My life : a record of events and opinions - Wallace-online.org

IN THE AMAZON VALLEY 155our boats had we not kept a constant look-out tokeep clear of them. We remained near the ship allnight, in order that we might have the benefitof itsflames attracting any vessel that might pass withinsight of it." It now presented a magnificent and awful sightas it rolled over, looking like a huge caldron of fire,the whole cargo of rubber, etc., forming a liquidburning mass at the bottom. In the morning ourlittle masts and sails were got up, and we bade adieuto the Helen, now burnt down to the water's edge,and proceeded with a light east wind towards theBermudas, the nearest land, but which were morethan seven hundred miles from us. As we werenearly in the track of West Indian vessels, weexpected to fall in with some ship in a few days." I cannot attempt to describe my feelings andthoughts during these events. I was surprised tofind myself very cool and collected. I hardly thoughtitpossible we should escape, and I remember thinkingit almost foolish to save my watch and the little moneyI had at hand. However, after being in the boatssome days I began to have more hope, and regrettednot having saved some new shoes, cloth coat andtrousers, hat, etc., which I might have done with alittle trouble. My collections, however, were in thehold, and were irretrievably lost. And now I beganto think that almost all the reward of my four yearsof privation and danger was lost. What I had hithertosent home had little more than paid my expenses, andwhat I had with me in the Helen I estimated wouldhave realized about ;;^500. But even all this mighthave gone with little regret had not by far the richestpart of my own private collection gone also.All myprivate collection of insects and birds since I left