"Have you any news?" asked Captain Mangles. "Have you discovered the lost trail?"
"No, friend. People never return from New Zealand! But yet—well, you know human nature. As long as we breathe we can hope; and my motto is 'dum spiro, spero,' which is the best in the world."
[CHAPTER XLV.]
THE WRECK OF THE MACQUARIE.
The next day the travelers were installed on board the Macquarie. Will Halley had not offered the ladies his cabin, which was not to be regretted, as the lair was only fit for the brute.
At noon they made ready to take the flood-tide. The anchor was weighed. A moderate breeze blew from the southwest. The sails were gradually set, but the five men worked slowly. At last, incited by the oaths of the skipper, they accomplished their task. But in spite of her spread of canvas the brig scarcely advanced. Yet, however poorly she sailed, in five or six days they hoped to reach the harbor of Auckland. At seven o'clock in the evening they lost sight of the shores of Australia, and the lighthouse at Eden. The sea was rough, and the vessel labored heavily in the trough of the waves. The passengers found their situation very uncomfortable; but, as they could not remain on deck, they were forced to submit to confinement.