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Sail Ho! or, A Boy at Sea, by George Manville Fenn.
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This appears to be one of Fenn's later novels, and is just as exciting
and full of tension as are his earlier ones. The hero is a
seventeen-year-old boy called Alison Dale. We have never heard of a boy
called Alison before, but this one is pretty tough, and already knew a
lot about seamanship even before he went to sea, on account of having
often sailed in his father's large yachts.
Hopefully most boys on their first cruise to sea won't have anything
like the adventures that befell Master Alison. The skipper was not a
pleasant man, and there was a mutiny, led by a nasty piece of work
called Jarette, who was half-French.
The story progresses through various degrees of terror, beginning when
the ship is taken over by the mutineers, leaving the passengers and
officers isolated. Finally most of the latter are cast adrift to die,
but leaving two of their number on board. Attempts are made to rescue
these.
Eventually the drunken mutineers manage accidentally to set fire to the
vessel, and flee it. But the heroic party of officers and passengers
come back to recover the missing two, get on board, and manage to put
the fire out. This is noticed by the mutineers, who are just over the
horizon, and who row back. There is then a good old battle in which
eventually Jarette is killed, and life begins to be restored to normal.
The edition used was very difficult to work with. It is a longish book
which was squished into less than 160 pages. The pages were large, the
typeface was very small, and there were two columns of text per page.
There were actually 130 lines of text per page, with the lines being
about two-thirds the normal length. However, the Athelstane system of
e-book editing was not fazed, and we hope there won't be too many errors
found in what we present.
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SAIL HO! OR, A BOY AT SEA, BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.
CHAPTER ONE.
A BOY AT SEA.
Many many years ago seem like yesterday, and I hope it will always be
the same. For, just to be serious for a moment, what is the full
stretch of the oldest man's life to time? Just one star-wink, if the
astronomers are right about the passage of light, and that the glitter
of stars that we see now are only the rays which started from them away
there in space long before we were born.
Don't be frightened, I'm not going to talk astronomy, but about my old
ship, the first I ever sailed in, after having a kind of training in my
father's little yachts, beginning with the shoulder-of-mutton sail; and
next with the Cornish lugger, which he bought at Newlyn, on beyond
Penzance, when Penwalloc went wrong, and his two boats with all their
gear, and about two miles of drift mackerel and pilchard nets, were sold
by auction.
Father bought the _Brine_, and had her decked and newly rigged, and
many's the cruise I had with him and old Tom Sanders, we three managing
the two big sails well enough. After that came the cutter, when we had
to have two men and a boy, for the mainsail was pretty big to manage,
and took some hauling and setting in a breeze, and some strength to
tackle in one of the squalls that come rushing out of the gullies and
combes down along our Cornish coast, where the great peninsula or
promontory, or whatever you call it, is scored across and across almost
from sea to sea with deep valleys; just as you see a loin of pork cut
with a sharp knife before it is put down to roast.
There, I'm not going to talk about Cornwall this time, but my adventures
on the high seas in the Burgh Castle.
So to begin:--
"Be-low!"
"Hi! you sirs!"
"Look out! Run!"
Quite a little chorus of warnings, and then--
_Spang_.
And directly after--
_Crash_.
One of the yards being hoisted up to its place across the
main-topgallant mast of the Burgh Castle lying in the East India Docks,
and still in the hands of the riggers, had slipped from the slings,
through carelessness, and come down from high, up aloft to strike the
deck wich one end, and then fall flat within a foot of where two lads
dressed as midshipmen in the merchant service had been standing, but who
at the first shout had rushed in different directions, one to stumble
over a coil of rope, perform an evolution like the leap of a frog, and
come down flat on his front; the other to butt his head right into the
chest of a big, burly, sunburnt man, who gave vent to a sound between a
bellow and a roar.
"Where are--Hi! aloft there!--oh, my wind! Ahoy there, you--!"
Then followed, as the big burly man recovered his breath, a startling
volley of words--expletives and sea terms, in which he denounced the
gang of men aloft as sea-cooks and lubbers, and threatened divers
punishments and penalties for their carelessness.
Then he turned to another man who was bigger, burlier, redder, and
browner, especially about the nose, and made certain exceedingly
impolite inquiries as to what he was about, to allow the owner's tackle
to be smashed about in that fashion. To which the bigger and browner
man growled out a retort that he'd nothing to do with the gang, as
things hadn't been handed over to him yet. And then he grew frantic
too, and kicked the fallen yard, and yelled up to the riggers that the
said piece of wood was sprung, that they'd have to get another yard, for
he wasn't going to sea with a main-top-galn'sl-yard fished and spliced.
Meantime the first brown man had turned to the two lads, and cooling
down, nodded to them.
"Come on board then, eh?"
"Yes, sir--yes, sir."
"Lucky for you that you both hopped out of the way, youngsters, or I
should have had to send one of you back home with a hole through him,
and t'other broke in half."
I was the boy who would have been sent home with a hole through him--I
the boy who write this--and the other boy who would have been broken in
half, was one whom I had encountered at the dock-gates, where we had
both arrived together, that miserable, mizzly morning, in four-wheeled
cabs with our sea-chests on the top, and both in mortal dread--and yet
somehow hopeful--that we should be too late, and that the good ship
Burgh Castle had sailed.
I had been very anxious to go to sea. I loved it, and all through the
preparations I was eagerness itself; but somehow, when it came to the
morning that I started from the hotel where I had slept for the one
night in London, a curious feeling of despondency came over me, a
feeling which grew worse as I passed through the city, and then along
the water-side streets, where there were shops displaying tarpaulins,
canvas, and ropes; others dealing in ships' stores; and again others
whose windows glittered with compass, sextant, and patent logs, not
wooden, but brass.
Perhaps it was seeing all this through the steamy, misty rain.
"What a while he is!" I said to myself, "and what a dismal place!"
Just then, as we were going down the muddiest street I ever saw, I
became aware of a dirty, ragged-looking fellow of eighteen or nineteen
trotting along beside the cab, and directly after of one on the other
side, who kept up persistently till at last we reached the docks and the
cabman drew up.
"Drive on," I shouted.
"Don't go no further," was the reply, and I stepped out into the drizzle
to see about my chest and pay the man, just as a sharp quarrel was going
on close by, and I saw a lad a little bigger than myself scuffling with
two more rough-looking fellows who had seized upon his chest, and
insisted upon carrying it.
The next moment I was engaged with the pair who had trotted by my cab,
and who had fastened most officiously upon mine.
"You touch it again," came sharply, "and I'll let you know."
"Leave the box alone," I said, "I don't want your help."
"Carry it in, sir. I was fust, sir. Yah! you get out."
"Don't let 'em take it," shouted the lad who was squabbling with the
first pair, and I was just beginning to think that I should have to
fight for my belongings, when a dock policeman came to our help, the
cabmen were paid, and our chests were placed upon a truck, while the cab
touts pressed upon us and insisted on being paid for doing nothing.
"You must have got plenty of tin," said my companion in difficulties,
after I had compromised matters by giving each of the ragged touts a
shilling; "you won't do that next voyage. I did first time I came."
"Have you been to sea before, then?" I said, looking at the speaker
with interest.
"Rather. Are you going in the Burgh Castle? Yes, I can see you are."
"How?" I asked, as I saw him glance at my new cap, which I knew was
beginning to be soaked by the rain.
"By that," he said, nodding at the embroidered flag and star upon the
front. "We're going to be shipmates, then."
"I am glad," I said; but as I uttered the words it did not seem as if I
were uttering the truth, for I felt anything but joyful, and my
companion did not impress me favourably. For he looked sour, yellow,
and discontented as we tramped over the wet stones along by towering
warehouses, stacks of chests, and huge buttresses of barrels on one
side, and with the great basins of water choked with shipping, all
apparently in the most inextricable confusion, till we reached a great
loftily masted ship and passed up the sloping gangway on to her deck.
Here every one was busy--officers, sailors, dockmen; hatches were off
and bales of lading and stores were being lowered down, and we were just
standing together looking out for some one to show us our quarters and
to carry down our chests, when the warning shouts came from aloft, and
we had so narrow an escape of being laid low.
CHAPTER TWO.
No one paid any more attention to us, and we still stood looking about,
with my companion more helpless than myself, in spite of his having been
to sea before, still wanting to get out of the rain and save my new
clothes, I began to exert myself, with the result that at last I found a
sailor who told me where I could find the steward.
That functionary was too busy, he said, but at the sight of a shilling
he thought he could spare a minute, and at the end of five we two damp,
miserable, low-spirited lads were seated on our sea-chests in a little
dark cabin, after doubling up our mackintoshes to make dry cushions for
the wet seats.
There was not much room, our chests doing a good deal towards filling up
the narrow space, and hence our knees were pretty close together as we
sat and tried to look at each other, not at all an easy job, for the
round window was pretty close to the great stone wall of the basin, and
a gangway ran across from the wharf up to the deck, shutting out the
little light which would have come in if the way had been clear.
"Cheerful, ain't it?" said my companion.
"It's such a horrid day," I said.
"Beastly. It always is in London. Ain't you glad you're going to sea?"
"Not very," I said, after a pause. "It'll be better when it's fine."
"Will it?" said my companion, mockingly. "You'll see. I don't know how
a chap can be such a jolly fool as to go to sea."
"Why, you went!" I said.
"Yes, I went," grumbled my companion; "but of course I didn't know."
"Did you go out in this ship?"
"Course I didn't, else I should have known where our bunks were. My
last voyage was in the Hull."
"Oh!" I said, looking at him as one of great experience; "and did you
go your other voyages in the Hull?"
"What other voyages?"
"That you went."
"Who said I went any other voyages? I don't brag. I only went that
once, and it was enough for me. She's being new rigged--and time, too.
That's why I'm to go out in this boat."
"Then you don't know the captain and officers?"
"I know you," he replied, with a grin.
There was a period of silence, which my companion utilised by biting the
sides of his nails, till I said--
"Shall we have to do anything to-day?"
"I d'know. I shan't. Not likely. Don't think much of this ship."
"Don't you think it's a good one?" I ventured to ask, with the
deference due to so much experience.
"No. See how that rotten old yard came down. She looks to me like a
regular tub. Sort of old craft as would melt away like butter if she
touched the sands. I say, how should you like to be shipwrecked?"
"Not at all. Were you ever wrecked?"
"Not yet. Dessay I shall be some day. I say, you're in for it. Sure
to be pretty rough going down Channel. You'll have the mully-grubs
pretty stiff."
"Oh! I don't know," I said quietly.
"Don't you? Then I do. Oh, Stooard! won't you be bad! Ever seen the
sea?"
"Lots of times."
"But you've never been on it?"
"Oh yes, I have."
"And been sick?"
"I was once when we went across to Havre, but that's years ago, when my
father had the Swallow."
"Had the what?"
"His first little yacht. The one he has now--the Swift--is four times
as big."
"Oh, then you have been to sea?" said my companion, in a disappointed
way.
"Dozens of times," I said; "and all about our coast--it's often rough
enough there."
My companion stared hard at me. "What's your name?"
"Alison Dale."
"How old are you?"
"Seventeen, nearly."
"I'm seventeen," he cried.
"And what's your name?"
"Nicholas Walters; and as I'm senior, you'll have to bustle about a bit.
I won't be too hard on you, but you'll have to look sharp and pick up
things. I dare say I can put you up to a good deal of seamanship."
"Thank you," I said quietly.
"Of course, I don't know what sort of officers we've got here; but you
and I can swing together, and I'll help to make it as easy for you as I
can. It's rather hard for a boy making his first voyage."
"I suppose so," I said; "but I shall try not to mind."
"Look here; is your father a gentleman?"
"Oh yes; he was in the army till he was invalided."
"Then he's an invalid?"
"No, no, not now. He was badly wounded in the Crimea, and had to retire
from the service."
"Then why didn't you go in the army? 'Fraid of getting wounded in the
Crimea?"
"No; I wanted to go to sea?"
"Then why didn't you go in the Royal Navy?"
"Because my father had a better opportunity for getting me in the
merchant service."
"Oh!"
I felt as if I should never like Mr Nicholas Walters, for he was rather
consequential in his way, and seemed disposed to lord it over me on the
strength of having made one voyage. But I consoled myself with the
thought that it was hard for any one to make himself agreeable on a day
like that; and then as we sat listening to the banging and thumping
about overhead, I began to think of my promise to my father, for I had
promised to make the best of things all through the voyage, and not be
easily damped.
My musings were cut short by my companion.
"I say," he cried, "you seem a lively sort of officer."
"One can't feel very lively just coming away from home amongst
strangers," I replied.
"Bosh! You're talking like a boarding-school girl. What do you think
of the skipper?"
"The captain? I haven't seen him yet."
"Yes, you have. That was he who let go at the men up aloft. He's a
rough 'un, and no mistake. Berriman--I don't think much of him nor of
the ship; I shall shift into another line after this trip. It isn't
good enough for me."
"I wonder whether I shall talk like that," I thought to myself, "when
I've been on a voyage." Then aloud: "Shall we go on deck for a bit, and
see if we can do anything?"
"Not likely," was the shortly uttered reply. "What's the good? Get wet
through in this mizzling rain. Let's wait for lunch. There'll be a
good one, because of the passengers' friends being on board. Some say
they'll go down to Gravesend with us. Here, you're all green yet; you
leave everything to me, and I'll tell you what to do."
I said "Thankye," and he went on cross-examining me.
"Smoke?" he said.
I shook my head.
"Never mind, I'll teach you; and, look here, if it's fine this
afternoon, I'll take you round and introduce you to all the officers and
people."
"But I thought you were as strange as I am," I said.
"Well, I don't know the people themselves, but I know which will be the
mates and doctor and boatswain, and I can show you all about the ship,
and take you aloft, can't I?"
"Oh yes, of course," I said.
"You'll find I can be a deal of use to you if you stick to me, and I can
take your part if any of the other middies try to bounce you."
"Will there be any other midshipmen?" I asked.
"P'raps. But it's all gammon calling us middies. We are only a kind of
apprentices, you know. It isn't like being in a man-o'-war."
As it happened, a gleam of sunshine tried about half-an-hour after--just
as I was growing terribly sick of my companion's patronising ways--to
get in at the little cabin-window, and failed; but it gave notice that
the weather was lifting, and I was glad to go on deck, where the planks
soon began to show white patches as the sailors began to use their
swabs; but the bustle and confusion was worse than ever. For the deck
was littered with packages of cargo, which had arrived late, with
Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand, painted upon them in black
letters, and some of these appeared to be boxes of seeds, and others
crates of agricultural implements.
Then we were warped out of the dock into the river, a steam-tug made
fast to the tow-rope ahead, and another hooked herself on to the port
side of the great ship to steady her, as she began to glide slowly with
the tide, now just beginning to ebb, along through the hundreds of craft
on either side.
I looked sharply round for that monarch of our little floating world--
the captain; but he had gone ashore to see the owners again, so my new
friend told me, and would come aboard again at Gravesend. But I had a
good view of the crew, and was not favourably impressed, for they
appeared to be a very rough lot. A great many of them had been
drinking, and showed it; others looked sour and low-spirited; and there
was a shabby, untidy aspect about them, which was not at all what I had
expected to see in the smart crew of a clipper ship, while my surprise
was greater still when I saw that four of the men evidently hailed from
China, and as many more were the yellow, duck-eyed, peculiar-looking
people commonly spoken of on board ship as Lascars.
The mates were so busy and hot, trying to get the decks cleared, and
succeeding very slowly with the unpromising material at their command,
that we saw very little of them, and I looked eagerly round to see what
our passengers were like; but there were so many people on board that it
was hard to pick out who was for the other side of the world and who was
to stay on this.
The time passed, and I ate as good a dinner as my companion that
evening, the first mate taking the head of the table; and that night,
when all the visitors had said good-bye, and were gone ashore, and I had
retired to my bunk, it seemed as if I had been on board for days. I lay
there longing to throw shoes or brushes at Walters, who was lying on his
back just under me, and breathing so exceedingly hard, that it was as if
he kept on saying _Snork_ in a nasty spiteful manner on purpose to keep
me awake. And it did keep me awake for some time. At last I dropped
asleep for about a minute, as it seemed to me, and then started up and
knocked my head against the woodwork.
"Only cold water, lad," said a voice. "I say, you, been to sea, and not
know how to tumble out of your berth without knocking your pumpkin."
I was confused for the moment by my intense sleepiness, and the blow I
had given my head, so that I could hardly make out where I was. Then as
I awoke to the fact that my brother middy was half-dressed, and that he
had been holding his dripping sponge to my face, I crawled out, or
rather lowered my legs down, and began to dress.
"Look sharp," said my companion; "don't stop to shave."
CHAPTER THREE.
"Well, youngsters!" saluted us as soon as we stepped on deck, and the
bluff, brown-faced captain gave me a searching look. "Ready for work?"
"Yes, sir."
"That's right. Well, I don't want you yet. Run about the ship, and
keep out of my way. That'll do for the present. Be off!"
He was rather rough, but it was in a good-tempered fashion, and I felt
as if I should like the captain in spite of a whisper from Walters which
sounded like "boor."
Then feeling free for the day, I upset my new friend and patron by going
amongst the men and passengers as they came on deck.
"Here, don't you be so fast," said Walters, as I was hurrying from place
to place asking questions of the sailors, and finding interest in
everything on board, where, though bearing a certain similarity, all was
so different to the arrangements upon a yacht.
"Fast!" I said, wonderingly.
"Yes," said Walters, shortly. "You'll be getting into trouble. You'd
better, now you're so new, let me lead, and I'll tell you all that you
want to know."
"Mind your eyes, youngsters," sang out a good-looking, youngish man,
"Now, my lads, right under, and lash it fast."
"Second mate," whispered Walters to me, as about a dozen men dragged a
great spar, evidently an extra top-mast, close under the bulwarks, to
secure it tight out of the way.
"Quite right, youngster," said the officer, who seemed to have
exceedingly sharp ears, and then he gave me a nod.
"Hang him and his youngsters," grumbled Walters as we went forward. "He
has no business to speak like that before the men."
"Oh, what does it matter?" I said. "Look there, at that thin gentleman
and the young lady who came on board yesterday evening. He must be ill.
Oh! mind," I cried, and I sprang forward just in time to catch the
gentleman's arm, for as he came out of the cabin entrance, looking very
pale, and leaning upon the arm of the lady, he caught his foot in a rope
being drawn along the deck, and in spite of the lady clinging to him he
would have fallen if I had not run up.
"Don't!" he cried angrily, turning upon me. "Why do you leave your
ropes about like that?"
"John, dear!"
Only those two words, spoken in a gentle reproachful tone, and the young
lady turned to me and smiled.
"Thank you," she said; "my brother has been very ill, and is weak yet."
"Lena," he cried, "don't parade it before everybody;" but as he turned
his eyes with an irritable look to the lady and encountered hers, a
change came over him, and he clung to my arm, which he had thrust away.
"Thank you," he said. "Give me a hand to the side there. My legs are
shaky yet." Then with a smile which made his thin yellow face light up,
and gave him something the look of his sister, as he glanced at my
uniform--"You're not the captain, are you? Ah, that's better," he
sighed, as he leaned his arms on the bulwark, and drew a deep breath.
"Thank you. Just wait till we've been a month at sea, and I'll race you
all through the rigging."
"All right," I said, "you shall. My father says there's nothing like a
sea trip when you've been ill. He took me in his yacht after I had had
fever."
"And you got well in no time, didn't you?"
I nodded, as I looked at his wasted figure, and noted his eager, anxious
way.
"There, Lena, hear that," he said quickly. "I told you so." Then
turning to me again--"Come and sit near us in the cabin; I shan't be so
nasty and snappish when I've had my breakfast."
He laughed in a forced way, and promising that I would if I could, I
drew back to leave the brother and sister together, for Walters gave my
jacket a twitch.
"I say, I shall never get you round the ship," he said, in an ill-used
tone. "Now look here," he began, "this is the saloon-deck, that's the
mizzen-mast, and come along here and I'll show you the binnacle."
"Why, I know all these," I said, laughing merrily. "Come, I'll box the
compass with you."
"Tuppens as you can't do it right, young gent," said a rough-looking
elderly sailor, who was coiling down the rope which had nearly overset
the sick passenger.
"You keep your place, sir, and speak when you're spoken to," said
Walters, sharply.
"Certeny, sir. Beg pardon, sir, of course. Here, you Neb Dumlow, and
you Barney Blane," cried the man to a couple of his fellows, who were
busy tightening the tarpaulin over a boat which swung from the davits.
The two men, whose lower jaws were working ox-fashion as they ruminated
over their tobacco, left off and faced round; the first addressed, a
big, ugly fellow, with a terrific squint which made his eyes look as if
they were trying to join each other under the Roman nose, held a tarry
hand up to his ear and growled--
"What say, mate?"
"These here's our two noo orficers, and you've got to be wery 'spectful
when you speaks."
"Look here, young man," said Walters, haughtily, "I've been to sea
before, and know a thing or two. If you give me any of your cheek I'll
report you to the first mate. Come on, Dale."
He turned away, and the bluff-looking sailor winked at me solemnly as I
followed, and muttered the words, "Oh my!"
"Nothing like keeping the sailors in their places," continued Walters,
"and--"
"Morning," said a handsome, keen-looking man of about thirty.
"Morning, sir."
"Our two new middies, eh? Well, shall you want me to-morrow?"
He looked at me as he spoke.
"Want you, sir!" I replied. "Are you one of the mates?"
"Every man's mate when he's on his back," was the laughing reply. "I'm
the doctor."
"Oh!" I cried, catching his meaning, "I hope not, sir, unless it's very
rough, but I think I can stand it."
"So do a good many folks," he continued. "Morning."
This was to a big, heavy-looking gentleman of about eight-and-twenty,
who came up just then and shook hands with the doctor, holding on to him
it seemed to me in a weak, helpless, amiable fashion, as if he was so
glad he had found a friend that he didn't like to let go.
"Good--good-morning, doctor," he said, and as he spoke, I felt as if I
must laugh, for his voice was a regular high-pitched squeak, and it
sounded so queer coming from a big, stoutish, smooth-faced man of six
feet high.
Walters looked at me with a grin.
"Oh, here's a Tommy soft," he whispered.
"Don't," I said with my eyes, as I screwed up my face quite firmly.
"I'm so glad I met you, as every one is so strange, and I don't like to
question the servants--I mean the stewards--because they are all so
busy. How long will it be to breakfast?"
"Quite half-an-hour," said the doctor, smiling, as he looked at his
watch. "Hungry?"
"Oh no; I wanted to know if there would be time to see to my little
charges first."
"Your little--Oh yes, I remember the captain told me. You have quite a
collection."
"Yes, very large, and I am anxious to get them all across safely."
"I wish you success, I'm sure," said the doctor quietly. "You
naturalists take a great deal of pains over your studies."
"Oh, we do our best," said the big man mildly, and it was just as if a
girl was speaking. "Perhaps your two young gentlemen would like to see
them."
"To be sure they would," said the doctor. "Let me introduce them. Let
me see, your name is--"
"Preddle--Arthur Preddle."
"To be sure, you told me last night in the cabin. Then here are two of
our embryo captains, Mr--"
"Nicholas Walters," said my companion, trying to speak gruffly.
"And--"
"Alison Dale."
"That's right; I like to know the name of my patients present or to be.
Let me make you known to Mr Arthur Preddle, FZS."
"And FLS," said the big passenger, mildly.
"To be sure, forgive my ignorance," said the doctor. "Now let's go and
see the fish."
Mr Preddle led the way--that is, his words and looks were eager, but
his body was very slow and lumbering as he walked with us to the steps,
and then down to the main-deck, and forward; and all the time, as he
moved his feet, I could not for the life of me help thinking about the
way in which an elephant walked onward in his slow, soft way. It put
one in mind of india-rubber, and all the time our new acquaintance gave
a peculiar roll from side to side.
There was still a great deal of lumber about the deck, but the officers
were rapidly getting everything cleared, and we soon reached a
well-protected and sheltered spot forwards, where several large frames
had been fitted up on purpose, and the boards which had been screwed on
when they were brought on board having been removed, there they were,
several shallow trays of little fish swimming hurriedly about in shoals
in the clear water, but ready enough to dash at the tiny scraps of food
Mr Preddle threw in.
"For fresh food, sir?" said Walters. "Won't they be very small?"
The doctor laughed, while the naturalist's eyes opened very wide and
round, so did his mouth.
"For food, my dear young friend?" he said in his quiet way. "They are
being sent out by an acclimatisation society, in the hope that they will
assist to furnish Australia and New Zealand with a good supply of salmon
and trout. Look at the little beauties, how strong and healthy, and
bright and well they seem!"
I was afraid to look at Walters for fear he should make me laugh, so I
stood staring first in one tray then in the other, till it was time for
breakfast, and Walters whispered as we hung back to the last--
"I say, how I should like to kick that fish chap."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because he is so soft and fat."
By this time we were up by the cabin-door, and as we entered rather
awkwardly, the captain shouted to us from the other end--
"Here, youngsters, you can find a seat at this table," and just then I
saw my sick acquaintance standing up, and he beckoned to me.
"Come and sit by me," he said; "you will not mind, Captain Berriman?"
"Not I, sir," said that gentleman bluffly, and as I moved towards where
my new friend was seated, Walters said sharply in my ear, "Oh, that's
it, is it? Well, you are a sneak!"
CHAPTER FOUR.
These were the people I saw most of, on that first day. The next I did
not see any of them, for when I awoke next morning, it was to feel that
there was a heavy sea on, which somehow, from experience, I took quite
as a matter of course; but a deep groan below me, and sounding very
startling, taught me that some one else was not taking it in the same
fashion.
"That you, Dale?" came piteously.
"Yes; what's the matter?"
"Oh, pray go and fetch the doctor. Some of that meat we had has upset
me."
I looked at him, and certainly he seemed very ill, as I hurriedly began
to dress.
"Oh dear, oh dear," he groaned, "I never felt so bad as this before."
"I shan't be long," I said; "when did you begins to feel bad?"
"Don't, don't ask any questions," he cried, half-angrily; "do you want
to see me die?"
"Poor fellow!" I muttered, as I fought hard to get buttons through
their proper holes, after a desperate struggle with my trousers, into
which I got one leg, and had to try again and again to get in the other
as I stood; but so sure as I raised the second limb the ship gave a
lurch, and I either went against the bulk-head or banged up against our
bunks.
"You're doing that on purpose," groaned Walters. "Oh, do, do call for
help."
"No, I'd better run and fetch Mr--Mr--what's the doctor's name?"
"We never heard his name," moaned my messmate; "fetch him. I knew how
it would be. It's a shame to poison officers with bad preserved meat."
"But I ate a lot of it," I said, as I triumphantly finished fastening my
second brace.
"Ah, you'll have it directly. Oh dear, oh dear! I am so bad--why did I
ever come to sea?"
Slosh--whish--bang!
A wave had struck the ship, and we could hear the water flying over us,
as, after a tremendous effort to keep on my legs, I came down, sitting
on my sea-chest; and then, instead of springing up again, I sat rolling
from side to side, laughing silently and trying hard to master the
intense desire to break forth into a tremendous roar.
Walters did not see it for a few moments, but kept on bemoaning his
condition.
"I'll complain to the owners myself, if the captain doesn't take it up.
It's too bad. Oh, do make haste--the doctor--the doctor--I'm dying."
Then with a good deal of energy he cried, "Why, you're laughing."
"Of course I am," I said, giving way now to my mirth. "Why, you're only
a bit sea-sick."
"I'm not," he snapped out; "I'm poisoned by that bad meat we had. Oh,
the doctor, the doctor!"
"You're not," I said. "It's only sea-sickness. Why, I should have
thought you could stand it."
"Oh, help--help!"
"Hush, don't make that noise!" I cried.
"Then fetch the doctor, oh, pray, pray!"
I hesitated no longer, but hurried out, and one of the first I
encountered on deck was the bluff-looking sailor, whom my companion had
snubbed.
"Look here," I cried quickly, "Mr Walters is very ill. Where's the
doctor's cabin?"
Just then the ship made a lurch, and so did I, but by giving a kind of
hop and jump and getting my legs apart, I preserved my balance.
"Well done, youngster," cried the man. "You've been at sea before."
"Yes, often," I replied, "but where's the doctor?"
"I'll show you, sir. Number three's his cabin. Next but two to the
skipper's. But your messmate's only got the Channel chump, has he?"
"I think he's only sea-sick, but he says it was the meat last night."
"Clck!"
It was a curious sound that one cannot spell any nearer, partly laugh,
partly cry of derision.
"That's what they all says, sir," he continued. "Sea-sick, sure as my
name's Bob Hampton." As he spoke he had descended with me, and ended by
pointing out number three.
"There you are, sir; two rollers at night, and a shake the bottle in the
morning. That's Mr Frewen's cabin; I must get back on deck."
The next minute I was knocking at the doctor's door.
"Hullo!" came instantly.
"Would you get up, please, sir? Walters is very bad."
"So will some more be," I heard him say, "with this sea on." Then,
louder, "Wait a minute."
I waited a minute and then a bolt was drawn.
"Come in."
I entered, to find the young doctor hurriedly dressing.
"I thought it was your voice," he said, "What is it?"
"He thinks the meat we had last night has poisoned him, sir!"
"Rubbish! The rough sea. But I'll come and have a look at him
directly."
I ran back to our cabin, which I reached this time without going first
on deck.
"How are you now?" I said.
"Is he coming soon?" moaned Walters. "Oh dear! He'll be too late. I
know I'm dying; and if I do, don't--don't let 'em throw me overboard."
"You're not so bad as that," I said, trying to cheer him up.
"Oh, you don't know. Go and tell him to make haste before he is too
late."
To my surprise and delight the door was opened, and the doctor with a
very rough head came in.
"Now, squire," he cried, "what's the matter?"
"Ah, doctor, oh!"
"Ah, doctor, oh! Don't make that noise like an old woman of sixty.
Pretty sort of a fellow you are to come to sea."
"Oh dear, oh dear! I know I'm dying."
"Then you are precious clever, my lad. Bah! There's nothing the matter
with you but the sea tossing you up and down. Lie still, you'll soon
come round."
"It--isn't--sea--sick--ick--ickness," moaned Walters.
"Then it's uncommonly like it, that's all I can say," cried the doctor,
laughing. Then, turning to me--"There, you needn't be alarmed about
him, my lad."
"I wasn't sir," I replied. "I told him that was what ailed him."
"And quite right. I suppose you'll have a turn next if this rough
weather keeps on."
"But do, do give me something, doctor," groaned Walters.
