The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-10-17
CHAPTER XXXXII

CHAPTER XXXA11
At this time Doniphan was we'll
enough to leave the hall, although
he still was very feeble.
At last, late in January, Evans
started to load the boat. Although
the boys greatly desired to take
away with them everything which
had been saved from the wreck of
the Slough, it was impossible on
account of space and it was neces-
sary to make a choice.
In the first place, Gordon put
on one side the money which had
been found on board the yacht,
and which the young coionists
might need to take them back to
their homeland. Moko took on
board enough provisions for II
passengers, not only in view of a
crossing which might last three
weeks, but also in case some acct
dent would oblige them to land
on one of the islands of the
Archipelago before they were able
to reach Punta Arena, Port Gal
liant or Port lamar. Then, the
arms and munitions were placed
in the chests in the boat. Doni-
phan even asked that the two
little cannons be taken. If they
were too heavy for the ship, there
would always be time to throw
them overheard.
Briant also took all the extra
clothes, most of the books, the
principal utensils which would be
used for the cooking on board, in
GLIDING one of the stoves, and
lastly, the instruments necessary
for navigation. marine watches,
telescope, compaSSeS, locks, bea.
cons and the halkett-boat. Will
cox chose among the nets and
lines those which might be used
for fishing on the way.
They gathered fresh water at
the Zealand River and put it in 10
barrels which we're placed along
the keel at the bottom of the boat.
The departure was then fixed
Tor Feoruary D.
The night of the fourth Cor
don freed all the domestic ami
mails, which Immediately went
away, some running at full
speed, others winging their way
out in response to the instinct of
freedom.
The following day, the passen-
gers boarded the boat which this
time was hauling the yawl, Evans
thinking that the latter might be-
come useful as a dinghy.
But before loosening the moor
ings Briant and his companions
gathered once more in front of the
graves of Francois Baudoin and
Forbes. All deeply stirred by vari-
GUS emotions, it was last prayer
as well as last salute which they
gave to those unfortunates.
Many and varied were their emo
tionS as they saw Auckland Hill
disappear behind the trees of the
bank.
Coming down the Zealand River,
the boat could not go quicker
than the current which not very
rapid. Towards noon, at the level
of Bog-Woods' quagmire, Evans
had to cast the anchor.
The halt lasted about six hours.
The passengers made the most
of it to have a good meal, after
which Wilcox and Cross went to
shoot few quail on the edge of
the South-Moors.
From the stern of the boat Doni-
phan was even able to kill two
beautiful cartridges which were
flying over the right bank. From
that moment he was completely
recovered!
It was very late when the boat
arrived at the mouth of the river.
At early dawn Evans had the
mizzen sail, the spanker and the
flying-jib rugged up. Then the
boat, steered by the sure hand of
the mate, got out of the Zealand
River.
At that moment all eyes turned
towards the crest of Auckland Hill,
then on the last rocks of Slough
Bay, which disappeared as they
rounded American Cape.
A gun-shot was fired, followed
by a triple hurrah, while the
Union Jack was unfurled at the
stern of the boat.
Eight hours later the boat was
IN the channel bordered by the
beaches of Cambridge Island, dou-
bled South-C Cape and followed the
outline of Adelaide Island.
The extreme point of Chairman
Island had just vanished on the
northern horizon.
There is no necessity to give in
detail the story of the voyage
across the channels of the Magel-
lanic Archipelago. 1t was not
marked by any incident of import
ance. The weather remained con.
stantly fine. In the narrowS, six