CHAPTER X.
THE FOUR DAYS WHICH FOLLOW.
Dick Sand was then captain of the "Pilgrim," and, without losing an instant, he took the necessary measures for putting the ship under full sail.
It was well understood that the passengers could have only one hope--that of reaching some part of the American coast, if not Valparaiso.

What Dick Sand counted on doing was to ascertain the direction and speed of the "Pilgrim," so as to get an average.

For that, it was sufficient to make each day on the chart the way made, as it has been said, by the log and the compass.

There was then on board one of those "patent logs," with an index and helix, which give the speed very exactly for a fixed time.

This useful instrument, very easily handled, could render the most useful services, and the blacks were perfectly adapted to work it.
A single cause of error would interfere--the currents.