NAVIGATION OK THE R1\ER LKONA 



197 



I have mentioned in an earlier chapter the boat which Dr. 

 Moreno had durino- his last expedition in the year 1897 brought, 

 at much cost and labour, to Lake X'iedma. There lay our 

 hope. It was a steam-launch, and the Argentine Commission had 



i 





\ 



Till; LAUNCH 

 WITH MK. CATTI.l': AND KKRNARDO ON HOARD 



packed her up carefully and snugi\- on tlic shore ; Ijul, akhough 

 we knew nothing ol her prcsciu condition, we were aware that the 

 chances against her remaining undisturl)ed lor that period of time 

 were small, as Lake Viedma is not ditiicult of access, and in all 

 probability wandering l)ands ot Indians or Ciauchos had got at the 

 boat, stripped off her covering of canxas, and looted such of her 

 contents as seemed to possess an\ \ alue in their eyes. 



However that might be, this launch apj)earcd to be our only 

 rrsource, and I was lucky indeed to ha\'e been given leaxc lo use 

 her if necessary On my speaking to Cattle on the matter, he was 

 kind enougli to offer to accoinj)an\' me. laii'burN' possessed a 

 trood knowled':{e ot en<>ineerini>'. which would be of in\'alual)lc 



