With all these thoughts in his mind Brandon approached the wreck and at last stood close beside it. It had been long buried. The hull was about two-thirds uncovered. A vast heap of sand still clung to the bow, but the stern stood out full in view. Although it must have been there for a long time the planks were still sound, for they seemed to have been preserved from decay by the sand. All the calking, however, had become loose, and the seams gaped widely. There were no masts, but the lower part of the shrouds still remained, showing that the vessel was a brig. So deeply was it buried in the sand, that Brandon, from where he stood, could look over the whole deck, he himself being almost on a level with the deck. The masts appeared to have been chopped away. The hatchways were gone. The hold appeared to be filled with sand, but there may have been only a layer of sand concealing something beneath. Part of the planking of the deck as well as most of the taffrail on the other side had been carried away. Astern there was a quarter-deck. There was no skylight, but only dead-lights set on the deck. The door of the cabin still remained and was shut tight. All these things Brandon took in at a glance. A pensive melancholy came over him, and a feeling of pity for the inanimate ship as though she were capable of feeling. By a natural curiosity he walked around to the stern to see if he could read her name. The stern was buried deep in the sand. He had to kneel to read it. On the side nearest him the letters were obliterated, but he saw some remaining on the opposite side. He went over there and knelt down. There were four letters still legible and part of a fifth. These were the letters: VISHN “Great Heavens!” cried Brandon, starting back--“the _Vishnu!_” CHAPTER VI. THE DWELLER IN THE SUNKEN SHIP. After a moment of horror Brandon walked away for a short distance, and then turning he looked fixedly at the wreck for a long time. Could this be indeed _the_ ship--_the Vishnu_? By what marvelous coincidence had he thus fallen upon it? It was in 1828 that the _Vishnu_ sailed from Calcutta for Manilla. Was it possible for this vessel to be preserved so long? And if so, how did it get here? Yet why not? As to its preservation that was no matter in itself for wonder. East Indian vessels are sometimes built of mahogany, or other woods which last for immense periods. Any wood might endure for eighteen years if covered up by sand. Besides, this vessel he recollected had been laden with staves and box shooks, with other wooden materials which would keep it afloat. It might have drifted about these seas till the currents bore it here. After all it was not so wonderful that this should be the _Vishnu_ of Colonel Despard. The true marvel was that he himself should have been cast ashore here on the same place where this ship was.