Two more days were spent in wrecking, and by the end of that time everything worth saving, except the machinery, had been brought ashore.
The store-tent was well filled, and it was so difficult to find any particular article which might be needed that Roy insisted one day should be devoted to repacking the goods in such a manner that they could find what might chance to be needed without being forced to overhaul the entire stock.
Thus another day went by without their searching for more treasure or making any progress toward regaining the mainland.
During all this time a strict watch had been kept, as a matter of course, in the hope of sighting a sail, but nothing larger than a sea-gull’s wing had come within their range of vision.
They were beginning to realize that it might be weeks, perhaps months, before they would succeed in leaving the key.
It was on the morning after the store-tent had been put in proper shape that Roy, who in his capacity of cook was forced to rise earlier than the others, electrified his companions by shouting as he went outside the camp to build the fire:
“Here’s a boat heading this way, fellows!”
It can readily be fancied how quickly the boys leaped to their feet at the summons, and running with all speed to where Roy was standing, they saw the object to which he referred.
There certainly was _something_ on the sea a long distance from the key, but whether it was actually a boat or not neither was able to say with any degree of certainty.
“I believe I can see her bow as she rises on the swell!” Roy cried after they had stood gazing in silence several moments upon the floating object.
“That can’t be, unless she is empty, for if so much could be distinguished, we should see the oars as they were raised or lowered.”
“That isn’t very possible, if they are shipwrecked sailors, as seems likely.”
“Why couldn’t they be pleasure seekers?” Vance asked.
“Because it isn’t probable they’d fool around here in such a craft as that appears to be. There isn’t so much as a mast to be seen, and if anybody was coming here for fun they wouldn’t depend on oars all the time, when the wind would send them along very much faster.”
There could be no question but that Ned’s argument was a good one, and the boys watched eagerly for some signs of life.