Adrift in Pacific and Other Great Adventures – 17 Titles in One Volume (Illustrated Edition). Jules Verne
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had seen the election of his rival.
More jealous and irritable than ever, it was with the greatest difficulty he submitted to the orders of the new chief of Charman Island. That he did not resist openly was because the majority would not support him; but on many occasions he had showed such ill-will that Briant had found it his duty to remonstrate with him. Since a skating party, when his disobedience had been so flagrant, his insubordination had gone on increasing, and the time had come when Briant would be obliged to punish him.
Gordon was very uneasy at this state of things, and had made Briant promise that he would restrain himself. But the latter felt that his patience was at an end, and that for the common interest in the preservation of order an example had become necessary. In vain Gordon had tried to bring back Donagan to a sense of his position. If he had had any influence over him in the past, he now found it had entirely disappeared. Donagan would not forgive him for having so often sided with his rival, and his efforts for peace being in vain, he saw with regret the troubles that were coming.
From this state of things it resulted that the harmony so necessary to the peace of French Den was destroyed. Life in common became very uncomfortable. Except at meal-times Donagan and his three friends lived apart. When bad weather kept them indoors they would gather together in a corner of the hall, and there hold whispered conversations.
" Most certainly," said Briant to Gordon one day, " those three are plotting something."
" Not against you, Briant," said Gordon. " Donagan dare not try to take your place. We are all on your side, and he knows it."
" Perhaps they are thinking of separating from us ? "
" That is more likely, and I do not see that we have the right to prevent them."
" But to go and set up—"
" They may not be going to do so."
" But they are! I saw Wilcox making a copy of Baudoin's map, and—"
" Did Wilcox do that ? "
" Yes; and really I think it would be better for me to put an end to all this by resigning in your favour, or perhaps in Donagan's. That would cut short all this rivalry."
" No, Briant," said Gordon decidedly, " you would fail in your duty towards those who have elected you."
Amid these discussions the winter came to an end. With the first days of October the cold definitely disappeared, and the surface of the lake and river became free from ice. And on the evening of the 9th of the month Donagan announced the resolve of himself and Webb, Cross, and Wilcox to leave French Den.
" You wish to abandon us ? " said Gordon.
" To abandon you ? No, Gordon ! " said Donagan. " Only Cross, Wilcox, Webb, and I have agreed to move to another part of the island."
" And for what reason ? " asked Baxter.
" Simply because we want to live as we please, and I tell you frankly because it does not suit us to take orders from Briant."
" What have you to complain of about me ? " said Briant.
" Nothing—except your being at our head," said Donagan. " We had a Yankee as chief of the colony— now it is a French fellow who is in command! Next time I suppose we shall have a nigger fellow, Moko for instance—"
" Do you mean that ? " asked Gordon.
" I do," said Donagan," and neither I nor my friends care to serve under any but one of our own race."
" Very well," said Briant, " Wilcox, Webb, Cross, and you, Donagan, are quite at liberty to go, and take away your share of the things."
" We never supposed otherwise, Briant; and tomorrow we will clear out of French Den."
" And may you never have cause to repent of your determination," said Gordon, who saw that reasoning would be in vain.
Donagan's plan was as follows. When Briant had told the story of his expedition across the lake he had stated that the little colony could take up their quarters on the eastern side of the island under very favourable conditions. Among the rocks on the shore were many caves, the river yielded fresh water in abundance. The forest extended to the beach, there was game furred and feathered in abundance, and life would be as easy there as at French Den, and much easier than at Schooner Bay. Besides, the distance between French Den and the coast was only a dozen miles, of which six were across the lake and six down the East River, so that in case of necessity communication was not difficult.
But it was not by water that Donagan proposed to reach Deception Bay. His plan was to coast along Family Lake to its southern point, and then follow the bank to East River, exploring a country up to then unknown. This was a longish journey—fifteen or sixteen miles—but he and his friends would treat the trip as a sporting expedition and get some shooting as they went. Donagan had thus no need of the yawl, and contented himself with the Halkett boat, which would suffice for the passage of East River and any other stream she might meet with.
As this expedition had for its object only the exploration of Deception Bay, with a view of selecting a permanent dwelling, Donagan took no more baggage with him than he could help. Two guns, four revolvers, two axes, sufficient ammunition, a few fishing lines, some travelling-rugs, one of the pocket compasses, the India-rubber boat, and a few preserves, formed the outfit.
The expedition was expected to last about a week, and when they had selected their future home, Donagan and his friends would return to French Den and take away on the chariot their share of the articles saved from the wreck of the schooner. If Gordon or any of the rest came to visit them, they would be glad to see them, but to continue to live at French Den under the present state of things, they had no intention of doing, and nothing could shake their determination to set up a little colony of their own.
At sunrise the four took leave of their comrades, who were very sorry to see them go, and, maybe, Donagan and his friends were not unmoved.
They were taken across Zealand River in the yawl by Moko, and then leisurely walked off along the shore of Family Lake by the edge of the wide-stretching South Moors.
A few birds were killed as they went along by the side of the marsh, but Donagan, knowing he must be careful of his ammunition, contented himself with only shooting enough for the day's rations. That day the boys accomplished between five and six miles, and about five o'clock in the evening, arriving at the end of the lake, they camped for the night.
The night was cold, but the fire kept them comfortable and all four were awake at the dawn. The southern extremity of Family Lake was an acute angle formed by two high banks, the right of which ran due north. On the east the country was still marshy, but the ground was a few feet above the level of the lake, so that it was not flooded. Here and there a few knolls dotted with undersized trees broke the sameness of the green expanse. As the country consisted chiefly of sandhills Donagan gave it the name of Dune Lands; and not wishing to plunge too far into the unknown, he decided to keep to the lake shore, and leave further exploration for a future time.
" If," said he, " the map is right, we shall find East River about seven miles from here, and we can easily do that before night."
" Why not strike off to the north-east, so as to get to the mouth of the river direct ? " asked Wilcox.
" That would save us a third of the way," said Webb.
" So it would," said Donagan, " but why should we venture across this marshy country, which we do not know, and run the risk of having to come back here ?
If we keep along the shore of the lake, there is much less chance of our meeting with an obstacle."
" And then," added Cross, " it is important that we should explore the course of East River."
" Evidently," said Donagan, " for the stream gives us direct communication between the coast and Family Lake. Besides, as we go down it, we can explore the forest on either side."
This point being decided, they set off at a good pace. There was a narrow path some three or four feet above the level of