White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1929-09-06
LOWELL THOMAS
Copyright by
Doubleday. Doran & Co:

sea water. In the body OF the boat
were placed the water tanks, our large
supply of weapons and ammunition,
cordage for the rigging, and several
spare sails. Canvas shields at the
side, which could be drawn over at
the top and be made to form some
kind of tent, sheltered US somewhat
from waves and dirty weather. With
out these we should have been prac.
hcally drowned. -Four mattresses
could be stretched on the bottom,
where four men could sleep while two
kept watch. AS concession to civil
cation, we had six pairs of knives and
forks, six mugs, coffee pot, and
$4,000 in silver. gold, and paper. much
of it in pounds sterling.
At six in the morning, the two men
on watch filled the coffee pot and ap-
piled fire to 1t from soldering lamp.
With the slightest breeze and rock
ing of the boat, 1t was impossible to
bring the water to boil. Then we
were glad to get tepid coffee-bean
soup instead of coffee. After toilets
had been made with salty sea water.
we squatted in the cockpit for break
fast of coffee and bareback. Naviga'
ton was difficult in so small boat
It was impossible to spread the charts
out properly, and with the slightest
carelessness the wind might take our
priceless navigation papers overheard.
We had to use the seXtant and other
navigation instruments in boat that
often pitched so much we could
scarcely stand. The papers, charts,
tables, logarithms and so on, got sop
ping wet, and when we dried them in
the sun they grew swollen and diff
cult to handle.
1t was cool at night, but not un-
pleasant so long as our clothes were
dry. The weather was fair, but an
occasional whale would come along
side and douse us with the spray OF
his spout Then, in our damp cloth.
ing, we felt the chill Of the night. The
days were broiling hot, but even while
taking advantage of what little shade
we had, we grew heavy and torpid.
We had above all things. to be care
full of our water supply. We never
| dared drink enough to quench our
thirst completely, and were, In fact,
continually thirsty.
By way of amusement, we had read.
ings aloud from the one book we had
brought along, Fritz Reuters comic
story, IA Trip to Constantinople," and
at night the squealer wheezed and
blared, and we whiled away the tedi-
GUS hours singing old German folk
songs.
After three days we sighted Attn,
the first island of the Cook group and
British possession. There was no
ship in sight. Too bad, but perhaps
a ship might be expected soon. Any.
way, we had to make port and get
fresh food. Aside from the danger of
storm. If our voyage continued for any
length, we feared most Of all beri-beri
and scllrvy, which our diet of hard.
tack would inevitably bring upon US
unless we varied 1t with fresh vege
tables.
A crowd OF natives, fine looking
Polynesians, watched curiously as oui
little craft drew up to the dock. Kir
cheiss and went ashore and straight
to the house of the British resident
He lay stretched out In his shirt anc
trousers on Borneo long chair on bis
porch, and didn't even get up wher
we approached. He was good look
ing fellow. but lazy as the devil. The
lassitude OF the South seas had Ger
tainly got him.
"My name is Van Houten." began
and this Is my chief officer Soutflart
The resident looked at me sus
piciousy. 1t was true British mis-
trust Ordinarily, your Englishmar
Is the best of fellows, pleasant chaI
to meet, perfect host. But In war
time you had to admire them. The.
were on the lookout for everything
Their brains seemed made only Of sus