Young Captain Jack | Page 6

or four years old, and the exposure nearly cost
you your life. Old Ben took you and your mother to the boathouse and
then ran up to the plantation for help. Father went back with him, along
with half a dozen men, and they brought you and your mother to the
house. I remember that time well, for I was nearly seven years old."
"But my mother, what of her?" asked Jack impatiently.
"Poor dear! she died two days later. The physicians did all they could
for her, but the shock had been too great, and she passed away without
recovering consciousness."
"Then she told nothing about me--who I was?"
"No. All she did say while she lived was 'Save my husband! Save my
darling little Jack.'"
"Then my father must have been on the boat with her?"
"Yes."
"And they did not find his body?"
"No, the only bodies recovered were those of sailors."
"Didn't they try to find out who I was?"

"To be sure, but, although father did his best, he could learn nothing.
Your father and mother had taken passage on the ship at the last
moment and their names did not appear on the list at the shipping
offices, and none of the books belonging to the ship itself were ever
recovered."
"Perhaps they are on the wreck!" cried Jack, struck by a sudden idea.
"No, the wreck was searched from end to end, and all of value taken
away."
"I'd like to row over and look around."
"You may do so, Jack. I presume the wreck will have more of an
interest than ever for you now."
The distance to Hemlock Bluff rocks was a good mile, but Jack soon
covered it and, bringing the boat to a safe corner, he assisted Marion
out and then leaped out himself.
"This news is enough to make a fellow's head whirl," he observed, as
they walked in the direction of the wreck, which lay high up on the
beach.
"I suppose that is true, Jack. But do not let it worry you. You are as
dear to mother and me as if you were one of the family."
"But I would like to know who I really am."
"Perhaps time will solve the mystery."
Soon the pair were at the wreck, which lay with its bow well up on the
rocks and its stern projecting over the sea.
It was no mean task to reach the deck of the wreck, but Jack was a good
climber and soon he was aboard. Then he gave Marion a hand up.
The deck of the wreck was much decayed, and they had to be careful
how they moved around.

"I am going below," said the youth, after a general look around.
"Be careful. Jack, or you may break a limb," cautioned Marion.
"I don't suppose you care to go down with me?"
"I think not--at least, I will wait until you have been down."
Soon Jack was crawling down the rotted companion way. At the
bottom all was dirty and dark. He pushed open the door, which hung
upon one rusty hinge, and peered into the cabin.
"I wish I had brought a lantern along," he murmured, as he stepped into
the compartment.
As Marion had said, the wreck had been cleared of everything of value.
All the furniture was gone and the pantries and staterooms were bare.
From the cabin he passed into several of the staterooms.
"What have you found?" called Marion.
"Nothing much."
"Any mice down there, or spiders?"
"None, so far as I can see."
"Then I'll come down."
Soon Marion was beside Jack, and the pair made a tour of the wreck
from bow to stern. Their investigations proved to be highly interesting,
and they spent more time below than they had anticipated doing.
"We must get back, Jack," said the girl at last.
"Oh, there is no hurry! Mother is not at home," answered Jack. It
seemed a bit odd to call Mrs. Ruthven mother now that he knew she
was not his relative.

So fully another hour was spent below, moving from one part of the big
wreck to another. Presently Jack came to a sudden stop and listened.
"What a queer noise, Marion!"
"It is the wind rising. We had better be getting back, before the bay
grows too rough for rowing."
"You are right."
Jack ran up the companion way and Marion after him. To their surprise
the sky was overcast, and the wind was whipping the surface of the bay
into numerous whitecaps.
"We must lose no time in getting back!" cried Jack. "As it is, the wind
will be dead against us!"
As quickly as possible he assisted Marion over the side, and then both
set off on a run for