“It is never too late to mend,� cited Jack, “perhaps, if ever we escape from this predicament, I can help you. I would be willing to.�
“And I, too,� said Raynor, stretching out his hand.
Tears filled Terror Carson’s eyes. His voice shook as he said:
“I heard a preacher feller once talking about coals of fire. Now I know what he meant.�
Soon after they all turned in. All, that is, but Carson. The last thing that Jack saw, as he dropped off into slumber, was the giant form of the seal poacher outlined blackly against the firelight. His head was sunk on his breast. His brawny arms folded. He stood motionless as a statue gazing into the embers as if he read his wild, rough past in the glowing coals.
CHAPTER XXXIV: A PERILOUS ADVENTURE.
Jack was astir betimes. The fire had died down and the chill awakened him. Carson lay asleep at last, curled up in the lee of his boat. Jack walked down to inspect the craft. It was a good-looking whale boat.
“If only we had enough provisions,� he mused, “we might get away in her.�
Apparently the boat had been used for whaling as well as sealing, for, neatly coiled in a tub, in the bow, was a coil of the finest and strongest manilla rope, the quality used for whaling, which is strong enough to stand almost any strain.
Jack looked idly at the rope for some time, his thoughts far away. But suddenly, for no reason that he could fathom, a sudden inspiration struck him.