TO BIRD ROCK IN AN OPEN BOAT i6i 
The keeper from above was lowering the cable by the steam 
winch. Meanwhile the seas were battering the stern and 
combing over on deck, filling her with water. With despera¬ 
tion we were all scurrying in the darkness to get our stuff out 
before it would be soaked, and to throw overboard the rock 
GANNET RETURNING HOME 
ballast. We were wet, but what matter; everything was landed. 
No, who has seen my carrying-case and plate-holders? 
Horrors! One of the partv is fishing them out of the water, 
and emptying out the brine in quarts. Somehow in the ex¬ 
citement they have been left in the stern, and the surf has 
done the rest. Perhaps it is all up with my photography! 
