Page:The Great Secret.djvu/149

Rh a fair chance with the council. Meanwhile he trusted that they would be successful, for he was decidedly faint with his long fast.

"That case nearest looks like spirits," observed Dennis to his comrade, as they stood on the strand. "Let us get that one out first."

"Right, comrade," replied Anatole, and together they stepped into the water and began to wade.

The sands sloped rapidly down, so that they were soon beyond their depth, which they were glad of, for the gradual immersion was a torture. They both knew that these waters were at times infested with sharks even more daring and verocious than the tropical species, also that they would most likely be about in numbers now with the dead, yet they had to take that risk, and could only hope that the monsters might be engaged outside the reefs.

Five minutes' energetic swimming did them good, for they were both well matched in strength, and good swimmers, and brought them up to the nearest group of rocks, against which the case with some loose spars and planks floated as they had been left by the returning tide. As they were both needing a rest, they drew themselves up to the rock and began to consult how best to manage their prize. The sight of the spars and planks inspired them with a new idea.

"I don't relish making too many trips of this kind, Dennis, if we can help it," said Anatole.

"Nor do I, you bet," replied Dennis.

"Then let us sling these spars and this case together and move on to where some of the other articles are; it will be a longer voyage and keep our hungry comrades longer out of their food, but it will save time in the long run."