"And have we got to stay here all day?" exclaimed Harry. "I don't like the notion at all. Why shouldn't we drift down to the beach after the wreck?"
"Because the seas would fill us full of water long before we could get there. I'm not sure, though, but what we can sail there."
"I'd like to know how we can set a sail without a mast?" said Harry.
"Suppose you and Tom take hold of the ends of a rubber blanket, and stand one on each side of the deck, so as to spread the blanket out as wide as possible. Joe could stand between you, and let the blanket blow right against him. If you fellows could hold it, I believe we could run down to the beach in a very little while."
"Come on," exclaimed Harry; "let's try it. I'll get out a blanket, while somebody gets up the anchor."
"And I'll try to get her round before the wind with an oar," said Charley. "Be ready with the blanket as soon as I give you the word. You must stand up near the bow, about the same place where the mast used to stand. Now, are you ready with that anchor, Tom?"
"Ready, sir."
"Then up with it as quick as you can. Now go forward with that blanket, and the minute I get her head off a little, help her to swing clear round before the wind."
"UNDER A HEAVY PRESS OF INDIA-RUBBER BLANKET."