Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/95

Rh rose to 10°, a temperature that was supportable if the atmosphere was calm.

Donagan, Briant, Service, Wilcox, and Baxter decided to make an excursion to Schooner Bay. By starting early they could get back before night.

They wanted to replace the flag, of which only a few rags could remain after the storms of winter. And, at Briant's suggestion, they could fix to the signal-mast a plate indicating the position of French Den, in case any sailors landed on the coast after seeing the flag.

Gordon gave his assent to the expedition, although he laid stress on the necessity of their getting back before night, and the boys started early on the 19th, before it was daylight. The sky was clear, and the moon lighted up the landscape with the pale rays of its last quarter. Six miles to the bay was not much of a distance for the well-rested legs.

The distance was soon covered. The swamp of Bog Wood being frozen over, there was no need to go round it, and by nine o'clock Donagan and his comrades had reached the beach.

"There is a flock of birds," said Wilcox. And he pointed to the reef where thousands of birds, like large ducks, with their beaks elongated like a mussel-shell, were giving vent to a cry as piercing as disagreeable.

"You would say they were little soldiers, whose general was reviewing them," said Service.

"They are only penguins," answered Baxter, "and they are not worth a shot."

These stupid birds, holding themselves almost upright, owing to their feet being placed so far back, did not attempt to move, and could have been knocked down with a stick. Donagan might, perhaps, have indulged in useless carnage; but Briant, having had the wisdom to say nothing, the penguins were left alone. But if the birds were of no use, there were other animals whose fat would do for lighting French Den during the next winter. These were the seals, of the horn seal species, who were taking their ease on the