Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/177

Rh became stocked with fresh venison, which came in handy for preserving for the voyage.

If Donagan had been able to resume his functions as hunter-in-chief to the colony, with what ardour would he have gone at all this furred and feather game, now that he no longer had to be sparing of his powder and shot I A bitter disappointment it was to him not to be able to join his comrades. But he had to be resigned to it, and commit no imprudence.

During the last days of January, Evans began to stow his cargo. Briant and the others would have liked to take with them all that remained of the schooner; but that was impossible, and they had to make a choice.

In the first place, Gordon brought on board the money that was on the yacht, and which they might find useful in getting them back home. Moko required enough provisions for seventeen people, not only for a short passage of three weeks, but in case they were compelled by some accident to land on one of the islands of the achipelago before reaching Punta Arena, Port Gallant, or Port Tamar. Then what was left of the ammunition was stowed away in the lockers, as were the guns and revolvers. And eveii Donagan asked that the two little cannon should not be left behind.

Briant took care that there was taken a good assortment of clothes, most of the books in the library, the principal cooking-utensils — among them one of the stoves from the store-room — and the instruments needful for navigation, the hronometers, glasses, compasses, log, lanterns, and of course the Halkett boat. Wilcox chose among his nets and lines those that would be of most use for fishing on the voyage.

The fresh water, taken from Zealand River, was put into a dozen small barrels Gordon arranged along the carline in the boat's hold. And the spirits and liqueurs were not forgotten, nor were those made from the trulcas and the algarrobes.

On the 3rd of February all the cargo was in its place, and it only remained to fix the date of sailing, if