Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/72

 round in returning to the wreck. Advantage was taken of the halt to explore the part adjoining the river. For a mile and a half Moko, Donagan, and Wilcox in the yawl rowed away to the north, and stopped only when the water became too shallow. The swamp was a part of the marsh, which extended along the left bank. It seemed very rich in water-fowl, and Donagan was able to shoot a few snipe to add to the bustards and tinamous in the larder on board.

The night was very still and cold, with a quiet biting breeze that almost died away as it crossed the river-valley. Ice was formed in the stream, but only in thin flakes, which broke or melted at the least shock. In spite of every effort to keep warm, no one was comfortable on the raft. Among the youngsters, Jenkins and Iverson were in a very bad humour, and complained bitterly at having had to leave the schooner; and Briant had to take them in hand and talk them to sleep.

At length, in the afternoon of the next day, with the aid of the tide, which lasted till half-past three in the afternoon, the raft arrived in sight of the lake, and was run aground in front of the entrance to French Den.