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{ 149 s a i n t m a r t i n a n d s a i n t B a r t H é l e m y However, the emancipation of blacks, proclaimed in 1862, produced the first difficulties that the colonial authorities had to suppress by force. The freed slaves, newly emancipated, complained that the promises that had been made to them were not being kept: among others, the distribution of a certain quantity of land to give them property. This resulted first in protests that did not produce any outcome and, later, an insurrection of blacks who set fires on several parts of the island. When the Alert arrived at the port of Christiansted, the relationship between the colonists and the freed slaves had still not been definitively settled. Nevertheless, the island experienced complete tranquility and the tourists were never disturbed during their excursions. A year later, they would have arrived in the middle of riots so serious that Axel Wickborn’s native city would be burned by the blacks. It must also be noted that, in addition, for seven or eight years now, the population of Saint Croix had been decreasing, at this time by a fifth, due to continuous emigration. During the stopover, the Danish governor, who resides alternatively six months in Saint Thomas and six months in Saint Croix, was staying in Saint John, where they feared trouble. He was thus unable to give the young Antilleans the same welcome that awaited them in the other Antilles . But he had recommended that every opportunity be given them for their exploration of the island, and his orders were carried out. So, before departing the island, a letter composed by Mr. Patterson in his best handwriting—a letter also signed by the nine laureates—was transmitted to His Excellency expressing their deepest gratitude. It was on August 1 that the Alert left the port of Christiansted. Then, once outside of the channel, with a light breeze astern, it steered a course to the east in the direction of Saint Martin. Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy By setting a course to the east, the Alert was now sailing toward the high seas. Indeed, Saint Martin and the Sombrero islands, Anguilla, Barbuda, and Antigua are the most extreme points of the Antillean chain in the northeast of the Windward Islands. After losing the natural windbreak that Saint Croix had provided, 15 P a r t i 150 } the three-masted schooner now encountered strong trade winds. It was necessary to tack over a rather rough sea. Notwithstanding, the Alert was able to maintain its mainsails, topsails, and topgallant sails. It had to tack frequently. Several times,Tony Renault and Magnus Anders had permission to be at the helm, which made them feel proud. The distance between Saint Croix and Saint Martin does not exceed 200 nautical miles. Under the most favorable conditions, a sailing ship can cross them in twenty-four hours, when it is under full sail. But against the wind, and running against the currents that spread toward the Gulf of Mexico, the voyage was stretched to three times longer. Moreover, the Alert had continually in plain sight numerous steamships or sailing vessels.This zone was highly traveled, and navigation between the islands is frequent from Saint Thomas all the way to Trinidad. As for Harry Markel, he did not abandon his habitual caution; he avoided passing within earshot or sight of those ships; he preferred to remain under the wind in order to avoid all communication with them. This caution met with great satisfaction among his crew. After having survived the stopovers in Saint Thomas and Saint Croix, wasn’t there good reason to think that it would be the same for the other islands? Thus John Carpenter, Corty, and the others had overcome their initial apprehensions, and the trust that their leader inspired in them seemed greater than ever. They were nevertheless impatient to finish with this exploration of the Antilles! Sailing against the wind and the sea, Mr. Patterson certainly felt some discomfort; but with the help of a cherry pit, he didn’t have too much cause to complain. What is more, during the months of July and August, they didn’t have to fear really bad weather—only some storms due to the high heat of the tropical zone. The climate in the Antilles is of a remarkable consistency and the changes in the thermometric column fluctuate only by...

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