Jack turned half around and, reaching beneath the seat in the stern lifted the cover of a small box fitted in the narrow space. But it was empty and, with a sinking heart, he turned back.
"Guess they forgot to stock this boat," he announced.
"You mean there's nothing there?"
"Not a thing."
"It's criminal negligence," the captain declared. "It's the purser's business to see that the lifeboats are kept stocked, but the fellow we have is always neglecting his work, but, as he's some relative of the owners it's been overlooked and now we've got to suffer for it."
The storm seemed to increase and Bob was having all he could do to keep the boat head on. He had lost all sense of direction and had no idea whether he was rowing toward the shore or out to sea. They were running with the wind and he judged that they must be making several miles an hour.
"It's my turn now," the captain shouted a few minutes after Jack had discovered the lack of food and water.
Both boys protested against the move, but the man declared that he was all right and well able to do his share of the work.
"Besides I need to get warmed up a bit," he added as he shifted his position to the rower's seat.
"Looks like we might not get out of this scrape," Jack said in a low tone as soon as Bob was seated beside him.