been left by a
party who had been there for the purpose of catching whales, but for
some reason or other had gone without having had time to remove them.
He considered that they could be quickly repaired. He accordingly,
accompanied by the carpenter's crew, returned on shore, and soon after
mid-day, he and the men sent to assist him brought them off. They were
soon loaded and on their way back to the shore. Not a moment was lost.
The marines were at once landed to help unload the boats and carry the
cargoes to the spot selected for the proposed encampment on the right
side of the entrance, where there was a level space of some size at no
great distance above the water. Desmond's companion, Rip Van Winkle,
had, in the mean time, brought in a couple of goats, which he had killed
and prepared for the refreshment of the boats' crews. No one, however,
had time to do more than "fist" a piece and run back with it to the
boat.

Not until it became too dark to see the entrance did the boats cease
plying backwards and forwards, and even then the crew on board were
engaged in hoisting up articles of all sorts from the hold, to be
discharged at daybreak. The night was calm, and every hope was
entertained that the next day a large portion of stores and provisions
might be landed, as well as the ammunition and some of the guns. A
careful watch was kept, but the greater portion of the officers and crew
turned in to obtain that rest they so much needed. Those not actually
on the look-out were engaged in pumping as before, for although the
water ran in less furiously than at first, it would very soon otherwise
have gained its previous ascendancy. Strange that men should sleep so
soundly in a sinking ship, for sinking she was, slowly though gradually,
and any relaxation of the efforts necessary to keep her afloat would
have proved their doom. Several times during the night Captain Adair
turned out, too anxious to sleep soundly. As morning approached, he
feared, from the appearance of the sky, that the weather would change.
His nephew, who had slept on board, joined him.

"I don't think we need fear that as yet," he observed. "I've watched
the appearance of the weather ever since I landed, for every day I have
been on the look-out in the hopes of seeing a ship passing and being
able to attract her attention. Not long ago a vessel hove in sight, but
the weather came on very bad, and although she made an attempt to near
the