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Updated: May 12, 2025
Carr will be in command of one boat, Mr. Bender the other, and I will go in my gig. Bob, you and Mr. Tarbill will go with me. Pull well away from the wreck, men, and lay to until we are all together. Then we'll try to get our bearings." It was getting lighter now, but the storm showed no signs of abating.
The water all around it seemed to be deep, so there was no danger of striking a hidden reef. Presently the captain espied a sandy beach, and straight for this the craft was headed. As the boat struck, Bob, Tim and Ned leaped out, followed by Mr. Carr, and, aided by the swells, pulled her well up. "Am I er to get out?" asked Mr. Tarbill timidly. "As you please," answered Captain Spark, grimly.
Hurrah, men, our troubles seem to be over!" "Thank God!" said Mr. Carr fervently, and so great was the strain on Mr. Tarbill that when it was relieved by the good news he cried like a child. Nor were Bob's eyes altogether dry. A little breeze had sprung up, and, guided by the natives, the castaways were soon at the island.
"Are you sure they weren't cannibals?" queried Mr. Tarbill. "Some of the wild men are very small, you know. In Africa they are not over three feet high." "Monkeys, true enough," said the captain. "I saw some of 'em watching our camp when we had supper.
Would you like to look at my papers?" "No, I guess it's all right," and Mr. Tarbill seemed much relieved. "You see, my train was late," he went on, "and I came aboard in such a hurry that I was not sure I was on the right ship. I dislike to make mistakes, especially as my health is not very good." "Yes, you're on the right ship," Captain Spark assured Mr. Tarbill.
"No, no, I am attacked!" bawled Mr. Tarbill. "I know what they are!" shouted Bob. "Get out of here, you imp!" And he struck something with a stick that was handy. There was a wild chattering and off into the darkness stole several impish figures. "What were they?" asked Ned, who was still sleepy. "Monkeys," answered the youth, "Pretty big ones, too."
At that moment the commander, having seen his vessel well under way, came to where Bob and the nervous passenger were standing. "Is this Mr. Hiram Tarbill?" asked the mariner, holding out his hand. "Yes, sir. Are you Captain Jeremiah Spark?" "That's who I am." "Is this the schooner Eagle, bound around Cape Horn?" "Yes, sir, with a mixed cargo consigned to various firms in Lima, Peru.
Tarbill, who did nothing but find fault, until Captain Spark ordered him to take an oar and with one of the sailors aid in propelling the boat, for the wind had suddenly died out. For two days more they sailed or rowed on. The weather continued unsettled, but fortunately not breaking into a storm. Sometimes there was a breeze, and again there was a dead calm, when they took turns at the oars.
He cleared his mouth of water. "Why did you let me go overboard?" he demanded. "Why didn't you stop me when you saw me slipping?" "Didn't have time," answered the captain. "You ought to thank Bob for hooking you." "He tore my coat sleeve," said Mr. Tarbill, examining the garment. "And it's the only coat I have now," he added mournfully. "Never mind, maybe you won't need a coat soon," put in Mr.
It had been so, of course, for several days preceding the wreck, but the thought that they were in a tropical climate had been forgotten in the excitement of the foundering of the ship. Now it was a thing for which to be thankful. "Oh! Isn't this the most terrible thing that could occur!" exclaimed Mr. Tarbill, from a seat where he was huddled up. "It is awful!"
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