While Hugh and Gerald climbed the sides to explore the interior of the wreck, Arthur observed that some of the timbers had been carried away by the tide even since the previous day, and he consulted with Jack about the possibility of breaking up and endeavoring to save such parts as might be useful to themselves; and in order to lose no time they grasped a loosened plank, to draw it away beyond the reach of the tide. No sooner had they removed it, than a large cask rolled from the opening, which they concluded led into the hold. The cask broke open with the fall, and a number of potatoes ran out. Every hand was quickly summoned to collect and save the valuable contents; the cask was righted and carefully removed up the beach, and it was great amusement to the boys to pursue the straggling potatoes, and save them from being swept away by the next tide.
"I say, O'Brien, my boy, I wonder your Irish nose did not scent the _pratees_ yesterday," said Hugh.
"Now isn't it luck, Arty," said Gerald. "Will we plant some? and then we shall never want as long as we stay here."
Margaret looked alarmed at the plan of planting potatoes for future provision; but Arthur replied, he hoped they should be able to leave the island before the potatoes were exhausted; nevertheless, he approved of the provident project of Gerald, and promised to seek a favorable spot to plant some, for the benefit of future visitors to this unproductive island.
"But do not be afraid, nurse," added he, "to boil us a large _shell_ of potatoes to-day; we have abundance; and in our scarcity of bread, we could not have found a more valuable prize."
Ruth had been in the wood to seek for a convenient place for a hencoop, and now rushed out with torn garments, exclaiming,--"Oh! Miss Marget, come and see what a bonnie beck there is."
A _beck_, or stream of water, was, indeed, a valuable discovery; and, conducted by Ruth, Arthur and Jack forced their way through entangled roots and brushwood, till they reached a narrow rivulet of clear water, probably flowing from the lake by some unseen channel beneath the grassy region they had crossed; and after trickling down the rocks, it again disappeared in the sand and shingles of the beach.