They made the trip without accident. Then it was considered that about
all had been taken from the stranded and half sunken cruiser that was
worth salving.

Already was Giraffe hunting for some good place where they might find
shelter, and start a fire; for while it had not rained as yet, strange
to say, a flood was likely to come down at any moment, so long as the
heavens remained as dark as they were still.

Bumpus was looking all around him. He did not wander away from the
rest, because it seemed as though that mysterious island on which they
had been cast might be inhabited by wild beasts of prey, for all they
knew, ready to spring upon a nice, juicy morsel like him, and make a
meal. That was one of the disadvantages in being plump, Bumpus always
insisted, because envious eyes were won't to fall upon him first of all.

About that time Giraffe hove in sight again, and from his happy manner
it was evident that he had important news to communicate.

"Just shoulder your packs, fellows, and come with me," he hastened to
tell them. "I've run across the boss place for us to keep under
shelter; and there's aplenty of nice dry wood handy, so we can lay in a
supply before it rains. After all it strikes me that with our troubles
we ought to be thankful things ain't worse'n they are. With a fire a
fellow can do nigh anything to make you feel good. Come on!"




CHAPTER XVIL