A Boy's Adventures Round the World

by John Andrew Higginson

The night proved so dark and the track so difficult to follow, that, hampered by the injured seaman, the captain and his party found the return no easy matter. Everyone, however, worked so cheerfully that just as dawn showed eastward next morning the camp was reached without further adventure or accident.

After breakfast the captain called a general muster before his tent, and explained his opinions on the situation.

'The island is uninhabited,' he said. 'We must try to leave it as soon as possible. The stock of provisions cannot last beyond a month, and as I have the Chinamen to feed we must get them to Honolulu. Our three boats are in good condition, and might easily make the trip.'

'I could reach there in the long-boat, sir,' Mr. Sennit observed, 'and hire a larger craft to take you off.'

'Well, of course that could be done,' the skipper replied; 'but I believe that by a little close stowage all hands might sail together. Such a course would save a lot of time, trouble, and expense, to say nothing of being able to stick together for assistance, should foul weather set in.'

'Yes, that would be the best way out of the fix,' the mate said; 'and I have no doubt we'll do it, too.'

The boats were immediately got ready for service. Everyone became anxious that a start southward should be made. The Chinamen were informed of what was about to take place, and they made no objection.

On the morning of the contemplated departure, however, a change of weather set in, and within a few hours a tremendous gale and high sea were sweeping directly into the bay. Captain Thorne immediately gave orders for the boats to be hauled above high-water mark; but, although the two smaller ones were quickly unloaded and saved, the heavy long-boat was not so easily handled.

'All hands on deck!' the skipper shouted, through blinding rain, stinging spume, and screaming wind, 'Save the stores!'

So heavy was the surf on the beach that scarcely anything in the big boat was secured, and she was finally tossed ashore in a hopelessly shattered condition.