"Your messmate will get you some tea presently," said the doctor,
quietly. "There, I must go and finish dressing." And he left the
cabin, while a good deal of my first work at sea was attending on poor
Walters, who was about as bad as he could be for the next few days,
during which the only passenger I saw was Mr Preddle, who came out of
his cabin twice a day, looking miserably ill, and having hard work to
stand; but Hampton the sailor and I used to help him go right forward to
attend to his fish and then help him back again.
"It's so good of you," he used to say; "I'm not used to the sea, and if
I get worse, do please go and see to my poor fish."
"Yes, they shan't be neglected," I said. "But I think the sea's going
down, and you'll be all right, sir, then."
He shook his head sorrowfully, and when I helped him to lie down again--
no easy task, for he was so big--he shut his eyes and whispered, "How is
our sick friend?" he said.
"What, Walters, my messmate?"
"No, no, the passenger, Mr Denning."
"I haven't seen him, but the steward said he seemed pretty well, sir."
"Impossible. In such a delicate state of health. Have you seen the
lady?"
"No, she has not been on deck."
"No. It would be too rough," sighed the poor fellow. "What's that?" he
cried, excitedly, "something wrong?"
"I'll go and see," I said; for there had reached us the sound of an
angry voice, and then a noise as of something falling overhead, and as I
hurried out and on deck, I could hear the captain storming furiously,
evidently at one of the men.
CHAPTER FIVE.
"And sarve him jolly well right," growled Hampton, looking at me as I
hurried forward to where Captain Berriman was following up one of the
sailors, who, with his hand to his bleeding cheek, was gazing fiercely
at his officer and backing away toward the forecastle.
"Yes," shouted the captain, "get down below and don't show yourself to
me again to-day, you scoundrel. Call yourself a sailor, and haven't
learned the first line of a sailor's catechism--obedience to his
officer."
The captain's face was flushed and the veins in his brow were knotted,
but the aspect of his countenance changed directly, as in backing away
from him the man did not allow for the heaving of the ship, and the
consequence was that he stumbled, tried to save himself, and then fell
heavily and rolled over into the lee-scuppers, but picked himself up and
then hurried forward and out of sight.
As I looked back at the captain, it was to see his rugged face twinkling
now with mirth, and he turned to Mr Frewen the doctor, who had hurried
on deck at the noise.
"There, doctor," he said, "you see the old Burgh Castle wouldn't rest
easy, and see her skipper insulted. Pitched the scoundrel off his legs.
That comes of having these mongrel sort of fellows aboard. He's half a
Frenchman. Shipped in a hurry. An insolent dog. Got my blood up; for
as long as I walk this deck, right or wrong, I'll be obeyed. Perhaps I
ought to have put him in irons though, instead of being so handy with my
fists. You'll have to go and stick half-a-yard of plaster on his cheek:
it's cut."
"What was the matter?" said the doctor, as soon as the captain gave him
an opportunity.
"Brymer told him and another of the men to go up aloft, and he refused.
I heard him, and ordered him to go at once, and he said, loud enough for
Miss Denning to hear--never mind what. Here she comes;--and I knocked
him down."
"Ah, my dear young lady," he continued, taking off his cap, "I apologise
to you for that scene. But a captain must be master of his ship."
"I am very sorry too," she replied sadly. "It seemed so shocking for
you to strike the man."
"Now, now, now, my dear, don't you scold me, an old fellow who has to
play the part of father to you and your brother on this voyage. It was
a pity perhaps, but I was obliged. But there, there, it's all over
now."
"Hope it be," grumbled a voice behind me, and I turned sharply to see
that Hampton was close alongside. "Yes, sir," he said again, "I hope it
be, but chaps who wears earrings has got tempers like spiteful women,
and that chap Jarette arn't the sort to forget a blow."
"Did the captain hit him very hard?" I said, after a glance over my
shoulder, to see that the officers were walking aft talking to Miss
Denning.
"Hard? Did the skipper hit him hard, sir? What says you, Barney, and
you, Neb Dumlow?"
This was to the two sailors who were generally pretty close to his
heels, all three men being thorough messmates, and having, as I
afterwards learned, sailed together for years.
"Did he hit him hard?" said Barney, slowly, and giving his mouth a rub
with the back of his hand.
"That's what I said, messmate; don't get chewin' o' my words over five
hundred times to show off afore our young orficer. Did he hit him
hard?"
"Orfle!" said Barney.
"Then why didn't you say so afore, 'stead o' getting into bad habits,
a-saying things for the sake o' talking. Now, Neb Dumlow, just look the
young gent straight in the face and say what you thinks."
"Couldn't ha' hit him no harder," growled the great fellow in his deep
bass voice.
"Not with one hand," acquiesced Hampton; "but you needn't ha' screwed
both your eyes out o' sight to say it, matey. Bad habit o' hisn, sir,"
he continued, turning to me, "but I'm a-trying to break him on it.
Neb's a good sort o' chap if you could straighten his eyes; arn't you
Neb?"
"Dunno," growled the man.
"Then it's a good job for you as I do, mate. Ay, the skipper did give
Master Jarette a floorer, and I'm sorry for it."
"Why," I said, "if he deserved it?"
"Well, you see, sir, it's like this; if me or Neb or Barney there had
scared one of the officers, and the skipper had knocked us down, why, we
shouldn't ha' liked it--eh, mates?"
"No," came in a growl.
"Course not; but then we're Englishmen, and knowing as we was in the
wrong, why, next day we should have forgot all about it."
"Ay, ay," growled Dumlow, and Barney nodded his acquiescence.
"But strikes me, sir--you needn't tell the skipper I says so, because
p'r'aps I'm wrong--strikes me as that chap won't forget it, and I should
be sorry for there to be any more rows with ladies on board, 'cause they
don't like it. But I say, sir!"
"Yes, Hampton," I replied.
"I thought as Mr Walters as had been to sea afore was going to put you
through it all. When's he going to show on deck?"
"Oh, he'll come up as soon as he's well enough," I said.
"If I was skipper, he'd be well enough now," said the sailor, roughly.
"More you gives way to being sea-sick, more you may. I don't say as
it's nice, far from it; but if a man shows fight, he soon gets too many
for it. Here's him been a voyage, and you arn't. He lies below, below,
below in his bunk, and you goes about just as if you was at home."
"Because I haven't been ill," I said, laughing.
"No, sir, you arn't; but if I was you, I'd soon go down and cure him."
"How?" I said, expecting to hear of some good old remedy.
"Physic, sir."
"Yes, what physic?" I said.
"Bucket o' water, sir,--take a hair o' the dog as bit you, as the Scotch
chaps say,--fresh dipped."
"Rubbish, Bob Hampton; how could he drink a bucket of salt water?"
"Who said anything about drinking it, sir? I meant as lotion, `Outward
application only,' as Mr Frewen puts on his bottles o' stuff
sometimes."
"What! bathe him with salt water?"
"Yes, sir, on'y we calls it dowsin'. Sharp and sudden like. Furst
dollop fails, give him another, and keep it up till he walks on deck to
get dry; then call me to swab up the cabin, and he's all right."
"I'll tell Mr Walters what you say, Hampton."
"No, sir, I wouldn't do that; 'cause if you do, he'll have his knife
into me. I on'y meant it as good advice. He on'y wants rousin' up.
Why, if you was to set some of us to rattle a chain over his head, and
then make a rash, and you went down and telled him the ship was sinking,
he'd be quite well, thank ye, and come on deck and look out for a place
in the first boat."
"You're too hard upon him," I said, and not liking to hear the man talk
in this way, which sounded like an attempt to, what my father used to
call, curry favour, I went aft to find that the invalid passenger, Mr
John Denning, had been helped out on to the poop-deck by his sister and
the steward, and was now having a cane-chair lashed for him close up by
the mizzen-mast.
He beckoned as he caught sight of me, just as he was being lowered into
his place, and I went up slowly, for the captain and Mr Frewen were by
his side, and as I approached I heard him say rather irritably--
"Thank you, doctor. If I feel unwell I will ask you to help me. I'm
quite right, only half-suffocated by being down so long."
"Very good, Mr Denning. I only thought you might wish to avail
yourself of my services."
"Thank you; yes--of course."
I saw Miss Denning look pained, and press her brother's arm.
He turned upon her impatiently.
"Yes, yes, Lena, I know," he said; "and I have thanked Mr Frewen for
his attention. Now I want to be alone."
Mr Frewen raised his cap, and walked forward, descending to the
main-deck, and the invalid said something angrily to his sister which
made her eyes fill with tears.
I was passing on, but Mr Denning made a sharp gesture.
"No, no, I want you," he cried sharply.
"Then I'll say good-morning," said the captain, smiling at Miss Denning.
"I only wanted to say I was glad to see you on deck, sir."
"Thank you, captain; but don't go. I can't help being a bit irritable;
I've had so much to do with doctors that I hate them."
"John, dear!"
"Well, so I do, Lena. I was dying for want of some fresh air, and as
soon as I get on deck, captain, down swoops the doctor as if he were a
vulture and I was so much carrion."
"Oh, come, come, my lad, you won't talk like that when you've been on
deck a bit. Nothing like fresh air, sir. Keep yourself warm, though,
and we mustn't have you wet."
"Now, captain, don't, pray," cried the invalid.
"All right, then, I won't. Look here, then. If it gets too rough, come
into my cabin and have a cigar and a chat. You won't mind a little
smoke, my dear?"
"Oh no, Captain Berriman; not at all."
"That's right. You know where my cabin is, and don't you mind me
calling you my dear. I've got three girls at home as old or older than
you, and a son as big as Mr Denning."
Miss Denning smiled in his face, while I felt as if I wished he would be
as fatherly with me.
"Look here," he continued, with a twinkle of the eye. "I've just had a
telegram from old Neptune. He says the gale's pretty well over, and
he's going to give us some fine weather now. He was obliged to blow up
a bit because the waves were getting sulky and idle, and the winds were
all gone to sleep."
It did not seem like the same man who was so fierce with the sailor a
short time before.
"And look here, Mr Denning," he continued, turning back after taking a
few steps toward the man at the wheel; "you're quite right, sir; pitch
the doctor overboard, and I'll prescribe for you. I've got a bottle or
two of prime port wine and burgundy on board,--you understand? And as
soon as the weather mends you must try some fishing; I dare say I can
fit you up, and young Dale here will lend a hand."
"Oh yes," I said eagerly.
"And don't know anything about it, eh?"
I stared at him in surprise.
"Why, I've fished at sea hundreds of times, sir," I said. "Whiffing,
long line, trot, and bulter; and we used to go out to the rocks off
Falmouth to set small trammels."
"Why, you're quite a sailor, Dale," said the captain. "All right, my
lad, you'll do."
"I like Captain Berriman, Lena," said Mr Denning, thoughtfully; "but I
will not have that doctor always hanging about my chair."
I saw Miss Denning look sadly at me and colour a little as she glanced
back at her brother, who nodded sharply and turned to me, and changed
the conversation. "Were you on deck when there was that disturbance?"
"Yes."
"The captain knocked the man down, didn't he?"
"Yes; sent him sprawling upon the deck."
I saw the young man's eyes flash, and there was a slight flush upon his
sallow cheek as he laid a thin hand on my arm, and went on eagerly--
"I wish I had been on deck."
"Oh, there wasn't much to see," I said. "His cheek was cut, and bled."
"So much the better. Let Mr Frewen go and attend him. But the man was
insolent, wasn't he?"
"Very, I believe; and Captain Berriman said he would have proper
discipline in his ship."
"Yes, of course. I should have liked to see the captain knock him down.
Perhaps it will make him spiteful."
I looked at him wonderingly, and he smiled.
"Well, why shouldn't I?" he said. "One likes to see a few exciting
scenes now and then. Life is so dull."
He was holding on by the arms of the chair, for the ship rose and fell,
and rolled a good deal in the short, choppy sea; but he seemed to like
it, and as his sister stood with her hands resting on the back of the
chair, balancing herself and yielding to the motion of the ship, her
eyes brightened, and she gazed away over the foaming sea, where the sun
had come through the clouds, and made the spray sparkle like diamonds as
the waves curled over and broke.
They neither of them spoke to me, and I walked slowly away to see that
the captain had raised his hand.
"You can spend a little time with the sick passenger, Dale," he said; "I
mean when he wants you. Poor fellow, I'm afraid he's in a bad way."
He walked back toward the group by the mizzen as he spoke, and then as
we drew near he changed the conversation.
"Look here, Dale," he said; "you'd better go down and pull your messmate
out of his bunk by the hind leg. Time he was on deck now. And look
here, go and see how that Mr Preddle is. He's keeping below, too, when
a touch of this brisk breeze would set him up. Go down, and tell him
the fish are fighting--ah, fighting--that will be more like the truth.
They're sure to fight. That will bring him on deck."
"Shall I, sir?"
"Yes; off with you."
As I started I saw that Mr Denning was frowning, and that his sister
looked troubled. But it was only a momentary glance, and a minute or
two later I approached the door of Mr Preddle's cabin and knocked.
There was a groan, and in spite of its pitiful nature I could not help
smiling, and I knocked again.
"Come in," I heard in quite a squeak; and then as I opened the door--"Is
that Doctor Frewen?"
"No, sir," I replied. "I've come to ask you to get up and come on
deck."
"On deck! Is there any danger?"
The speaker raised himself upon his elbow, and looked at me eagerly.
"Oh no," I replied; "the sea's going down, and the captain thinks an
hour or two on deck would do you good."
"Too ill, too much prostrated," sighed the great fellow, who lay, as I
thought, like a sick elephant, when he had dropped back on to the
pillow.
"Captain Berriman said something about seeing to your fish, sir."
"My fish! Ah, yes; you shall look at them for me."
"But it really is nice and fresh on deck, sir."
"Yes, for you."
"And it seems to be doing Mr Denning and his sister ever so much good."
Mr Preddle rose suddenly to his elbow.
"Miss--They are not on deck?" he said eagerly. "What, Mr and Miss
Denning?"
"Yes," I said, looking at him wonderingly, for he appeared to be so
excited. "Oh yes; he's sitting up there, looking at the sea, and his
sister's standing by his chair."
"Would--would you mind helping me on with a few of my things, Mr Dale?"
he said hurriedly, as he began to creep out of his berth. "It's so
awkward dressing when the ship sways about so. It makes me feel giddy."
"Oh yes; I'll help you," I said.
"Thank you; it's very kind of you. The captain is quite right, and I'm
not doing what I ought about those fish. I will go and see to them. So
much time and expense was devoted to--oh, my gracious!"
I tried to save him, but he was too heavy, and we went down together
with him half over me; but I didn't feel it much, for he was very soft.
You see he had got one leg half-way into his trousers, when the Burgh
Castle gave a lurch, and bang he went up against the bulk-head, and then
on to the floor.
"Hurt yourself much, sir?" I said, as we both struggled up.
"Oh, horri--no, no, not much, thank you," he muttered. "I--I--haven't
quite got my sea-legs yet, as you sailors call it. That's better. Now
if you wouldn't mind, Mr Dale."
I didn't mind, of course, and I helped him all I could, thinking all the
while he was like a big fat boy we used to have at school, only Mr
Preddle was nearly three times the size. And all the time, though he
must have felt very faint and poorly, he kept a good face upon his
troubles, trying to laugh and make light of them, till I said, merrily--
"That's the way, Mr Preddle. Now, if you get up on deck and don't
think about the ship rolling, you will soon be better."
"Yes," he said; "I believe I should if I only could keep from thinking
about the ship rolling. But it won't let me." This was while he was
rubbing his big, round, smooth face, which looked as good-natured as
possible, though the smile upon it was only forced.
"Oh, but you'll soon get over it," I cried. "I'll stop and help you
up."
"Yes, do please stop," he said hurriedly; "but don't try and help me up.
I'm going to walk up and balance myself. I shall keep close to the
bulwarks, don't you call them, and hold on. Which is the best side?"
"I should go along on the weather side," I replied. "You may get
splashed a bit; but you'll soon learn not to mind that. I've often been
drenched when out in the yacht with father, but one soon got dry again."
"Didn't you catch a bad cold?" he said, out of the towel.
"Oh no."
Then he looked in his little glass as he steadied himself with one hand,
and then in his highly-pitched voice he said, as he looked round at me
with a faint laugh, and passed his hand over his chin--
"It's a very good job, isn't it, that I don't have to shave? I'm sure I
couldn't use a razor with the ship rising and falling like this."
Thud! Whish!
The little round window was darkened for a few moments, and Mr Preddle
held on with both hands.
"What's that?" he cried, excitedly. "Is there any danger?"
"Danger? No," I said with a laugh. "It was only a wave. Good job you
hadn't opened your window. Don't you ever shave, then, sir?"
"No," he said with a sigh; "my beard never came."
"Then it never will," I remember thinking to myself as I looked at his
smooth cheeks and chin, while he carefully combed and brushed his hair
as he stood in his trousers and shirt, and then opened a little box and
took out three neckerchiefs, all different in colour.
"Which one would you wear, Mr Dale?" he said, as he looked up at me.
"Oh, I don't know," I cried merrily; "which you like best--the blue one.
There's plenty of blue sky and blue sea now."
"Yes, you're right," he said, eagerly. "And--you wouldn't mind, would
you?"
"Mind what, sir?"
"Showing me how to tie a sailor's knot. I never could manage it
properly."
I showed him, and then he put on a white waistcoat and a blue serge
jacket, like that worn by a yachting-man, buttoned up tightly, and
looked at me again.
"It's very kind of you to help me," he said; "but do you think it's fine
enough for a straw hat?"
I shook my head as I pictured his round, plump, white face under the
straight brim, and thought how comic it would look.
"I should wear that," I said, pointing to a yachtsman's blue woollen
peaked cap. "There's so much wind, and it will keep on better."
"Of course; you are quite right," he said. "It's because you have had
so much experience of the sea. But it isn't quite so becoming as the
straw, is it?"
I stared at him wonderingly as I thought how vain he must be; but I said
it looked right enough.
"I should keep the straw hat for when we get down into the hot parts,
sir," I said.
"To be sure; so I will. Do you know, that wash seems to have done me a
lot of good, Mr Dale. I really think I feel better."
"Then you'll be all right now, sir. I should get the steward to give me
a basin of soup."
He shuddered, and gave me a look of horror.
"I couldn't touch it," he whispered. "Don't ask me. Not now."
"Wait till you've been on deck a bit, sir."
"Yes, yes," he said, excitedly; and after another look in the glass he
told me he was ready, and we went out to go on deck: but he declined to
go up the steps to where the captain would be with the other passengers,
and said he would go forward to have a look at the fish; but before he
had gone many steps, he altered his mind.
"I do feel better, Mr Dale," he said, with a half-laugh, "and I think I
will go up and pay my respects to the captain and--and the other
passengers," and then, talking eagerly to me about his fish, and
carefully preserving his balance, we went up on the poop-deck, with the
ship gliding along swiftly and more easily.
The captain saw us, and came to meet him along with Mr Brymer, the
first mate, and both shook hands warmly.
"Glad, to see you on deck, sir. There, you've got over your bit of
trouble. It was rather a rough beginning."
"Yes, and of course I'm not much used to the sea, Captain Berriman,"
said Mr Preddle, as he walked on by his side with legs rather widely
apart, I following behind with Mr Brymer.
It seemed to me then that Mr Preddle was managing so as to get up to
where Mr Denning sat with his sister, and the next minute they were
abreast of them, and the captain said in his bluff way--
"There, Mr Denning, another of your fellow-passengers has found out the
advantage of coming on deck."
"Yes," said Mr Preddle, hastily, as he took off his cap to Miss
Denning, and then bowed to her brother. "So fresh and bright after the
clo--clo--clo--Oh dear me!"
I was obliged to laugh, and though Mr Denning looked angry, I saw Miss
Denning turn away to hide a smile, for the captain and Mr Brymer
laughed as merrily as I did. And no wonder, for just as Mr Preddle was
bowing and smiling and talking hurriedly, the ship gave another sudden
lurch; he made a wild grasp at the captain, missed him; another at Mr
Denning's chair; and then sat down involuntarily on the deck, to look up
ruefully at me, his eyes seeming to say, "Oh, how can you laugh!"
"All right, sir, not hurt, I hope?" said the captain, and he and the
first mate helped our stout passenger to rise.
"No, not at all, thanks; sadly awkward though at first," he said, rather
piteously. "Mr Dale--would you mind?"
I hurriedly offered him my arm, and he gave a quick look round.
"A little weak and giddy," he continued, with his eyes resting on Miss
Denning, who held out her hand, and in a quiet sweet way, said--
"Yes, we have been rather unwell too. I turned quite giddy once."
Mr Denning looked at her angrily, and Mr Preddle shook hands very
awkwardly before walking away with me, and as I helped him down the
ladder, he said in a whisper--
"Are they all laughing at me? Look."
"Oh no," I said, after a hasty glance. "I'm afraid we were all very
rude, but every one meets with these accidents at sea."
I fancied he muttered something about "disgraced," but he was very
silent, and hardly noticed the men who touched their caps to him as we
went forward, where he stayed with the fish for a few minutes, and
lifted out a couple which lay floating wrong side up, with a tiny
landing-net; and then walked back without me towards his cabin. I let
him get nearly to the companion-way, and then ran after him with my face
burning.
"I beg your pardon for laughing at you, Mr Preddle," I said.
He turned his piteous face toward me, and smiled in a simple,
good-natured way, as he held out his hand.
"You couldn't help it," he said; "I suppose I did look very ridiculous.
It's because I'm so stout; p'r'aps being at sea will take it down."
He nodded and went on, leaving me thinking.
It was awkward, just too as he wanted to show how well he was. Then I
started and looked round, for some one clapped me on the shoulder.
"You and Mr Preddle seem to be getting capital friends, Dale; how smart
he had made himself look!"
"Yes, sir," I said; "but he had quite an accident on deck," and I looked
half-smilingly in the young doctor's face, for it was he.
"Accident? Hurt?" he said, eagerly.
"Oh no, sir. He was going up to speak to Miss Denning and her brother,
and the ship lurched, and he came down sitting."
"Oh!" said the doctor, and it struck me at the time that he looked
rather pleased.
CHAPTER SIX.
The next morning broke bright and glorious. We were right away in the
open sea now, going south before a brisk north-west breeze, which was
just enough to make the water dance and glitter in the sunshine, as the
Burgh Castle with a full press of sail careened gently over. While
feeling fresh and eager, I thought how delightful the ocean looked, and
was eager to see what the tropic waters would have to show.
"Here, Dale," said the captain, "this sort of thing won't do. Where's
your messmate--Walters?"
"He's a little better this morning, sir, but not out of his bunk."
"You go down and tell him that if he is not up on deck in a quarter of
an hour, I'll send two of the men down to fetch him."
"Yes, sir," and I went and delivered my message to the poor,
miserable-looking, yellow-faced fellow, as he lay with his face screwed
up, only half seen in his bunk.
"I don't care. Let him send if he dares. I can't get up. I'll
complain to the owners. It's a cruel shame, and it's a wonder I haven't
died, left neglected down here."
"That you haven't been," I cried; "why, I've regularly nursed you, and
the steward couldn't have been kinder."
"Who said he could?" cried Walters, with plenty of animation now. "But
where's the doctor? What's a doctor carried on a ship for if he isn't
to attend to the sick people?"
"Oh, but you're not sick," I said.
"What?" he cried fiercely.
"Well, not now," I replied, laughing. "Of course you were, but you're
only qualmy now. Here, this place does smell stuffy. I'll open the
window."
"That you won't; I don't want to catch a bad cold. Wish I hadn't come
to sea in such a miserable ship."
"Nonsense. Get up and dress."
"Shan't!"
"But you'd feel ever so much better."
"How do you know? You go and tell the captain he's a brute, and I'm not
going to get up till I'm better."
"Not I. It would only be a lie," I said.
"What?"
"You are ever so much better. Shall I ask the steward to make you some
tea?"
"No, I couldn't touch it, and he wouldn't make it if you did. This
ain't a London hotel."
"Of course it isn't; but he'd make a cup if I asked him."
"No, he wouldn't. They're all brutes here."
"Look here," I cried, as I saw how argumentative he could be, and that
if he roused himself up he'd be better, "if you don't jump into your
trousers I'll be a brute too."
"What do you mean?" he said, sharply.
"I'll lay hold of one leg, and pull you out on to the floor."
"You dare to touch me, and I'll give you the biggest hiding you ever had
in your life."
"Not you. Come, get up, or the skipper will send down two fellows to
fetch you out."
"Let him at his peril," snarled my messmate, pulling the clothes higher.
"Shall I go and tell him that?"
"If you dare."
"Oh, I dare," I said, "but I wouldn't be such a sneak. But he really
will send after you, if you don't get up."
"Let him."
"Come, you are better."
"I'm not; I'm half dead."
"You're not."
"I am, you unfeeling brute; I am so weak, I can't stir."
"You said you were strong enough to give me a good hiding."
"Yes, when I'm better."
"You're better now, so get out."
"Shan't."
"Am I to pull you out?"
"You dare to touch me, and I'll half-kill you."
"Here goes, then!" I cried, and diving my hand under the blanket, I
caught hold of him by his leg, and with one good tug had him out on the
floor of the narrow cabin, kicking and struggling to get from beneath
the clothes. As soon as he was free he flew at me, hitting out
fiercely, while I only closed with him to keep him from hurting.
Then for about a minute we had a combined wrestle and fight about the
cabin, with the result that I, being dressed and in better condition,
got him down and sat upon his chest, panting heavily, to get my breath,
while I could feel the saddle upon which I sat move sharply up and down.
"There," I said good-temperedly, "I knew you weren't bad. Will you
dress yourself, and come on deck if I get off?"
"I'll half-kill you!" he snarled through his set teeth.
"Then I'll sit here till you change your mind."
He drew up his knees, so as to get his heels as near me as he could,
then placed his hands close to his ribs, waited a few moments to get his
breath, and at a moment when he thought I was quite off my guard, he
raised his chest so as to make a bow of his spine, and giving a sudden
quick heave, tried to throw me off sidewise.
But I had too good a seat for my restive steed, and nipping him tightly,
held on while he frantically tried the same movement again and again,
till he was compelled to stop from lack of breath. And all the time his
face grew blacker with fury, while mine was puckered up by mirth, for I
was thoroughly enjoying the fun of the thing, and not in the least
alarmed by his threats.
"You beast!" he snarled. "Only wait till my turn comes, and you shall
have it for this."
"Not I, my lad," I cried merrily. "You'll be as pleased as can be
to-morrow, and thank me for doing you so much good. Why, Walters, old
chap, you're growing stronger every minute. I thought you were so faint
you couldn't move."
"So I am, and you're suffocating me by sitting on my chest, you cowardly
wretch."
"Not I. It makes the bellows work better," I cried, as I bumped gently
up and down. "Good for you after lying there so long. Ready for
another try?"
I gave so heavy a bump that he yelled out, but I only laughed, for every
doubt of his condition had passed away, as he proved to me in our
struggle that he was as strong and well able to be about as I.
"Now then, if I get off, will you wash and dress?"
"I'll thrash you till you can't stand," he snarled.
"Not you. Be too grateful; and if you speak like that again I'll nip
your ribs twice as hard."
"You wait till I get up."
"You're not going to get up," I said, "till you promise to behave
yourself."
"I'll make you sorry for this, my fine fellow, as soon as I'm well."
"Then you had better do it at once," I said, "if you can."
He gave another heave, but I was too firmly settled, and he subsided
again, and lay panting and glaring at me fiercely.
"There, let's have no more nonsense," I said at last; "don't be so
silly. I only did it all in fun to get you to make an effort. Will you
get up quietly and shake hands?"
"No!" he roared, and he gave such a jerk that I had hard work to keep my
seat, while he struck at me savagely with his doubled fists.
"Wo ho!" I cried, as I managed to secure his wrists, and now as I saw
his malignant look, I began to feel uncomfortable, and to wish that I
had gone some other way to work to bring him round.
"You shall repent all this, you wretch!" he cried.
"Pooh!" I said contemptuously, for my own temper was rising; "I am not
afraid. There, get up and dress at once, and don't make an idiot of
yourself."
As I spoke I gathered myself together, and with one effort I sprang to
my feet, being quite on my guard, but expecting the greater part of what
he had said was talk, and that he would not dress himself. But to my
astonishment he leaped up, dashed at me, striking out right and left,
and the next minute there would have been an angry fight on the way, if
the door had not suddenly darkened and a voice which I recognised as Mr
Brymer's exclaimed--
"Hullo! what's all this?"
My rising anger was checked on the instant as Walters started back, and
the chief mate and Mr Frewen came in.
"Walters has got a fit, sir," I said, laughing.
"I haven't," he cried furiously; "this cowardly beast has been dragging
me out of my bunk when I was so ill I could hardly move myself."
"The captain said he was to get up, sir," I pleaded; "and I tried to
coax him first, but he wouldn't stir. Then I did pull him out, but he's
been going on like mad ever since."
"Let me see," said Mr Frewen, seriously, and he felt Walters' pulse.
"Let me look at your tongue, sir," he continued; "no, no, not the tip.
Out with it. Hah! And so you had the heart to drag this poor fellow
out of his bed, Dale, when he was as weak as a baby?"
"Why, I could hardly hold him, sir," I protested. "He's stronger than I
am, only I got him down and sat upon him."
"Sat upon him--got him down! Why, you might have killed him."
"I didn't think he was bad, sir," I said. "You should have seen him a
little while ago."
"Oh!" groaned Walters, piteously, and he lowered the lids of his eyes,
and then let them wander feebly about the cabin.
"He's looking for his breeches," said the doctor, changing his tone.
"There, dress yourself, you cowardly sham!" he cried. "A great strong
healthy lad like you, who has been to sea for eighteen months, to lay up
like a sickly weak girl. You ought to be ashamed of yourself."
Walters opened his eyes widely and stared.
"Dale ought to have tugged you out a couple of days ago, and given you a
bucket of water. There, nothing whatever's the matter with him, Brymer.
Come along, and I'll report the case to the captain."
"Well, to see the way he was showing fight," said the mate, "didn't seem
to me like being weak."
"Weak? Pish! You did quite right, Dale. I'm sympathetic enough with
any poor fellow who is really bad, but if there is anything that raises
my dander it's a cowardly pitiful fellow who gives up for nothing. Look
here, sir, if you're not on deck in a quarter of an hour, I shall
suggest strong measures to the captain in answer to his order to come
down and see how you were."
He stepped out of the little cabin, but put his head in again.
"Open that window, Dale, my lad, this place is stifling."
"Yes," said the first mate. "On deck in a quarter of an hour, sir, or
you'll wish yourself on shore."
They both left the cabin, and I only made poor Walters more bitter
against me by bursting out laughing as he began to dress quickly.
