Part 23 (1/2)
”That I will, with all entlemen are likely to allow the the officers on their guard”
”They can't protect us; and the men, if they find themselves even suspected, will certainly think that we informed on them”
Whenever we had the opportunity, Mark and I discussed our plans for escaping As far as we could judge, the officers and passengers were at their ease, and didn't act as if they thought anycold, the passengers had an excuse for co on deck in their cloaks; and one day, when Mr Fraser's blew aside, I observed that he had a brace of pistols in his belt They also brought their rifles on deck, and a birds, sometimes at porpoises, sharks, and other uessed at last, by the looks of the uard Even the third mate didn't coht, as very unusual, there were two officers on deck at a tireatly delayed us for several days No observations were taken
Oneland was discovered on the weather bohich, the captain said, was the coast of South A shore in order to pass between the Falkland Islands and the main land; but at noon, when a meridian observation had been obtained, he found that what he had at first supposed to be the main land was in reality the Falkland Islands We had for , while the current had set us out of our course As we had not taken a full supply of water on board at Rio, and, owing to the bursting of the butt, which had frightened me so much, we had less on board than usual, the captain steered for one of the islands, where he knew that it could be obtained
We came to an anchor about half a mile from the shore just at sunset
As it would take the crew the whole day to get water, which had to be rolled down in sers expressed their intention ofexcursion on shore to kill some wild cattle--of which there are nuht fall in with As the captain had no objection to having a supply of beef without cost to hi to take them on shore They asked for one or two of the men to carry the meat The captain said that they could not be spared, but finally told them that they could take Mark and me, as ere of little use on board
”Nohispered Mark, ”is our opportunity If there are cattle, we shall have some meat to live on; and I propose that we hide ourselves away, so that when the gentle”
The captain, ere sure, would not take the trouble to look for us I agreed, provided that from the appearance of the island we should have the chance of obtaining food and shelter; if not, we ht die of starvation, and it would be better to endure our er we ran of our lives, for a short tier than to do that
”Well, as to that we must see about it,” answered Mark
Soon after, our watch being over, we turned into our respective bunks
I didn't feel altogether coht do to us For some time I lay awake, for I wanted to be on the watch, lest any trick should be atteth dropped off to sleep As ere in harbour, only an anchor watch was kept, and I was allowed to have ht's rest out, fro soentleo in the boat
Sufficient provisions for the party were put into the boat; and the gentle their rifles and pistols with them, and with their swords at their sides, we shoved off, the boat being partly laden with empty water-casks As there was not rooentlemen, when Mr Fraser talked in a friendly way to Mark and ht to myself at theto do in putting the gentleuard” I answered Mr Fraser, however, and he went on talking to me We landed not far froentleuns, divided the provisions between themselves and us, and we set off towards the interior of the island, where we hoped toattractive in its appearance Here and there were low scrubby woods, and the country generally was covered with thick patches of tussack grass, which, at a distance, gave it the appearance of being green and fertile Between the patches, the soil was dry and sandy, so that it cost us ue to make our way over it
We had seen plenty of wild cattle, but the gentle any They winded us on all occasions on our approach, and scaentle in set nearer to the creatures Mr Fraser invited Mark to go with hiether Before starting they deposited their provisions inside of a hollow in a high bank, which, froreed to return to dinner If any one of the party killed an animal, he was to suentlemen was to kill as many animals as they could; for, as the weather was cool, it was hoped that the meat would last until ell round Cape Horn The island was of good size, but still there did not appear to beour way Mr Fraser, as the o to the further end of the island and work his way back; that he was determined to kill some birds, if he couldn't knock over a cow
”Remember,” whispered Mark to me, ”that I shall slip away; and you do the sareed Mr McTavish and I went away to the right We had been looking out for cattle for some time e heard two shots, and fro by a couple of cattle they had shot
”Coh we cannot boast of killing a beast ourselves, we ood opportunity to escape, and while he went down one side of the hill I proposed running down the other I was just going when he caught sight ofto?” he cried out; and he caup with me, he inquired, ”What ” He spoke very kindly
At last I confessed that I had determined to run away from the shi+p in consequence of the ill-treatment I had received
”You would have been starved to death in the midst of plenty,” he said in a kind tone ”Had the island been fertile, and you could have supported yourself, I, for one, would never have hindered you, for I have observed the way the officers and men behave to you But for the future I think we can prevent that I have a notion that e our lives to you and your , and don't again attempt to run away”
He spoke so kindly that at last I pro that Mr Fraser would also have prevented Mark fro hientlemen fired several shots to attract Mr Fraser's attention, but none were heard in return
They, in the meantime, cut up the anier under The rest they covered up closely with the hides so as to keep the flies off, proposing to send some of the men for it With our loads we returned to the place where we had left our dinner As ere all very hungry we didn't wait for Mr Fraser, but set to at once, expecting that he and Mark would appear before we had finished We waited, however, for so their pipes to enjoy a s companion of yours has bolted, and that Fraser is delayed by looking for hier if we're to save the flesh,” said Mr McDonald ”Fraser knohat he's about; he will easily -place in the , and we must send a boat on shore for hireed to this proposal; and, leaving the remainder of our provisions for Mr Fraser and Mark, we set off It was alan to fear that the creould have taken the opportunity of attacking the officers--perhaps would have got the shi+p under weigh, and left us to our fate I didn't, however, reatly relieved when I loom the shi+p at anchor, and soon after, the boat close to the beach
Old Growles answered Mr McDonald's hail I observed that my companions had examined their pistols and reloaded their rifles, so that they would be on their guard should any treachery be atteentlemen in a somewhat surly way, and inquired why Mr Fraser had not returned
Mr McDonald replied, that we had waited for him, and that he had not appeared; but they expected that he would turn up on the beach on the followingin search of hifleet ”We have got all the water we require on board to-night If passengers choose to go on shore and not return at the time they are told to do, they hland blood was up in a reat mistake if you suppose that ill allow our friend to be deserted We intend to go on shore to- to take two or three of your men with us, to ascertain what has beco companion,” he exclaimed