SEARCHING FOR WRECK. Ill 



results of the search, but it was not until the next day that we learned 

 the truth. Meanwhile, several parties, also much excited over the 

 news, called upon us in the evening, they also eager to be off. We 

 fed and housed them for the night, and with them indulged in all 

 kinds of speculations as to the probabilities and possibilities of the 

 case. As yet none of us knew the real state of affairs outside, but 

 that there must have been a shipwreck, no one seemed to deny. 

 Then came the questions : Where was it ? How was it ? When 

 was it? 



As each of these questions was discussed separately by all parties 

 present, it was some time before they were disposed of; when they 

 were, we varied the conversation with queries as to the size of the ship 

 and nature of her cargo. Of course all united in the hope that she 

 might be a large vessel, and laden with provisions, as that is the 

 thing most needed here ; but we could hardly hope that the real- 

 ity would equal our hopes and expectations, and it was finally agreed 

 that should the cargo of the supposed ship, that we felt sure had 

 been wrecked, prove to be lumber, we should be equally satisfied. 



The party that had just gone from the house proposed staying over 

 night at a neighboring island, and to proceed along the coast of the 

 various islands and mainland the next morning hoping to make 

 discoveries ; the party that had just arrived, too late to accompany 

 the first, seemed unsettled as to what to do. In fact they were so 

 wrought with excitement that they seemed ready for almost any- 

 thing. Although it was already night when they arrived, some 

 proposed rowing at once to the island, where the first party had 

 gone, a distance of four miles, at least, and with them, starting 

 off the next morning. We easily dissuaded them, from such 

 an attempt, however, and talking over the outlook of the case 

 we passed away the time until slumber called us all to its em- 

 brace. The next morning we waited patiently for our party to 

 return (as our friends of last night had left early) and reheve our 

 suspense, for we too shared a feeling of anxiety as to the result ; 

 but it was afternoon before the boat returned, and not until then 

 that our desires were at least partially gratified. The relics brought 