"A set of brutes!" he grumbled; "a set of unfeeling brutes!"
"There, drop it now," I cried; "I shall stop and help you."
"You'll stop till I help you," he said through his clenched teeth. "I
shan't forget this."
"All right," I replied, and I left him to himself to cool down; but
feeling sorry for him, and thinking that I had been unfeeling, I hurried
off to the cook, who was pretending to be very busy in the galley, and
who gave me a suspicious look as soon as I showed myself at the door.
"I say, have you got any beef-tea?" I asked.
"Beef-tea, sir!" he said, giving the lad with him a sharp look.
"Anything else, sir?--Turtle, sir; gravy, spring, or asparagus soup,--
like it now?"
I stared for a moment, then seeing that the man was poking fun at me, I
changed my tone and slipped a shilling in his hand.
"Look here," I cried; "Mr Walters has been very queer and he's now
getting up, can't you give me a basin of soup for him?"
"Soup, sir! Ah, now you're talking wisdom. I'll see what I can do; but
to talk about beef-tea just when the butcher's shop round the corner's
shut up--butcher's shop is shut up, arn't it, Tom?" he continued,
turning to his assistant.
"Yes; all gone wrong. Trade was so bad."
"Now, no chaff," I said; "you will get me a basin of something?"
"I should think so, sir. Here, Tom, strain off some of the liquor from
that Irish stoo."
A lid was lifted off, and a pleasant savoury steam arose as a basinful
of good soup was ladled out, strained into another, and then the man
turned to me--
"Like to try one yourself, sir?"
"Yes," I cried eagerly, for the odour was tempting. "No," I said,
resisting the temptation. "Give us hold," and the next minute I was on
my way back with the basin and a spoon toward the cabin aft.
I don't know how it is, but so sure as you don't want to be seen doing
anything, everyone is on the way to meet you. It was so then. I was
carefully balancing the steaming basin so as not to spill any of its
contents on the white deck, as the ship rose and fell, when I came upon
the doctor, who laughed. The next minute Mr Brymer popped upon me.
"Hullo!" he said, "who's that for?"
"Mr Walters, sir."
"Humph!"
I went on watching the surface of the soup, which kept on threatening to
slop over, when a rough voice said--
"Thankye, sir. I'll have it here. Did you put in the salt?"
I gave the speaker, Bob Hampton, a sharp look, and saw that the two men
who were generally near him, Barney Blane and Dumlow, were showing all
their teeth as they indulged in hard grins; and then I was close upon
the cabin-door, but started and stopped short as I heard a cough, and
looking up, there was the captain leaning over the rail and watching me.
"That's not your duty, is it, my lad?" he said.
"No, sir. For Walters, sir, before he comes on deck."
"Oh!" he ejaculated with a grim look, and he turned away, while I dived
in through the door and made my way to the cabin, where I could hear
that Walters was having a good wash.
"Here, I've brought you something to take," I cried.
He glanced round sharply, saw what I had, and took no more notice, but
went on with his washing.
"Better have it while it's hot," I said.
He took up the towel and began to rub.
"Look sharp, you must take it," I cried. "If I stand it down, it will
slop over the side."
"Oh, well, if you won't," I cried at last, "I shall eat it myself."
He threw down the towel, turned, half-snatched the basin away, and held
it as if he were going to throw the contents in my face.
His action was so sudden that I flinched.
"Ah, you know you deserve it," he cried, sourly.
"Yes, shall I eat it?" I replied, recovering myself.
"Bah!" he snarled out, and feeling that I had done all that was
necessary, I backed away and went up on deck, from whence I saw my
messmate come out of the cabin about ten minutes after, and as the
captain signed to him to come near, I slipped down out of curiosity,
hurried to the cabin, and found that the basin was emptied to the last
drop.
I ran forward and popped my head in at the galley.
"Send a boy to fetch the empty basin from our cabin," I said quickly.
"All right, sir," was the reply, and I went aft, just as Walters was
leaving the cabin, but he took care not to come near me, and I went on
with my work.
CHAPTER SEVEN.
Down south we sailed as swiftly as favouring gales and plenty of sail
could take us, and in course of time we had passed below the Azores, and
every one on board was waking up to the fact that we were getting into
latitudes where the weather grew hotter and more sunshiny day by day.
All the foul winds and rough seas had been left far behind in the north,
and anything more delightful than the life on board it would have been
impossible to conceive.
There were troubles, of course, and I used to think that the captain was
unnecessarily severe on Jarette and several of the other men; but I set
it down to a desire to preserve good discipline, and of course I felt
that he must know best how to manage his crew.
The passengers passed the greater part of their time on deck, coming up
early to bathe in the bright sunshine which made the metal look too hot
to touch, and the tar to glisten in little beads all along beneath the
ropes and about the seams of the deck, and they stayed late at night in
the brilliant moonlight, till I used to think that our voyage was going
to be one long time of pleasure; for every one--no, not every one--
seemed to be happy and cheerful, and I made no end of friends. I had
plenty to do, but even in their strictest moments the officers were
pleasant to me, and I thought, thanks to the breaking in I had had with
my father on his yacht, going to sea in a big clipper ship one of the
most delightful of lives.
But there was some bitter in it. Walters and I never grew to be warm
friends, though I did my best. He did not get on with the officers
either, but used to seize every opportunity to get away and talk to some
of the sailors, particularly with the Frenchman Jarette, who was in
trouble with the captain just after our starting, but who, thanks to the
severe treatment he had received, now proved to be one of the smartest
of the crew.
He spoke English as well as I did, but if ever I drew near when Walters
had gone to lean over the bulwarks and talk to him, I could hear that it
was in French--bad French, spoken very slowly on Walters' part, and he
used to have to make Jarette say what he had to say two or three times
over before he could quite make it out.
"No business of mine," I thought. "I might do the same and practise up
my French," which needed it badly enough, for I had pretty well
forgotten all I had learned.
Things were not quite happy either on deck. I did not thoroughly
understand why, and attributed it to Mr Denning's ill-temper,
consequent upon his being unwell, for he was haughty and distant with
Mr Frewen whenever he tried to be friendly, and I used to set it down
to his having had so much to do with doctors that he quite hated them;
but there seemed to be no reason why he should snub Mr Preddle so
whenever the big stout fellow approached him and his sister and tried to
enter into conversation.
Mr Preddle used to complain to me about it when I went with him to see
to the aerating and giving fresh water to the fish, which needed a great
deal of attention, and in spite of all our care would insist in turning
wrong side up, to paddle about slowly and helplessly for a while, and
then make a vigorous effort and swim naturally.
But the next minute they were back down and white up, and so they would
go on till they were too weak to move, and a few minutes after they
would die.
"Yes, it's sad business, Alison Dale," Mr Preddle would say with a
sigh, as he lifted a little trout out of one tray, or a tiny salmon from
another. "I'm afraid that I shall not have many left by the time I
arrive over in New Zealand."
"Perhaps they will get on better when we are in warmer parts."
"I'm afraid they'll die faster then," he said, taking something out of a
locked-up box under one of the water-troughs, and to my surprise I saw
that it was an ordinary pair of kitchen bellows.
"What! are you going to light a fire to warm them, sir?" I said.
He smiled.
"No, no; don't you know that fish require plenty of air?"
"Yes, I've heard something of the kind, and that if a pond is frozen
over, and the ice is not broken, the fish die."
"Exactly, for want of air. Look at those fish in that trough."
"Yes, they're hungry," I said, for in one corner a number of them were
putting their mouths nearly out of the water, and opening and shutting
them.
"No, they want air; there is not enough in the water. Now you'll see."
He thrust the nozzle of the bellows beneath the surface, and began
puffing away till the water boiled and bubbled and was covered with
foam, while after the first few puffs the fish swam about more
vigorously and left the surface.
"There, you see," he said, "there is plenty of air now," and he served
the other troughs the same. "Now, look here, Alison Dale," he said, as
he replaced the bellows, and locked the box, "I'll leave the key behind
this trough, and if you would not mind, I should be greatly obliged if
you would give the fish a little air now and then just to help me, for I
should dearly like to keep the poor things alive."
"Oh yes," I said, "I'll do it whenever I have a chance, but I don't
quite understand; I thought fish breathed water."
"With air in it. If there is no air to mingle with the water, the fish
soon die."
"But air over the water, you mean," I said.
"No; in the water; it will hold an enormous deal of air or gas. Look at
soda-water, for instance, how full of gas that is, and how the tiny
beads come bubbling out as soon as the pressure is removed. Now, if I
only had a few fish in these troughs, there would be plenty of air for
them naturally in the water, but with so many in my charge," he sighed,
"it must be supplied artificially."
"All right, then, we'll supply it artificially; but it looks very comic
to be blowing the water with bellows instead of the fire, and if Walters
catches me at it, he'll tell everybody that I've gone mad."
"Then you will help me?" he said, appealingly.
"Oh yes, I'll help you," I replied, and he looked so big and boyish that
I felt as if I ought to slap him over the back and call him "old chap."
"Thank you, thank you," he said in his mild way; "and--er--er--"
Then he stopped, with his mouth opening and shutting; and as I stared at
him, I could not help thinking how like he was to one of his fish.
"Yes," I said; "you were going to say something."
"Eh? Was I?" he said, looking quite red in the face, and uneasy. "Oh,
it was nothing--nothing--I--er--I hardly know what I was about to say.
Yes, I do," he cried, desperately; "I remember now. You were close to
us this morning when Mr Denning spoke to me. Did you hear what he
said?"
"No, I was too far off," I replied; "but he seemed to be speaking
snappishly."
"Yes, he does sometimes; I'm afraid that he does not like me."
"You worry him," I thought to myself, "by hanging about him so, and
talking to Miss Denning when he wants her to read to him."
"Yes?" said Mr Preddle; "what were you thinking?"
"Oh, about what you said. He is irritable, you know, from bad health."
"Yes," he said, quite in a whisper, "irritable from bad health, poor
fellow."
He stood with the little landing-net in his hand, gazing down into the
trough nearest to us as if watching the little trout; but his thoughts
were, I dare say, of something else, and I did not like to disturb him,
but stood giving a side look now and then at him, but for the most part
watching his charge, and thinking how thoroughly man had imitated the
shape of a fish in making a ship, even to the tail to steer it with.
Then all at once I looked up, for there were voices outside, and I knew
it was Jarette the Frenchman saying something very earnestly to Walters.
I did not hear what either of them said, for they spoke in a very low
tone, and in French. But I caught just the last words which were
uttered by Jarette, and they were these--
"Mais prenez-garde, mon ami. Prenez-garde."
Then they had passed on, and all was silent again, with Mr Preddle
still watching the fish.
"`But take care, my friend, take care.' That's what he said," I thought
to myself; "I know French enough for that. Take care of what? And why
does he call Walters `my friend'? He's only a common sailor, and a
midshipman even in a merchantman oughtn't to be friends in that way with
the men."
Then I laughed silently to myself as I thought of how fond I was of
leaning over the bulwarks and talking to old Bob Hampton when he had the
watch, and listening to his sea-tales about storms and pirates.
"How ready one is to find fault with people one doesn't like," I said to
myself.
"I beg your pardon," said Mr Preddle.
"I didn't speak, sir."
"No; but I had gone into a brown study. There, the fish will do now."
We both went on deck, and somehow when I was alone I too went into a
brown study, and began wondering at Mr Preddle's curious ways, and
thinking what a pity it was that a gentleman like Mr Denning, who was
on a voyage for the sake of his health, should take such a dislike to
Mr Frewen and Mr Preddle too. It hardly seemed to be like
irritability, for after all he was as merry and friendly with the
officers as he was with me. I never went near him without his beckoning
to me to come to his side, and both he and his sister were quite
affectionate to me, making my first long voyage wonderfully pleasant,
and the captain encouraged it.
"He must have heard something about them," I thought, and then I began
to think about Walters and the French sailor and the other sailors, of
those who seemed to form one party all to themselves, and of the others
who kept more along with Bob Hampton and his two friends, who had sailed
together for so many years.
"There, what does it matter?" I said to myself, as I roused myself from
my musings. "Walters doesn't like Bob Hampton because Bob laughed at
him, and that's why he hangs toward Jarette; pities him, perhaps,
because they both got into trouble with the officers, and birds of a
feather flock together."
These were all dreamy thoughts, like clouds in my mind. I could not
understand them. I grew wiser later on when the troubles came.
CHAPTER EIGHT.
I had so many things to take up my attention that I forgot all about
hearing Jarette and Walters talking together. Perhaps it came to mind
once or twice afterwards, but it made no impression then, however much I
may have thought about it afterwards. For then I was trying to learn my
duties, studying up a little navigation, helping Mr Preddle with his
fish that were to stock the New Zealand rivers with trout, and attending
to Mr Denning. I suppose it was attending upon him, but to me it was
all one jolly time of amusement, during which the poor fellow seemed to
forget all about his bad health, and became as interested as a boy with
our various bits of sport.
Now in a fast steamer there is not much done, for I suppose that quick
rush of the vessel, as it ploughs its way through the sea, startles the
fish away to right and left, and then when they might be swimming
quietly after the first rush, the tremendous beating up of the water by
the whirling screw sends them off again, and makes the water so foamy
that they cannot see a bait.
But with a sailing vessel it is different. When there is not much wind,
of course she glides along gently, leaving a wake of foam, but the water
is not so disturbed; and soon after the weather had settled down, and
was day by day growing warmer, so that the awning was rigged up over the
poop, and our fishing began.
"Oh yes," Captain Berriman said, "fish away, sir, and the more fresh
fish you catch for us, the better the passengers and crew will like it."
I was standing by one morning when this was said, and Miss Denning
glanced at me and smiled as if she knew what was coming.
"You will let young Dale help me?" said Mr Denning. "Want him?"
"Oh yes."
"Take him, then. He isn't much use," said the captain, laughingly. "I
often wonder why the owners have boys on board. Better have young
Walters, he's more of a sailor than this fellow."
"Oh no," said Mr Denning, "I should like Dale."
"All right," said the captain. "Don't tumble overboard, Dale."
"I'll try not, sir," I said, "but I can swim."
"So much the better, my lad, but it takes a long time to lower a boat
down, and a man overboard gets left a long way behind when a ship is in
full sail."
He walked away, and looking as eager as I did, Mr Denning began about a
fishing-line, while his sister looked bright and happy to see her
brother so much interested in the plans he had in view.
"I suppose there are plenty of fishing-lines on board," he said. "Let's
get right back beyond the man at the wheel, and fish from there."
"I'll go and see about the lines," I said; and I went forward to where
the boatswain was looking after some men who were bending on a new sail.
"Lines? Fishin'-lines, my lad?--no, I don't know of any."
Directly after I came upon Walters. "I say, do you know anything about
any fishing-lines?" I said.
"Of course I do," he replied in a contemptuous tone; "who doesn't?"
"But where do they keep them--with the stores?"
"Who's going fishing?" said Walters. "Mr Denning."
"Oh! I'll come and help him; I like fishing," he said.
I looked at him curiously, as I thought of what had been said, and then
asked him again.
"I don't know," he cried, "I don't carry fishing-lines in my pockets.
Ask old fat Preddle, he's a regular fisherman. But you won't catch
any."
I did not think Mr Preddle was likely to have lines, so I did not ask
him, but thought I would go and ask every man I met, when I caught sight
of Bob Hampton, and went to him.
"Fishin'-lines, my lad? No, I don't think there's any aboard."
"Yes, there are," growled Barney; "I see Frenchy Jarette rigging some up
t'other day, as if he meant to have a try."
I felt as if I did not like to ask a favour of the Frenchman, for
somehow I did not like him; but feeling that Mr Denning would be
disappointed if none were found, I asked where the man was, and found
that he was down in the forecastle asleep, for he had been in one of the
night watches.
It was so dark there, that for a few moments I could not make out which
of the sleeping men lying there was the one I sought. They were all
breathing heavily, and at first going down out of the bright sunshine
the faces all looked alike; but after getting a little more accustomed
to the gloom, I saw a hand just where the faint rays came down through a
little sky-light, and on one of the fingers there was a silver ring.
Thinking that the wearer might possibly be the Frenchman, I went farther
and looked a little more closely, and saw that I was right, for though I
could not have been sure that the ring on the hand proved this to be the
man I sought, one that I could just make out in the ear satisfied me,
and stooping lower still I laid my hand upon his shoulder.
The touch had no effect, and I took hold and shook him.
"Jarette--Jarette!" I said.
He sprang partly up with a faint cry, and to my horror, gripped me by
the throat.
"Curse you, I'll--Ah, it's you, cher ami," he said, beginning fiercely,
and changing his tone to a whisper. "No, no, not yet," he continued,
"it isn't ripe. Wait, cher ami, wait a little."
"Jarette," I said wonderingly, for the man puzzled me--I had no key to
his meaning then--"wake up. I'm sorry I roused you, but we want a
fishing-line, and Bob Hampton says you have some."
"What--to fish! No, you wish to speak. Hist! I--ah, I see now," he
cried quickly. "It is dark below. I see it is you, Mr Dale.
Fishing-lines? Yes, I get you some."
"Why, you thought I was Mr Walters," I said, laughing.
"I?--my faith, no, sir. I was asleep and dreaming. Yes," he continued,
scrambling out and going to a canvas bag, out of which he drew a large
square wooden winder.
"There; it is a very long line and nearly new. I have not used it once,
sir. Mister the captain objects to the men having these delassements,
these untirings, when you are weary."
"Oh, thank you, Jarette," I cried eagerly.
"And here are these hooks, if the one at the end breaks."
"Yes."
"And the good fortune to you. Good luck you say it."
I went back on deck with my prize, and called at the galley, thinking no
more of the Frenchman's mistake.
There the cook readily furnished me with a sharp knife and some tough
rind pieces of pork and bacon liberally furnished on one side with fat.
"Cut 'em in long baits, sir," he said, "and the fish are sure to come at
them."
"But they will taste too salt," I said.
He laughed.
"How can a fish know whether the bait is salt when it takes it in salt
water?"
I had not thought of that, and I returned aft, passing Mr Frewen and
Mr Preddle, both of whom looked disturbed, and then I reached the spot
where I had left Mr Denning and his sister. He was looking angry, and
Miss Denning had tears in her eyes as she quickly turned away.
"I've got a line and baits," I said, speaking as if I had not noticed
that anything was wrong, though I felt sure that the doctor and Mr
Preddle had been there in my absence.
"You can take them back," said Mr Denning, shortly, "I shall not fish
to-day."
Miss Denning turned round quickly.
"John dear!" she whispered, and she gave him a piteous look.
He frowned and turned to me, when seeing, I suppose, my disappointment,
he smoothed his face and then smiled.
"Oh, very well," he said, "I was going to my cabin, but we will have a
try."
I saw Miss Denning lay her hand upon his arm, but took no notice, for I
knelt down on the deck directly, cut a bait ready--a long strip of the
bacon rind--stuck the point of the large sharp hook through one end as
if I were going to fish for mackerel at home, and then after unwinding
some of the line, to which a heavy leaden sinker was attached, I was
about to throw the bait over the stern.
"But that piece of lead will be too heavy," cried Mr Denning, now full
of interest in the fishing. "It will make the line hang straight down,
and I keep seeing the fish play near the top."
I shook my head.
"It will not sink six feet," I said, "because we shall drag it along so
fast. If we were going faster I should require a heavier lead."
"Ah, well, I suppose you know best," he said, smiling. "Go on."
He gave an uneasy glance back along the deck to see if any one else were
near but the man at the wheel, who had his back to us, and I let about
fifty yards of the stout line run out before I checked it and placed it
in Mr Denning's hands as he stood leaning against the bulwarks.
"Shall I give a twist round one of the belaying-pins?" I said.
"What for?" he cried sharply. "Do you think I am too weak to hold it?"
"Oh no," I said quickly, "but we may hook a big fish, and the line would
cut your hand."
He smiled as if he doubted me, and to guard against his letting go, I
unwound the whole of the remaining line and laid it out in rings before
fastening the winder tightly beneath the bulwark, so that even if the
line were all run out the fish would be checked and caught.
Just then Walters came sauntering up, and I could not help thinking that
from his size and our uniform being the same, how easily we might be
taken one for the other in the gloom of the forecastle.
Mr Denning turned and looked at him for a moment, and then back to
watch his line without a word, while Miss Denning bowed slightly.
"They don't like Walters," I said to myself.
"Had any bites?" he said with a sniggering laugh.
"No," replied Mr Denning, coldly; "I have only just begun."
There was silence for a few minutes, Walters' coming having seemed to
damp our proceedings.
"Here, I know what's the matter," he said suddenly, taking a couple of
steps close up to Mr Denning. "Your bait isn't right."
"Mind!" I cried. "You're treading on the line."
"Well, it won't hurt it," said Walters, roughly, and he kicked some of
the rings up with one of his feet. Then to Mr Denning--"It isn't as if
I'd got on nailed boots. Here, let me pull in your bait and pat a
proper one on. I've caught lots of fish. He doesn't know anything
about it."
"Thank you," said Mr Denning, coldly, "when I require your help, I will
ask for it. Ah!"
He uttered a sharp ejaculation, as there came a sudden fierce tug at the
line which dragged his hands right out to the full length of his arms
and brought his chest heavily against his side.
"Hooray! you've got him," cried Walters, "and a big one too. Hold
fast!"
It was as if Mr Denning was playing at the old forfeit game of the
Rules of Contrary, for he let go. The line rushed out, and the next
moment the rings in which Walters had stepped tightened round his legs
just as he was changing his position, and with so heavy a drag that the
lad lost his balance and came down heavily upon the deck, which his head
struck with a sharp rap.
"That was your doing!" he shouted, as I rushed at him where he was
struggling to free himself, for the line kept on tightening round him
from the furious jerks given by the fish which had seized the bait.
But I was not thinking of freeing him, only of getting hold of the line,
and as he struck at me quickly, I thrust him back so sharply that his
head struck the deck again.
By that time I had hold of the line, and, thinking no more of Walters, I
tried to hold the prize, but was fain to call excitedly upon Mr Denning
to help me.
He seized the line too, and for the next five minutes the fish was
tearing about here and there in the water far below where we stood, and
jerking our arms and shoulders till they ached. Now it would go off at
right angles, now directly in the opposite direction.
Then slacking the line for a few moments it shot right away aft, jerking
the line so heavily that it was dragged through our hands. The next
moment we saw what looked like a huge bar of blue and silver shoot right
out of the water and come down with a heavy splash.
"Gone!" I said with a groan, for there were no more fierce tugs, and as
I hauled, the line came in yard by yard for me to cast down on the deck.
"The line's broken," said Mr Denning in a husky voice, as he drew out
his handkerchief to wipe his face.
"Yes; it was a monster," I said dolefully. "Oh, what a pity!"
"Missed one?" said the captain.
"Yes, sir; a great fellow, five feet long at least."
"One of the big albicores, I dare say," he said. "They are very strong
in the water. But he has not broken your line, has he?"
"I'm afraid so," I replied, as I hauled away till the lead rattled
against the ship's side. Then another haul or two brought the hook over
the rail, for the line was not broken, but the stout wire hook had
straightened with the weight of the fish, and had been drawn back out of
the creature's jaws.
By this time Walters had pretty well cleared himself from the line
tangled about his leg, and he stood looking on and scowling at me in
turn as I removed the straightened hook, and put on another from the
spare ones with which Jarette had furnished me. This I baited as before
and threw over, the line running out rapidly till about the same length
was out; and Mr Denning took hold again, the red spots in his cheeks
showing how thoroughly he was interested in the sport.
"Better luck to you this time," said the captain, and he nodded and
walked away; but Walters stayed, saying nothing, but leaning against the
rail, and looking on in a sulky, ill-used way at me and my every action
as I attended on Mr Denning.
"We shall never get to be friends," I thought. "He always looks as if
he was so jealous that he would like to throw me overboard."
"Shall I fasten the line this time, sir?"
"No, no; not on any account," said Mr Denning. "It would take away
half the excitement, and I get so little in my life. Eh, Lena?"
Miss Denning smiled at him half-pityingly, and his face looked very
gentle now as he smiled back at her. Then all his attention was
directed to the line where it hit the water.
"You will be ready to help if I hook a big one," he said to me; "I'm not
so strong as I used to be."
"I'll catch hold directly you tell me," I replied; "but perhaps it will
be a small one this time."
I turned to arrange the spare line once more so that it would run out
easily, and Miss Denning went closer to her brother, while I became
aware now of the fact that Walters was watching me in a sour, sneering
way.
"What's the matter?" I said.
"Oh, go on," he whispered; "make much of it. You did that on purpose
just now."
"What, when you went down?" I said eagerly. "I didn't, really."
"All right; I'm not blind, and I'm not a fool. Of course we're the
favourite, and everything is to give way to us; but never mind, my lad,
every dog has his day."
I looked at him with a feeling of wonder that any one could be so
thoroughly disagreeable, so determined to look at everything from a
wrong point of view, and then I laughed, for it seemed to be utterly
absurd that he should misconstrue even that look, for he exclaimed
viciously--
"That's right, grin away, my lad; but the day may come when you'll laugh
the wrong side of your mouth."
"Why, what a chap you are, Nic!" I whispered. "I never saw such a
fellow. Come, let's be friends; I'm sure I want to."
"And I don't, with a miserable sneak who is always trying to undermine
me with people."
"Under-grandmother you," I said in a low voice, so that Miss Denning
should not hear. "Don't talk such stuff."
"Go on. Insult me as much as you like," he whispered back: "I shan't
say anything. You're setting everybody against me, so that instead of
being friends, as a young officer should with his equals, I'm obliged to
go and talk to the men."
I could not help laughing again at his mock-tragic and absurd way of
taking things, and as I honestly felt that if matters were unpleasant it
was all his own fault, he leaned toward me now with his eyes half shut
and his teeth pressed together as he whispered close to my ear--
"All right. You'll be sorry for it some day, and then--"
"Here's another, Dale! Quick!" cried Mr Denning.
"Yes, yes, quick, quick," cried his sister, and I offended poor Walters
again quite unintentionally by swinging one arm across his chest in my
hurry and excitement to get to Mr Denning's help; and as I reached over
the rail to get hold of the line, I felt sure that my messmate would
think that I struck him. For the moment I felt vexed and sorry, then I
could not help smiling to think how comic it was that I should keep on
upsetting him. Then I forgot all about it in the excitement of righting
the fish.
"It's a big one, Mr Denning," I said, as we both held on to the line--
holding on now with it across the rail. "Let's give him a chance to
run, and then haul in. Then he can run over again to tire himself."
Mr Denning was too much excited to speak, but he nodded his head, and
we let the line run, after I had placed one foot upon it to hold it down
on the deck and check its race.
Away went the fish, with ring after ring working off beneath my foot
till only about three yards were left.
"Stop it now," cried Mr Denning, and I pressed my foot down hard,
feeling a curious quivering sensation run up my leg before I quite
stopped the running.
And now the fish began to rush in another direction, giving us an
opportunity to haul in some of the line; but we soon had to let it go
again; and every time I glanced at Walters, all hot, excited, and eager
as I was, I could see that he was looking on with a half-mocking scowl.
But the next minute he gave quite a start and seized the line, for the
captain, Mr Brymer, and Mr Frewen had all come up on seeing that a
fish had been hooked, and the former said sharply--
"Come, Walters, don't stand there with your hands in your pockets and
let Dale do all the work."
And again I upset my messmate as if it were a fatality, for I cried
out--
"All right, sir, we can manage. Don't touch the line, Walters."
"No; don't touch the line!" cried Mr Denning, and the lad shrank back
as if the thin hemp were red-hot.
Then amidst plenty of excitement and some of the crew coming aft, I
helped Mr Denning haul and haul till the fish was gradually drawn so
close in that we could see its failing efforts to regain its freedom.
Apparently it was nearly five feet long, and its sides flashed in the
clear water where it was not foaming with the lashing of the captive's
vigorous widely-forked tail.
"Bonito," cried the captain.
"No, no, albicore," said Mr Brymer.
"Suppose we wait till it's fully caught," said Mr Frewen, smiling at
Miss Denning, when I saw her brother give him an angry look.
But the next moment I was thinking only of the fish, which was now so
exhausted that it had ceased struggling, and allowed itself to be
dragged along in the wake of the ship, merely giving a flap with its
tail from time to time which turned it from side to side.
"Now," said Mr Denning to me, "let us both haul it on board."
But I protested, saying that the weight of the fish would certainly
break it away, and that we should lose it.
To save us from such a catastrophe, I unfastened the other end of the
line, made a running noose round the tight line beneath Mr Denning's
hands, and let it run down till the noose struck the fish on the nose,
and made it give a furious plunge to escape.
But the hook held firm in spite of my dread, and after a little
twitching and shaking, with the lookers-on making remarks which only
fidgeted me instead of helping, I managed to make the noose glide over
the slippery body.
"Now!" cried Mr Frewen, who was as interested as the rest; but before
the word was well uttered, I had given the line a sharp snatch just as
the running noose was in the narrow part before where the tail fin
curved out above and below like a new moon.
This meant a double hold, for the noose tightened, and now in spite of a
fresh set of furious struggles the fish was steadily hauled out of the
water, and we nearly had it up to the poop-rail, when the hook was torn
out of its holding, and the fish hung down quivering and flapping from
the noose about its tail.
The weight seemed to be tremendous, but I gave two or three sharp tugs,
had the fish over the rail, and over on to the deck, whose planks it
began to belabour heavily, while we gazed excitedly at the beautiful
creature glistening in its splendid coat of many colours, which flashed
gold, silver, orange, scarlet, and metallic blue and green at every
quivering blow.
"What is it?" said Mr Denning eagerly, and I remember thinking how
animated and well he looked that day.
"Well," said the captain, "many years as I've sailed these seas, I
hardly know what to say. It's something like a dolphin, but it's more
like a bonito, and it isn't unlike an albicore. What should you say,
Brymer?"
"Quite fresh to me," said the mate. "Certainly one of the mackerel
family, by its head and the great crescent moon tail."
"Yes, and the short fins on front, top, and bottom. Never mind, it
looks a good one for the table, and I congratulate you, Mr Denning,
upon your luck. Going to try again?"
"No," said the invalid, peevishly, as he glanced quickly from his sister
to the doctor and back. "Thank you for helping me, Alison Dale. Lena,
your arm; I'll go below."
No one spoke till he had disappeared, and then the captain shook his
head.
"Poor chap," he said, with a sigh. "Here, Dale, Walters, carry the fish
to the cook; Hampton--Dumlow, swabs and a bucket."
"Keep tight hold," I cried to my companion, who was holding the head of
the fish by a loop of yarn passed through its gills, while I carried it
by getting a good grip of the thin tail.
