"What is that board?" exclaimed John. "No, not a board; that is part of a boat," he added as more of the accumulation was torn away.
"It's a boat; it's a boat!" almost shrieked George.
"Come to this end and take away this lot of seaweed," called out Harry.
They soon uncovered a boat with one end embedded in the sand so it was difficult to turn it over, owing to the rotten condition of the wood. Only here and there was any paint visible. The action of the elements had done its work.
"What kind of a boat was this?" asked Harry.
John did not answer, but peered down on the sand where the prow had rested. "Take away the sand carefully here," he said, and when he pointed the boys saw something white protruding an inch or two.
As the sand was scraped away they first saw the thigh bone of a skeleton, and soon the whole frame was laid bare, the interstices filled with sand. A peculiar rope was around the frame, and John grasped it.
The boys eagerly looked at it as John intently examined it. "It is the same," he said.
"The same as what?" asked Harry.