Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/66

 It was a heavy job, but in time it was done, though not without a good deal of fatigue. It was curious to see the boys all hanging on to a heavy piece of wood, hauling it along and encouraging each other with many a shout. The heavier timbers were rolled on bits of round wood and levered along by spars. The most difficult things to move were the windlass, the galley stove, and the iron tanks, which were of considerable weight. If the boys had only had some practical man to guide them t If Briant had had his father, Garnett his, the engineer and the captain would have saved them from many mistakes they committed, and would again commit. Baxter, who was very intelligent in mechanical matters, displayed much cleverness and seal; it was on his advice, with the agreement of Moko, that tackles were fixed to piles driven into the sand, and thereby tenfold strength given to the boys, so as to enable them to finish their task.

In short, on the evening of the 28th, all that remained of the schooner had been taken to the place of embarkation; and without doubt, the worst of the enterprise was over, for the river was to take the material up to French Den.

"To-morrow," said Gordon, "we will begin to build the raft."

"Yes," said Baxter; "and to save any trouble in launching it, I propose to build it in the river."

"That will not be easy," said Donagan.

"Never mind," answered Gordon, "we will try. If it gives us more trouble to get together, it will not trouble us to get it afloat."

There could be no doubt this was the best way; and next morning they began the framework of the raft, which was to be sufficiently large to receive a heavy and crowded cargo.

The beams from the schooner, the keel broken in two pieces, the foremast, what remained of the mainmast broken three feet above the deck, the rails, and the mid-ship beam, the bowsprit, the fore-yard, the