"Do you want to carry it yourself?"
"Not at all. Too heavy."
Just then the fish began to quiver as if it were all steel spring, and
waggled its tail so sharply that it flung off my grasp, and once more I
offended Walters, for the fish fell across his feet.
"There!" he cried, "you can't deny that. You did it on purpose. A
filthy, slimy thing!"
As he stood there with both his hands clenched I thought he was going to
strike me; but even if he had it would have made no difference, I should
have been obliged to laugh, and laugh I did, till as I was wiping my
eyes I found that Jarette the French sailor was close up and looking at
me keenly.
"Here, Barney Blane," I said, "take hold."
The man grinned and came and helped me bear it away to the cook, after
which I put away the tackle, hanging it to dry before giving it back to
its owner.
CHAPTER NINE.
All at once, just as our life at sea was as calm and peaceful as could
be, Captain Berriman grew quite queer in his manner. He was pleasant
enough to the passengers, and I never had an unkind word from him, but
he was most tyrannical to a number of the men, ordering them about,
making them set fresh sail, take it down, and altering his orders
half-a-dozen times over, till the men used to go about muttering, and
more than once I heard words spoken about him that were startling, to
say the least.
One evening when it was very dark, the moon not having risen, I was
looking over the side and down into the calm, black water which was as
full of tiny specks of light as the sky above me, and every now and then
these little glittering points beneath the surface would be driven here
and there as if a fish had swum sharply by. It was all so beautiful, to
watch point after point gliding about lower and lower till all was jet
black, that I had forgotten everything, heard nothing, till all at once
just behind me I heard Mr Brymer say--
"Of course it is very unpleasant for me. I'm afraid the men will not
stand much more of it. Do you think he is going mad?"
There was a pause for a few moments, and then Mr Frewen said--
"No; I feel sure that it is only a temporary trouble due to the heat and
over-anxiety about the ship."
"But he is getting worse; and twice over to-day I felt as if I ought to
shut him up in his cabin and take charge altogether."
"No, I should not do that," said Mr Frewen, "so long as nothing serious
goes wrong. If he really gets too bad, I suppose I must help you by
justifying your proceedings in superseding him."
"For the owners' sake, of course."
"Of course. It is a very serious position for us both. But there, he
may be better to-morrow. If not, we must hope for the improvement when
we get further south."
"Then you would not take command?"
"Certainly not, under the present circumstances."
"Halloa!" cried Mr Brymer--"a spy! Who's that--Walters?"
"No, sir; it is I."
"And what are you doing there, listening?"
"I was watching the phosphorescence of the sea, sir, and you came and
stood close to me and began talking."
"And you heard?" said Mr Frewen.
"Every word, sir."
"And do you know that we were talking about Mr Denning?" said the mate.
"No; you were talking about the captain."
They were silent for a few moments, and then Mr Frewen spoke.
"Look here, Dale," he said, "this is a delicate matter. You have seen
that Captain Berriman is ill?"
"I thought he was very strange, and a bit cross sometimes."
"Far worse than that. Look here, Dale, if you go chattering about what
you have heard," said Mr Brymer, "you may make a great deal of
mischief."
"I am not likely to talk about it to anybody unless it be to Mr
Denning," I said, feeling a little hurt.
"Then pray don't mention it to him. It would only make him and his
sister uneasy," cried Mr Frewen, quickly.
"I'm afraid they've seen enough for themselves," said Mr Brymer. "Look
here, youngster, I shall speak plainly to you, because you are a
sensible lad. If you spoke about what we have said, and it reached
Captain Berriman's ear now he is in that excitable state, he would
immediately think I was conspiring against him, go frantic, and there
might be terrible mischief. So don't say a word, even to your messmate,
or he'll go chattering to that French scoundrel and the rest of the men.
By the way, Dale, let me give you a word of advice. I don't like the
way in which young Walters is going on. It is not becoming for a
midshipman or apprentice to make friends too readily with the sailors.
Don't you follow his example."
"I don't sir," I said indignantly.
"Softly, my lad; I've seen you talking a good deal with that old fellow
Hampton, and the two men with him."
"Oh yes; I have talked to them a good deal," I said: "but it was only
when we were on the watch, and I wanted them to tell me something about
the sea."
"Ah, well, be careful, my lad. Here, shake hands. I'm not cross with
you, for you have behaved uncommonly well since you've been on board.
There, that will do."
"Good-night, Dale," said Mr Frewen, kindly; "a still tongue maketh a
wise head, my lad."
They walked on, and disappeared in the darkness directly, while I stood
with my back to the bulwarks and my hands in my pockets, thinking about
what they had said, and recalling the little things I had thought
nothing of at the time, but which came back now looking to be big
things. Yes, I remembered the captain had certainly been rather strange
in his manner sometimes. Why, of course, Mr Denning had said to his
sister that the captain need not be so disagreeable to the men.
I was just wondering what would happen, and then thinking that it would
not make much difference if Mr Brymer were captain, and that it would
be better perhaps for Captain Berriman to lie by and be attended by Mr
Frewen, when I heard a sound over my head--something like a low hiss.
"Some kind of night-bird," I thought. But the next moment I felt quite
startled, for the sound was repeated, and I knew now that it was some
one whispering. Then, as I stood quite still in the darkness, with the
glow coming from the cabin-windows and from the binnacle-light, there
was a faint rushing up above, and a little off to my left, and directly
after I knew what it was,--somebody's feet on the ratlines coming down
from the main-top.
There was no sail being made or reduced, and it seemed strange for any
one to be up there, and it had just struck me that perhaps it was
Captain Berriman, who had seen Mr Brymer and Mr Frewen talking
together and had gone up to listen, when, so close to me that I wondered
I was not seen, somebody stepped down on to the top of the bulwarks, and
then swung himself softly on to the deck; then crouching down close
under the side, he crept forward swiftly and was gone.
"That couldn't have been the captain," I thought; "the step was too
light. It was some one quite active."
I was thinking of going forward to try and make out, when there was
another rustling noise above, which recalled the whispering that had
passed out of my mind for the moment; then the rustling continued, and
some one else came down, stepped lightly on the deck, and stood
perfectly still as if looking about to see if any one was near.
It was so dark that I could not make out who it was till he walked aft
not very far from where I stood, and a few moments later I saw who it
was, for his figure came between my eyes and the glow from the
cabin-windows.
"Why, it was Walters," I said to myself, and then I began to wonder more
and more what it all meant. I ran it over in my mind, but I could not
think of any one at all likely to be Walters' companion at night in the
main-top; in fact, I could not think of any one at all likely to climb
up so high, or even half-way up the shrouds.
"It couldn't have been a cabin passenger," I thought, "for he went
forward; nor yet one of the steerage people."
Then I knew, and wondered that I had not thought of him at first.
"Why, it was Jarette," I said to myself. "He's as light and active as a
cat."
I waited a bit; and then went slowly right forward and stood for a time
with the men at the look-out, to gaze right away into the soft, hot,
black darkness, thinking how easily we might run into another vessel, or
another vessel run into us. Then setting my face aft, I went back along
the starboard side, and made my way, blinking like an owl after being so
long in the darkness, into the saloon-cabin, where the passengers were
sitting about, some reading, others working, and where on one side I
found Mr Denning playing chess with his sister.
Everything looked calm, and as if the people were happy enough, and
never thinking it likely there could be any trouble about Captain
Berriman or anything else.
But the saloon-cabin was so warm down there in the south that I soon
went back on deck to hang over the bulwarks for a time, and then go
right aft to look down at the sparkling water, all ablaze now as it
seemed to rush from both sides of the rudder, where in the daytime all
would be white foam.
I had no duty to perform that night to keep me on deck; but still I
lingered, thinking that perhaps the cabin would be terribly hot, as it
had been on the previous night, only I dropped off to sleep so soon that
the heat did not trouble me.
"And I shall have it all to myself to-night," I thought, "for Walters
will have to take his turn in the watch."
At last, half envying him the task of passing a good deal of the night
on deck, I took a look round. The saloon-lights were out, and there was
no one there; the sailing-lights were up in their places, and the faint
glow rose from about the binnacle, just faintly showing the steersman's
face. Away forward I could hear the low murmur of conversation where
the watch were on duty, and now, for the first time, I yawned, and some
one spoke from close behind me and made me start.
"Well," he said, "if you are so drowsy as that, why don't you go to your
bunk?"
"Just going, sir," I said, for it was the first mate, Mr Brymer; and
now I hurried down, threw off my clothes, and in a very few minutes I
was sound asleep.
I suppose it was the heat, for I don't believe that it had anything to
do with the coming danger, but at any rate I slept badly that night--an
uneasy, troubled kind of sleep, such as I should have expected to have
if some one was to come and call me about two bells.
It must have been about that time that I was lying more asleep than
awake, but sufficiently conscious to spring up in my berth and say quite
aloud--
"Yes; what is it?"
There was no reply, though I could have declared that some one called
me. But though there was no reply, I could hear voices. Some one was
giving orders in a sharp, angry voice; and directly after, I could hear
a scuffling sound, followed by a savage curse uttered in a low voice,
and then there was the sound of a fall.
Something was evidently wrong, and for a few moments I was sure that the
captain had found out about the conversation which had taken place, and
had now taken matters into his hands in no mild fashion. Mr Brymer was
the last man I saw on deck, and without doubt that must be he.
I lay there, with the perspiration oozing out of every pore, and
listened for the next sounds; but all was still for a few moments. Then
there were evidently people running about on deck, and a chill of horror
ran through me as I now noticed that something was wrong with the ship.
For instead of rising and falling steadily as she glided onward, she was
right down in the trough of the sea, and swaying and rolling in a way
that was startling. Fully convinced now that we had gone on a rock or a
sandbank--being ready to imagine anything in my excitement--I rolled out
of my berth and began to hurry on some clothes.
I never dressed more quickly in my life, for as I hastily slipped on my
things, there was the sharp report of a gun or pistol, and a loud crash
as of a door being burst in. Then the hush and quiet was at an end;
there was a piercing shriek, another shot, followed by the sounds of
struggling, loud and angry voices, then cries for help; and I made for
the deck as quickly as I could, to find all in darkness. But men were
running here and there, a sharp voice was giving orders, and then I saw
the flash of a pistol or gun. The report came, there was a low groan,
and then all at once some one rose as it were out of the darkness and
made a blow at me, for I heard the whish of a weapon.
But the blow was made in the dark, and had no effect; but whoever struck
now made a dash at me, and I ducked down, leaped sidewise, and with my
heart in my mouth ran right forward, with whoever it was in pursuit.
I felt that I knew who it was now as I ran. The captain really had gone
mad, and as I ran and heard the steps behind me, fear lent me great
speed. Other people had been shot or cut down, and something terrible
was going on. So I ran for my life to take refuge with the crew in the
forecastle; but as I reached it, there was struggling and fighting going
on there, and I crossed the deck to run back aft on the other side,
meaning to reach Mr Brymer's cabin or Mr Frewen's if I could.
For a moment I fancied that I had evaded my pursuer, but there was
another dash made for me again out of the darkness, and I ran on.
"Look out there, you, sir," cried a voice from behind me; "here comes
one."
This told me that there were enemies in front, and I was ready to dart
anywhere to avoid whoever tried to stop me.
That there was danger I soon found, for struggling, and oaths, and
curses saluted my ears again as I reached the ladder and ran up on to
the poop-deck, just as a shout from near the wheel drove me back.
"Got him?" shouted some one.
"No; where is he?"
I was crouching now under the starboard bulwark, and feeling certain
that in another minute I should be found, I passed my hand upward,
searched about, and found that which I sought, the mizzen-shrouds. The
next minute I had caught well hold with both hands, swung up my feet,
and went on inboard hand over hand till I was twenty feet above the
deck, clinging there in the darkness, and listening to the efforts
made--evidently by three or four men--beneath to find out where I could
be gone.
CHAPTER TEN.
As I clung there in the mizzen-shroud, afraid to stir, hardly daring to
breathe lest I should be heard, and puzzled beyond measure as to what it
could all mean, but feeling all the same certain that something terrible
had happened, and that it was no shipwreck, there was a tremendous
kicking and banging at one of the cabin-doors, and up through the
sky-light came in smothered tones--
"Here, open this, or I'll kick it off the hinges."
"Lie down!" yelled a sharp angry voice from somewhere beneath me, and
there was a flash of a pistol, the loud report, and a few moments after
the smell of the powder rose to my nostrils.
"Jarette," I said to myself, as I recognised the half-French sailor's
voice, and then I felt sure that it was Mr Frewen who had shouted from
one of the cabins where he must be locked in.
"Then it must be a mutiny," I thought, and such a cold paralysing chill
ran through me that I felt as if I should drop down on deck. For the
recollection of all I had read of such affairs taking place in bygone
times flashed through my brain--of officers murdered in cold blood,
ships carried off by the crew to unknown islands, and--yes--I was an
officer, young as I might be, and if the mutineers caught me they would
murder me, as perhaps they had already murdered Captain Berriman and Mr
Brymer.
I felt giddy then, and the wonder has always been to me that I did not
let go and fall. But my fingers were well hooked on to the ropes, and
there I hung listening, as after pretty well scouring the deck the men
below me stopped, and the voice that I had set down as Jarette's said--
"Well, have you got him?"
"No."
"Did you feel under the seats?"
"Yes; there's no one on this deck."
"Did he go overboard?"
"No; he must have dodged us and dropped back from the rail."
"Who was it? The doctor?"
"No; that whipper-snapper of a boy."
"Oh, him. Well, then he'd better come out of his hole, wherever he is,"
said Jarette loudly, speaking in very good English, though with a
peculiar accent which sounded to me almost ferocious, as I hung there
feeling as if I could not hold on much longer.
"Do you hear, boy? Come here, or I'll send a bullet to fetch you."
That man was not twenty feet below me, and as I strained my eyes to try
and see whether he was watching me and taking aim, a curious creeping
sensation ran over my body as if tiny fingers were touching me.
"Do you hear?" came in a fierce snarl,--"am I to fire?"
The voice sounded so close now that the words seemed to be shouted in my
ear, and for the minute, feeling certain that he knew where I was, I
drew myself up ready to drop down. But still I hesitated, though I felt
perfectly certain he was looking up and pointing his pistol at me.
There was an interval of perfect silence then, save that a murmur came
from below, and this encouraged me, for I felt that I must be invisible
in the darkness, or else Jarette would have had me down.
Then my heart sank, for the man shouted suddenly--
"There, boy, I can see you; come out or I'll fire."
"Come out! Then he cannot see me," I thought, and I clung there
spasmodically, hoping still that I was unobserved.
"He's not here," said Jarette, sharply; "now then, one of you, I want a
man at the wheel, the ship's yawing about anyhow. Who have you there--
Morris?"
"Down on guard at the cabin-door," said a voice.
"Brook?"
"'Long with him."
"Jackson?"
"Sitting on the forksle-hatch."
"Sacre! Where's Bob Hampton?"
"Hee-ar!" came from the direction of the way down to the lower deck.
"Come up here and take the wheel."
"Ay, ay," growled the familiar voice, and I felt heart-sick to hear it,
for Bob Hampton would have been the first man I should have picked out
as one to be trusted, while the sound of his voice made it appear that
every one would be against us.
But though these thoughts flashed through my mind, I was listening all
the time intently to what went on below, striving as I was to grasp the
real state of affairs.
"Here you are then, Bob Hampton. Behold you, my friend, though it's so
dark I can't see you," said Jarette, and I heard a low chuckling noise
which I recognised as Bob Hampton's laugh.
"And that's a bull as arn't an Irish one," he said.
"Ah, yes, faith of a man, but don't you try to be funny, my man," said
Jarette, "for this is not a funny time, when men are working with their
necks in the hang-dog noose. Now, look here, my friend, I did not ask
you to join us, because I did not trust you; but you have joined us to
save your skin; so you had better work for us well, or--there, I will
not say ugly things. You are a good sailor, Bob Hampton, and know your
work, and it would be a pity if you were to be knocked overboard and
drowned."
"Horrid pity, messmet."
"Captain, if you please, Bob Hampton, and your friend if you are
faithful. That will do. Now go to the wheel, and send the ship on her
voyage south. She is rolling in the trough of the sea."
"Right!" said Bob. "'Spose, captain, you won't be so particklar; man
may light his pipe while he is at the wheel."
"Oh yes. Smoke and be comfortable; but you will mind how you steer, for
I shall be a hard severe man. You understand, extremement severe."
"Course you will," said Bob, coolly; "skippers must be. Don't matter to
me, messmate--cap'n, I mean--one skipper's good as another. But I say,
cap'n, there's Barney Blane and Neb Dumlow knocked on the head in the
forksle. They on'y showed fight a-cause they see as I did at first.
They're good mates and true, and 'll jyne me as they allus have. `Wheer
you sails,' say they, `we sails.' So I thought I'd put in a word, as
you wants trusty men."
"I can choose my crew, Bob Hampton," said the Frenchman, in a peculiar
tone of voice. "Too much talk is only good for parrot birds. Go you
and steer."
"Right you are, cap'n," said Bob, and I heard him go aft, but could not
see him till I wrenched my head round, and could then dimly see
something in the halo of soft light shed by the lamp on the compass.
And all this time the ship was rolling slowly, with the yards making a
strange creaking sound and the sails filling and flapping about with
strange flutterings and whimperings; but in a few minutes there was a
perceptible change, the ship's head swinging round, and I knew that we
were once more gliding swiftly through the water.
That there was a group of men below me I felt absolutely certain, though
I could see nobody; and at last, when I had come to the conclusion that
I had reached the extreme limit of my strength, and that I must drop,
Jarette spoke suddenly, but in quite a low voice--
"You two stay here by the sky-light, and if any attempt is made to get
on deck, shoot at once. If they are killed, their blood be on their own
heads. Where's young Mr Walters?"
"Why, you left him on guard with the others at the cabin-door," said a
man surlily.
"Fetch him here: I did," said Jarette, and I felt then that I was going
down on the heads of the men below. But I made one more desperate
effort, as I heard the soft footsteps moving off in different
directions; and then almost without a sound I got my arm round the
outside shroud, then one leg round,--how I can hardly tell you now, I
was so exhausted,--and the next minute I had relieved my muscles of the
strain, and was standing there with my feet on the ratlines, my arms
thrust right through and folded round one of the inner ropes, and my
head thrust through as well; safe, I felt, even if I lost my senses and
fainted away.
Fortunately for me, the ship was heeling over now in the opposite
direction, so that my position was easier, and as I half lay, half clung
there, the painful stress on mind and body grew lighter--at least the
bodily stress did, and I began to think more clearly.
It was horrible. The ship then had been seized by the crew, headed by
Jarette. Some of the men had resisted, and were prisoners in the
forecastle; but Bob Hampton had gone over to the side of the mutineers,
and the others were sure to follow. But the worst thing of all was the
knowledge that my brother midshipman was in the mutiny, and keeping
guard over the officers and passengers. And he was a gentleman's son.
Here then was the explanation of his being so friendly with Jarette, and
that was why he and Jarette had been up aloft in the dark.
I shivered at the thought. But the next moment I was seeing something
else clearly, and I guessed at two things which afterwards I found to be
correct. Jarette had traded upon Walters' discontent, and won him over
with, no doubt, great promises, because he would be useful; and of
course I saw it plainly now it had been necessary to fasten the
cabin-doors, and shut the officers in. Mr Frewen was, as I had heard,
locked in his cabin. Who was there to go quietly at night and fasten
their doors? No one more likely than the lad who had the run of the
cabins and saloon.
"No, I won't believe it," I thought the next moment. "Nic Walters
couldn't be such a miserable scoundrel as that."
CHAPTER ELEVEN.
What was I to do?
The answer came readily enough. Join your friends.
But how? They were prisoners below in the cabins, and with guards set
at the companion and over the sky-lights.
There appeared to be no way but to go up aloft higher, crawl along some
stay, and then lower myself down, and to creep through the sky-light.
"And be dragged back long before I could get down, even if I could get
down at all," I said to myself bitterly.
That would not do; there must be some other way.
"Join the mutineers," something seemed to suggest, and wait till there
was a chance of leaving them and giving information to the authorities,
or another ship.
I couldn't do that, and even if I had felt disposed, Walters would have
taken care that I was not trusted. He would have been too jealous.
Feeling rested, I now began to creep up step by step so as to reach the
mizzen-top, where I hoped I could remain unseen. It was ticklish work,
for the men on guard by the sky-light were a very little distance away;
but moving by slow degrees I climbed up at last, and lay down in
comparative safety, not having been heard.
I had hardly reached my hiding-place, when I heard one of the men below
me say--
"Here they come," and directly after I could see ascend to the
poop-deck, by the light of three lanterns the men carried, a party of
about fourteen, one of whom was Jarette, another Nic Walters, and the
rest were sailors, with the two rough fellows, Dumlow and Blane, firmly
bound with stout line, in their midst.
They were pushed and dragged up to the foot of the mizzen-mast, where
Jarette seated himself in one of the deck chairs, and Walters, with a
pistol in his hand and another in his belt, stood by the Frenchman's
side, resting one foot upon the seat of the chair, as if on terms of the
greatest intimacy with its occupant.
"Bring 'em forward," said Jarette, and the two men were thrust to the
front, Dumlow growling like some strange animal, and Blane trying to
strike at his guards with his elbows.
"Steady there," shouted Jarette.
"Steady it is," growled Dumlow. "Look here, you Jarette, if you'll just
have these ropes undone on the starboard side to let one o' my fins at
liberty I'll fight yer one hand."
"Hold you your tongue, fool."
"Shan't, so now then. Jest you have this rope undone and I'll take a
pair on you."
"Will you hold that tongue, or shall I cut it out?"
"I should just like to ketch you at it, yer sham make-believe English
sailor."
My head, at the risk of my white face being seen, was thrust over the
side of the top.
"Look here, you two, you are brought before me, the captain of this
ship, for me to see whether I am willing to let you off easy."
"Oh, you're the skipper, are yer?" said Barney, spitting on the deck.
"Well, yer don't look like it, messmet."
"Silence," shouted Jarette. "Now, look here, my lads, if I have you cut
loose and forgive you for giving us so much trouble and knocking your
mates about, will you join us and help us work the ship?"
"No!" roared Dumlow, "I'm blessed if I do."
"And you, Barney?"
"Same I says as my mate."
"Vairy good, then, my friends, we were going to offer you a happy life
and a share in our prize, but you will not take them, so we shall have
to pitch you both overboard."
"As Neb says, I should just like to ketch yer at it," roared Blane.
"Lookye here, Frenchy," cried Dumlow in his strange growl, "you make
these beggars loosen this here line, and I'll fight yer one hand."
"Will you join us, big idiot?" said Jarette, and I drew in my breath as
I wondered whether the two brave fellows would prove staunch, and if
they did, whether Jarette would dare to carry out his threat.
"No; course I won't, you ugly piratical frog-soup-eating Frenchy."
"Hit him in the mouth," said Jarette.
"You'd better!" roared Dumlow, raising a leg to kick the first man who
approached him, and now I started, for Walters spoke.
"Don't be fools, you two," he said; "Bob Hampton has joined us."
"Yer lie, yer young warmint," cried Dumlow; "Bob Hampton wouldn't be
such a sneak."
Walters winced at the man's words, but he pointed aft.
"Look," he said; "there he is at the wheel steering."
"Ahoy yonder!" roared Dumlow. "That theer arn't you, is it, Bob?"
"Me it is, messmet," said Hampton, coolly.
"Sure, messmet?"
"Ay. All right."
"Why, you arn't jyned 'em, have you, lad?" said Blane.
"Ay, I've jyned, lad," replied Hampton, and then--"Say, skipper, hadn't
I better keep her off a pynte or two?"
"Yes," shouted Jarette.
"Well, I'm blessed," growled Dumlow. Then aloud--"Hi! Bob, lad, what's
to be done?"
"'Bout what?" came back from the wheel.
"Air we to let 'em pitch us overboard, or air we to jyne?"
"Jyne," growled Bob Hampton.
"Jyne it is, messmet," said Dumlow, in his low growling tone. "Here,
unlash these blessed ropes, they're a-cuttin' into my arms like
hooroar."
"And you'll join us too, Barney?" said Jarette.
"I does same as my two mates," said Blane. "I arn't going to be pitched
overboard if they arn't. Share and share alike, says I. Fair play's my
motto, and no favour. Here, cast off all these here lashins. What
d'yer want to tie a fellow up so tight for?"
"Take off the ropes," said Jarette, in a voice full of triumph, and I
could hear the rustling and rattling noise made as the lines were
untied, and directly after Dumlow's voice, saying--
"Here, give 's a drop o' summat; I'm as dry inside as a biscuit-bag."
And my lips and throat felt dry too with excitement, while a strange
feeling of despair came over me. Walters, Bob Hampton, Dumlow, and
Blane all turned traitors. What was to become of the poor passengers,
the officers, and myself?
There was only one way out of the difficulty, and that was to join the
prisoners in the cabin.
But how?
I lay listening. The men were talking loudly, and I soon made out that
drink was going round; but all was still as death now in the saloon and
cabins. Their occupants were evidently waiting to see what would be
done, and listening to the proceedings on deck.
"How can I get to them?--How can I get to them?" I kept on saying to
myself.
The darkness would favour me if I crept down, but the places were so
guarded that there was not the most remote chance of my getting past the
sentries.
I felt more despondent than ever, as I lay listening to the faint
creaking of the yards when they yielded gently to the wind. There was
no chance whatever of my joining my friends, and I was about to resign
myself to my fate, when I had a bright flash of hope. I could see my
way through the darkness. There was light ahead--mental light--and I
determined to dare the peril and act at once, if I could; if not, as
soon as the men below had dispersed.
Unfortunately I had to wait some time and listen, hardly daring to stir
for fear of being heard or seen, for there were three lanterns stood
about the deck, shedding their feeble light around, and now and then
looking brighter, and showing me the faces of the mutineers as they
opened the lantern-doors to light their pipes.
Jarette was talking quickly to a group of the men about him, but I
hardly heard what he said, my attention being fixed upon my plan of
escape, till I heard Jarette say--
"Wait till daylight then, my lads, and we'll soon have them all out of
there."
"All out of there," could only mean the people out of the cabin. Never
mind, they should have me out to, for my mind was made up, and I was
only waiting my chance.
Then it came, for the lanterns were picked up, and two of them were
carried down to the main-deck, while I could see that Walters picked up
the other and walked aft with Jarette, the light showing me two men, one
on each side of the saloon sky-lights, as Jarette stopped to give them
some orders in a low tone, standing back from the light as if expecting
a shot from below.
Then, as I watched them, feeling all the while as if I should like to be
exactly over Walters' head and let myself fall right upon him, they went
on to where Bob Hampton stood at the wheel, while I scanned eagerly the
long boom of the mizzen-spanker, the great fore and aft canvas running
off astern and towering up till it was all in darkness, for the
lantern-light was only a poor gleam. Then Jarette began talking to Bob
Hampton, but I could not and did not want to hear what the traitorous
wretch said, feeling mad against him, and vexed with myself for ever
having been at all friendly with the scoundrel. My attention was
directed to the great boom of the mizzen-spanker and the stern-rail,
which I could just faintly see as Walters turned the lantern here and
there.
"Oh, if I only ever have the chance!" I muttered, as for a moment I
thought of my companion, and though he was triumphant and I in so
perilous a position, I would not have changed places, I told myself, for
worlds.
I saw all I could, and then waited impatiently for what was to come
next.
I soon knew, for Jarette and Walters came back, and passing the men on
guard, descended to the main-deck and went forward, leaving all in
darkness.
"Now for it," I muttered, and with my heart beating heavily, I thrust my
hand into my pocket.
All right, my clasp-knife was there, and rising cautiously I stopped to
think. Then satisfying myself that my recollections were correct, I
began to feel about cautiously, as I now stood up, close to where the
top-mast joined the mizzen, and was at first disappointed, but directly
after my heart gave a throb of satisfaction, for my hand came in contact
with that which I sought, the thin strong line that ran up from the deck
right to the mizzen-truck, passed through it over a wheel, and came down
again to the deck.
Opening my knife, I began to cut through the ascending line, and found
it so hard and tough that the knife had hard work to get through. This
was satisfactory, for it was evidently new and strong.
Then leaving one end hanging, I fastened the lower one to the first rope
I could feel, so that it should not fall to the deck. Then I began to
haul in the uncut portion, and found it came easily enough, but making
every now and then a faint creaking noise as the wheel in the truck spun
round.
I turned cold at this, for though it was very high up, I was afraid the
sound would take the attention of the men on deck.
But they paid no heed, and I hauled away till I felt sure that I must
have at least forty or fifty yards of the line--quite as much as I
wanted; and then I used the knife again, and after replacing it, wound
the line into a skein from elbow to hand, ending by hanging it round my
neck with the ends twisted in so that they could not get loose.
So far, so good, but I had not fastened the other end of the line to
save it from falling, and this I now did.
The next proceeding was, I knew, perilous, but I was desperate, and I
did not hesitate. It was my only chance, I knew, and I must do it.
There was the danger of being heard, and that of making a slip and going
overboard. But I was young, strong, and active, and giving myself no
time to think, I felt in the darkness for the crutch at the thick end of
the gaff or yard which embraced the mizzen-mast below the top--the yard,
that is, which spread the top of the mizzen-spanker--lowered myself down
till I stood upon it, and then taking well hold with hands and knees, I
began to creep softly up and along that diagonally stretched yard higher
and higher till I felt that I must be over the sea.
But in my desperation I did not hesitate. I climbed on, and I know it
was not easy; still I climbed on up that round perilous slope, feeling
that if the sea had been rough I should have certainly been jerked off.
And try hard as I would, I could not help making a little noise, which I
felt sure Bob Hampton must hear, for there he was below me leaning over
the wheel, and his head visible in the binnacle-light.
But he did not hear, and I crept on and upward on my chest, nipping the
yard well with my knees, and clinging with my hands. It was hard and
awkward work, for I had to pass the blocks and ropes which hoisted it
up, and it swung inboard and out as the wind pressed upon the great
bellying canvas, curving down below me to the great boom which ran out
and over the steersman's head some feet above the stern-rail.
Still I climbed on and over the cords which laced the rail to the yard,
and at last clung there, holding on for dear life, having reached the
end with my hands, and grasping the top corner of the great sail edged
with stout rope.
"Now Bob Hampton will hear me," I thought, and I stopped to think what I
should do next. But not for long. Nipping the yard well with my knees,
I passed the hank of line over my head, unfastened one end, and tied it
securely round the top of the yard before letting the coils slide down
inside the hollow curve of the sail, knowing that they would come apart
as they glided down the stiff strong canvas. This done, I hesitated for
a few moments before trusting myself to descend; but drawing a long
breath at last, I took a good grip of the line with my left hand, of the
rope-edge of the sail with the other, and began to slide down, keeping
my chest as near as I could to the canvas.
