Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/120

 "But will the others forgive him?"

"Perhaps," said Moko. "In any case, better they should know nothing, I'll keep silence, you may depend."

"Ah! Poor Moko!" said Briant, clasping him by the hand.

For two hours up to the time of embarking, Briant did not say a word to Jack, who remained sitting at the foot of a rock close by, and evidently nearly broken-hearted now that he had made his confession.

About ten o'clock the flood-tide began to make itself felt, and Briant, Jack, and Moko took their seats in the boat. As soon as the grapnel was taken up she began to move with the current.

The moon had risen shortly after sunset, and gave good light till half-past midnight. When the ebb set in, the oars were got out, and after an hour's pulling not a mile up stream was gained.

Briant then prepared to anchor until daybreak, when the tide would flow again, and this was done. At six o'clock the voyage was resumed, and at nine o'clock the yawl was back in Family Lake. There Moko re-hoisted the sail, and with a fair beam wind steered straight for French Den.

About six o'clock in the evening, after a pleasant voyage, during which neither Briant nor Jack hardly spoke a word, the yawl was hailed by Garnett, who was out fishing on the bank; and a few minutes later she ran alongside, where Gordon gave her passengers a hearty welcome.