We
remembered that knives and forks and spoons were necessary, we
therefore laid in a large stock of them, and kitchen utensils of all
sorts.
Exploring the captain's cabin, we discovered a service of silver-plate
and a cellaret of good old wine; we then went over the stores, and
supplied ourselves with potted meats, portable soups, Westphalian hams,
sausages, a bag of maize and wheat, and a quantity of other seeds and
vegetables. I then added a barrel of sulphur for matches, and as much
string, cordage, and sailcloth as I could find.
Fritz reminded me that sleeping on the ground, even with the leaves and
moss the boys had collected, had been both cold and hard, and prevailed
upon me to increase our cargo by some hammocks and blankets.
All this--with nails, tools and agricultural implements--completed our
cargo, and sank our boat so low, that I should have been obliged to
lighten her had not the sea been calm.
Night drew on and a large fire, lighted by those on shore, showed us
that all was well. We replied by hoisting four ship's lanterns, and two
shots announced us that our signal was perceived.
The ship seemed to be in so wretched a condition that the least
tempest, such as might arise unexpectedly during the night, must
complete her destructions.
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