A ship's boat was perched high and dry on the north side of the cape.

Even as they scrambled towards it Jenks understood how it had come there.
When the _Sirdar_ parted amidships the after section fell back into the depths beyond the reef, and this boat must have broken loose from its davits and been driven ashore here by the force of the western current.
Was it intact?
Could they escape?
Was this ark stranded on the island for their benefit?
If it were seaworthy, whither should they steer--to those islands whose blue outlines were visible on the horizon?
These and a hundred other questions coursed through his brain during the race over the rocks, but all such wild speculations were promptly settled when they reached the craft, for the keel and the whole of the lower timbers were smashed into matchwood.
But there were stores on board.

Jenks remembered that Captain Ross's foresight had secured the provisioning of all the ship's boats soon after the first wild rush to steady the vessel after the propeller was lost.

Masts, sails, oars, seats--all save two water-casks--had gone; but Jenks, with eager hands, unfastened the lockers, and here he found a good supply of tinned meats and biscuits.

They had barely recovered from the excitement of this find when the sailor noticed that behind the rocks on which the craft was firmly lodged lay a small natural basin full of salt water, replenished and freshened by the spray of every gale, and completely shut off from all seaward access.
It was not more than four feet deep, beautifully carpeted with sand, and secluded by rocks on all sides.