Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/112

 the copy which had been made of Baudoin's map, in which the new names were written as they were given.

On the 4th of February, about eight o'clock in the morning, Briant, Jack, and Moko bade goodbye to their comrades, and embarked. It was a splendid morning with a light wind from the south-west. The sail was set, and Moko took the helm, leaving Briant to look after the sheet. The surface of the lake was rippled by the breeze, and this the yawl felt more as she got further out ; and in half an hour Gordon and the others from the terrace could see only a black spot, which soon disappeared.

Moko was seated aft, Briant more forward, and Jack at the foot of the mast. For an hour the high ridge of Auckland Hill remained above the horizon. But the opposite shore of the lake had not yet risen into view although it could not be far off. Unfortunately, as often happens when the sun gains in power, the wind showed a tendency to die away, and about noon it dropped.

"It is a pity," said Briant, "that the breeze has gone."

"It would have been worse if it had headed us," said Moko.

"You are a philosopher," said Briant.

"I don't know what you understand by that," said the cabin boy; "but I certainly make the best of what comes."

"Well, that is philosophy."

"Then hooray for philosophy, and let us take to the oars. We must reach the shore before night if we can; and if we can't — we can't, that's all."

"That's it, Moko. I'll take an oar, you take another, and Jack takes the helm."

"And if Master Jack steers well we shall make good way."

"Tell me what to do," said Jack, "and I'll do my best."