Page:The Wreck of a World - Grove - 1890.djvu/164

148 Aurelia, on a grand voyage of discovery. He took with him some thirty of his old crew, and about a hundred of our youngsters, who were anxious to see the world, and set out to discover Europe, as Columbus started to discover America. He was to visit England, Germany, the Mediterranean, and see if in any of these quarters there were relics left of the human race. If he should find Europe deserted he was to proceed to Africa, Asia, Australia,—every part of the globe if he pleased, to find whether the earth was wholly depopulated or no. I set no limit of time or place to his voyage, and did not expect to see him or his crew again at the earliest for some years.

Busy indeed were the preparations for this expedition. Dana showed his excellent power of organizing and admirable tact in the multifarious duties that fell to his lot. At last all was ready, and one beautiful summer's evening we all proceeded to the water's edge to bid farewell to our parting lads. We were sending our best and bravest, as in all time our race has sent them over seas, knowing that some would never return to us again, and that of ourselves who remained at home those who did return would find many