(Continuing from Part 36)
After discovering the wrecked ship among the rocks, I could think of little else.
I had heard its cannon firing during the night and had made a great fire on the shore, hoping the sailors would see it.
But when morning came, the ship lay broken upon the rocks.
I feared that everyone aboard had drowned.
Still, I could not be certain.
Perhaps someone had survived and was waiting for help.
The thought gave me no peace.
I decided that I must try to reach the wreck.
First, I considered the danger.
I remembered how a powerful current had nearly carried my canoe into the open sea. I had escaped only with great difficulty.
I did not wish to repeat that terrible experience.
But I had learned something about the movement of the water around the island.
I believed that by choosing the proper route and waiting for favorable conditions, I might reach the ship safely.
I prepared carefully.
I took bread, dried grapes, fresh water, and other provisions.
I also carried my gun and some ammunition.
Then I went to the place where I had left my canoe.
The little boat was still in good condition.
I examined it closely and made sure that it was ready for the journey.
I waited until the wind and sea appeared suitable.
Then I pushed the canoe into the water and set out.
At first, I remained close to the shore.
I watched the currents carefully, remembering how quickly they could change.
When I reached the proper place, I turned toward the wreck.
The distance seemed greater than it had appeared from the hill.
I paddled steadily, stopping occasionally to study the movement of the water.
As I approached the rocks, I could see the damaged vessel more clearly.
It had struck a dangerous part of the reef.
The force of the sea had broken much of its structure.
The masts were damaged, and the ship lay in a helpless position.
I searched for signs of life.
I saw no sailors moving on the deck.
I heard no voices calling for help.
The sight filled me with sadness.
Then, as I came closer, I noticed something moving aboard.
My heart leaped with hope.
Perhaps someone had survived after all.
But when I looked carefully, I discovered that it was only a dog.
The poor animal had somehow remained alive on the wreck.
When it saw me approaching, it began barking.
I called to it.
The dog seemed eager to reach me.
As soon as I came close enough, it jumped into the water and swam toward my canoe.
I helped it aboard.
The animal was hungry and thirsty.
I gave it some bread, which it ate eagerly.
Then I offered it fresh water.
It drank so much that I feared it might make itself ill.
I was pleased to have saved at least one living creature.
But I still hoped to find a person.
I brought the canoe alongside the wreck and climbed aboard.
The ship was badly damaged.
Water had entered much of it, and many objects were scattered or broken.
I moved carefully because the deck was unsafe.
I searched the places where the sailors might have taken shelter.
But I found no living person.
At last, I discovered the bodies of two men.
They were lying close together in the damaged part of the vessel.
The sight was heartbreaking.
I could not know exactly how they had died.
Perhaps they had been injured when the ship struck the rocks.
Perhaps they had been trapped and drowned.
I stood quietly for a moment.
I remembered my own shipwreck and the men who had perished while I escaped.
I felt deeply grateful for my survival.
I also felt sorrow that I could not help these unfortunate sailors.
I continued searching.
The ship appeared to be Spanish, although I could not be entirely certain of its history.
I found evidence that it had carried goods and supplies for a long voyage.
Some of these possessions had been ruined by seawater.
Others remained useful.
I discovered several chests and containers.
I examined them carefully.
Some held clothing and personal belongings.
Others contained provisions.
I found bottles of liquor and other supplies that I could carry away.
I also discovered money.
There were coins of gold and silver, along with other valuable objects.
In another situation, such wealth might have seemed a great fortune.
But on my island, money had little practical value.
I could not buy bread with it.
I could not hire a carpenter or pay a sailor to carry me home.
Still, I decided to take some of it.
Perhaps I would one day return to the world where money was useful.
I selected the objects that seemed most valuable or practical.
I could not carry everything.
My canoe was small, and I did not want to overload it.
I took what I could manage safely.
Among the supplies were useful materials and provisions that would make my life easier.
I was especially pleased to obtain things that I could not produce myself.
When I had finished, I looked around the wreck one last time.
I wished that I had found even one surviving sailor.
A single companion would have meant more to me than all the money aboard.
I imagined how different my life might become if I had someone to speak with.
We could share the work of the island.
We could discuss plans for escape.
We might even build a larger boat together.
But the ship was silent.
Only the waves moved around its broken sides.
I returned to my canoe and prepared to leave.
The rescued dog remained close to me.
I was glad to have saved it.
I began paddling back toward the island, taking care to avoid the dangerous currents.
The return journey required patience.
I did not hurry.
I watched the water and followed the safest route I could find.
At last, I reached the shore.
I pulled my canoe into a secure place and carried my supplies onto land.
Then I rested.
I had completed another difficult journey and returned alive.
Yet my feelings were mixed.
The wreck had provided useful possessions, but it had also reminded me of the terrible dangers of the sea.
I thought about the dead sailors and the dog I had rescued.
I wondered whether anyone on the mainland knew what had happened to the ship.
Perhaps families were waiting for men who would never return.
That evening, I examined the things I had brought home.
The money lay among my possessions, shining but almost useless.
I looked at it and thought how gladly I would have exchanged it all for one honest human companion.
I had survived another adventure.
But I was still alone.