This was terrible at first, for the upper part of the sail was a long
way on toward being perpendicular, and I had to cling tightly to save
myself from coming down with a run; but every foot after the first ten
grew easier, so that I lay at last well on the great curve, and glided
down almost in silence, only having to grip rope and line hard enough to
keep a little check upon my descent. I followed the edge of the sail
right away out over the sea, to where it was secured to the large
horizontal projecting boom, and here my feet rested as I held on and
looked inboard from where I insecurely stood, faintly making out the
figure of Bob Hampton, who was in perfect ignorance of my descent,
though how it was he did not hear the rustling I cannot make out, unless
he was asleep--though he never would own to it in after days.
A doubly dangerous position I seemed to be in, though nothing to a
sailor; still, in spite of my desperation, I felt nervous and strange as
I now seated myself astride of the great boom riding up and down, and
hauling up the line to find how much there was free.
Plenty to use double; and reaching up as high as I could, I once more
cut it off, doubled it, and then hitched in along the boom till I was
pretty close to the stern-rail, and now once more I made my end fast.
My plan must now be pretty clear to whoever reads, for I had determined
to get down to this boom and then slide down the line to the stern
cabin-windows, through one of which I hoped to be able to creep and join
my friends.
Still the task was not easy, and I hesitated as I held on and looked
down, for all was perfectly dark--so dark that I could not see whether
the lights were open or closed; and if I slid down and found them
closed, and could not make any one understand my position, I was
doubtful as to whether I should be able to climb back. In that case, I
should be swinging and swaying about there, growing weaker and weaker,
till I had to let go and the great waters swallowed me, or I was finally
saved by shouting for help till I was drawn up a prisoner, having run
all these risks for nothing.
For a full ten minutes I was in despair. Then my courage returned, and
I prepared to descend.
But there was another unfortunate matter. The pressure on the sail
curved the boom well to starboard, so that at times it ran out in a way
that would bring me, as I hung there, out of reach of the cabin-windows,
so that I had to judge my time till there was not so much pressure, the
boom had swung back a little, and then I at last prepared to descend.
But I did not begin even then, for I shuddered at the idea of not being
able to climb back to the boom if I failed to get in, and to make a way
back to safety I now hauled up my double line, and proceeded to tie
knots all down it at intervals of about a foot, so as to have something
better to grip than the bare rope.
Down I dropped it once more, waited for the boom to swing nearly level,
and then gripping the line well with one hand, keeping my right arm over
the boom, I leaned forward, drew my leg off from where I had been
sitting, and the next minute I was hanging from the great rounded yard,
and turning slowly round and round over the swirling water which rushed
under on either side of the deeply-hidden rudder.
The distance I had to lower myself was not great, and finding now the
value of the knots, and trying to give myself courage by saying that it
was an easy job after all, I checked myself abreast of a window, but
soon made out that it was closed, for I was not two feet away, and
brought myself closer, and touched it by giving a kick against the
stern. I got my feet close together, and rested on the knot, which,
small though it was, gave me a great deal of support. I contrived, too,
that my hands should also rest above a knot, and in this position I had
to wait again and again, for the turning round motion kept on slowly, so
that for the greater part of the time I was looking right away from the
windows. In addition, there was the swaying movement of the great boom
from which I was suspended, carrying me to and fro across the stern.
I dare not call out, and unless I swayed myself towards the stern I
could not reach the windows, so I was rapidly beginning to find that
what had promised to be the easiest part of my task was proving itself
to be the hardest, when, probably from a turn of the wheel, the ship
made quite a plunge. The big sail with its boom swung heavily, and of
course communicated its motion to me, so that as the cord turned in its
horribly giddy way, I first rode from side to side, and then by degrees
to and fro, with the result that when nearest, I made a dash with one
hand to tap on the window opposite to me; but being unable to govern the
force exercised, my hand went right through the pane, and the glass fell
tinkling to the floor within.
The perspiration stood out upon my face as I heard above me Bob
Hampton's voice cry--
"Hullo! What's that?"
Almost at the same moment the cabin-window was opened, I had a faint
glimpse of a face looking as if out of black mist, and Mr Frewen's
voice said softly--
"Quick, some one; a knife."
"He's going to cut the rope," I thought, and I tried to shout, but it
was like being in a nightmare: my tongue felt paralysed, and as I hung
there clinging wildly to the rope I heard voices on deck.
"What is it? Trying to get out?" some one cried, and Bob Hampton said
in answer--
"Dunno! Breaking glass."
"Where? The cabin-windows?"
"Yes."
But while this was going on, some one leaned out of the window, and the
rope was seized. Then I felt it jar as if a knife-blade was being used
upon it, and this as I had turned round, and my back was toward the
window.
Then my voice came back with the power to speak, and in a quick whisper
I said, as I felt that in another instant I should fall into the sea--
"Mr Frewen!--help!"
There was a quick ejaculation, and the sound of something dropped into
the water; but at the same moment I felt my jacket seized by two strong
hands, and I was drawn close in to the stern of the ship, and held there
fast.
Then from overhead came in Jarette's voice--
"A lantern here, quick!"
Directly after, as I still held on to the line, and felt some one's hot
breath against my cheek, there was a glow of light overhead, and Jarette
cried--
"Here, cut this line."
Then the rope jarred heavily and was jerked. The next instant it gave
way, and the strain I had maintained upon it was gone. I felt myself
drop, but it was only an inch or two, for I was held tightly and drawn
right into the cabin, where I crouched, listening to the altercation
above my head, every word coming plainly to my ears and those of Mr
Frewen, for of course it was he who had seized me.
Jarette was raging furiously at some one, whom he was accusing of
helping the prisoners to escape.
Bob Hampton was the some one, for we heard him defending himself loudly.
"How could I help 'em to get out when I haven't left the wheel?"
"But there was a rope hanging down from the spanker-boom."
"I don't care if all the ropes in the ship hung down. I arn't moved.
Ask them."
"No, he hasn't left the wheel," said a voice.
"How do you know? How could you see?" cried Jarette.
"Hadn't he got the binnacle-light on his phiz all the time, captain?"
"Then who did help them? Some one fastened that line. Look, there it
is."
A lantern was held out over the stern, and there was a murmur of voices.
"That line doesn't belong there, and wasn't there yesterday," cried
Jarette. "There's a traitor somewhere."
"All right, cap'n, find him then," said Bob Hampton, surlily.
"If it was you!" snarled Jarette.
"Look here, don't you shove that pistol in my face," cried Bob Hampton,
angrily, "or I shall out with my knife and have a fight for it. What
yer talking about? If I'd left the wheel, wouldn't the ship have yawed,
and you come to see what was the matter?"
That sounded so convincing that Jarette was silent, while Bob Hampton
continued--
"And if I'd wanted to help 'em to get on deck, do you think I should ha'
been such a fool as to tie a bit o' signal halyard to the spanker-boom,
when I could ha' made a bit o' strong rope fast to the belaying-pins,
and hung it over the stern?"
Jarette growled out something we could not hear.
"Then it must have been one of them two," said Bob Hampton; "or they
chucked it up from the cabin-window."
"It was not one of them," said Jarette, with a peculiar intonation in
his voice. "I'm not afraid of that."
"Strikes me," growled Bob, "if yer wants to know my 'pinion, as it must
have been some one who was up aloft."
I gave a jump.
"Hah!" cried Jarette, "whoever it was you lads chased. I know: it was
that monkey of a boy."
Bob Hampton uttered a low chuckle.
"Like enough," he said.
"And you helped him."
"Oh, very well, then, have it your own way if you like; I helped him,--
but how I could ha' done it, I don't know, cap'n, nor them two neither.
I don't care. But look here, I'm down tired, and it's time some one
else took his trick at the wheel. I want a sleep."
"If you play false to me, Bob Hampton," came in tones which made me
shiver, "you'll have a sleep that will last you for always. Do you
hear?--toujours!"
"Two jours, that's two days, arn't it, skipper?"
"No," hissed the man fiercely; "for ever. Here, Brown, bring an axe and
a lantern. Stand it there."
We heard steps overhead, and a light gleamed down from the lantern
placed upon the stern-rails.
"Now," said Jarette, "be always ready to bring that axe down upon the
head of any man who tries to climb up from the cabin."
"Ay, ay," came in a low growl; and just then I became conscious of the
face just over me, and it was lit from the outside; while farther back I
could dimly make out other faces which were shadowy, and did not appear
to be connected with bodies.
I knew directly after that it was not from the lantern placed on the
stern-rail, but from the pale grey glare in the east, for I had reached
my shelter none too soon. It was the beginning of another day.
CHAPTER TWELVE.
The light was coming fast now, as the sound of talking died out on the
deck, and as I rose, Mr Frewen caught my hand.
"My dear lad," he whispered, "I thought you were gone. Thank God! thank
God!"
"Isn't it horrible?" I whispered, though there was no necessity for
restraining my voice.
"Horrible?" he said; "it seems to be impossible."
"Where's Captain Berriman?"
"In his cabin wounded."
"And Mr Brymer?"
"Yonder. Don't ask."
"Is any one else hurt?" I said, lowering my voice still more.
"I hardly know how many," he said. "It was a surprise. We were all
mastered by treachery. Some traitor came amongst us, and when the
attack began and the ship was seized, we were all fastened in our
cabins."
"Some traitor!" I said, turning cold. "Yes, and they thought it must
have been you. I heard some one accuse you in the dark, just after I
had broken out of my cabin."
I was silent for a few moments, as I thought of whom the traitor must
have been, though even to defend myself I could not speak out and accuse
Walters.
"Who was it said I did it?" I whispered at last.
"I am not sure. Everything has been so dark and confused; I fancied for
the moment that it was Mr Denning."
"I don't believe it was," I said stoutly. "He would not think I could
be such a miserable, contemptible wretch."
"But you were not with us, Dale, and people are ready enough to accuse
at a time like that."
"Mr Denning did not accuse him," said a weak voice, and there close by
us stood Mr Denning himself, looking almost ghastly in the pale morning
light which stole into the cabin. "Alison Dale could not be such a
scoundrel."
"Thank you, Mr Denning," I said, grasping the hand he held out to me,
as with the other he supported himself by resting, as I saw, upon a
double-barrelled gun. "I shan't defend myself. If I had been the
traitor, I should not be here now. I didn't think I could manage it."
I was eagerly questioned, and had to explain how I escaped, and to tell
all that I knew of the attack, and as I spoke I could not help noticing
how distant Mr Frewen and Mr Denning seemed, and I thought that now we
were in such trouble they would perhaps become friends.
I had another surprise before I had told all about my escape, for from
out of one of the cabins, looking horrible with his head tied up by a
stained handkerchief, Mr Brymer appeared, and I saw that he was
evidently weak and faint from his wound.
"Can you tell us anything about who is at the head of the mutiny?" he
asked. "I was cut down, and could hardly understand anything in the
darkness, till I seemed to wake and find myself on the saloon-floor,
below the table where I must have crawled."
I told him that Jarette was at the head of it all.
"Ah, I always mistrusted that man, and the gang he gathered about him.
Where is the rest of the crew then; I mean those they did not kill--down
in the forecastle?"
I was silent for a few moments, and he repeated his question.
"I'm afraid they have all joined him."
"No, no; not men like Hampton and Dumlow. They were of a different
stamp."
I told him what I knew, and I heard him grind his teeth.
"The scoundrels!" he muttered.
"There is no telling what a man may do for dear life," said Mr Frewen,
sadly.
"But Walters. Did you see anything of him?" said Mr Brymer.
I was silent. Something seemed to choke me, and I could not speak for
the hot indignation I felt.
"Poor boy!" groaned Mr Brymer. "I never liked him, but it is horrible
for him to have come to such an end as this."
"Yes!" I said bitterly, as I found my tongue; "horrible for him to have
come to such an end as this."
They did not grasp the truth, and I would not tell them.
"They'll know soon enough," I thought.
"Well, gentlemen," said Mr Denning, speaking now, "there is no doubt
about the catastrophe. What is to be done?"
"Barricade the companion-way," said Mr Frewen, "and shoot down every
ruffian who tries to enter. There is a lady on board, and we must
defend her with our lives."
I saw Mr Denning dart an angry look at the young doctor, whose pale
face had lighted up so that he looked eager and animated.
"What do you say, Mr Brymer?" said Mr Denning, turning from the
doctor.
"The same as Mr Frewen," was the reply. "Doctor, you'll have to patch
me up so that I can fight a bit."
"Your spirit will do more for you than I can, sir," was the reply. "I
am sorry to say, though, that Captain Berriman is completely prostrated.
He must have received a crushing blow from behind."
"Then you will fight?" said Mr Denning, eagerly.
"Of course," said the mate quickly. "Now, gentlemen, please, the first
thing is to pile up all the chests and boxes we have at command in the
companion-way, so as to keep out the ruffians. They will get at the
drink, and then stop at nothing. I'm afraid I cannot lift, but I can
fire a pistol or a gun."
"And I cannot lift," said Mr Denning, with his eyes flashing, "but I
can fire with this and take good aim. I brought it to shoot birds on
the voyage. It will be gaol-birds now!"
Just then there was a stir and movement on deck, and the men gathered in
that saloon made a rush for the door with such fierce determination that
my heart gave a leap, and I felt that I was about to see blood shed, as
I had often read of it in books. But this was no romance.
There were quick whispers, and as it rapidly grew lighter I saw Mr
Denning stand right in the centre with the mate and Mr Frewen, all
armed with guns ready to fire upon any one who appeared; but the alarm
passed off, and Mr Denning being left on guard, the others all set to
work carrying chests and portmanteaus from the different cabins, so many
being available that they were used as so many bricks, and carefully
built up from floor to ceiling, but with openings left in through which
the defenders of the saloon could fire when the attack was made.
I worked eagerly with all the rest till the big entry was completely
filled up, Mr Frewen taking the lead, and lifting and packing in the
chests, till the solid wall was formed--one so well bonded together, as
a bricklayer would call it, that it seemed to me that it would require a
battering-ram to force a way through.
As I walked away, hurrying eagerly first into one cabin and then
another, in search of trunks and portmanteaus that would fit into the
various openings, I suddenly found myself face to face with Miss
Denning, whose pallid countenance lit-up on seeing me, and she held out
her hand to cling to mine.
"Oh, Mr Dale," she whispered half hysterically, "is there much danger?"
"Oh no, I hope not," I said, speaking in an encouraging way; but she
shook her head.
"Don't--don't speak to me like that," she cried. "I'm not a child. Be
frank with me, and tell me as if I were your sister. There is danger,
is there not?"
"Well, I'm afraid there'll be a fight," I said; "but we have plenty of
firearms, and we've got right on our side, and I hope we shall give the
scoundrels such a lesson that they will come down on their knees."
"I'm afraid not," she said. "But tell me, why is it? Is it what they
call a mutiny? I thought all such things were over now."
"So did I, Miss Denning," I said; "but that's what it is. I never
thought of it before, but I suppose we must have a very valuable cargo
on board."
"Yes, my brother said there was a large sum in specie."
"Money, that is, isn't it?" I said. "Well then, that's what has
tempted the scoundrels. But don't you be frightened. Mr Frewen and
the rest will take care that the blackguards don't get into the cabin,
and I'm going to try if I cannot fight too."
She pressed my hand and smiled sadly.
"Yes, I know you and your brother midshipman will be very brave and
fight for us," she said, with a quiet satisfied nod of the head, and I
winced as I thought about Walters; but she did not notice it, and went
on, "You had a very narrow escape, did you not?"
"Oh, I had to run and dodge about in the dark, and then came down a
rope," I replied; "but that was nothing much." And as I spoke I could
see that she was hardly paying any attention to my words, but watching
the cabin-door and listening.
"Tell me how my brother is," she whispered. "Is he quite safe?"
"Oh yes, and on guard."
"He is so ill and weak, it frightens me," she said; "but he will not
listen to me and stay here."
"No," I replied, "how could he as an English gentleman at a time like
this!"
She gave me a quick, half-resentful look; but her face lit-up directly
and she smiled.
"I suppose you are right," she said with a sigh. "It is so hard to be a
woman, and not be able to help. I should not mind so much if I could be
busy."
"But there is nothing to do now, Miss Denning," I said,--"that is, for
you. There, I must go now."
"Tell me though--my brother ordered me to stay here in the cabin--tell
me--couldn't I be of some help? The captain and mate are both wounded,
are they not?"
"Yes, a little," I said encouragingly; "but Mr Frewen has seen to them.
Shall I ask him if you can come and attend on the captain?"
"Yes; do!" she cried. Then quickly--"No, no! I must go by what my
brother says."
"And I must go out in the saloon and help. When all is safe I shall see
you again."
"When all is safe," she whispered despondently.
"Yes, and it is going to be. Oh, it will be all right. May I take
this?"
I pointed to a chest, and she tried to say yes, but only gave a nod; and
shouldering the little box, I hurried with it to find that it was not
wanted, for Mr Frewen was just forcing one in between the top of the
pile and the ceiling, by standing upon a box which Mr Preddle was
holding steady.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
"Oh dear me--dear me, Alison Dale," said Mr Preddle, rising up from his
stooping position very slowly and wiping his broad fat face, which was
covered with drops of perspiration, "this is a very sad business, isn't
it?"
"Horrible!" I said, "but it will all come right." He laid his hand
upon my shoulder.
"Come into my cabin," he whispered; and I followed him.
"You think it will come right?" he said, looking at me in a terribly
perplexed way.
"Oh yes, I think so," I said; "Mr Denning and Mr Frewen will give the
rascals a good peppering and bring them to their senses."
"And so will I!" he cried excitedly. "I never tried to fight seriously
since I left school, but I don't see why I shouldn't be able to if I
tried,--do you?"
"Of course not sir," I replied, smiling. I wanted to laugh outright,
for he did not at all come up to my ideas of a fighting man.
"I can see," he went on mildly, "you don't think I could, but I shall
try."
"I won't laugh at you, Mr Preddle," I said; "indeed you have more cause
to laugh at me when I say that, boy as I am, I mean to fight and try to
defend Miss Denning."
He caught hold of my hand, held it in his left, and brought his big soft
right down into it with a sounding slap, and then squeezed my fingers as
hard as he could.
"That you will, Alison. You're a brave lad, I know. We'll all try and
fight like men against the ruffians. Like lions, eh, Dale? Like
lions."
"To be sure, sir," I said; "but hadn't we better go back into the
saloon?"
"Yes, yes, directly," he said hastily, and I saw him turn very red in
the face. "I suppose the mutineers know that we have a very valuable
cargo?"
"Yes, sir; I expect that's it," I replied. "But they're not going to
have it. We'll sink the ship first, and escape in one of the boats."
"To be sure we will, but it's a sad business, Dale. There is my
consignment of salmon and trout. Do you think the scoundrels would let
me go and see to them?"
"No, sir," I said, "I don't believe they would. Come along."
"I'm afraid you are right. Yes; I'll come directly; but there was
something else that I wanted to say to you. Dear me, what a memory I
have! Oh, I know!"
He stopped short and turned redder than ever, while I stared and waited.
"Yes; it was about--oh yes--that was it. It's a terrible business,
and--how does Miss Denning seem? Does she bear up about it all?"
"Well, pretty fairly, sir. Of course she is very much alarmed, and she
is anxious about her brother."
"Is she, though?" he said. "Poor girl. Of course, yes, she would be.
Did she seem very anxious about any one else--Mr Frewen, for instance?"
"No, sir; I don't remember that she mentioned him."
"Poor girl. No, of course not, nor me neither, I suppose?"
"Oh no, I'm sure of that, sir," I said decisively. "She certainly did
not mention your name. But we must go back now, sir, and see if we are
wanted."
"Of course. Come along," said Mr Preddle, hurriedly; and we went into
the saloon, where I found the captain standing by the table in the
middle, looking very white, and I saw now that his arm was in a sling,
and the lower part of his head bandaged.
He was arranging some pistols and rifles on the table as we entered, and
he looked up, nodded at us, and said--
"Two more. There, boy, you'll have to try and fight with the rest of
us."
"I'll try, sir," I said, and I looked at him wonderingly, for I had been
under the impression that he was unwell in the cabin; I had forgotten
the fact that he too had been on deck and received several severe
injuries when the mutineers made their attack.
"Oh, look here, Dale," he said suddenly, "while I think of it, my lad.
I went on deck last night to have a look round at the weather, and when
I came back I found that my cabin-door was fastened up. Was that your
doing?"
"No, sir," I replied. "Certainly not."
"That's right," he said, looking at me searchingly. "I went back on
deck to make some inquiries, and when I reached the men's quarters, I
was attacked. But I should like to clear that matter up. The steward
swears it was not his doing; it would not have been one of the crew.
Where is your messmate, Walters?"
I shook my head.
"Not hurt?" he cried, anxiously.
"No, sir. Not that I know of. Last time I saw him he was quite well."
"Where is he?"
There was a dead silence for a few moments, and then Mr Brymer spoke--
"Poor Walters is not with us, sir."
"What?" cried Captain Berriman. "Poor lad! Poor lad!" Then after a
pause, "He is a prisoner then?"
"Yes, sir, we suppose so," replied Mr Brymer, and I heard the captain
groan, while a hot feeling of indignation rose in my breast.
"Poor Walters!" and all that pity and sympathy for the ill-conditioned
cowardly young wretch. I felt that I must speak out and tell all that I
knew, but somehow I could not; and to this day I have never been able to
settle in my own mind whether I was right or wrong.
"Well," said the captain at last, "we have no time to waste upon
sympathy. I am sorry to say, gentlemen, that I fear I can do little in
this terrible emergency. You have decided to defend yourselves, and,
God helping us we may get back our positions in the ship, but it can
only be by making a stout defence, and waiting for an opportunity to
surprise the scoundrels at some weak moment, say when they have been for
a long time at the spirits on board."
"To be sure," said Mr Frewen. "There is no cause for despair with such
a formidable arrangement. The scoundrels dare not attack us."
"Well," said Captain Berriman, slowly, "I have brought out all the arms,
but I have a painful announcement to make. The traitor who came round
to secure us in our cabins had carried off all the cartridges he could,
and those left in the cases had been deluged with water."
"Great heaven!" cried Mr Frewen, excitedly; "then the weapons are
useless." Captain Berriman was silent.
"Stop a moment!" cried Mr Frewen; and he ran into his cabin, to return
with a revolver which he threw on the table. "Useless," he said. "The
case of cartridges gone. Here, Mr Denning, see to your gun,--see what
cartridges you have."
Mr Denning threw open the breech of his double-barrelled gun, examined
the two cartridges, and closed the breech again.
"All right!" he said, and then he reeled and would have fallen if Mr
Preddle had not caught him.
"Don't!" he cried, pettishly. "I mean, thank you. It was a horrible
thought. I saw some one come out of my cabin last evening, I'm sure
now. I thought then it was fancy. Some one has been--to steal--the
case of cartridges I brought."
He walked feebly but quickly to his cabin, shut the door after him, and
then Mr Preddle went to his cabin, to come back directly, shaking his
head.
"Some one has taken all mine but one," he said. "The lid is off the
box, and this is the only one left."
"But your gun is loaded?"
"Yes, there are two in that," replied Mr Preddle, "and I hope Mr
Denning will be more fortunate in his search."
At that moment Mr Denning made his appearance, and from his aspect we
all thought that his supply had been taken too, but his face lit-up as
he exclaimed--
"They could not find them. The cartridge-box was at the bottom of the
locker."
"Ha!" cried Mr Frewen, triumphantly. "How many have you?"
"A hundred, for I have not fired off one."
"And what bore is your gun?"
"Twelve-bore."
"And yours?"
"Sixteen."
"That's the same size as mine," said Mr Preddle, quietly. "I'm afraid
those of yours would not fit."
"Fit? No!" cried Mr Frewen, impatiently. "They would be absolutely
useless."
"And of course we could not load in the old-fashioned way if we took out
the powder," said Mr Preddle.
The doctor turned away, and I saw him look anxiously toward the
barricade he had so carefully built up. Then gravely--
"We have the charges in our guns, gentlemen; when they are expended we
must trust to Mr Denning."
The captain spoke again--
"Have you examined as to what provisions and water we have, Brymer?"
"Yes, sir, enough for about three days, without counting anything our
passenger friends have in the way of private stores--preserved meat,
delicacies, or the like."
"Yes, but the water?" said the captain, naming the grave necessity of
life in that hot climate.
"I must frankly say a very short supply, sir."
There was another ominous silence, as all thought of our numbers.
Then Mr Frewen spoke--
"This all sounds very bad, Captain Berriman, but we are not going to
give in. The ammunition and provisions are on board the ship, and when
a besieged garrison runs short, it makes sallies to obtain fresh
supplies. But we have not arrived at that starvation point yet. Before
then the ship may be under the rule of Captain Berriman once again."
"Hist!" I cried, in an excited whisper, and I pointed up at the
sky-light, across which a shadow lay, cast by the newly-risen sun which
had flooded the cabin with gold.
"Listening, eh?" said Mr Brymer, and stepping softly on one side, he
took one of the guns, and, with a sudden motion, thrust it through.
There was a bound and the rush of feet as the shadow disappeared.
"A guilty conscience needs no accuser," said the mate, laughing, "a
criminal running away from an empty gun!"
"A lesson for us in being cautious in making our plans," observed Mr
Frewen. "Now, Captain Berriman, will you give us our orders?"
"My first idea is, gentlemen, that one of you stand on guard there by
the door, and, if the opportunity offers, he is to shoot down that
scoundrel Jarette. They're coming. Now, on guard."
For as he spoke there were voices heard approaching and the trampling of
feet. Directly after guns were seized, and the occupants of the cabin
stood ready, for the door was unfastened, and an effort made to thrust
it open.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
The result of that thrust was that the door was opened some little
distance, and then stopped by part of the pile of chests and other
luggage formed into a barricade.
There was a dead silence in the saloon as the deep voice of a man was
heard speaking in a subdued tone to those with him; and pointing to the
sky-light, Mr Frewen stepped back from the defenders of the barricade
so as to be ready in case an effort should be made to assail them there.
Then the door was rattled loudly, and Jarette's voice was heard speaking
angrily to some one without.
Again there was silence for a few moments, and then Jarette cried, "Now
then; do you hear?"
This was followed by a sharp rap on the door, and a voice cried--
"You in the cabin--Captain Jarette says you are to understand that he is
now master of this ship, and that no harm will be done to any one if you
all give up quietly."
"And if we do not," said Captain Berriman, sharply, "what then?"
"That is for Captain Jarette to decide," replied the voice, one which
made me writhe as I looked from one to the other, wondering whether they
recognised who was speaking.
"Captain Jarette!" cried our sturdy old officer, furiously. "Look here,
sir, don't you insult me by calling that French scoundrel by such a
title. And look here, are you making this announcement of your own free
will, or are you forced by that contemptible mongrel knave to deliver
his insolent message?"
"There is no compulsion, captain, and no need for you to call names,
without you wish to be punished for your insolence. I am Captain
Jarette, sir, and this is my good ship, these are my good brave men.
Brave enfans--do you hear, bons enfans. This lad is my young
lieutenant, who, like the rest, was sick of the vagaries of such a
tyrannical old wretch as you."
"You dog!" growled the captain, furiously.
"Yes, dog, sir, so don't tease me into biting, or I may use my teeth
sharply."
"You, Walters," cried the captain, "listen, boy--why are you with these
men? Are you a prisoner?"
There was silence for a space before Walters said sharply, as if some
one had made a threatening gesture close to his head--
"No, I am not a prisoner."
"But you have not joined these mutinous scoundrels, sir?" cried the
captain, and his voice sounded quite plaintive.
Walters made no reply.
"Do you hear me, boy? Answer me, you--Oh no, it is impossible."
There was a low derisive laugh plainly heard, and then in a mocking tone
Jarette said--
"Why don't you answer the good kind captain, Lieutenant Walters?"
I started at this, and my lips parted to give utterance to the
ejaculation, "Oh!" as I felt I was grasping the reason of my messmate's
conduct. Could it be ambition?
"What! you're too modest? All right, dear boy, I'll answer for you.
Yes, he has joined me, skipper, as my right hand, to help navigate our
ship. Do you hear--our ship? He was sick of your bullying and
domineering, just as we all were. I had only to ask the lads if they
were not tired of being slaves, to have them join me at once. And now
you've often talked to me; let me talk to you for your good. No more
bad language, please, unless you want to go overboard to join those
fools who showed fight last night. Be civil, and you shall be decently
treated, till I set you afloat or ashore, as seems best to me. There,
we only want to say--don't play the fool, and let the doctor and those
passengers think they can do any good by resisting. We don't want to
make any of you bleed. What have you been doing to the door to keep it
from opening? Have it pulled down, and come out like sensible people."
"Don't answer him, sir," said the mate, in a whisper.
"Do you hear?" cried Jarette, savagely. "Open the door, or I'll put a
few pounds of powder up against it and blow it in."
"Come and touch the door," cried the captain, sternly, "and we'll blow
your brains out."
"What?" cried Jarette, mockingly. "You blow my brains out, fool!--what
with?"
"This!" said Mr Denning, sharply, and he thrust the barrel of the
double gun so quickly through one of the openings left, and also through
the narrow slit formed by the partly opened door, that there was the
sound of men scuffling back, and a heavy fall, followed by a roar of
laughter.
We knew the next moment who had fallen, for Jarette's voice came to us
in an angry snarl.
"You grinning idiots," he cried, "take that!"
As he spoke there was the sharp report of a pistol, and a fearful
shriek, followed by a fall, and a low moaning as of some one in agony.
"Serve him right!" cried Jarette. "Take him below. I'll have the
doctor out and send him down."
A minute later, after we had listened to the meaning noise growing
fainter, Jarette spoke again.
"There, Berriman," he said, "that's the stuff I'm made of, so no more
nonsense; open the door and come out."
"Come and open it yourself, you half-French poodle hound," cried the
captain, "and I'll show you what stuff I'm made of, and save you the
trouble of going through a trial before reaching the hangman."
"You bragging idiot," cried Jarette, fiercely, "open the door, or I'll
serve you as we served your miserable Brymer. Do you want to go
overboard to join him?"
"No; Captain Berriman prefers to stay on board to see me pay you back in
your own coin," said the mate. "Now, sir, who's the braggart now?"
Jarette was silenced for the moment, but he recovered himself directly.
"Oh, you're there then?" he cried. "I must punish some of my lads for
only half doing their work. There, you are not so mad as Berriman is.
