Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/81

Rh The waves broke angrily on the beach, and assuredly a fishing-boat would have sought to cross it in vain. The yawl had been dragged ashore, to save its being washed away. At times the waters of the stream were held back by the wind, and overflowed the banks. Fortunately neither the store-room nor the hall was directly exposed to the fury of the gale, which blew from the west; and the stoves and cooking-apparatus worked admirably, being fed with dry wood, of which ample provision had been gathered.

It was a great triumph to get everything saved from the schooner under cover. The weather could not now damage the provisions. Gordon and his comrades, now imprisoned for the winter, had time to make themselves comfortable. They had enlarged the passage and dug out two deep side-chambers, one of which closed with a door, and was reserved for the ammunition, so as to avoid any danger of an explosion. Although the gunners could not get away from the neighbourhood of French Den, yet there were enough birds close handy which filled Moko's larder, although he did not always manage to cook them so as to get rid of their marshy taste.

When things were fairly in order Gordon proposed drawing up a programme to which all would have to submit when it had been approved by all. How long was their stay to be on this island? When they came to leave it, would it not be a satisfaction to think that the time had not been wasted. With the books from the schooner's library the bigger boys could increase their knowledge at the same time as they taught the younger ones. An excellent task, which would usefully and agreeably occupy the long hours of winter!

However, before the programme was finished, another measure was adopted, under the following circumstances.

On the night of June 10th, after supper, all were in the hall, seated round the stove, when conversation turned on the chance that offered to give names to the chief portions of the island.