That she did not get
a tow from the steamer was from no lack of funds to pay the bill; for
the owner, lately heir to a few hundred pounds, had the money with
him. The proposed voyage to New Guinea was to look that island over
with a view to its purchase. It was about eighteen days before I heard
of the _Akbar_ again, which was on the 31st of May, when I reached
Cooktown, on the Endeavor River, where I found this news:
May 31, the yacht _Akbar,_ from Sydney for New Guinea, three hands on
board, lost at Crescent Head; the crew saved.
So it took them several days to lose the yacht, after all.
After speaking the distressed _Akbar_ and the _Sherman_, the voyage
for many days was uneventful save in the pleasant incident on May 16
of a chat by signal with the people on South Solitary Island, a dreary
stone heap in the ocean just off the coast of New South Wales, in
latitude 30 degrees 12' south.
"What vessel is that?" they asked, as the sloop came abreast of their
island. For answer I tried them with the Stars and Stripes at the
peak. Down came their signals at once, and up went the British ensign
instead, which they dipped heartily. I understood from this that they
made out my vessel and knew all about her, for they asked no more
questions. They didn't even ask if the "voyage would pay," but they
threw out this friendly message, "Wishing you a pleasant voyage,"
which at that very moment I was having.
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