The mist had faded away, and the snow
had ceased to fall. A fresh breeze from the low east brought a
faint glimmer of sunshine with it. But though I searched the
horizon, and the wide intervening space of sea, yet could I
discover nothing of the boat, and Fair Isle was nowhere to be seen.
Looking for that island--which I knew to be the nearest land--I
remembered the islanders and thought how little chance there now
remained of the Falcon rendering them assistance in their need of
provisions. I saw no possibility of reaching Fair Isle; for, as I
had seen it on the previous day, it appeared but a small rock; and
being out of all my reckoning, and, as I supposed, a considerable
distance to leeward, I did not think it wise to waste much time in
the vain effort to reach the island, the exact position of which I
was ignorant of. I might have beat about for two or three days,
perhaps, without sighting it, and yet I knew not what other land to
make for.
The wind, which was now blowing east-southeast, was unfavourable in
an attempt to make for the Orkneys. The only alternative that I
could see, therefore, was to head the schooner round on the port
tack and bear northward to the Shetlands.
I went below to look at the chart to determine my position and the
course I should take; and, to prepare myself for difficulties I
foresaw, I lighted a fire and made myself some coffee and cooked
some bacon for breakfast.
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