ist to the tiller and
turned the _Ariel_ inshore.

"There's the wreck," he said in response to Fred's look of inquiry, as
he pointed to a dark object near the beach. "We'll just run in and look
her over. But we won't be able to stay more than a few minutes, for this
is to be one of our busy days."

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE ABANDONED SCHOONER

"Look," cried Teddy suddenly, pointing at right angles to the course
they were pursuing.

"What is it?" came from his companions.

"It's a shark," cried Teddy excitedly. "Perhaps it's the mate of the one
we caught the other day. Have you your harpoon along, Lester?"

"No," replied Lester, as he, with the others, watched the ominous black
fin just showing above the surface; "and I haven't the shark hook,
either. It's just as well anyway, because we can't afford the time
to-day to look after that fellow."

"I suppose you're right," sighed Teddy, reluctantly abandoning his idea,
"but I sure would like to add to my collection of shark's teeth."

"Wait till we find the chest, and you'll have money enough to buy a
shark and keep him as a pet," suggested Bill.

"And feed him out of your hand," grinned Ross.

As they drew near the shore, the wreck of the abandoned schooner came
clearly into view. It was a dismal spectacle. There was nothing visible
above the main deck, not even stumps. The masts had been snapped close
to their butts, showing the terrific fury of the gale that had severed
them almost as neatly as though done by a razor. There were several
yawning rents in the side through which the water poured and retreated.
It was evident that the hold must be entirely flooded. The bow was
deeply imbedded in the sand, and there was only a slight perceptible
motion of the stern, as it swayed and lifted in obedience to the surge
of the waves.

The ship seemed at a casual glance to be about eighty feet in length.
The beam was comparatively narrow, and the long graceful lines falling
away from the bow showed that she had been built for speed. She was of
the greyhound type, and this fact only emphasized her present forlorn
condition.

Despite the dilapidated condition of the lower part of the hull, the
upper part and the deck itself seemed to be fairly solid.

"Good timber in that old boat," muttered Lester, as they came close, "or
she'd have broken up into kindling wood long ago."

"How are you going to get aboard?" asked Bill.

"By way of the stern, I guess," Lester r