Pencroft did not intend to let the raft go away in the current without guidance, neither did he mean to embark on it himself to steer it.

But a sailor is never at a loss when there is a question of cables or ropes, and Pencroft rapidly twisted a cord, a few fathoms long, made of dry creepers.

This vegetable cable was fastened to the after-part of the raft, and the sailor held it in his hand while Herbert, pushing off the raft with a long pole, kept it in the current.

This succeeded capitally.

The enormous load of wood drifted down the current.