A Boy Crusoe; or, The Golden Treasure of the Virgin Islands

by Allan Eric

The foundation of the raft was laid by placing bamboos on the beach just out of reach of the surf, there being no discernable tide, about one foot apart. The poles, forming a layer, were about eighteen feet long, and there were fourteen of them. This fixed the dimensions of the raft, eighteen by fourteen feet. These were firmly lashed together with lianas from the thicket near by, which were passed over and under each alternate pole, across to the opposite side and back again, six times across, with double weaving at the ends. Next we cut a great quantity of reeds and laid them evenly over the frame-work, to the thickness of about two feet. Another frame was then made the same size as the first, which was placed over the reeds and bound firmly to the bottom frame, to which it was firmly fastened with lianas around the edges, forming a sort of mattress. This process was repeated until the raft was fully six feet thick. This work, as is to be supposed, occupied several days; but when it was completed we had reason to feel proud of the result. Indeed, it was the outcome of no little skill.

We expected that the buoyancy of the materials of which it was constructed, together with its great thickness, would enable the raft to float with its top high out of the water, which would allow it it to support a considerable load. And, besides, it was so light that our combined efforts sufficed to move it quite readily. On the morning of the day following its completion, we launched the raft, and to our great satisfaction saw that it floated like a cork. We decided that a long bamboo to be used as a scull-oar would be the best means of propelling it. One half of the thickness of the larger end of this bamboo was split away the length of the first joint, which gave a flat surface to offer resistance to the water in sculling. Another bamboo was provided to be used in poling. We were now ready to set out for the wreck. Miss Harborough expressed a desire to accompany us, but I demurred, until we had proved the seaworthiness and stability of the raft, in which her father joined. So she seated herself near the beach and watched us as we pushed off.

Beneath our combined weight the raft did not appear to sink perceptibly, and it promised to float a good amount of cargo. This was most pleasing to us for it would enable us to remove what we wanted from the vessel rapidly. We joined in poling the raft until the water became too deep, after which I used the scull from the end, being somewhat of an expert by reason of my boyish practice with a punt on the pond near the home of my childhood. The sea was placid, and it required only a few minutes to reach the wreck. I propelled the raft under the bow-sprit and held it steady by grasping the martingale, while Mr. Harborough climbed aboard, from whence he threw a line with which I quickly made the raft fast, and joined him on the deck.

The scene around us was one of confusion. The deck was strewn with a tangled mass of rigging, rendering it not a little difficult to move about.

"I think," said Mr. Harborough, "that we should proceed systematically through the vessel, and I suggest that we first proceed to the cabin."

So we descended the companionway which led to the roomy cabin. It was comfortably, though not luxuriously fitted up, after the usual style of vessels going on long voyages. Mr. Harborough proceeded to collect all his clothing, while I, at his suggestion, gathered into a bundle all of the wearing apparel that had belonged to the captain, to be appropriated to my own use; and indeed, I was sadly in need of it. We did not disturb Miss Harborough's cabin, having decided to let her accompany us on the next trip, when she could gather up her own belongings.

"There seems to be nothing else that can be of use to us," said Mr. Harborough, glancing around the cabin.

"Oh, but why not take the chairs? They are fastened to the floor of the cabin, but there must be tools on board in the carpenter's kit, with which we can easily remove them. And, then, the charts, the chronometer and the compass. Who knows but that they may be of great use to us? I am sure the compass would, at least."

"That is true," he replied; "I fear that I am not very used to being a castaway."

"A few months will accustom you to such an existence," I replied.