# XXI: We Abandon the Search explained — The Cruise of the Alerte

> Chapter companion for The Cruise of the Alerte by E. F. Knight.

## What happens

After a thorough exploration of the ravine, the crew concludes that the treasure is not to be found. Despite initial plans to continue digging, worsening surf and the onset of the bad season force them to abandon the search. They retrieve all stores and tools from the island, break up their rotten dinghy for firewood, and set sail for Trinidad in the West Indies, leaving behind only broken relics and Powell's disabled armchair.

## Themes in this chapter

### Perseverance and Disappointment

The crew works hard for three months, only to conclude the treasure is not there; they bear their disappointment with philosophic cheeriness.

### Danger and Risk

The increasing surf makes landing perilous, with boats capsizing and men swimming through breakers, ultimately forcing the abandonment of the search.

### Seamanship and Preparation

The crew uses lines, bamboo rafts, and careful timing to retrieve stores; the narrator explains the favorable currents and winds for the voyage to the West Indies.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

Returns to the island after 48 days, surveys the abandoned camp, and makes the final decision to abandon the search.

### The Doctor

Led the shore party during the narrator's absence, organized operations, and kept spirits high despite the disappointment.

### John Wright

Stays on board with the narrator to work the vessel during the final retrieval of stores.

### John Joseph Marshall

Left alone in camp and expresses fear of ghosts; the crew takes compassion on him and does not leave him alone overnight.

### Mr. Pollock

Swims ashore to keep Joe company after the boat capsizes.

### Master Jacko

Brought off from the island along with the condensing apparatus.

## Key lines

> The five men I had left on the island had certainly done their work well. The doctor had made an excellent leader, and had organised all the operations capitally.

The shore party, led by the doctor, worked efficiently and harmoniously despite the trying conditions.

_Highlights the doctor's leadership and the crew's cooperation._

> It was, obviously, quite useless to persevere any further in this vain search, especially as the difficulties of landing had so increased of late that our operations could only be conducted at a great risk to life.

The combination of fruitless digging and dangerous surf made continuing the search pointless and unsafe.

_Summarizes the rationale for abandoning the expedition._

> We bade farewell to Trinidad, the foresail was allowed to draw, and we sailed away.

After a final tot of rum, the crew set sail from the island, leaving behind their failed treasure hunt.

_Marks the emotional departure from the island._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cruise_of_the_alerte_se/chapters/xxi-we-abandon-the-search
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cruise_of_the_alerte_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cruise_of_the_alerte_se/chapters