Never mind the fool; open the door, and don't make me savage, so that I
am tempted to go to extremities. Do you hear?" he cried, after a pause.
"I'll answer for Mr Brymer," cried the captain, "as you answered for
that miserable, treacherous boy. No, he will not open the door for you
and your pack to come in and wreck and rob. This is our stronghold till
some ship heaves in sight, and you and your gang are put in irons to
await your fate. I give you all fair warning," he cried, raising his
voice so that every one present might hear. "If you wish to escape
being shot down, keep away from that door-way; for by all that is holy
we will shoot the first ruffian who tries to open it."
"Powder!" said Jarette, laconically, "half a keg. It's their own fault,
my lads. They shall soon see who is master here."
There was a quick movement in the cabin then, and Captain Berriman
turned to Mr Frewen.
"Try and make more of an opening," he said. "We must have full play for
the guns."
The doctor nodded and drew back three of the chests a little.
"That ought to do," he said. "If one of us stands aside and watches, he
can tell the others when to fire."
"Ah! but that will require care," said the captain, quickly; "the shot
must not be at the powder, or we shall be blown up. Look here, Mr
Denning, if you will lend me your gun I think I can pick off the first
scoundrel who comes to lay the powder. Perhaps another will come, but
if he is dropped they will not try again."
"I can shoot them," said Mr Denning, quietly. "I do not like to take
life, but I feel that I must fire now."
"Then keep your gun, sir," said Captain Berriman; "you need not
hesitate, for it is a good deed to rid the earth of such wretches as
these, and remember you are fighting for your sister's sake."
"Yes," said Mr Denning, in a low voice, almost a whisper to himself,
"for my sister's sake,"--and he moved a little to one side, where he
could get a better aim and command the outer portion of the door, though
it was only through quite a slit.
"Hah!" cried Jarette, then in a triumphant tone--"but too much, my lads.
We don't want to blow out the side of the ship. She's too much value
to us now. Never mind, we'll use half of it to make a good long train.
Come, lieutenant, here's a chance for you to distinguish yourself before
the men. You shall lay the train."
"I? Lay the powder?" cried Walters, so excitedly that the men burst
into a roar of laughter.
"Bah! Don't show the white feather, boy. It must be done. What? You
won't?"
"No," said Walters, quickly. "They've got a spite against me, and will
shoot me. Let some one else."
Jarette uttered a fierce ejaculation.
"Stand aside then," he growled, "and let some one who is a man do it.
Here, any one of you come and plant this powder, and show young Walters
here how brave lads fight."
We listened full of excitement for the next moment, as every one watched
Mr Denning standing there close to the opening in the barricade, his
arms and the gun invisible as he reached through toward the saloon-door.
But there was perfect silence, not a movement to be heard, as Jarette
burst into a nasty harsh laugh.
"Don't all want to do the job?" he cried. "Not one to volunteer? Why,
you laugh at me, and call me Frenchy, and brag about your English pluck,
and not one man will come forward. Here you, Bob Hampton, your trick's
over at the wheel; come and lay this powder."
"What, to blow in the cabin-door?" came in familiar tones. "All right,
skipper; only I don't know much about powder to make trains. You wet
in, don't wild-fire on it?"
"Bah! stand aside. Here you, Blane, lay that powder close up door."
"What me, skipper? Anything in going aloft and settin' sail; but I know
no more about gunpowder than a babby."
"Get out of the way, idiot. Where's Dumlow?"
"Which here I be," growled that individual.
"Here, lay hold of this powder, and plant it, my lad, and then lay a
train."
"Take that there powder and lay a train?" said the big sailor.
"Yes."
"Not me."
"What! You dare--" cried Jarette.
"Lookye here, skipper," growled Dumlow, "don't you get poking that there
pestle in my face, 'cause it might go off."
"Yes, and it will go off," cried Jarette. "I mean to be obeyed by this
crew, as I've just shown you."
"Nay, but don't poke pestles in my face; 'cause it make me hit out, and
when I hits out I hurts. You ask some one else."
"Bah!" ejaculated Jarette; and the word sounded like the short, sharp
bark of some cur, as it reached us through the barricade.
"Goin' to plant it yourself?" said Bob Hampton.
"Yes, you brave Englishman," sneered Jarette. "I'm going to show you
what your captain can do."
"Shoot the scoundrel!" said Captain Berriman, excitedly.
"Impossible, without he comes into sight," whispered Mr Denning.
"Can't you see him?"
"No; he is pushing a bag of powder right in up against the door, and now
sprinkling handfuls of powder up to it."
"You come away," said the captain. "Quick, man! Here, every one lie
down at the far end of the saloon."
I was one of the first to run; but I came back with a can of water, and
held it to Mr Frewen.
"Can you do anything with that, sir?" I said.
"No, my lad. Quite impossible to reach it effectually."
I stood staring at the barricade and its openings for a few moments, and
then an idea struck me. I had often seen my father's gun cleaned, and
when the barrels were detached from the stack, taken them up to look
through them, binocular fashion, to see whether they were clean inside.
"Take off the barrels from that gun!" I said excitedly.
"What for?" cried Mr Frewen; but he did that which was asked all the
same, and handed the barrels to me.
"What are you going to do?" whispered the captain.
"One minute, sir, and I'll show you," I said. "Let me come there, Mr
Denning."
That gentleman altered his position a little, so that I could reach
through the opening and let the ends of the barrels rest upon the deck,
close to the powder, which I could just see scattered about the
flooring.
Directly after, I had raised my can and was carefully trickling the
water down through one of the barrels with such good effect that the
explosive grains were either saturated or borne away.
I had been sending the little stream through for some moments before it
was seen, and the first intimation we had of the mutineers noticing our
defence was the explosion of a pistol, and simultaneously a dull,
cracking sound as a bullet passed through the door and was buried in the
trunk behind it.
"That don't matter, Berriman," cried Jarette; "we have plenty of powder,
and you can't say the same about water."
I started at this, for it struck me that I had been pouring precious
drops away which might mean life. But I laughed directly after, as I
recalled the fact that we had only to drop a bucket out of the
stern-windows and haul up as much salt water as we liked.
Mr Frewen must have been thinking the same thing, for directly after he
and Mr Brymer attached pieces of new halyard to a couple of tin pails,
and threw them out of the window, and drew them up full, ready for the
next attempt to lay powder.
"No need to pour away the precious drops now," said Mr Frewen. "But we
must have down some of those chests so as to get at the powder easily."
The words had hardly left his lips when there was the sharp report of
Mr Denning's piece, followed directly after by a second shot, and the
rush of feet upon the deck.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
"Well!" said the captain grimly. "Did you bring down your gaol-bird,
sir?"
"No," replied Mr Denning, as he drew back and began to reload. "I
could not see any one, only that a bag of powder was being thrust along
the deck with a hand-spike, and I fired at where I thought a man might
be."
"And hit him, seemingly," said Mr Frewen. "Now then, we must down with
some of these trunks."
They were seized directly, and pulled away, so that had we liked we
could have opened the door widely; and Mr Denning now took up his
position here, while Mr Frewen and Mr Preddle stood ready each with
their guns, which had not yet been discharged, while I and Mr Brymer
were in charge of the two buckets of water.
There was now plenty of room for any one to look round the edge of the
door and make an observation; and though our position was a good deal
weakened, this was to some extent counterbalanced by the chests and
trunks being built across as a breastwork, behind which the guns were
stationed, Mr Brymer and I being between the breastwork and the door.
"Now, Dale, look out and see how matters stand," said the captain.
I peered cautiously round, and saw that the deck was blackened with
moist powder, and that two powder-bags lay in patches of wet, while all
round was rapidly drying up. There were the mutineers, standing in a
group, every man armed, though some only bad knives and hatchets. By
their side, as if in command, stood Walters, with two pistols in his
belt, looking like a pirate in a penny picture; and they were all
staring at the cabin-door; but I looked in vain for the leader of the
mutiny.
I drew back and reported what I could see, and Mr Frewen whispered--
"Could you reach the powder-bags with a walking-stick? I mean one with
a hook."
"No; but I could easily run out and pick them up."
"No; never mind," said the captain; "the water would run up through them
like in salt or sugar. There's no danger from them. Look out again."
I peered out, and felt quite ready to laugh in spite of our perilous
condition, for I could not help thinking what a conceited fool Walters
looked. He seemed to me like a big school-boy playing at being a
buccaneer; and the feeling was strong upon me that I should like to go
out and punch his head till it was soft enough for some common-sense to
get in.
Then the reality, the stern, horrible reality, of all that was before me
came with terrible force; for as I scanned the rapidly drying deck, all
strewed and splotched with trampled wet powder, I saw one great patch
that did not seem to dry up at all, and the next moment I grasped what
it was, and shuddered, for it was blood.
And then I felt that in spite of the absurdity of the appearance of
Walters and some of the men, we poor creatures, shut up there in that
saloon-cabin, with ladies depending upon us for protection, were face to
face with death; for when weak, thoughtless men were once committed to
an enterprise and led away, there would be no bounds to the excesses
they might commit.
Strong thoughts, terrible thoughts these, but the weapons, the powder,
and the blood showed me that there was no exaggeration.
A cold shudder passed through me as I stood there watching, and ready to
report the next movement on the part of our enemies. My eyes felt a
little dim, too, as I looked round vainly in search of Jarette, who must
be, I was sure, planning some means of getting us all into his power.
The door was only opened widely enough for me to look along the deck
where the men were watching the door; and I was just thinking that if we
all made a bold dash at them, armed as we were with right upon our side,
there was no reason why we should not scatter them; and once scattered
and Jarette mastered, the rest would, I knew, be easy enough.
"And we shall have to do it," I thought. "I can't do much, but I could
and I would lick Walters."
My fingers itched to get at him as I thought all this, and the blood
flushed up into my temples.
"A mean, contemptible coward!" I muttered, as I gazed at him. "Yes,
you may stand there as cocky as you like with your pistols, but they
don't frighten me. You daren't fire them, and you showed what a coward
you were when you were told to lay the powder here and--Hallo!"
The current of my thoughts was changed on the instant as something came
down very softly from above--something soft and grey-looking hanging
from a string. There was not a sound, but I grasped directly what it
meant.
Some one had gone softly up on to the poop-deck, and was standing just
over my head, letting down this something by a string, so that it should
lie gently close up to the door.
I could not look right up and see, but I knew as well as could be that
it was Jarette there leaning over the rail; and as I watched, the bag--
for bag it certainly was--came lower and lower till it nearly touched
the deck-planks, when it was swung gently to and fro till it would just
touch the door. Then the string was dropped; and it had all been so
well managed that the bag, with perhaps ten pounds of powder within,
leaned close up.
"The cunning wretch," I thought to myself, and I was so interested in
the plan that I could not withdraw my eyes from the slit, but stood
watching to see what would come next.
I was not kept waiting many moments before there was a thick black
shower of dust scattered down from above, and I knew that Jarette must
be throwing down powder, so as to form a train. And this he did
cleverly enough, so that the deck was thick with powder, close up to the
bag, and then the train grew thinner, and I felt that he would have to
come down on the lower deck to finish his task.
Almost as I thought this, I saw a shadow, just the head and shoulders of
a man, cast by the sun upon the deck, and I knew that our enemy was
going to descend by the starboard ladder, and pass round to where he
could scatter his powder.
And now for a moment I drew back, and whispered to Mr Frewen.
"Let me have the walking-stick now."
"Right, my lad. Get yours, Mr Preddle, with the big hook."
I heard a rustling behind me, and hurried back to watch, getting my eye
on the deck in time to see a cloud of dust thrown toward the cabin-door,
just as a farmer's man might be sowing some kind of seed broadcast. And
all the while, though the firing of that bag of powder would mean
destruction, possibly death to some of us, I did not--mind, I who write
you this am not boasting, but setting down the simple facts--I did not,
I repeat, feel in the slightest decree alarmed, but so full of
confidence, that it was like participating in some capital trick which
was to result in confusion to a scoundrel.
The dust was thrown still, and I could see something very curious now,
for as Jarette suddenly came into sight, I saw the mutineers, led by
Walters, all draw back to some distance farther, while Jarette said
something to him, I don't know what, but I think it was insulting, and
laughed.
Just as he had turned his head, Mr Preddle's soft, smooth voice said--
"Here is the stick," and without turning my head, I reached back my
hand, took it, and passed out the great hook. It was ash, I remember,
and of a light brown.
It was none too soon, for all at once right along the deck I saw a
flash, then a white puff of smoke as Jarette knelt down, lit a match,
and held it to the dust upon the deck.
Above the smoke in one glance I saw Walters slinking back behind the
main-mast, and then the white vapour shut off everything, so that I
reached out unseen, hooked the powder-bag, and after two or three tries
drew it in, and shut the door close.
"What is it?" cried Mr Frewen, excitedly; "are they coming?" There was
no time to answer. I leaped over the breastwork with the powder-bag in
my hand, meaning to run to the stern-window and throw it out, but I
thought it might be useful, and I rushed into Mr Preddle's room to
stand holding it behind me as there came a loud hiss and rush, and the
saloon began to fill with smoke.
As soon as the danger was over I went out, leaving the powder upon Mr
Preddle's cot, and told them why I had rushed by.
"Oh, come, that's better," said the captain; "we thought you were
showing the white feather, boy. So you hooked the powder-bag?"
"Yes, there it is," I said. "Ah, well, this is no time for praise,"
said the captain. "You did your duty well, my lad. Yes, it would have
been a pity to have thrown the stuff overboard, we might have wanted it
to send back with our compliments, eh? Leaden ones. What is it,
Brymer?"
"Hist! Jarette is outside, looking astonished that the powder has not
done any damage."
"And he'll be trying it again," said Mr Frewen, who, after a few words
with the captain, took his gun, placed a chair on the saloon-table, and
then mounted upon it, thus bringing his head well up in the sky-light
and above the level of the deck, so that he could watch Jarette's
motions if he attempted the same plan.
In addition, after glancing astern to see whether he was out of the
steersman's sight, he wrenched open the window a little more, pushed out
the barrel of his gun, and stood there waiting.
He was not kept long before he saw the man come on deck bearing a
heavier bag of powder, and he was in the act of sitting down in one of
the cane seats near the rail to tie on a piece of string, when, with all
the caution of some wild bird, he looked sharply round for danger.
In an instant he had caught sight of the barrel of the gun thrust
through the window, and making a bound he reached the ladder, and swung
himself down upon the main-deck, where he stood with the powder-bag in
his hand, as if hesitating as to what he should do.
The men were watching him, and he knew it. They must have noticed his
ignoble retreat, and here was the way to redeem his character.
This he did by coming straight to the cabin-door, and depositing the bag
there, opening it, and throwing out several handfuls of powder to help
form the train; but just at that moment the door was snatched open, and
a gun thrust out so suddenly that it struck the mutinous leader on the
side, and he leaped back, lost his balance, and fell heavily upon his
back, while a roar of laughter arose from his followers.
Jarette leaped up with a cry of rage, snatched a pistol from his belt,
and bravely enough dashed at the door; but as he nearly reached it,
there was the sharp report of a gun, and almost simultaneously there was
a burst of flame from the deck, a heavy rushing sound,--and the mutineer
disappeared in a dense white cloud of smoke, out of which he staggered
back to his followers, panting, startled, but, with the exception of a
little singeing, unhurt.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
"Why didn't you aim straight, man?--why didn't you aim straight?" cried
Captain Berriman. "You did not touch him."
"I did not try to hit him," replied Mr Frewen, quietly.
"Then why did you fire, sir? A loud noise is not likely to frighten
such a man as that."
"No; but the idea of being shot at, and the explosion of that loose
powder about his ears has startled him, and he'll be careful about
coming up to the door to lay powder-bags again."
"Then you fired to light the loose powder?"
"Yes, and it has had its effect, though I hesitated for a moment for
fear the bag should not be far enough off. Where did you put it, Dale?"
"Along with the other in Mr Preddle's cabin," I said triumphantly, for
when the door was open I was down on my knees ready by Mr Frewen's
legs, and as he thrust the barrels of his gun against Jarette's side, I
snatched at the bag and drew it in.
"Take my place, Mr Preddle," said Mr Denning to him, "I must go back
to our cabin and speak to my sister. She will be terribly alarmed by
the firing."
"Shall I go and speak to her?" said Mr Preddle, eagerly.
"If you are afraid to take my place," said Mr Denning, sternly.
"I--I thought--I wanted--I wished to save you trouble," stammered the
stout passenger. "Thank you; my piece is loaded."
He was very red in the face as he stepped into Mr Denning's place by
the door, which was now carefully watched in expectation of another
attempt to blow it open.
But the minutes glided on, and all grew quiet forward to our great
surprise; but we soon knew why, for a man came along bearing some
biscuit and cold pork in one hand, a bowl of steaming coffee in the
other, and it was evident that he was taking the man at the wheel some
breakfast from the meal of which the crew were partaking.
"A good example, captain," said Mr Frewen. "I can keep on guard here
while you people all have some refreshment. They must need it, for I'm
sure I do."
I offered to take Mr Frewen's place, but he would not hear of it, and
matters were compromised by my taking him his breakfast, when some
provisions had hastily been placed on the saloon-table; and carrying
mine with me, together with a box for our table, dragged down close to
the barricade, and between it and the door, we made a hearty meal.
The ladies had come out of their cabins, and I saw how eager Miss
Denning was to attend upon her brother and Mr Brymer, for whom, in his
wounded state, she seemed to be full of sympathy. Then after attending
upon him, she flitted to the captain's side, while from time to time Mr
Frewen looked on, and appeared to be wishing that he too was wounded so
as to be waited upon like that. At last the captain spoke.
"There, my dear," he cried, "not another mouthful for me if you don't go
to your place by your brother, and have something to eat yourself."
"Oh, but I can have something at any time, Captain Berriman, when you
are all busy protecting us."
"No," cried Captain Berriman, "not another mouthful." And he spoke so
emphatically, that Miss Denning glanced at her brother, and then at a
nod went and sat down.
I noticed that in spite of our position, everybody was making an effort
to treat the trouble coolly; even Mr Frewen smiled at me, after
glancing through the narrow opening.
"Come, Dale, lad, eat away. Don't say you've got no appetite."
"Oh, I'm pretty hungry, sir," I replied; "but all this in the night
isn't the sort of thing to make one want his breakfast."
"Don't despair, my lad, it will come all right. Why, they must have
given us nearly all the powder in those two bags you brought in, and if
they don't mind, you and I will make a contrivance to hoist them with
their own petard. But I don't want to shed blood if I can help it."
"No," I said, with a shudder, "it is too horrid."
Mr Frewen looked at me searchingly.
"Only," he continued slowly, "if blood is to be shed, and by none of our
seeking, it is our duty to see that it is the blood of the villains who
have turned upon us and set the law at defiance. Do you see that,
Dale?"
"Yes," I said, "I see that, and of course we cannot be expected to be
merciful to them who would blow us up with gunpowder. Why, they
wouldn't have cared if the ladies had been injured as well as the men."
"You are quite right."
"But you did not shoot Jarette this morning, sir," I said, and I believe
that my eyes twinkled mischievously at being able to confute him.
"No, Dale," he said, "I couldn't. Doctors have spent all their time
learning how to save life, and it would have been such a cold-blooded
act."
"But if you had shot him, sir, the mutiny would have been at an end."
"Unless your messmate, Walters, had constituted himself captain, and
carried on the war."
"He!" I cried contemptuously. "Why, I'd go and fetch him out by one
ear the same as a dog or a pig out of a drove. I believe, sir, that he
is a regular coward and sneak."
"Ah, well, we shall see," replied Mr Frewen, "but I suppose that I
really ought to have shot down that ruffian, broken one of his legs say,
and then spent six months in curing him ready for a judge and jury to
punish."
"But look here, Mr Frewen," I said, "isn't it all a mad and stupid
thing for that man to do?"
"Worse than mad, my boy, for what can they do if they keep us down, and
carry this vessel into port, which I doubt their ability to do?"
"Oh, they can do that," I said quickly. "Bob Hampton is such a capital
sailor."
"A capital scoundrel," he cried hotly, "and if I have a chance I'll
pitch him overboard."
"No, you won't, Mr Frewen," I said, laughing; "I don't believe that."
"Well, Dale, I'm afraid that if I did, I should want a boat lowered down
to pick him up, and go in it myself. There, as you say, it is a mad
thing for the men to have done. It shows how a whole party can be
carried away by the specious arguments of one scoundrel. However, we
know our duty, my lad; and that is to re-take the ship, place the worst
of the men in irons, and make the others navigate the vessel, unless you
advocate our hanging the worst of them instead of putting them in
irons."
"There are no irons on board a ship like this," I said quietly.
"Ah, and there is plenty of rope, my lad; so you advocate hanging?"
"Don't make a joke of it all, Mr Frewen," I said, for I felt annoyed at
his talking to me in that way, as if I were a mere boy of eight or nine.
"Right," he said sharply. "We will be wise over it all. Hallo, Mr
Brymer is making signs for us to be quiet. The captain is going to
speak."
I looked quickly at the table, and saw that Captain Berriman was
standing just below the sky-light, when all at once there was a violent
crashing of glass, and I saw pistols held down through the light, while
almost at the same moment I heard a rustling noise outside, and leaped
up.
"Look out, Mr Frewen," I whispered; "powder again!"
For the rustling noise had been made by Jarette, who had crept along
unnoticed till he could plant a powder-bag, and as I glanced out I saw
that he was rapidly laying a train by drawing a second bag of powder
after him as he stepped rapidly back towards another man who was
carrying a lighted lanthorn--lighted, I felt sure, though in the
brilliant sunshine the flicker of the candle inside was hardly visible.
"Quick," I said; "draw open the door a little more."
As I spoke I tried to pull the chest away upon which we had been having
our meal, but I could not move it, as it was against Mr Frewen's legs,
and kept the door from being opened sufficiently wide in that narrow
space for me to pass out.
"Oh, quick--quick!" I whispered.
"Anything the matter there?" cried Mr Brymer.
"No, sir, no, sir," said Mr Frewen. "Keep back there, everybody. Now,
Dale, up on end with it."
I stooped down, and we quickly lifted the chest on its end, dragged the
door a little way, but not far, for the chest still impeded it.
But there was room for me to force my way through the door, and I was in
the act of passing through a little way, so as to lean out and once more
snatch the powder-bag in out of danger when I saw that Jarette had
snatched the candle out of the lantern held ready for him, and applied
the light to the train.
Mr Frewen saw it too, and dragged me back, and in one and the same
effort threw me and himself over the barricade. I should more correctly
have said, let himself, as he held me, fall backward over the wall of
chests into the cabin.
It all took place almost as quick as thought, for as we fell heavily
upon the saloon-floor, there was a terrific flash, a roar, and I was
conscious of being driven right into the great cabin, buried beneath a
weight which caused me intense pain, and then all was blank.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
I could not have been insensible many moments, for I was conscious of
shouting and trampling, of a thick black smoke which made it seem like
night, of voices giving orders, and Jarette yelling to his men now in
French, now in English, and all the time there was a crushing weight
across my legs and chest.
Then there were a couple of shots fired, and the shutting and banging of
doors; some one shrieked, and a man was thrown back over the mass which
held me down.
After that I must have been insensible again, for the next thing I
remember is hearing a groan, and directly after the voices of men
talking in a familiar way.
"That's it, lads; altogether, and out she comes."
I could see light now, for something was lifted off me, and I looked out
through a framework of shattered woodwork at the bright sunshine.
"Now then," said the same voice; "lift him out on to the deck."
It was Bob Hampton speaking, and it was Dumlow who spoke next in a low
growl.
"Poor lad; he's got it bad, arn't he?"
I thought in my half-stunned fashion that they were talking about me;
but they were lifting some one else, and just then Jarette came up. I
couldn't see him, but I could hear him blundering over the wreck around,
and his words plain enough as he said sharply--
"Dead? Overboard with him if he is."
"No, he arn't dead," said Bob Hampton. "Doctors don't die in a hurry.
He'll come to and cure hisself, I dessay. Come on, mate."
In a muddled, dreamy way I knew now that it was a doctor they were
carrying, and if it was a doctor I felt that it must be Mr Frewen; but
what it all meant, or why I was lying there, I could not tell in the
least.
There was half-darkness then for a little while, then light--then
darkness again, and some one was leaning over me.
"Steady, lad," was growled, and I knew it was Bob Hampton again, and I
tried to think and ask him what was the matter, but no words would come,
though everything was growing very clear now, and the men's words
bounded painfully sharp upon my ears.
"Got him?"
"Ay, ay."
"Heave then, together. No, hold hard; the corner of that portmanter's
over his hind leg. That's it; hyste it away."
I felt myself laid down while something was done close to me, and then I
was lifted once more and carried out into the warm sunshine, and laid
upon the hot boards of the deck.
"Poor laddie," growled Bob Hampton, "he's got it badly. Rum world this
here, Neb!"
"Orful," said Dumlow.
"Reg'lar wusser," said another voice, which I knew to be Blane's.
"Look sharp there, my lads," cried Jarette, from somewhere overhead,
which must have been the poop-deck. "That one dead?"
"Ay, ay, sir."
"You're a liar, Barney Blane."
"If he's dead, pitch him overboard."
"But he arn't dead, captain," growled Bob Hampton. "There's stuff
enough in him to make a full-sized sailor yet, and he's far too good to
be chucked over to the sharkses."
"But Barney Blane said he was dead."
"Don't you take no notice o' what Barney Blane says, skipper," cried
Dumlow. "He dunno chalk from cheese best o' times, and I know he can't
tell a dead man from mutton."
"Hear, hear, mate!" cried Bob Hampton. "Haw, haw, haw; we'll chuck the
boy overboard if you like, capt'n; but there's a kick in one of his hind
legs, an' I see him wink and waggle one ear."
"Let him lie there a bit till I come round," cried Jarette. "You go on
and clear that cabin."
"Ay, ay," cried the three men who were near. "Come on, lads. Here,
Barney, go and get that there pannikin o' water from the breaker, and
pour some in the boy's mouth. What yer go and say he were dead for?"
"Well, mate, I thought as he were. He had enough to ha' killed a man,
let alone a boy."
"You look sharp, and we'll pull him and the doctor through, see if we
don't. I don't think no bones is broke. Them chesties sheltered 'em."
Then I felt water being trickled into my mouth and some poured over my
forehead, while, though I could neither move nor speak, I heard
Jarette's voice giving orders apparently ever so far away.
"Look sharp, lads," said Bob Hampton, "or Frog-soup 'll be back and
bully us."
"Must give the jollop purser a drop more," said Dumlow. "Here, he arn't
dead neither; takes the water down as free as if it were grog. They'll
come right agen, won't they?"
"Ay, to be sure," said Bob Hampton. "Now then, heave ahead afore he
comes. Rum games these here, messmets."
"Rum arn't the right word," said Dumlow, and then all was perfectly
still again, and I lay there wondering what was the matter, and why I
couldn't think as I should, and make out why I was lying there on my
back in the hot sun listening to a low moaning sound, and some one close
to my ear talking in a muttering tone.
Then there was silence again for I don't know how long: before there was
another low moan, and the voice close by me muttered--
"Oh, for more strength--could have saved--"
The words died out, and I lay there wondering still. Then I felt that
people were coming near me, and stopped talking together.
I must have grown a little more sensible then, for I recognised the
voices as some one gave me a rude thrust with the foot.
"This boy's dead enough," and the words sounded so sharp and cruel that
they quite stung me.
"I think he is," said another voice, which I knew to be that of Walters.
"Oh yes; try him," said the first speaker, Jarette, I was certain.
And now as I felt some one take hold of my hand and raise my arm, my
full senses seemed to come, and with them an intense feeling of pain.
It was just as if the lifting of that arm was connected with something
within me which had been stopped up, for as the arm was allowed to drop
heavily back, and Walters said callously--"Yes; he's dead enough," I
shouted as loudly as I could--"No, I'm not!" and opened my eyes to stare
up at the group on deck.
There was a hearty burst of laughter at this, and I suppose it was
partly directed at Walters, who sprang up as sharply as if I had bitten
him, and then joined weakly in the laugh.
"Just like him," he said, with a contemptuous shrug of his shoulders.
"Shamming again."
"Come, I like that," I said faintly. "Why, your life's all sham."
He took a step toward me as I lay there, and I thought he was about to
kick me, but Jarette laid a hand upon his shoulder.
"Let him be," he said shortly. "Look here, young Dale, where are you
hurt?"
"I suppose I'm not hurt at all," I said, speaking with a good deal of
pain; "if I say I am, he'll tell you I'm shamming."
"Never mind him, boy," said Jarette, "listen to me. Look here, the
game's up with the officers, and they're either my prisoners or as good
as dead, so there's nothing more for you to do. Now, I suppose you
don't want me to have you thrown overboard, do you?"
"Of course not."
"Very well, then; it's only a change in your captain, and I dare say you
can be useful. What do you say to joining me?"
"What, turning mutineer and pirate?" I said boldly.
"Don't you use ugly words, boy," he said, with a scowl. "Come, I offer
you good terms; will you join us?"
"You don't want midshipmen," I said, as I tried to think hard as to what
I ought to do under the circumstances.
"How do you know, boy? Join us, and serve under me. It will only be
like going on again with your old messmate here, and I dare say I can
promote you faster than you would have been under Captain Berriman."
"But where are we going? What do you mean to do with the ship?"
"What's that to you? There, I offer you your chance; will you join us?"
"I would if I was you, Mr Dale, sir," said a familiar voice, and
turning my head with difficulty, there was Bob Hampton looking quite
frank and honest, and as if there was not such a thing as a mutineer on
the face of the earth.
"Why? What for?" I cried, with a catching of the breath which made me
raise my hand to my breast.
"'Cause we're all so jolly together now, sir. You'll like it same as me
and my mates do. Jyne us, sir."
"All right," I said, "if--"
"If what?" said Jarette, sharply.
"If you rouse up the doctor and make him tend to me, for I'm afraid I've
got some broken ribs."
"Good! We will," cried Jarette, but to my astonishment Walters suddenly
roared out--
"No; don't trust him. He is a traitor, and he would only play the spy."
With a good deal of effort I raised myself upon one arm and looked him
full in the face, for the pain I suffered and his words roused up in me
a furious burst of temper.
"Traitor! sham!" I cried. "You ought to be hung for turning against
your captain as you did."
"Don't trust him, Jarette; he'd only betray us."
"If ever I get a chance, I will, if it's only for the sake of seeing you
get your deserts, you miserable hound!" I cried. "No, I'm not fit to
be trusted, Jarette," I cried, now quite beside myself with rage and
pain; "and don't let that miserable cur come near me, or I shall try to
do him some mischief."
