Page:Cruise of the Dry Dock.djvu/155

 “We have enough coal on the dock for that, sir.”

“In a flat sea like this,” suggested Caradoc, “we can warp the schooner to the front of the barge and load the coal directly in her hold.”

By this time the dinghy was loaded and the three swung her out of the davits into the sea below. Then they threw down a rope ladder and climbed below. Greer went back to the stern, picked up an oar and began to scull.

The sun sank as the little boat worked her way through the lanes of seaweed, and the great dock threw long purple shadows across the highly colored ocean. Caradoc looked at the great structure intently. The setting sun rimmed its great shape in brilliant red, but the bulk of it lay in deep wine-like shadow. The boys gazed at it musingly.

“A fine structure to desert, isn't it?” said Caradoc in a low tone.

“Just what I was thinking,” sympathized Madden. “I suppose we could send a tug back and find her?”

“Doubtful, in this fantastic place.”

“The current is fairly well charted; still, it