Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/37

Rh on board; two aneroid barometers, a spirit thermometer, two chronometers, several copper speaking-trumpets, three telescopes of short and long range, a binnacle compass, and two smaller ones, a storm-glass indicating the approach of tempestuous weather, several British ensigns and jacks, and a set of signalling flags. And there was also a Halkett boat — a little india-rubber canoe which folds up like a bag, and is large enough to take a person across a river or lake.

There were plenty of tools in the carpenter's chest, bags of nails, turrels, screws, and iron nuts and bands of all sorts for repairing the yacht. Thread and needles were not wanting, for the mothers had prepared for frequent mendings. There was no risk of being deprived of fire, for without reckoning matches there were enough tinder-boxes and tinder to last for a long time.

There were some large scale charts, but only for the coast of New Zealand, and consequently useless for the part where they had been wrecked; but luckily Gordon had brought with him a general atlas, and the yacht's library included several good works of travel and manuals of science, to say nothing of " Robinson Crusoe," and the "Swiss Family Robinson," which Service had saved from the wreck as did Camoens his "Lusiad." And of course Garnett had taken good care that his famous accordion had come off safe and sound. When the reading materials had been disposed of, the writing materials were noted down. There were pens and pencils, and ink and paper, and an almanack far 1880, which was at once handed over to Baxter for him to cancel each day as it elapsed.

"It was on the 10th of March," said he, "that we came ashore. Well, out goes the 10th of March and all the days before it."

In the strong box of the yacht there was from 150ƒ. in gold, which might come in useful if the boys reached some port from which they could get home.

Gordon took careful stock of the casks stowed in the