"Do you hear, lieutenant?" said Jarette, with a sneering laugh. "Why
don't you go and serve him out for threatening you? He's about helpless
if his ribs are broken, and couldn't hurt you back."
"I'm not going to meddle with the miserable, sneaking cur," he said
contemptuously. "And you needn't banter me; I've saved you from being
cheated by him."
"Oh, I don't know," said Jarette, gazing at Walters through his
half-closed lids; "I dare say it was all talk, for he wouldn't have
dared to play tricks. But I say, lieutenant, he has got a stouter heart
than you have. He'd be too much for you."
Walters gave him a malicious look, full of angry spite, and as Jarette
saw it, there was a complete change in the man. His eyes flashed, his
form seemed to dilate, and he looked taller, while I now realised how it
was that he had gained so much ascendancy over the men, making them
follow and trust him with powers which would possibly land them all in
gaol, if no worse fate were in store.
He and Walters were close to me, and I heard what could not have reached
the ears of the men.
"Take care, youngster," he half whispered. "You've got a hasty tongue,
and it stings sometimes. Mind I don't turn and sting again. Recollect
you've committed yourself so deeply that you are mine now; and
recollect, too, that I'm captain."
"Yes, I know," said Walters, sharply, "but he isn't to be trusted,
and--"
"You hate him," said Jarette. "Well, I know you do. There, that's
enough. Here, some of you, which cabin is empty?"
"Second one on the left," cried several.
"Is the door broken by the powder?"
"No; it's all right," said Bob Hampton.
"Carry 'em both in," said Jarette. "Fasten 'em up, and bring me the
key. There, youngster," he continued to me, "I'm sending the doctor
with you to set you right."
I nodded, and then had hard work to keep from shrieking out as two men
lifted me and carried me through the companion into the shattered
saloon, and then into the cabin on the left, laying me down pretty
gently in the cot.
It seemed quite natural to me that I should be brought there, though it
was unintentional on Jarette's part, for the cabin I was in was that
apportioned to Mr Frewen, who was now carried in and laid upon a rug
which covered a portion of the floor.
"Cheer up, Mr Dale, sir," said Dumlow, bluffly, for he was one of the
men who had helped to carry in Mr Frewen. "They won't starve yer. If
they do I'll bring you some o' my wittles and drink."
"Look here, Dumlow," I said, "where are the officers and the
passengers?"
"Shut up, sir, in their cabins, like precious crocks in a cupboard,
that's where they are; and now you're just the same, only you've got a
crack in you somewheres."
The men all laughed and went out, and shut from my sight the shattered
side, and confusion of chests and boxes lying in the saloon. Then I
heard the door fastened, and I made an effort and looked over the side
of the cot, groaning the while with the pain it gave me, down at poor
Mr Frewen, who lay there quite insensible, and I said to myself
bitterly--
"Very kind of them to send me a doctor; why, I shall have to doctor
him."
Then for the first time I saw that he was bleeding a little from one
side of his head, and this roused me so that I forgot a good deal of my
pain; and after feeling my chest and side a little to try and make out
where my ribs were broken, and without success, I managed to crawl out
of the cot, and got down on my knees by my companion.
"Mr Frewen," I said; "Mr Frewen," and I laid my hand on his forehead.
"Oh, I say, do, do pray try and speak. Tell me what to do for you."
There was no reply, and I grew more excited, and as I did, so did my
suffering seem to be less, and all my anxiety began to be about him.
"Mr Frewen," I said. "Can't you say a word?"
But he made no sign, and, forced by the circumstances to act, I leaned
over, turned his head a little more on one side, and found that the hair
was all matted together with the blood, which was already drying up.
Then I began to think that the hair ought all to be cut away, the wound
bathed and strapped up, and I was about to proceed to do it, when
another thought occurred to me.
It was this:--
The bleeding had pretty well stopped, and would, I felt sure, quite stop
in a few minutes, so perhaps I should not be acting wisely if I
disturbed the injury then, for it might be better if I tried to bring
him to his senses, and then he would advise me what to do, and how to do
it.
I believe I was in great pain then, but I forgot it for the moment as I
looked round and I saw that there was water there, and sponges and
towels were close at hand, so without farther hesitation I poured out
some of the water into a little basin, and taking a sponge, well bathed
his face, after opening the window, for the cabin was suffocating.
I bathed and bathed, and changed the water so as to get it a little
cooler, though the rapid evaporation helped me most, and at last, to my
great delight, his eyelids began to quiver, and finally he lay there
staring at me wildly, and with his face terribly white.
"Mr Frewen, do you know me?" I said.
"Know you?--know you? Yes, of course," he said hoarsely. "What is the
matter?--what has happened?" and his hand went to the back of his head.
"You were hurt when the powder went off," I said, watching his face
eagerly. "Don't you remember?"
"Yes," he cried eagerly. "I threw myself back over the barricade with
you."
"And the door and all the boxes and chests were blown in and buried us,
I think."
"Was--was any one killed?" he said huskily.
"I don't know; I think not," I replied.
"But don't you know, boy?" he cried angrily.
"No; I was hurt by the chests the same as you were, and don't know what
happened. It was all like being in a dream till a little while ago."
"Then you know nothing?" he said excitedly.
"I only have a sort of misty recollection of lying there after the
explosion, till I was carried out on deck and laid in the sun."
Then I told him all about being like in a nightmare, and hearing them
talk of throwing us both overboard, only Bob Hampton said we were alive.
"The scoundrel!" he said bitterly.
"Well, I thought it very jolly of him then," I said, "for if it had not
been for him we should have--"
I pointed downward.
"Right to the bottom of the sea," I added.
"Yes; and you seem to have been hurt."
"Hurt? I should think I was, horribly," I cried; "but it don't seem so
bad now, since I've been helping you."
"But the passengers, Dale?" he said excitedly, as he tried to sit up,
but sank back with a groan; "have you not heard anything whatever about
them?"
I shook my head.
"Didn't you see anything to suggest that any one was killed and--and
thrown overboard?"
"No, Mr Frewen."
"Go out then and make inquiries, my good lad," he said piteously; "this
suspense is worse than the injury."
"You forget," I said quietly.
"Forget? What?"
"That we are prisoners. I couldn't get out."
"Yes, yes," he moaned. "I forgot. My head is all confused and strange.
What's that?"
"Some one knocking gently at the bulk-head," I whispered, for there were
three gentle taps on the wooden partition just opposite to where I was
kneeling.
"Then there is some one else a prisoner," he cried. "Quick, speak to
him."
"Better not speak," I said; "we may bring in some of Jarette's gang;"
and rising softly, I took out my pocket-knife, and gave three gentle
taps with the haft just about the spot where we had heard the sounds.
The moment I had done, two knocks came in answer, and when I had
responded in the same way, there was one single one given which I also
answered.
"That only stands for some one being there," said Mr Frewen, with a
sigh; "we have no code arranged by which we could communicate."
"Oh yes, we have," I said, with a laugh, and, after breaking my
thumb-nail, I managed to open out a gimlet fitted in the back of my
knife, in company with a button-hook, a lancet, another to bleed horses,
a tooth-pick, pair of tweezers, and a corkscrew, all of which had been
very satisfactory to look at when I received the knife as a present; but
I often had come to the conclusion that the knife would have been better
with two more blades instead. But now its time had come, and with a
feeling of being able to triumph over a difficulty, I stepped to the
bulk-head, feeling rather giddy and strange in the head, but this passed
off in the excitement, as I rapidly stuck in the point of the gimlet and
began to bore.
The bulk-head was composed of three-quarter inch board, but I kept on
boring and boring without apparently getting through, and I drew out the
gimlet at last, after boring in as far as I could, and stood looking at
the position in dismay.
Just then came a fresh tapping, to which I responded, and then as I
listened to the hollow sound I knew what had been wrong. I had been
boring through the board just where it was backed by one of the uprights
which gave strength to the bulk-head.
The next minute I had bored a hole right through, and on withdrawing the
gimlet I could see daylight.
"Who's that?" I whispered, with my lips to the tiny hole, and placing
my ear to the orifice I heard for answer--
"Me, Mr Preddle. Who are you?"
"Dale and Mr Frewen," I answered.
"What does he say?" asked Mr Frewen.
"Says he is so glad, sir."
"Thank him, and ask him about the passengers, whether any one is hurt."
I whispered the question through the hole, and listened for the answer.
"Captain Berriman and Mr Brymer both wounded again in the struggle,
when the men rushed into the saloon after the explosion. Now shut up in
their cabins."
"But the passengers; ask him about the passengers," whispered Mr
Frewen.
I asked, and the answer came back--
"No one hurt."
I saw Mr Frewen close his eyes at this, and his lips moved as I felt
sure in prayer.
"Yes?" I whispered back, as Mr Preddle said something which sounded
all buzz, buzz, buzz.
"I say, what will those wretches do with us?"
"I don't know."
"Will they kill us and throw us overboard?"
"No," I whispered through. "If they had meant that, they would have
done it at once. But don't talk any more now."
"Buzz, buzz, buzz."
"What say?"
"Buzz, talk, buzz, buzz."
I opened my penknife, for I knew that the reason why Mr Preddle's words
sounded so buzzy, was that a lot of little bits of wood were sticking up
through the hole left by the gimlet. And so it proved, for after a
little cutting all the words sounded clearly enough, and he promised to
wait till I had attended to Mr Frewen's injuries before asking any more
questions.
"Yes," he said, "I'll wait; but when one is in prison, and can talk to
the prisoners next door, it does seem to do one good."
I had just knelt down to see to Mr Frewen's head, when I heard my name
pronounced again.
"Yes," I cried impatiently, "what is it?"
"Only a word," said Mr Preddle.
"Quick, then."
"You were out on the deck some time, weren't you?"
"Yes; a long time," I replied impatiently. "Why?"
"Could you see how my poor fishes were getting on?"
"No, I couldn't," I said gruffly, for my temper was as sore as my body
just then, and Mr Preddle irritated me; he did seem so girlish and
weak.
"Now, Mr Frewen," I said, "tell me what to do to your head."
"Leave it alone," he said, smiling, "or no, perhaps you had better do
something to it; I shall be better and stronger, and I want all my
strength now."
"To help get back the ship?" I said.
"Yes, of course. Now then, my lad," he continued, "you must think that
you are a surgeon's mate or dresser." I nodded.
"You will not mind?"
"Of course not, sir."
"Then go to that drawer, and you will find scissors, lint, bandages, and
strapping."
I went to the drawer, and there, neatly arranged, were the articles he
had described, in company with many more.
"Now get water, sponge, and towel," he said, and this I did.
"Now go to work and cut away the hair, so that you can see what damage
is done."
"But I'm afraid--"
"What?"
"Of hurting you."
"Then set that aside, boy," he said, smiling. "A surgeon must take all
the care he can, but he must not be afraid of hurting his patient. Go
on."
It was not quite my first surgical experiment, for I had bound up cut
fingers before then, and once roughly tended to the broken arm of a
school-fellow, who had fallen in climbing a tree, though my attention
merely consisted in laying the arm straight and bandaging it with a
woollen comforter, while the doctor was fetched; but all the same I felt
very hot, nervous, and uncomfortable, as, in following out Mr Frewen's
instructions, I cut away the hair, bathed the place, and told him
exactly what I saw, horrible as it was.
"Pooh!" he said, with a little laugh. "A mere scratch. Why, if it were
a patient I was attending--you, for instance--I should say you were
making a miserable fuss about nothing."
"But it is very bad, sir," I said. "Why, you were quite insensible."
"Yes, Dale, that was the contusion. One of the chests must have been
driven against my head like a square shot. Well, there's one comfort,
the skull isn't cracked. Now cut some strips of that plaister, and
place them across and across."
I followed out his instructions, and ended by laying some lint over the
wound and securing all with a neatly sewn on bandage.
He turned very pale twice over as I was busy, and, in obedience to a
whisper, I took down a bottle and measured out some of its contents,
afterwards administering the dose in water.
"Not pleasant stuff, Dale," he said, smiling feebly, "and it's rather
hard lines, as you lads would call it, for a doctor to have to take his
own stuff; but you see I have a nasty crack, and if I had not been a
particularly thick-headed sort of fellow, I'm afraid I should not have
wanted another."
"What is that you have taken?" I asked. "Only ammonia--sal volatile--a
capital stimulus when faintness comes on. There, I'm better now, and I
dare say I shall do. I can examine you now. Ribs broken, eh?"
"I thought so, sir."
"And I'm sure you are wrong, my lad. If your ribs, or even one rib, had
been fractured, you could not have gone on working for me like that.
You would have been in agony."
"Well, it does hurt pretty tidily, sir."
"Perhaps so, Dale, but not to the extent it would under those
circumstances. There, I'm better now. Help me to sit up." I helped
him, and he turned ghastly.
"Feel faint, sir?" I said.
"Horrible, Dale, but I will master it. This is no time for giving way
like a young lady in a hot room. There, that's better. Nothing like
making a fight for it. Come."
"Oh no; I'm not very much hurt, sir," I cried. "Wait till you are
easier."
"Come closer," he said firmly. "Off with your jacket, and open the neck
of your shirt."
I obeyed him unwillingly, and making another determined effort to master
the faintness from which he suffered, he carefully examined my chest and
side, giving me such intense pain the while that I too felt sick, and
would gladly have prescribed for myself a draught of the medicine he had
taken.
"There," he cried at last, "that's perfectly satisfactory. No ribs
broken, Dale, but you had a tremendous blow there from the nearest box.
It's a wonder that we were not killed."
"Then I shan't want strapping or bandaging, sir?"
"No; I'll give you some arnica to bathe the place with. You'll have
some terrible bruises all up your side, but that will be all. Now then,
my lad, that we have repaired damages, the next thing is to see what we
can do for other people."
"Yes, and about re-taking the ship," I said excitedly, though I could
not then see the slightest chance of success.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
Mr Frewen and I were both too weak and faint from the terrible shock we
had had, to do anything that day but lie back and rest, my place being
chosen close to the hole I had bored, so that I could be ready to answer
Mr Preddle's questions, which were constantly coming, and to listen to
his lamentations about his fish--about the trouble he had taken, the
water which must be drying--till, as I lay back there with my ear close
to a second hole which I had bored lower down, every now and then from
pain, heat, and the consequent faintness, I kept on dropping into a
curious half-dreamy state, in which I seemed to be watching Mr
Preddle's fish swimming about with their fat little mouths gasping at
the surface of the water, and all looking as if they were so many
hundreds of tiny Preddles asking me to get them out of prison.
Oh, what a wretched time that was, and how I wished that I could go
right off to sleep--a sleep without any dreams--and keep asleep till my
side had left off aching. But it was no use to wish, for though Mr
Frewen was sleeping, so sure as I nearly dropped off, Mr Preddle would
put his lips to the hole I had made for my own torture, and whisper
something.
"Dale, I've been thinking that if Mr Frewen could seize the man who
opens your door and attends upon you, and hold him while you ran out and
opened mine, you and I could then go and open two more cabins, and so
on, and then we could seize the ship."
"Yes," I said heavily, and there was a pause. Then just as I was
dropping off to sleep again--"Dale!"
"Yes, sir."
"We ought to do it when it is dark. I'm quite strong, and not hurt a
bit. Do you think Mr Frewen is well enough?"
"Oh yes!" I said drowsily, though all the time I knew he was not, but I
couldn't help it.
"Then I think we ought to try to-night. But what is your opinion of Mr
John Denning?"
"Haven't any opinion of him," I said, almost talking in my sleep.
"Oh, but that's not fair. He certainly is very irritable, but he might
be useful, and I think he is brave. A man who is in bad health is
frequently irritable, and if we have to fight, as I suppose we very
likely shall have to, his irritability would be of great advantage to
us, because it would be vented upon our enemies."
That's as far as I can remember what he said, for nature would bear no
more, and I was fast asleep with a murmuring sound close to my ear
shaping my dreams, which lasted till there was a rattling sound at the
door, which as I started up was flung open, and two men brought in what
was intended for our supper and dinner together.
The supply was very coarse, and only consisted of cold salt beef, bread,
and water, but if it had been a repast of the most delicious nature, it
would not have tempted Mr Frewen or me. The fresh water was all we
cared for, and a sip of this from time to time was most refreshing.
But as soon as the men had left our cabin and closed the door, we heard
them go into the next, and as we sat listening, we could hear almost
every word that was said, for Mr Preddle questioned the men sharply,
but obtained no answer, the door being roughly closed just in the middle
of one of his speeches. Then as we sat listening we could hear the men
go from cabin to cabin down one side of the saloon and back along the
other.
After this we began to talk in a whisper about our future prospects, and
our plans were soon made--to wit, that as soon as Mr Frewen felt
himself strong enough to act, an attempt should be made to evade the
vigilance of the men on guard, and communicate with the captain or Mr
Brymer, and then try to make some plan.
"There don't seem to be much chance," I said, rather dolefully, for I
was in a good deal of pain.
"You never know what is going to happen, my lad," said Mr Frewen. "As
for me, I feel quite cheerful about our prospects. These men never can
get on without quarrelling, and if they are divided, then is our
chance."
"But suppose they do not quarrel, and are not divided?" I said.
"Don't suppose impossibilities, Dale. I've been at sea long enough to
understand a little about sailors. This man Jarette has won their ear
for the time, but he will soon begin to behave tyrannically to them, and
then they will be as ready to rebel against him as they were against
Captain Berriman. We have to wait for that moment, and take advantage
of it if we can."
But three days glided on without our having a chance of knowing what was
going on in the other cabins. We knew that we were sailing away south,
and that the men seemed to be enjoying themselves, for there was a good
deal of singing and shouting--strong indications of drinking going on.
Mr Frewen was far better, and my pains had passed into an unpleasant
stiffness; otherwise, I was all right.
As for Mr Preddle, he would sit against the bulk-head and bemoan his
fate as long as he could get a listener, and half his discourse would be
about his fish, the other about the unfortunate passengers.
I had cut a way through into his cabin by boring a great many holes, and
then joining them with my knife, so that I could pass it through for him
to try if he could communicate with the cabin further on. But that
proved to be empty, and we could do nothing that way.
So we sat through the hot day talking about the mad act on the part of
the men, and watched the horizon in the hope of seeing a ship to which
we could signal, but nothing came in sight.
The fourth night had arrived, and now Mr Frewen had made up his mind
that our plan ought to be to work at a board in the bulk-head till we
could get enough loose to draw a piece out; and then, after getting into
Mr Preddle's cabin, work a way through into the next, the empty one,
which was pretty sure to be open.
Mr Preddle was almost speechless with excitement when the plan was
broached to him, and he declared it to be too good for there to be any
failure.
"Why, we have only to loosen a board or two on my side, go through,
watch our opportunity, and then go from cabin to cabin and let out our
friends; then wait till the mutineers are all quiet below, and fasten
the hatches tight down upon them. Alison Dale, my dear boy, we shall
re-take the ship, save the ladies, and I shall, after all, get across
with the greater part of my consignment of salmon and trout."
He had his plump round face to the opening looking in at us as he said
all this, and I could see that his eyes were sparkling with pleasure at
the thought of the great success that was coming.
"It is very easy in theory, Preddle," said Mr Frewen, "but I don't know
that it is going to turn out so satisfactory in practice."
"Oh, my dear Frewen, don't throw cold water on the plan, pray," he
cried.
"Not a drop," said Mr Frewen.
"And you will try?"
"Oh yes; anything that promises success in any shape. We cannot sit
still. We must master them."
"But are you strong enough to try?"
"I'll make myself strong enough," said Mr Frewen, quietly.
"Then which board shall we try to loosen first?"
"Hist! some one coming," I said quickly, and I moved a couple of bottles
belonging to Mr Frewen's store across the little opening, and took down
another bottle to remove the stopper and begin sniffing at it as there
was a sudden rattling at the door, which was thrown open, and Jarette
entered. He left a bodyguard of five or six well-armed men outside,
among whom I saw Bob Hampton, and I felt so enraged against him that I
fixed him with my eye, but he seemed in no wise abashed, looking boldly
back at me, and giving me quite a friendly nod.
"Treacherous brute!" I muttered, and turned away to find Jarette
looking at me searchingly.
"Not dead yet then?" he said, with a half-laugh. Then to Mr Frewen--
"Well, doctor, you've patched yourself up, I see. What do you say to
come under my flag?"
"Prison flag!" said Mr Frewen, contemptuously.
"Oh no, my good friend; in my little kingdom I am going to found. What
do you say to a lovely spice island, all sunshine and flowers, where I
can start a new civilisation? I offer you a fine position there as the
only doctor. What do you say?"
"No, of course," replied Mr Frewen, contemptuously.
"Ah, you'll think better of it. I've started the idea too suddenly for
you now you're sore; but you'll come round, and the sooner you do the
more comfortable you'll be. It must come to that. You'll have no other
chance."
"We shall see," said Mr Frewen, coldly.
Jarette looked at him sharply, and then all about the narrow cabin
before fixing his eyes again upon my fellow-prisoner.
"Look here," he said, in a sharp, fierce way. "You're thinking of
escaping--listen to this, boy," he added, turning sharply to me, "it
will do for you too. Now don't think any more about such a _betise_,
doctor," he continued, "for it is of no use. There is no escape for
you. If you tried to break out I have men on the watch whose orders are
to shoot down any one who tries to get away, and that shooting down
means pitching overboard afterwards. It would save me a great deal of
trouble, but I don't want any more fighting and killing: I want peace.
There, you can think it over. You had better be friends, for it would
hurt my feelings to have to set you afloat in an open boat with those
brute bullies, Berriman and Brymer. Think it over, man. Your friend,
Mr Preddle, is sure to join me, for I can find him a pond or a river in
which to keep his fish."
He backed out of the cabin, and the door was closed, while as we
listened we heard the party move on to Mr Preddle's cabin.
I could not resist the temptation of listening, and as I was standing
close by the partition, I took a step nearer to the opening I had made,
and softly drew aside the bottle I had placed before it.
Mr Frewen's lips moved, and I took it that he said "Be careful," so I
nodded to him as much as to say "I will," and listened.
I could not see through, for Mr Preddle had done as I had--drawn
something before his side of the opening, which was so small and in such
a dark part of the cabin, that unless searched for it was not likely to
be seen.
"Well, sir," cried Jarette, "when are you coming on deck again?"
"Coming on deck?" said Mr Preddle, wonderingly.
"Yes; those fish of yours want seeing to; I had to lift out half-a-dozen
this morning with that string ladle of yours."
"The little net?" cried Mr Preddle, eagerly. "That was very good of
you. How do they all seem?"
"As if they wanted their master to come and feed them. They all swam up
to the top and put their mouths out of the water; didn't they, Hampton?"
"Ay, ay, that's so," growled Bob, "and they all called out, `Wittles,
wittles,' in fish, on'y they've got such little voices through being so
much in the damp that you couldn't hear 'em."
The men laughed, and Mr Preddle joined in, but in a feeble forced way
as he said weakly--
"No, no, that was for fresh air. They'll all be dead soon, I'm afraid."
"Then why don't you come and attend to 'em?" said Jarette.
"May I, Mr Jarette?" cried Mr Preddle, excitedly.
"To be sure you may, sir. You've only got to satisfy me that you've
thrown over these people here, whom I have been obliged to shut up for
violence. Cast in your lot with us, and there you are, quite free; and
I'll--come, I'll make you naturalist to my expedition, and one of the
chief men of my island."
"Naturalist to your expedition?" faltered Mr Preddle, wondering at the
language used by a man whom he had heretofore looked upon as a common
sailor, perfectly uneducated, and ready for any amount of violence and
rapine,--"chief man in your island!"
"To be sure."
"But have you got an island?"
"Waiting for me to go and take it, sir; and there you can study nature
at home,--just the place for gentlemen like you."
"Ah, yes, that it is," said Mr Preddle.
"You'll join us then?"
"The weak limp wretch," I heard Mr Frewen whisper.
"No, sir, you said that I was a gentleman. I am, and gentlemen cannot
do such things as that."
"Not take up a delightful life yonder?"
"No; the cost is too great. I should have to be false to my class, and
to my companions in misfortune here."
"Bah!--they are not so squeamish. They come, all of them, and are glad.
You will join us?"
"No, sir, no."
"But your fish--dying!"
"Poor things! It is a disappointment, sir; but I cannot do as you wish
me to, even to save them."
"You will not?"
"No, sir, no."
"Idiot!" cried Jarette, sharply, and directly after the door was banged
and fastened.
"My fish--my fish--my poor little fish!" muttered Mr Preddle; "but I
couldn't, even to save them."
Then there was silence, and I softly recovered the little hole and
looked round at Mr Frewen, who nodded and smiled.
"Yes," he whispered, "it is quite true: he is a gentleman, poor fellow,
in spite of all."
Then we listened again, and heard door after door opened, as Jarette
went round to see his prisoners; and principally, I fancy, to make sure,
as he used his eyes sharply, that no one was likely to escape.
Door after door was opened, and then we heard fierce angry voices, one
of which I was sure was Captain Berriman's. We could not hear what was
said, but his voice sounded threatening, and Mr Frewen whispered--
"Thank heaven! I was afraid the poor captain had been murdered."
Hardly had the words passed his lips before we heard a sharp report, a
piercing shriek, and a heavy fall.
Then for a few moments there was silence, but a quick muttering of
voices followed, and then a door was banged.
A few moments later as I stood there panting, and with the perspiration
standing out upon my forehead, another door seemed to have been opened,
and I heard a quick angry voice speaking loudly and upbraidingly.
"Mr Denning!" I said excitedly, as I turned to my companion, whose
face looked terrible in its rage and despair.
"Whose voice was that, Dale?" he cried wildly.
"Mr Denning's, I'm sure."
"No, no, the lady's cry."
"I--I--don't know," I stammered.
"You do--you do!" he cried wildly, as he caught me by the breast; "speak
out."
"I--I half fancied it was Miss Denning shrieked out," I faltered.
"Yes," he groaned. "Yes, and I am shut up like this. Is there no way
of escape?"
And all this while the angry muttering and talking went on, Mr Denning
evidently bitterly upbraiding Jarette, and the latter mockingly defiant,
and uttering what sounded like contemptuous retorts. Then a door was
banged again loudly, and we stood listening, Mr Frewen with his
forehead resting against the panel and his hands clenched, while his
face was all drawn into puckers and wrinkles as if he was suffering the
most intense agony.
And as we listened, I, horror-stricken, and in the full belief that poor
Miss Denning had been shot, perhaps in trying to save her brother, a
couple more of the cabin-doors were opened and closed; then there was a
good deal of talking and the giving of orders. At last, when we felt
that Jarette and his men were going forward once again to their quarters
in the forecastle, leaving us in horrible suspense, a heavy step
approached our door, which was opened, and Hampton appeared.
"Who was that shot?" cried Mr Frewen, rushing at the man and seizing
him by the breast.
"Easy, sir; easy it is. You'd best ask the skipper."
"I say, who was that shot just now?"
"And I says, ask the skipper, sir. It ain't my business. My business
is to bring you out. You're wanted, and you're to bring your tools."
"Wanted? To attend the injured person?"
"I suppose so," replied Hampton, with brutal callousness; and just as
Jarette approached, "Here's the captain, ask him."
Mr Frewen did not ask, but darted to one of the little drawers with
which his cabin was fitted, took out a case and a packet of surgical
necessaries packed all ready for emergencies, and turned back to the
door.
"Here, where are you going, youngster?" cried Hampton, who was looking
in with a peculiar expression upon his countenance.
"With Mr Frewen," I said stoutly.
"No, you're not. Go back."
"But he'll want me to help him!" I cried excitedly. "I must go."
"Yes; come with me, my lad!" cried Mr Frewen, and as I pressed forward,
Hampton made no further objections to my presence, though before at a
look from his leader he had barred the way with his sturdy arms.
The next moment we were standing in the torn and blackened saloon, with
Mr Frewen looking round wildly from door to door, seeking the one
through which he was to go.
CHAPTER NINETEEN.
"Here, this way," said Jarette, fiercely, "and now you'll see that I'm
not a man to be played with. I'm captain here now, and it's obey me
or--"
He snatched a pistol from his breast and held it menacingly toward
Frewen, who flashed out at him--
"Put that thing away, madman, and show me my patient. Which cabin is
it?"
"That one," said Jarette, surlily. Then showing his teeth, he said in a
peculiar tone of voice--"They say it's kill or cure with your set; let
it be cure this time, or perhaps it may be kill afterwards. Come on.
Go in there."
He signed to a man acting as sentry by one of the doors well aft, and
the man drew back while Frewen brushed by the scoundrel who held it
open, and entered quickly, I following ready to do everything I could to
help.
I entered that cabin fully expecting to see Miss Denning lying bleeding
on the floor, and I am sure that this was Mr Frewen's impression; but
to the surprise of both it was a totally different person, for there lay
the captain in one corner, his head slightly raised, staring at us
wildly as he held one hand pressed to his shoulder, and his eyes were so
fixed that for the moment I was ready to think that he was passing away.
But a faint smile came upon his face as he looked up at the doctor, and
then he smiled at me.
I darted a look full of horror and sympathy at him, and then closed the
door, while as I turned I saw that the woodwork side of the cabin was
marked by a bullet, for so I took it to be, which had splintered the
board all round a good-sized hole.
Mr Frewen went down on one knee by the captain, and took the hand which
rested on his shoulder, pressed it, and then began to examine the
injury.
"Come and help me, Dale," he said; "we must get him in a different
position."
"Perhaps--I can help," said the captain faintly. "The scoundrel shot
me."
"Don't try to talk," said Mr Frewen, quickly. "Wait till I have
bandaged the wound."
But as he spoke I noticed how he watched Captain Berriman, and seemed to
take special heed of him as he whispered the above words evidently with
pain.
"Is it very bad, doctor?" he whispered now after Mr Frewen had been
busy about his breast, and shoulder for a few minutes. "You can tell
me, I can bear it."
"Bad enough, but not so bad as it might have been if it had gone an inch
lower. But keep quiet, talking will only distress you, and tend to make
you feverish. There," he said at last, "there will be no more bleeding,
and that was the only danger to apprehend."
By this time the captain was lying in an easy position, carefully
bandaged and apparently suffering less.
"He came in--"
"Hush! don't tell me; I know--as he did to us with inviting
propositions. We heard your angry words, and the coward shot at you.
But that shriek, surely it was Miss Denning's?"
"Yes," whispered the captain. "The bullet crashed through there
afterwards and struck Mr Denning. Not hurt, but his sister shrieked on
hearing the shot and seeing him fall."
"Then they are in there?"
The captain nodded.
"And can hear our words?"
There was another movement of the head.
