he rest of the hands, under Polson and
Tudsbery, were going systematically to work upon the overhauling process
I set the cook and steward to work to take careful stock of the contents
of the lazarette, with the object of ensuring that there should be a
sufficiency of provisions to last us through the voyage. I also had the
water tanks emptied, and filled up with pure spring water. And while
all this was being done a strong gang was put to the task of bringing
down the sandalwood, loading it into the ship's boats, and bringing it
alongside, when it was carefully stowed in the hold, the object being to
so stow it as to make the ship receive the utmost possible quantity for
which she had capacity.

On the fourth day the overhaul of the ship was completed; and on the
morning of the fifth day I presented myself before the council, to hand
in my report and receive my full instructions. The report was a very
simple document, merely informing the council that the final overhaul
had been most carefully executed; that no defects of any description had
been discovered; that the supply of provisions in the lazarette had been
found to be sufficient for the proposed voyage; and that I was ready to
proceed to sea at a moment's notice. The report was received with a
formal expression of the council's satisfaction; and I was then informed
that as it was anticipated that the loading of the ship would be
completed on the morrow, I was to make every preparation for the sailing
of the ship on the day afterward, when the crew would be sent on board
immediately after breakfast, and when I was to present myself before the
council for my final instructions.

I left the apartment that had been dignified with the name of council
chamber exceedingly well satisfied with what had transpired, and
especially so at the information that the crew were not to join the ship
until the day of sailing. For this was precisely the point upon which I
had been experiencing a good deal of anxiety of late. For this reason.
I was most anxious that the ship should go to sea with her hatches on,
and the longboat at least properly stowed. But, on the other hand, I
greatly feared that when matters had reached this point the crew would
be ordered aboard, say on the evening of the day preceding the sailing
of the ship. And, if this should happen, my plan of making off with the
ship must almost inevitably fail, for it would be practically impossible
for Gurney an