Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/68

 " Why not?" asked Gordon.

"Because the day after to-morrow is new moon, and the tides will be higher for a few days after that. The higher they are, the easier we shall get up the river. Just think what a fix we shall be in if we have to tow this heavy raft or pole it up! We could never dp it against the current!"

"You are right," said Gordon. "We must be off in three days at the latest." And all agreed to take no rest until the work was finished.

On the 3rd of May they began to load the raft, being careful to trim it so as to keep it level. Every one was occupied in this work according to his strength. Jenkins, Iverson, Dole, and Costar took charge of the lighter things, the tools, and instruments, and laid them on the deck, where Briant and Baxter stored them under Gordon's directions. The bigger boys busied themselves about the heavier things, such as the stove, the water-tanks, the windlass, the iron-work, the sheathing, &c, the rest of the timbers of the schooner, the ribs, the planking, the deck-rails, etc. In the same way were brought on board the bales of provisions, the casks of wine, ale, and spirits, not forgetting several sacks of salt that had been found among the rocks. To assist in the loading, Baxter had erected two spars which were kept in position by means of four stays. To the end of this crab was fastened a tackle working round one of the yacht's launches, so that the things could be lifted off the ground and laid on the deck gently and quietly.

All went on with so much care that in the afternoon of the 5th of May everything was in its place on board, and nothing remained but to cast off the raft's moorings. That would be done next morning about eight o'clock, when the tide began to rise at the mouth of the stream. The boys doubtless imagined that their task being over they were to spend the rest of the day in taking things easy. They were destined to be disappointed,