good wind for such rubbish. Hook on the boat-falls.'