“But in the meantime we starve to death,� objected Raynor.
Jack could not but agree. He looked gloomily out at the empty sea. Suddenly, there came a joyous shout from round one of the rocky points that shut in the cove. It was Noddy. The next moment the Bowery boy appeared. He was burdened down by the weight of three big cod fish.
“Hurray, fellers, here’s our supper,� he panted as he staggered up to them with his burden.
“Good for you, Noddy. Well, we shan’t go hungry, at any rate,� cried Jack, “but how did you get the tackle?�
“Found it in de boat. I went nosin’ aroun’ while youse guys was all chewing der rag. I found something else in de boat too. A keg of water and anudder of biscuits, dose big roun’ fellers dey call sinkers.�
“By hookey, now I come to think of it every boat on the schooner was stocked with biscuit and water,� cried Jack. “I remember hearing Uncle Toby talk about it. It’s a maritime law to keep boats provisioned, but I guess it’s more honored in the breach than in the observance.�
The spirits of all rose greatly at the prospect of food. Even Captain Toby sat up and ate his share of broiled codfish and biscuit. But the old man gazed about him in a vacant way and kept mumbling to himself, and whimpering like a child over his misfortunes.
“I’m afraid his mind is affected,� Jack breathed to Raynor. Indeed, it appeared so.
Supper was over and darkness had set in. But they managed to keep warmth and light about the camping place by kindling a big fire of brushwood. They were thinking of turning in and trying to sleep, although it was bitter cold outside the immediate vicinity of the fire, and they had no blankets, when there came a sound from seaward that startled them all.
“Ahoy! Who are you?