With the World's Great Travellers Volume I Part 19

They kindly offered to strip me and put on dry clothing; but I told them, if they would only work the boat farther from the sh.o.r.e, I would take care of myself. They pulled away, while I crawled forward, divested myself of my coat, and put on one belonging to one of the crew.

Conversation, which was attempted, was impossible. It was one of the coldest days in a Patagonian winter. I was chilled through, and could only articulate, "I ca-n't ta-lk now; I'll ta-lk by a-nd by." Some liquor, bread, and tobacco, which had been put on board for my ransom, on supposition that this was what the signal meant, was produced for my refreshment. The sea was heavy, with a strong head-wind, so that, though the men toiled vigorously, our progress was slow. I was soon comfortably warmed by the stimulants provided, and offered to lend a hand at the oar, but the offer was declined. The shouts and screams of the Indians, which had followed me into the water, and rung hideously in my ears while struggling for life in the surf, were kept up till distance made them inaudible. Whether they found the watch, whose mysterious tick at once awed and delighted them, and restored it to its place of state in the chief's lodge, or whether it still lies rusting in the sands by the sea-sh.o.r.e, is a problem unsolved.

The boat at last grounded on the northern sh.o.r.e of the island. Mr. Hall, the gentleman who commanded the party, supported my tottering frame in landing, and, as we stepped upon the sh.o.r.e, welcomed me to their island.

I grasped his hand and stammered my thanks for this deliverance, and lifted a tearful eye to heaven in silent grat.i.tude to G.o.d. I was then pointed to a cabin near by, where a comfortable fire was ready for me.

"Now," I heard Mr. Hall say, "let us fire a salute of welcome to the stranger. Make ready! Present! Fire!" Off went all their muskets, and a very cordial salute it appeared to be.