Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/60



reception the explorers met with can be imagined. Gordon, Cross, Baxter, Garnett and Webb, clasped them in their arms, while the little ones threw their arms around their necks and shouted for joy. Fan took part in the rejoicing, and barked as loudly as the youngsters cheered. It seemed so long since Briant and his companions had gone away.

"Were they lost? Had they fallen among savages? Had they been attacked by cannibals?" Such were the questions those who remained behind had asked themselves.

But Briant, Donagan, Wilcox, and Service had come back again to tell them the story of their expedition. As, however, they were very tired after their long day's work, the story was postponed till the morning.

"We are on an island!"

That was all Briant said, and that was enough to reveal the troubles in store for them, although Gordon received the news without betraying much discouragement.

"Good! I'll wait," he seemed to say to himself, "and not trouble myself about it till it comes."

Next morning—the 5th of April—Gordon, Briant,