Two of the corpses appeared to have been partially devoured
as though by wolves.
The prize crew soon had the vessel under proper sail once
more and the living members of the ill-starred company
carried below to their hammocks.
The dead were wrapped in tarpaulins and lashed on deck
to be identified by their comrades before being consigned to
the deep.
None of the living was conscious when the Frenchmen
reached the Arrow's deck. Even the poor devil who had
waved the single despairing signal of distress had lapsed into
unconsciousness before he had learned whether it had availed
or not.
It did not take the French officer long to learn what had
caused the terrible condition aboard; for when water and
brandy were sought to restore the men, it was found that
there was none, nor even food of any description.
He immediately signalled to the cruiser to send water,
medicine, and provisions, and another boat made the perilous
trip to the Arrow.
When restoratives had been applied several of the men regained
consciousness, and then the whole story was told. That part of
it we know up to the sailing of the Arrow after the murder
of Snipes, and the burial of his body above the treasure chest.
It seems that the pursuit by the cruiser had so terrorized
the mutineers that they had continued out across the Atlantic
for several days after losing her; but on discovering the
meager supply of water and provisions aboard, they had
turned back toward the east.
Pages:
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241