The Riddle of the Sands · Chapter
XI: The Pathfinders explained
Carruthers and Davies navigate their flotilla to the Elbe at Brunsbüttel, where Carruthers learns from an official that a lady inquired about the Dulcibella two days earlier, suggesting the Medusa is outward bound.
What happens
Carruthers and Davies navigate their flotilla to the Elbe at Brunsbüttel, where Carruthers learns from an official that a lady inquired about the Dulcibella two days earlier, suggesting the Medusa is outward bound. They part with Bartels and Karl, anchor in the Elbe, and Davies reveals the significance of the tidal sands and channels. They attempt to navigate Sticker's Gat, but the yacht grounds on a falling tide; Davies quickly kedges off. The chapter ends with Davies using a notebook, binoculars, and prismatic compass to map the channels, continuing their quest.
Themes in this chapter
Adventure and Self-Discovery
Carruthers and Davies venture into the treacherous tidal sands, testing their seamanship and deepening their commitment to the quest.
The Sea and Nature
The chapter vividly describes the Elbe's murky waters, tidal currents, and the dangerous submerged sands, emphasizing the sea's power and mystery.
Deception and Appearance
The mysterious lady's inquiry and the Medusa's outward-bound course hint at hidden motives and deceptive appearances.
Characters to notice
- Carruthers
Inquires about the lady who asked for the Dulcibella, relays the news to Davies, and assists with sailing and kedging.
- Arthur H. Davies
Leaves to fetch oil and bread, returns to navigate the flotilla, explains the shortcut and Sticker's Gat, and executes kedging-off after grounding.
- Bartels
Schiffer of the Johannes; parts ways with Carruthers and Davies at the Elbe.
- Karl Schicker
Works the windlass on the Johannes during the lock passage.
- Dollmann
Implied as the owner of the Medusa, which is outward bound; the lady inquirer may be connected to him.
- Fräulein Dollmann
Implied as the lady who inquired about the Dulcibella at Brunsbüttel, rowing alone in the rain.
Key passages
“An official in uniform was passing along the quay from vessel to vessel countersigning papers. I went up to meet him with our receipt for dues, which he signed carelessly. Then he paused and muttered “ Dooltzhibella ,” scratching his head, “that was the name. English?” he asked. “Yes.” “Little lust-cutter , that is so; there was an inquiry for you.” “Whom from?” “A friend of yours from a big barge-yacht.””
A uniformed official came along the quay signing documents. Carruthers approached him with their payment receipt, which the man signed without much attention. Then he stopped, scratched his head, and muttered 'Dulcibella.' He asked if it was English, and Carruthers confirmed. The official said a friend from a large barge-yacht had been asking about the little yacht.
Carruthers learns that someone from a large yacht inquired about the Dulcibella, sparking his curiosity.
““It was a lady who inquired,” whispered the fellow, sniggering. “Oh, really,” I said, beginning to feel highly absurd, but keenly curious. “And she inquired about the Dulcibella ?” “ Herrgott! she was difficult to satisfy! Stood over me while I searched the books. ‘A very little one,’ she kept saying, and ‘Are you sure all the names are here?’ I saw her into her kleine Boot , and she rowed away in the rain. No, she left no message. It was dirty weather for a young fräulein to be out alone in. Ach! she was safe enough, though. To see her crossing the ebb in a chop of tide was a treat.””
The official whispered that it was a lady who had asked, snickering. Carruthers felt foolish but intrigued. The official described how the young woman insisted he search the records thoroughly, then rowed away alone in the rain, handling the rough tide skillfully.
The lady's identity and her determined inquiry add an element of mystery and foreshadowing.
““Why, it’s all sand there now, and we’re under the lee of it,” said Davies, with an enthusiastic sweep of his hand over the sea on our left or port hand. “That’s our hunting ground.” “What are we going to do?” I inquired. “Pick up Sticker’s Gat,” was the reply. “It ought to be near Buoy K.””
Davies gestured excitedly to the port side, explaining that the area was now all sand and they were sheltered by it. He called it their hunting ground. When Carruthers asked what they would do, Davies said they would find Sticker's Gat, which should be near Buoy K.
Davies reveals the strategic importance of the tidal sands and their goal of navigating the shortcut.
““Two and a half—two—one and a half—one—only five feet,” I gasped, reproachfully. The water was growing thick and frothy. “It doesn’t matter if we do,” said Davies, thinking aloud. “There’s an eddy here, and it’s a pity to waste it—ready about! Back the jib!” But it was too late. The yacht answered but faintly to the helm, stopped, and heeled heavily over, wallowing and grinding.”
Carruthers called out decreasing depths until only five feet remained, as the water turned thick and frothy. Davies muttered that it didn't matter and tried to tack, but the yacht barely responded, stopped, and then heeled over, grinding against the sand.
The grounding illustrates the danger of the tidal sands and the limits of their navigation.
