Viewing page 14 of 100

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

22
the winch and also [[strikethrough]] ta [[/strikethrough]] reversed the engine. These methods have proved of no avail yesterday. The [[red underline]] white sticky mud [[/red underline]] in which the stern and keel of the boat is wedged [[red underline]] keeps the Cygnet as tanglefoot keeps a fly. [[/red underline]] A storm or an unusual tide may set us afloat, but it may take several days before this happens and in the meantime we are miles from land and far away from help. But we are [[red underline]] well stocked with provisions [[/red underline]] and can get along for another week if necessary  Then with the dinghy unless the weather is too rough we can keep in touch with land.
[[end page]]
[[start page]]
23
Our greatest misfortune would be to lose our oars and it [[red underline]] makes me shiver when sometimes one of the oars nearly falls overboard! [[/red underline]] We try again the old tactics, [[red underline]] kedge from the rear [[/red underline]] and reverse engine  I mark the edge of the stern by means of a pole which I plant in the white mud, but the boat does not seem to budge.
Then all at once when we least expect it, she shot backwards and we were running to throw the engine clutch out so as to stop the boat and we were [[red underline]] afloat - afloat at last! What a joy and we shall be able to go to Miami [[/red underline]]