Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-10-03
CHAPTER ID

In IL
was just about sitting astraddleI
of the beaten path to the Orient
through this way.
We also knew that we were,
rapi diy approaching the more
southerly groups Of islands, where
our chances OF making a landfall
would be good. However. the par
ticular stretch of sea that we we're
crossing now was almost entirely
devoid of islands, 1 knew.
Rescue by a convoy would be
luck, we realized: our best chance
was still to keep working south
ward, holding on to life until we
hit an island. whenever and wher-
ever that might be.
Aidrich's earlier success in
catching fish spurred his efforts
now. Hour after hour he leaned
over the side of the boat. stabbing
at every swimming creature that
came anywhere near his reach.
He made many attempts, and
though he was unsuccessful, his
patience never gave out.
On this fourteenth day he was
rewarded. A small specimen,
exactly like the first. got little
too near the boat, and Genes long
brown arm sprung out like a
snakes tongue. He drew ii back
triumphantly with the fish impaled
on the knife in his hand.
Our hunger had been very in
tense the four or five days after
eating the shark, but was now
beginning TO subside--a dangerous
sign. / thought. We had been
getting drinking water fairly regu-
larly. thanks to the squalls, so we
were able TO eat this fish with
relish-and. I might add. without
delay.
Aldrich. throughout the rest Of
the day. redoubled his efforts TO
land another fish, but without sue
cess. He put away the knife re-
gretfully when darkness fell.
RAINS That Night
That night II rained again. The
comforts and discomforts brought
by rain had become routine. We
didn't talk so often now, but went
about our duties automatically as
circumstances called. >
The shower tonight was fairly
heavy. We had our drink. then
bailed by our cumbersome sop-and-
wiring method until the boat was
empty. The shower over. we
wrung out our clothes and hauled
them on again. with little COM
ment. We we're getting tired.
A few minutes after the shower
ended I lay down in the bottom
of the boat to try again to rest.
I closed my eyes. although il was
very dark. Suddenly I became
conscious OF a scratching noise on
the stern of the boat, just above
my head.
opened my eyes TO see what
was causing the noise.
1t was a bird, calmly perched
there.
Slides Hand Up
Neither Gene nor Tony appeared
to be aware of our visitor. Very
carefully and noiselessly I slid my
hand UP inside and as close TO the
edge Of the boat as l could with
out taking chance of causing
some slight scraping sound on the
fabric.
Then I quickly grabbed, and
had him by the leg.
The Tapping and squawking and
general commotion that imme-
diately ensued brought the boys
to my assistance. Gene and Tony
whooped in their excitement. but
were as careful and methodical in
their movements as l was as i
concentrated every bit of my brain
and body on holding onto that bird
In a moment Gene and Tony
held il securely. Gene took the
knife, grasped the bird by the
beak and face, and efficiently cut
off its head with deft stroke.
II was small bird
"Ain't another albatross, IL
IT," Tony asked We we're all
feeling about its feathers in the
darkness.
Nav, too small" Gene said.
"Well, I'm afraid It's too dark
TO do anything with Il until
morning." / said.
Better let me stow II away
In the bow" Gene advised.
Stow II he did, amidst a clamor
of speculation and delight. There
was more conversation that night
than we had had in several days.
as we impatiently awaited the
morning.
We examined the bird in the
gray light before dawn. II was a
young tern of some sort. N.,.
We picked off his feathers, and
proceeded 10 eat. The little fish
of the previous day had reawak-
ened our dormant appetites, and
we were ravenouS.