As soon as the day dawned, the spare sails were got out and bent on. Before long, the wind began to die down. We found it possible to increase our canvas and steer toward the place appointed for our meeting with the _Choising_. As we drew near to it, at about nine o'clock in the morning, the _Choising_ appeared in the distance. In the meantime, however, the wind had fallen off so completely that the _Ayesha_ could hardly make any headway at all. I therefore signaled the _Choising_ to take us in tow, and get in the lee of the nearest island. There we would find shelter from both wind and waves, and the transfer could be safely made. CHAPTER VIII _THE PASSING OF THE "AYESHA"_ While we were being towed by the _Choising_, we began to unrig the good old _Ayesha_. It saddened us to think that we would have to sink her, as there was no port to which we could take her. There was danger that she would be restored to her former owner if we took her to a Dutch port. This we wanted to prevent under any circumstances. All the provisions we still had on hand were placed on the upper deck, and our arms were taken there also. Trunks there were none to pack. The _Ayesha's_ figure-head, which represented the favorite wife of the prophet, was taken down, and the rudder wheel unscrewed; both were to be carried with us aboard the _Choising_, and kept as souvenirs. Soon we had reached the shelter of the small islands, the swell ceased, and it was possible to bring the _Ayesha_ alongside the steamer. Meanwhile, the _Ayesha's_ shrouds, the ropes which hold the masts, were cut, and all other ends and stays were either removed, or cut through. At the same time two holes were bored into the hold, and through these the ship began slowly to fill. Towards four o'clock in the afternoon the _Choising's_ engine was started up, and the _Ayesha_ was cut adrift. It appeared as though the little ship were loth to part from us, for, although our steamer was moving on, and no hawser was holding the _Ayesha_ to us, she kept alongside the _Choising_ for some time. And then, at last, as though she had found her own strength insufficient to keep up with us, the _Ayesha_ caught on to our ship, just behind the gangway ladder, carrying a part of it with her.