Page:The Great Secret.djvu/153

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FLOTSAM.
137

so, it is impossible for the reasoner to answer. We think sometimes we know why the beasts of prey have been created, with the monsters of the deep, the spider and the snake, also the human beasts of prey; and again we are lost in wondering speculation by reason of our innate instinct of justice.

Perhaps the disembodied demons who had been their comrades were assisting them, aided by the haunting developments of former murderers; but they were successful in capturing most of that flotsam and storing it inside their cave.

They found provisions enough to last them for some time, also some boxes of clothing, and amongst other useful things, a carpenter's box about half filled with tools, and, what was more to their present comfort, means to light a fire and warm the tins of soup.

They were for the time jovial and hopeful, with a further investigation before them on the morrow, as they lay down to sleep, on their second night, warm and dry.

And while they slept, securely sheltered, the storm again rose and lashed the island with flying foam, driving in more of the freightage from the disjointed ship that had gone down the night before.