222 Tarzan of the Apes
The prize crew soon had the vessel under proper sail
once more and the living members of the ill-starred com-
pany 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 peril-
ous 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 At-
lantic for several days after losing her; but on discovering
the meager supply of water and provisions aboard, they had
turned back toward the east.
With no one on board who understood navigation, dis-