I saw there was much truth in this, especially as they did not expect us
to start until ten o'clock. So together we pulled out what seemed to be
the best boat, and a few minutes later we were rocking on the heaving
waves.
It was, perhaps, a foolish adventure. As all the world knows, there are
no wilder seas than those off Land's End. Here two mighty currents meet,
and often when the waters are smooth elsewhere they are wild and
troubled here. Besides, to undertake a long journey of more than thirty
miles in the open sea in a rowing-boat, and to visit a group of islands
noted for the treachery of their coasts, seemed harebrained and
senseless, especially so when we were watched by people who were, as I
judged, far from friendly toward us. And yet this fact added zest to the
adventure; it made me feel that I was not chasing a phantom, else why
should precautions be taken to hinder us, why were we the objects of so
much suspicion?
Nothing happened to us during our sail across the waters, and yet more
than once I almost regretted undertaking the journey in such a way, for
with the rising of the moon came also the turbulence of the waves.
Indeed, when we had accomplished only half our journey I feared we
should never reach the Scilly Isles at all. Our boat was tossed on the
waves like a cork, and so rough was the sea that I was almost unable to
row. Matters became better presently, however, and as morning came on I
was able to hoist our little sail, and thus the latter part of our
journey was far more pleasant than the first.
As soon as daylight came we looked eagerly to see if we were followed,
but a light mist had fallen upon the sea, and thus all vision was
obscured. Still I imagined that we were safe, and I eagerly made plans
whereby we should visit Annette Island, and formed many a wild
conjecture as to what the treasure would be.
It was not without considerable difficulty that we effected a landing.
At first I determined to make straight for the place we had come to
seek, but presently I felt hungry, which led me to remember that we had
no food on board, and that we should surely need some before we reached
the object of our search. So after much haggling with Eli, we at length
decided to land at St. Mary's, where there was a safe harbour, which we
did after much hard struggling. Indeed, so much had the journey
fatigued us that, supposing that we found what we desired, I almost
despaired of ever taking it to the mainland, unless the sea were much
becalmed. Still I imagined that we might on returning commence our
journey in the morning, and if the wind were favourable accomplish a
great part of the distance before the night came on.
Our appearance at Hugh Town, St. Mary's, seemed to call forth no special
comment. Accustomed as were the islanders to all sorts of sea
excursions, they apparently regarded our voyage as natural. At the same
time they were curious as to our visit, and in a kindly way asked our
business.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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