Rumour had travelled swiftly so that Captain Benton had heard and also was stirred by the spirits of his ancestors to visit that wreck! Hence, he thought it was perfectly safe and a most delightful excursion for the boys to take!
Early the next morning, therefore, the launch set out for old Scilly Ledge. Down past Camden, around Owl’s Head, through the narrow Mussel Ridges Channel, past White Head and out to open sea, steered the Captain of the Zeus!
Well for the boys that the big launch was the seaworthy craft that she was. Before they caught sight of the doomed steamer the ground swell had gotten in its deadly work. Three seasick lads lay limply on the cushions feeling that the Zeus was going down never to climb again, as she dropped into the hollows between the swells.
Soon, however, as she rose on the crest of each great wave, the stirring sight of hundreds of craft converging with the Zeus to a common centre, revived the drooping spirits of the boys and the “green” sensations gradually disappeared.
“She must be abandoned, all right!” remarked Captain Ed.
“’Tain’t curiosity what brings all them craft here,” hinted Captain Benton.
The boys pricked up their ears. What did the Captains mean?
“I always knew them Metinicus an’ Isle of Holt fellers were pirates at heart!” sneered Captain Ed.
“Well, you see, it ain’t stealin’—not exactly, you know!” argued Benton.
“Oh sure not! Flotsam and jetsam’s anybuddy’s pickin’s, and she’s all ensured anyhow,” conceded Captain Ed.