By this time they were not more than a mile from the ship. She was certainly very low in the water. At a distance they had supposed that her sails were furled. They could now see that she had no sails at all. There was her jib, and that was all. There was no sign of life aboard, and the disorder in her rigging was more perceptible than ever. “Bart,” said Bruce in a solemn tone, after he had gazed silently at the ship for full ten minutes. “Well?” “Do you know what I think about her?” “What?” “It’s my opinion that there’s not a soul on board of her.” Bart was silent. “She’s evidently been in a storm; her sails are gone; her rigging is every way. The crew have probably deserted her; and, yes, she is--there’s no doubt about it. I suspected it--I knew it.” “She’s what?” asked Bart. “Waterlogged!” said Bruce. Bart turned his head and looked at her for a long time. He said not a word. At last he turned to Bruce. “Well,” said he, “at any rate, we must board her. After coming so far, we can’t go back. Besides, we may find something.” “Find something? Of course we shall,” said Bruce, confidently. “We’ll find lots of things. We’ll find barrels of pork, and beef, and bread, and other things besides, no doubt. When they left her, they would only take enough to last them till they got ashore. They must have left the greater part of their supplies and sea stores behind.” “Of course,” said Bart; “so here goes.” And with these words he pulled as vigorously as though he had not yet rowed a stroke. And now every minute they drew nearer and nearer. Bart rowed without turning his head, but Bruce sat with his eyes fixed upon her, occasionally telling Bart when he got out of his course. As they drew nearer in this way, every doubt was removed, if there had been any doubts in the mind of either. The ship was evidently deserted. She was also as evidently waterlogged. Now they were able to account for what had puzzled them before; her lying so low in the water, and yet at the same time seeming so near. Her nearness was not apparent, but real; her lowness in the water actual, and not seeming. That she had been deserted by her crew was more and more evident every moment, for as they drew nearer, they could see not a sign of life. Had there been any one on board, he would certainly have made himself visible. At length Bruce bawled out, “Ship, ahoy!” Bart stopped rowing and looked around. Both boys listened. They did not expect any answer, nor did any answer come. They waited for about a minute, and then Bart rowed on. In about two minutes they were alongside. The oars were thrown in, the boat secured, and the two boys stepped aboard. [Illustration: 0083]