Evening star., 1926-04-25

bound to lie able to beach the machine
at the next headla nd.
In time we came to II. We strug-
gled abreast of 1t. A few minutes
later it was astern. The process was
repeated at the next headlan Some
times the current took us tantaliZ-
ingly near the shore, till we could see
every detail, the color of each rock,
but for all the good it did us they
might never have had any color. We
were a new toy with which the cur
rent played.
The wind whistled through the
wires of the machine. Had II been
north wind we should have had an
ally against the current; had it been
n west wind. we should have made the
mainland; or with an east wind we
should have made Prince Charles
Foreland. Had 1t been a combination
of any of these winds. we should have
made land somewhere.
The south wind alone could defeat
every effort and bring TO naught every
hope 1t did. driving us before 1t out
into the open sea. long before either
ship could rescue us.
Finally, with our limbs numb with
cold and our bodies strained with eN-
ertion we gave up the hopeless task
Of paddling against this combination
Of elements. fearing that we should
he swept off the floats by the waves
Pinninc our hopes on the efforts
which others were making tn rescue
us. we clambered stiffiy into our little
cabin and huddled together in n sleep
ing bag. seeking warmth for our
chilled limbs.
THE seaplane had fallen almost eX'
actly half way between Liefde Bay
and Green Harbor. 1t would take the
ma ximum time for either ship 10
reach us. but doubtless Kings BAY
had been informed by wireless. and
before many hours. when we reached
Ouade Hook. we should he sighted and
rescued.
As a further effort to stop the drift
we filed the canvas tool bag with all
the heavy items of gear nn which we
could lay our hands. firmly lashed II
with rope and suspended il from the
center strut of the undercarriage or
about le feet Of alpine rope. To some
extent this anchor was effective. and
nrobablv reduced our drift hN halt a
knot. The bag contained the engine
tools. the fire eXtinglliSher, crampons,
etc.
Ellis then get the ailerons in such
way that the wind tended 10 veer the
machine toward the shore. hut the re-
suit was not appreciabe. We had n"
fresh water on the seaplane. We had
relied on the proximity of ice foes II
the ia nding" was at sea. If 1t WAS a
crash on land. the question did nor
arise. because there is fresh water or
snow everywhere.
7 had with me hal flask of
brandy. and each of us had thimhle-
full Of Il when we cea sed padding, nut
II was the most precious thing we had
with us. and I reserved it for the M
ture, not knowing what fate had IN
store for us. We were both hungry
and thirsty. but did not dare eat. for
fear Of increas sing our thirst.
During this period we were drifting
mast English Bay. so named after the
seventeenth century English whalers
who once freouented IL. 1t was also
known as Cove Comfortless." name
we could well appreciate.
The open sea was now we'll In sight.
and we were some two miles from the
shore. pitching and tossing at all
angles. We had only two cigarettes
left. and no tobacco. The cigarettes
were reserved with the brandy. We
expected every moment to see boat
Dut out from Kings Bay and make
toward us.
Time and again we fancied we had
been hailed. We would spring up and
gaze from the roof Of the cabin, only
to find that our ears had Knocked us.