The sailors crept out from beneath their awning on to the sand, and were able to announce that the river had only risen a few inches, and the rain that had fallen had rapidly soaked in and drained off, while a pleasant cool air swept briskly over them from the east, heralding a fresh bright dawn, which came at last with all the promise of a glorious day.
With some difficulty a fire was started, but once begun the men soon contrived to get up sufficient for the hurried breakfast; the canvas was struck where necessary, and the rest spread to dry in the coming sunshine; and then all being ready for their next start, the doctor consulted with the coxswain, who after a little pressing gave his opinion as to what would be the best course to take.
“You see, sir,” he said, “I have been thinking that I could get us back to our last camping-place; I mean, before we came here.”
“Well, that’s what we all thought before, Joe,” cried Rodd pettishly.
“Wait, Rodney, my boy, and let Cross finish,” said the doctor.
“I’ve about done, sir,” said the man. “What Mr Rodd says is quite true, but he aren’t quite got what I mean. You see, sir, when we come up here with the Spanish skipper aboard I sat astarn steering, and when we went away again I had hold of the tiller once more, same as before.”
“Well, we know that,” said Rodd shortly. “Be silent, Rodney!” cried the doctor. “Go on, Cross.”
“Well, sir, when we come I was looking this ’ere way; when we started back I was looking t’other way. Now it seems to me, now we are going to start again, if instead of sitting astarn and looking straight forward, if I was to go and sit right in the bows and left somebody else to steer while I looked over his head, I should be looking up both sides of the river just as it was when we were coming, and I should see the landmarks again as I saw them when we were coming here, and consekently I should know my way better, and I don’t think I should miss the next landing-place again.”
“Yes, I see what you mean,” cried Rodd excitedly. “Why, to be sure, Joe! Don’t you see, uncle?”
“Yes,” cried the doctor. “Quite right, Cross. We will start at once, going as slowly as we can, and we will, all but the steersman, ride backwards, keep a sharp look-out, and help.—What’s the matter, Morny?”