Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/205

Rh the name Emma Brower. Not a sign of a human being could be seen.

"If a man was on that wreckage the storm tore him loose," said Captain Sanders.

"How terrible!" whispered Roger.

"And think of it, it may have been Merwell, or Jasniff, or both of them!" returned Phil.

On the following day they reached the latitude and longitude as given by the captain of the tramp steamer. In that vicinity they saw some smaller wreckage, but nothing of importance.

"Cave Island is two miles east of here," said Captain Sanders.

"Any other islands around?" asked Dave.

"Nothing within fifteen or twenty miles."

"Then, if the crew and passengers took to the small boats, wouldn't they be likely to steer for Cave Island?"

"I think so,—that is, if the storm let 'em do so. It might be the wind would force 'em the other way. But I think it would be a wise move to sail for Cave Island and take a look around. The one trouble is, so I learned at Barbados, the island hasn't any sort of harbor. We'll have to lay-to outside and go ashore in a small boat."

"Perhaps it won't be necessary to go ashore," said Roger.

"Oh, it can be done easily enough."