“You don’t quite understand me,” said Holdfast. “A sailor gets to feel an attachment for the craft he sails on, and she seems to him something like a living creature. This is my first voyage on the old Nantucket, but it will grieve me to see her disappear.”
It was not easy to decide of what the boat’s load should consist. In the main, provisions were taken as an article of first necessity. Some clothing, also, was selected, and among the rest, at Harry’s instance, an extra pair of Mr. Clinton’s trousers.
It was decided not to make another trip to the ship that day. Mr. Holdfast expressed the opinion that the Nantucket was not in any immediate danger of going to pieces, and there was much other work in hand.
“Do you know anything about the climate here, Mr. Holdfast?” asked the professor.
“I don’t think it is ever cold. It is too far south for that.”
“I mean as to the chance of rain. I am told that in these tropical places, rain comes on very suddenly at times.”
“I suspect that this is the dry season, professor.”
“Still, it may be wise to provide ourselves with some shelter.”
“True; have you anything to suggest?”
“It occurred to me that we might procure some of the sails, and use as a roof covering to shield us from the heat of the sun, and from any unexpected showers.”