Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/175

Rh do the work there so much more easily, and from French Den we could go down to Schooner Bay, and then start for the voyage home."

If the plan could be carried out, nothing could be better. And it was decided to make the attempt next morning's tide, the boat being towed up by the yawl. And at once Evans set to work to plug the leaks with pieces of tow that he had brought with him from French Den, which occupied him till somewhat late in the evening.

The night passed quietly enough in the cavern where Donagan and his companions had camped on their first visit to Deception Bay.

Next morning the boat was got afloat, and the yawl went ahead to tow her along. Hard work it was, and when the ebb made itself felt, the work was harder, and it was not till five o'clock that evening that they got her into the lake.

Evans did not think it prudent to cross that night, and so he pitched his camp on the shore under a big beech-tree, where all slept soundly till the morning.

Then "Aboard!" was the word, and the sail was set, and with the heavy boat behind her, away went the yawl for French Den. The boat was full of water to the thwarts, and if she had sunk, would have dragged down the yawl with her, so that Evans stood ready all the time to cut the tow rope. But, fortunately, all went well, and at five o'clock the boat and her tug were in Zealand River, moored off the pier.

While the boys had been away, Donagan had become a little better, and was now able to return the pressure of the hand that Briant gave him. His breathing came more easily, and evidently the lung was safe. Although he was kept on a low diet, his strength began to return, and under Kate's leaf compresses, which she renewed every two hours, the wound began to close. Probably his mending would take some time, but he had sufficient strength to make his recovery almost a certainty.

The work was begun in earnest next morning. A