Читать книгу Pitcairn's Island. Sea Adventure Novel онлайн

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The sun was setting as he came on board the Bounty; he ordered the anchor up and the sails loosed to stand off to windward for the night.

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At dawn the following morning the island bore north, distant about three leagues. Close-hauled, on the larboard tack, the ship slid smoothly through the calm sea, and toward seven o’clock she passed the southeastern extremity of the island. About half a mile to the northwest, after rounding this point, was the shallow indentation where the Bounty had been anchored the previous day. Sounding continuously, with lookouts aloft and in the bows, she approached the land and again came to anchor half a mile from the beach, in seventeen fathoms.

Christian and Young stood together on the quarter-deck while the sails were clewed up and furled. With his spyglass Christian examined the foreshore carefully. Presently he turned to his companion.

“I shall be on shore the greater part of the day,” he said. “In case of any change in the weather, heave short and be ready to stand off.”