"Then let them hear that we are trying hard to put an end to this
miserable state of affairs. Mr Denning should be ready to help us if
called upon."
There was a gentle tapping on the partition at this, and I was on my way
to the bulk-head to reply, when the cabin-door was opened and Jarette
came inside.
"Come, doctor, you must be done if you can find all that time for
talking. Can you save him?"
"I am trying, sir, if only to be prepared to have a witness against you
when the time comes for your punishment."
"Oh yes, of course, doctor, we know all about that. This way, sir.
Now, boy. Come!"
"Good-bye, Captain Berriman," I said, as I leaned over my poor officer
and pressed his hand. Then in a whisper--"Cheer up! Perhaps we shall
re-take the ship after all."
Then I followed the doctor, and a minute later we were once more under
lock and key, while as I crossed the saloon I saw that a couple of men
were pacing up and down, pistol in hand.
I made a remark about this, and then I spoke about the way in which the
powder had driven in all the end of the saloon.
"I suppose Jarette must have used about all there is now."
Mr Frewen shook his head.
"Didn't you know?" he said. "There is a large quantity on board. It is
being taken--across for blasting purposes in New Zealand. Jarette, I
suppose, helped with the lading, and knew where it was stowed. That
accounts for its being brought out so soon."
"Pity we can't give them a dose of it," I said, "so as to frighten them
into better order. Just fancy, Mr Frewen, dropping a bagful into the
forecastle with a fuse attached and lit; how they would run for the
hatch, and before they could reach it--bang!"
"Yes, with that part of the deck blown up and a dozen or so of wretched
mutilated creatures lying about shrieking for help. Well, Dale, I dare
say there is one of the bags somewhere about the cabins, but I don't
think you could use it."
"Well, now you talk like that, I don't think I should like to," I said.
"I am sure you would not, boy. You and I could not fight that way. We
must have a better way than that."
We lay there trying to think out some plan for the rest of that day,
sometimes talking to ourselves, sometimes with Mr Preddle joining in;
but for the most part he could talk about nothing else but his own
troubles, and about his fish, which he was sure were dying off rapidly,
for no one, he said, could attend to them like he would himself.
"Unless it was you, Dale," he whispered apologetically. "You certainly
did seem to understand them almost as well as I did myself. Ah, I'd
give almost anything to be out there attending to the poor little
things, but I could not go at the cost that was proposed."
He sighed very deeply, drew back, and the little hole was darkened
directly after, for Mr Preddle had lain down to meditate upon the
sufferings of his fish, and when I peeped through at him a few minutes
later he was still meditating with his eyes shut and his mouth open,
while a peculiar sound came at regular intervals from between his lips.
Mr Frewen looked at me inquiringly as I turned round.
"Sound asleep," I whispered.
"Poor Mr Preddle," said Mr Frewen, "he is a very good amiable fellow,
but I think that you and I must make our plans, Dale, and call upon him
to help when all is ready."
I nodded, for I thought so too, and after listening for a few moments at
the door, we came to the conclusion that there was nothing to mind about
the sentries, so we proceeded to make our examination of our prison in a
more determined way.
Several times my fingers had played about the knife I had in my pocket,
and I had longed to bore holes in the cabin-door so as to watch the
sentries; but of course I was checked by the knowledge that by making a
hole through which I could watch them I was providing one by which they
could watch us.
The cabins on either side of the saloon were only so many portions of
the ship boarded off, and provided with doors, so that a couple of
carpenters would have had little difficulty in clearing away the
partition and making one long opening, but we had no tools, and the
slightest noise would have drawn attention to our acts; and these ideas
would, we knew, govern our actions in all we did.
Our idea was of course to get a board out between the doctor's cabin and
Mr Preddle's, and if possible one at the darkest portion of the place
close up to the ship's side; but examine as we would, there did not
appear to be one that it would be possible to move, try how we would.
"It seems to be a very hopeless case, Dale," said my companion at last
with a sigh, "unless we patiently cut a way through with your knife; one
cutting, while the other keeps on throwing the chips out of the window
so that they cannot be seen."
"But we shall make a big hole," I objected, "and the first time that
Jarette comes in he will see it, and put us somewhere else."
"Of course. It looks very hopeless, my lad."
"You see we want holes, sir, so that we could take out one board from
top to bottom quite whole, and put it back just as it was."
"Yes; but how are we to do that without tools?"
"I thought doctors always had a lot of tools," I said; "knives and saws
and choppers for operations."
"Ah!" he ejaculated. "My head has not come right yet after that injury.
Why, look here, lad!"
He went to a drawer fitted into a chest, and drew it open to take out a
mahogany case in which, lying on blue velvet, were some of the things I
had named--knives, and a couple of saws, beside other instruments whose
purpose I did not grasp.
"We draw the line at choppers, Dale," he said, smiling; "and I suppose I
ought not to devote my choice instruments to such a duty, but I think
these will do."
"Splendidly!" I cried in delight, as I quite gloated over the bright
steel saw. "Why, with one of those I can get a whole board out in an
hour or two."
"Without being heard?"
"I didn't think of that," I said. "Let's see what noise it would make."
"No," said Mr Frewen, quietly. "We must wait till night; and it will
be a very much longer task than you think, because we shall have to work
so slowly."
"Wait till night!" I cried impatiently.
He nodded, and the dreary, slow way in which the rest of that day passed
was terrible. It was as if the sun would never set; but Mr Frewen was
right. There were two interruptions to expect--the coming of the man
who would bring us our evening meal, a sort of tea-dinner-supper, and
possibly a visit from Jarette to fetch Mr Frewen to see the captain.
The man came with our comfortless, unsatisfactory meal, at which I
grumbled, but which Mr Frewen said was far better than ordinary prison
fare; and just at dark, as he had suggested, we were startled by the
sudden rattling at the fastening of our door.
Then Jarette appeared, and signed imperiously to Mr Frewen to follow
him.
My companion frowned, but he rose and followed; not to obey Jarette, as
he afterwards said, but to go and attend upon the captain.
I rose to go too; but as I reached the door, Jarette rudely thrust me
back, so that I staggered to the cabin-window.
"Non!" he ejaculated sharply; and the door was banged to and fastened
before I had recovered from my surprise.
"Never mind," I said to myself; "wait a bit," as I bit my lips and stood
with clenched fists, thinking in my annoyance how much I should like to
use them.
But I consoled myself by going to Mr Frewen's drawer and opening the
case and looking at the bright steel saws, and then talking in a whisper
to Mr Preddle, who came to the little opening to know whether anything
was the matter.
I did not tell him about the saws after I had said that Mr Frewen had
been fetched, but thought I would leave that for my companion to do, and
then waited till he came; but he was so long that I began to be afraid
he had been placed in another cabin, the mutineer chief having suddenly
become suspicious of our hatching a conspiracy to escape.
He came at last, though, to my very great relief, and told me that he
thought Jarette, in spite of his display of bravado and carelessness,
was alarmed about Captain Berriman's state, and afraid that he would
die.
"And is he in a dangerous state?" I asked anxiously.
"No; only a little feverish, as the natural result of his wound."
"That was what made you stay so long then?" I said.
"Well, no," he replied, with a smile. "I'm afraid I tried to impose
upon our new captain by assuming to be very much concerned about poor
Berriman's state; but I had another reason as well. I wanted to try and
have a few words with the Dennings, whom I could hear in the next
cabin."
"Yes; and did you?" I asked eagerly.
"No, I was too closely watched. I could have whispered to them through
the hole made by the bullet; but Jarette was at the door all the time
that he was not in the cabin watching me, and I could not say anything
aloud for them to hear without his knowing what I said."
"I know what I should have done," I cried.
"What?"
"Told them what our plans were in French."
"That would have been clever," he said dryly, "for a Frenchman to hear."
"How absurd!" I said. "Well then, in German."
"Equally absurd, Dale. I hardly know a word."
"Well then, in Latin."
"My studies in Caesar and Horace never gave me the power to be
conversational, Dale," he replied; and soon after, as it was now getting
late, and from the sounds we heard forward it was evident that the crew
were enjoying themselves, Mr Frewen proposed that we should make our
first start at cutting the board.
Word was passed through the opening to Mr Preddle, who was all
eagerness to begin, and asked for one of the little saws, so that he
might work at the top of the board while we cut at the bottom; but Mr
Frewen promptly decided that one of the instruments would make quite
enough noise, and told him that he must understand that our task was one
probably of days, for everything must be done slowly and carefully, and
in a way that would leave no traces behind.
"Very well," said Mr Preddle, almost petulantly, "you know best; but I
am very, very anxious to get out of this wretched cabin."
"So are we," said Mr Frewen. "Help us, then, by keeping guard by your
door, and at the slightest sound outside giving us the alarm."
"Yes, yes; of course," he said eagerly; and directly after, in the
darkness, I heard Mr Frewen open the drawer and the instrument-case, to
take out the little saw which might open our prison, and cut a way into
another for the scoundrelly mutineers.
"How are you going to begin?" I whispered, after listening at the door.
"Shall I bore some holes first to make a way in for the saw?"
"They will not be necessary," he replied. "I can manage to cut a way
across the last board but one."
"Why not the last?" I asked.
"Not enough room to work. I shall try to cut in a sloping way to splay
the board if I can, so that it will fit better when we put it back--if
we get one out. Hush!--don't talk."
I stood close by him, ready to help in any way he required, and expected
that when he grew tired he would ask me to take his place, so that no
time might be lost.
We had one advantage that I have not mentioned, and it was this. We
were of course locked in, but there was a bolt on the door, so that we
could secure ourselves on the inside from any sudden interruption; and
by keeping the door fastened, there would be time to hide the saw and
brush away the dust before any one who came was admitted.
My position was facing the little round window of the cabin as Mr
Frewen made the first start toward obtaining our freedom; and as the saw
began to bite at the wood with a sound like that which would be made by
a gnawing mouse, I stood gazing out at the beauty of the grand tropic
night. It was very dark, but it was a transparent darkness, with the
sky within reach of my vision thickly spangled with stars, which were so
brightly reflected in the calm sea through which we were gliding gently,
that there were moments when I could hardly tell where the sky ended and
the sea began.
Then faintly and steadily rasp, rasp, rasp went the saw, with so little
noise that it did not seem likely that any one out in the saloon would
hear it; and though at the first cut or two my heart began to beat with
dread, a few minutes later it was throbbing with exultation.
For every gnaw of that little keen-toothed instrument sent a thrill of
hope through me; and I did not stop to consider what we were to do, or
what were our probabilities of success when we reached the saloon, for
it seemed to me then that the rest would come. And on it went, gnaw,
gnaw, gnaw at the soft grain of the pine-wood board, very slowly, but
very surely, I knew; and I was just going to whisper to Mr Frewen, and
ask him whether he would like me to take a turn, when the sawing
stopped.
"Only for a few minutes' breath," he whispered.
"Shall I take a turn?"
"When we cut the bottom one. I am taller and stronger, and can get at
this better than you."
Then he began again, and I gazed through the cabin-window, and listened
both to his working on the thick board, and for any sound which might
indicate that a sentry had taken alarm.
But all was silent; and comforting myself with the belief that if the
noise was heard it might be taken for the gnawing of a rat, I listened
and watched the stars.
At last I was in such a state of nervous excitement that I was on the
point of begging my companion, to let me take a turn, when from being so
intensely hot I suddenly turned speechless and cold. For it suddenly
occurred to me that the stars were blotted out, and that the night was
blacker.
"A cloud," I said to myself at first, but even as I thought that, I felt
that it could not be; and at last I was lifting my hand to touch Mr
Frewen, and draw his attention to the strange phenomenon, when the
sawing suddenly ceased. My companion drew a long breath; and at the
same moment, as I felt drawn toward the window by some strange
attraction, to try and make out why it was so dark, there was the sound
of another deep breath, and I felt it hot and strange right in my face,
as in a hoarse whisper some one said--
"How are you getting on?"
CHAPTER TWENTY.
For a few moments I could not utter a word in that black darkness. I
heard Mr Frewen give a sudden start and his elbow jar against the
partition, but he too was silent, save that I could hear his hurried
breathing.
Then some one spoke again--
"Can't you hear me there? I says, how are you getting on?"
"Bob Hampton!" I cried excitedly.
"Pst! Steady, my lad. Bob Hampton it is. But don't shout, or some 'un
'll hear you, and 'll come along the deck overhead and cut me adrift."
"But what are you doing there?"
"Hanging on to a bit o' line made fast to a belaying-pin."
"But why? What do you want, sir?"
"Will yer keep quiet, my lad?" whispered the man, excitedly. "I don't
want to hear old Jarette sawing through this rope. What do I want?
Come, I like that, arter risking all this here to get a word with you."
"Go back to your friends, you scoundrel," whispered Mr Frewen; "you
have come to spy upon us!"
"Wheer's my lantern, then? Man can't spy a night like this, when it's
as black as inside a water-cask in a ship's hold."
"Mr Frewen is right," I said. "Go back to your friends."
"Arn't got none forrard, leastwise only two; I've come to say `how de
do.'"
"Don't trust him, Mr Frewen, he's a traitor," I whispered; only Hampton
evidently heard.
"Come, I like that, Mr Dale, sir. But I say, how could you be so
easily took in? Theer was nothing else for a man to do but to go with
the bad beggars, and when I seemed to jyne 'em, why of course Neb Dumlow
and old Barney joined at once."
"Bob!" I ejaculated, as a feeling of delight sent a flush of blood to
my cheeks, and I felt hot and excited once more, "you don't mean to say
that--"
"But I just do, sir. 'Tarn't likely I should run all this risk if I
didn't mean it."
"You hear, Mr Frewen," I whispered.
"Yes, but--"
"Look here," said Bob Hampton, angrily, "am I to creep in and stuff
something into your mouth, Mr Dale, sir? You don't know how sounds run
on a still night like this. It's grim death for me if I'm found out."
"Then you are true to us all the same, Bob?" I cried, reaching out to
lay my hand upon the man's shoulder.
"True as gorspel, sir; and ready along with Neb Dumlow and Barney Blane
to pitch old Frenchy overboard, or drown him in a water-cask, if you say
the word, or Mr Frewen either, though I'd rayther take it from you, my
lad, as you're one of the officers of the Burgh Castle and it'd come
better like than from our doctor, and no disrespectment either."
"How are we to know that we are to trust you, Hampton?" said Mr Frewen.
"Tell you dreckly, sir, soon as I can get foot-hold. I'm pretty strong
in the arms, but you can't hang by them as long as you can stand on your
legs, 'less you're born a monkey, which I warn't. You see there's no
board nor nothing to get a foot on, and I knows without trying that I
couldn't get through that window."
"How can we help him, Dale?" whispered Mr Frewen. "I suppose we must
trust him?"
"Trust him? Yes, of course. Stop a moment. Yes, I know." Then
thrusting my arms out--"Hold hard a minute, Bob," I whispered. "Let me
get hold of the rope and haul up the end."
"What for, lad?"
"For us to draw in here and make fast, then you can stand in the bight
like a stirrup."
"Well, you are a wunner, Mr Dale, sir," he replied. "Haul away,
there's plenty down below; I should never have thought of that."
In a very few seconds I had pulled in the lower part of the rope by
which he was swinging, got hold of the dripping end and passed it to Mr
Frewen, letting the rest fall back like a big loop, but not so quietly
as I could have wished. Then we hauled in slowly, till after a little
management we had the bight so exactly adjusted that Bob Hampton's feet
rested upon it while we held the rope tight.
"Hah!" he whispered, with his face close to the cabin-window, "that
rests my flippers. Mind, I'm going to ease off a bit now, but if you
two slacken down I shall go, and there won't be time to say good-bye."
"You may trust us, Bob," I said.
"Ay, ay, my lad, I will, and the least thing as you can do is to trust
me and my mates."
"I will, Bob, and I'm sure Mr Frewen will, but we couldn't help
thinking you were a traitor."
"Course you couldn't, lad. On'y nat'ral. But you see now as it was
on'y make-believe."
"There's my hand, Hampton," said Mr Frewen.
"Thankye kindly, sir. That sounds English, on'y I can't give it a grip,
'cause I'm holding on. But if you'd just stuff one finger in my mouth
I'll bite it if you like, to show I mean square and honest by you all."
"Never mind that, Hampton," said Mr Frewen; "we'll take it as being all
right."
"Right it is then," said Bob Hampton, with a satisfied grunt, "on'y
let's speak gently."
"Can you help us to escape, Bob?" I whispered. "Can't we re-take the
ship?"
"Steady, my lad, don't get out o' breath. That's what we come about,
and Neb Dumlow's bylin' over to do it."
"Tell us first what is the state of affairs," said Mr Frewen.
"State of affairs is, that all the orficers and you the doctor, along
with the passengers, is prisoners, and Frenchy Jarette's skipper of the
Burgh Castle, with that there rat of a 'prentice or middy, or whatever
he calls hisself, first mate."
"But where are we going?" said Mr Frewen.
"Nobody knows but Frenchy, and there is times when I think he don't
know. For he's as mad as a whole cargo o' hatters or he'd never ha'
done what he has. But look sharp, sir, I can't stop long. If he found
out, he'd cut the rope and send me adrift as soon as look at me, and
that would be a pity, 'cause if there's one man as I do respeck and like
it's Bob Hampton, mariner, spite of his looks."
"Yes, we'll be quick," said Mr Frewen.
"Is anything the matter?" came in a loud whisper.
"Oh lor'! Here I goes," groaned Bob Hampton.
"No, no; it's all right," I whispered. "That was only Mr Preddle."
"I thought it was Frenchy, sir."
"Hush! No, nothing wrong. Help come," whispered Mr Frewen. "Wait!"
Then coming back to the window--
"Now, Hampton, what can you suggest?"
"Well, sir, I've been thinking that if you gents--Pst!"
He ceased whispering in at the cabin-window, for just then we heard
steps overhead as if two people were walking along the deck, and
directly after I could make out voices in eager conversation fairly loud
for a few moments, and then they died away, and I knew by the sounds
that the speakers had gone right aft. Then Jarette's voice was heard
making inquiries of the man at the wheel, to whom he stopped talking for
a few minutes, which seemed to extend into an age of anxiety to me who
listened so anxiously and in such dread lest the scoundrel should return
and lean over the bulwark, or run his hand along, feel the rope, and so
discover poor Hampton. Then I felt sure that he would have no
hesitation in cutting him adrift, and that meant death to a brave and
true man.
I felt a horrible pang of dread at these thoughts, and softly thrusting
out my hand, I felt for and gripped Bob Hampton's great paw as it held
on to the rope, and then whispering to Mr Frewen to do the same, I took
tightly hold of the man's wrist with some idea of saving him if the
scoundrel on deck should hear, and cut the rope.
The next minute, to my horror, as with one hand grasping the rope and
the other Bob Hampton's arm, Mr Frewen and I stood face to face close
to the cabin-window, we heard the voices on deck come nearer, then stop
just overhead, and as far as I could judge, the speaker stood leaning
against the bulwarks, so that we could distinctly hear Walters say--
"Why don't you send them all adrift in one of the boats?"
"Because we are not near enough to land, my son," replied Jarette; "and
I am so anxious about my young lieutenant. It would grieve me to death
to see him hung for a pirate."
"I wish you would talk common-sense, Jarette, and not be so fond of
chaffing me. You'll make me wish some day that I had not joined you."
The Frenchman laughed derisively. "Why, my little brave," he cried,
"what a dust-filled-eyed one you think me. Do I not know that you have
been in a tremble ever since?"
"No, you don't," said Walters, sharply. "I'm sure I've done everything
I can."
"My faith, yes; we will say it is so," said Jarette, with another
sneering laugh. "It is wonderful how nervous men are who have their
necks in the noose--boys too."
At that moment we felt Hampton softly loosen his hold of the rope with
one hand, and pass it and his arm in at the window so as to get a grip
inside, for evidently he expected that the rope would be discovered and
cut. Though even then, unless Jarette were willing to save him, it
would only be prolonging his existence for a few minutes, since it would
have been impossible for us to draw so bulky a man through the circular
hole which lit and ventilated Mr Frewen's cabin.
But he was safe for the time, come what might, and we remained there
listening to the conversation overhead, gathering that there was very
little friendship existing between Walters and his new captain, who let
us know that he was in great perplexity about his prisoners, and
certainly not in the mind then to end their lives. What might happen
afterwards we could not say.
At last, after some minutes that felt like hours, they went on and down
the ladder to the lower deck.
"Phew!" panted Bob Hampton. "Oh, my lad, my lad, why didn't you whistle
a jig out of the window?"
"Why didn't I what?" I cried.
"Whistle a toon, my lad. That would ha' let 'em know you could hear 'em
talking, and they'd ha' gone. Hold me tight, please, for I'm 'bout
spent."
The man spoke so faintly that we took alarm.
"No, no, Bob," I whispered. "Don't say that. Rest for a few moments,
and then climb back on deck."
"Rest?" he said, in so pitiful a tone that I tightened my grasp all I
possibly could, and felt how absurd my advice was to a man in such a
position.
"You couldn't haul me in?" he whispered faintly.
"No," I said despairingly. "It is impossible."
"Impossible it is," he groaned. "Well, I shall have to face it."
"What do you mean, man?" whispered Mr Frewen.
"What we've all got to face, doctor. I couldn't swarm up that rope
again."
"Dale, could we get the rope round his waist, and hold him?" whispered
Mr Frewen.
"Here! hist! quick!" came through the opening where Mr Preddle was
listening all the time.
"Silence!" cried Mr Frewen, sternly. "What do you say, Hampton?"
"I says as if you takes the line from under my feet for half a moment
down I goes, for all the feeling's gone out of my arms. I'm done."
"No, no," I whispered in desperation. "Hold on, Bob; we must--we will
save you."
"Ay, lad," he said dolefully, "I'll hold on as long as I can; but if you
two are going to save me, you'll have to be very smart about it, I'm
afraid."
"Mr Frewen! Dale!" came from the opening.
"Silence, I say!" cried the doctor, fiercely.
"I won't be silent," cried Mr Preddle. "Here, Dale, take this; I've
pushed it through as far as I can reach. Give it him. Brandy."
"Ah!" ejaculated Mr Frewen. "Quick."
I had already reached out with the hand which I had taken from Hampton's
wrist, and was fishing about with it in the dark, but without a bite.
"Where is it?" I cried; but as I spoke my knuckles came in contact with
the leather-covered flask so sharply, that I knocked it out of Mr
Preddle's hand, and it fell with a bang on the floor, upon which the
spirit began to gurgle out.
Bob Hampton groaned, and I felt that all was over; but hanging on to the
rope I bent down, and guided by the sound seized the flask, gave it a
shake, which told me that there was yet a good deal inside, and the next
moment I was holding it to the poor fellow's lips, and listening to the
gurgling the spirit made as he gulped quite a couple of mouthfuls down.
I knew he had taken it all, for I had at last raised the flask quite
upright, and he drew his lips away.
"Now, Hampton," whispered Mr Frewen, "hold on for a little till the
spirit begins to stimulate you."
"It's begun a'ready, doctor," was the answer. "It's put new life into
me, sir, and I'm going to make a try for it directly."
"Not for a minute, man, not for a minute."
"In half a minute, sir, or it's of no good, for I'm a heavy man."
I tried to speak, but no words would come, for I felt as if my mouth and
throat were quite dry, and there I stood hanging on to the rope, till in
a curious hoarse whisper the man said--
"I'd say make fast the end o' the rope about me; but--"
"Can you hold on the while?" I said; for my voice came back at this.
"Try, lad."
I don't know how I did it in so short a time; but it was Bob Hampton's
teaching that made me so quick, as, leaving Mr Frewen to hold up the
bight, I seized the end, passed it round the man's chest, and made it
fast, and as I finished he said softly--
"Here goes!"
Then he began to climb, and as he went up I soon found that the rope was
being drawn through our hands. But we kept our touch of it, so that if
he fell we could still let it glide till he reached the water, and then
hold on till a boat was lowered to save him. Up he went, breathing very
hard, higher and higher, with a loud, rustling noise. Then he stopped a
little, and we tightened our hold, for we thought he was gone; but he
struggled on again, up and up, and at last hung quite still, and now we
felt that it was all over, for he was exhausted. I listened for the
horrible splash, but it did not come, for he began again, and we heard
one of his hands give a sharp smack.
"What's that?" whispered Mr Preddle through the opening, but neither of
us replied.
We could not, though we knew that Bob Hampton must have loosened his
grip of the rope with one hand to make a dash at the top of the
bulwarks. Then there came a faint scraping sound, and I turned giddy
from the cessation of the intense drag upon my brain. For I knew that
the poor fellow had reached the deck. In proof thereof the rope was
shaken sharply, and then jerked out of our hands. A faint scraping
sound followed, and I knew it was being drawn up.
I heard no more till Mr Frewen spoke to me; his voice sounding strange
through a peculiar, loud, humming noise in my ears.
"Feel better, my lad?"
"Better!" I said wonderingly. "I'm not ill."
"Oh no," he said, "not ill; only a little faint."
"Here," I said sharply, "why did you lay me on the floor?"
"You fell," he said; "or rather you slipped down. There, drink a little
of this water."
"Is he all right again?" came out of the darkness in a sharp whisper.
"Yes, coming round now," I heard Mr Frewen say.
"Yes, I remember now," I cried quickly. "But Bob Hampton, did he get up
safely?"
"Yes, quite safely."
Just then there was a sharp rattling of the door, and it was thrown
open, while I closed my lids, so dazzling did the light of the lanterns
which were held up above the heads of Jarette and Walters seem to my
aching eyes.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
"Here, what's all this noise about?" cried Jarette, roughly; and his
words gave me intense relief, for I knew that he must be in ignorance of
all that had taken place.
"I was not aware, sir, that we were making any noise," said Mr Frewen,
coldly.
"Then what's the matter, doctor?"
"You can see, sir. The lad has been taken ill. No wonder, shut up in
this stifling cabin."
"Humph! My faith, yes. One is enough. Make him well, and he shall
have another to himself to-morrow."
"Not if I know it," I said to myself, as I lay with my eyes closed,
thinking how I would sham being too ill to leave the doctor's cabin; but
directly after feeling quite in dismay, for it struck me that if I were
not taken away, Mr Frewen might be, and then all our proposed plans
would be upset.
I opened my eyes with quite a start just then, for to my great delight a
gruff voice exclaimed--
"He arn't ill. Wants a bucket of cold water drawn and soused over him.
That'd put him right."
"You speak when you're spoken to, Bob Hampton," said Jarette, with a
snarl.
"All right, skipper--cap'n, I mean; all right."
"Yes, it's all right," I said to myself, with a sigh of relief, as I
closed my eyes again and lay quite still, listening to what passed.
"Well," said Jarette, "what are you going to do? Oh, that is some stuff
you are going to give him."
"Yes, you need not wait," said Mr Frewen, quietly. "But you had better
leave me a light."
"What for? Set the ship on fire?"
"If I wanted to set the ship on fire, I have plenty of matches," said
Mr Frewen.
His imitation of the renegade Frenchman's pronunciation of the word
"ship" was almost involuntary, and he told me afterwards how he
regretted making such a slip, for Jarette winced and darted a malignant
look at him which was not pleasant to see.
He did not speak again, but stood looking on while Mr Frewen held some
water to my lips, and bathed my temples, both of which proceedings were
quite needless, for I was quite recovered now from my faintness, and he
ended by helping me to lie down in the cot.
Upon seeing this, Jarette said something shortly to his followers and
they drew back, the door was closed, and we were in total darkness once
again.
"And all that trouble, care, and suffering for nothing, Dale," said Mr
Frewen, dolefully.
"For nothing?" I said, sitting up. "Do you call it nothing to have
found out that we have three strong men on the other side ready to fight
for us? I don't."
"I had forgotten that for the moment," said my companion. "Yes, that is
worth all our trouble; but I'm afraid poor Hampton will not venture to
communicate with us again, so what do you say to beginning our sawing
business once more?"
"Oh no: not to-night!" I said. "Perhaps Bob Hampton will be able to
propose a better way next time he comes."
"If he does come, my lad."
"Ah, you don't know him so well as I do, Mr Frewen. He is sure to come
again."
"I hope he will, my lad."
"Oh, he will; and you see if he does not tell us to wait until he and
Neb Dumlow are on guard. They'll get us out and then help us to open
the cabins one by one."
"Nothing like being sanguine, my lad," he said; "but there, it's getting
very late. Let's sleep now."
I did not feel at all disposed to obey, and lay still, watching the
stars through the open cabin-window, thinking over the events of the
earlier part of the night, till the stars were blotted out, and I was as
fast asleep as Mr Frewen, or our fellow-prisoner in the next cabin, who
breathed so heavily that when I was awake it sounded like a snore.
I seemed to be watching the stars one minute, and the dazzling water the
next, for the sun was high when I opened my eyes again, and the sea
looked of such a delicious blue, that it was hard to feel low-spirited,
and trouble oneself about our failure.
Mr Frewen lay on the floor fast asleep, and I was thinking whether I
had not better follow his example, when I started up and gave my head a
thump against the top of the cot, for something suddenly appeared at the
round opening of the cabin-window, and for a moment I thought it was a
bird. The next I was out of my cot and close to the window, waiting for
an opportunity to make a snatch at the object swinging to and fro.
I could have made a dart at it instantly, but I wanted to make sure,
knowing as I did that Bob Hampton or one of his men must be leaning over
the bulwarks listening, and that the bait at the end of the thin line
hanging down over our window was intended for me.
At last I made a snatch at the object, but it only swung out of reach;
then another snatch, but all in vain. But the last time I was
successful, for one of my hands flew out, and I caught hold of and
dragged the bait in, cut the line with my pocket-knife, and saw it
snatched up out of sight directly.
I made some slight noise in starting back, and Mr Frewen rose quickly
to his elbow to stare in my excited face.
"What is it?" he said in a hurried whisper.
For answer I held before him a packet of something made up in a piece of
canvas, and tied round with spun-yarn.
"Let down to the cabin-window," I whispered, full of excitement, for the
packet was heavy, and I had my suspicions as to what it contained.
I had my knife still in my hand, and my fingers itched to cut the yarn
and open the parcel; but I thrust it beneath the blanket on the cot, and
went to the cabin-door to listen.
All was silent there, and though I listened for a few minutes, there did
not seem to be any one stirring on deck, so I turned back to Mr Frewen,
who was now standing by the cot, with his hands under the blanket, and
offered him the knife.
"I believe there are pistols inside, Dale," he whispered.
"I'm sure of it," I said. "Open it quick. I'll stand on this side."
He now stood between the parcel and the cabin-door so as to shelter our
treasure, which was turned out of the canvas the next minute, and proved
to be the weapons named, a pair that I remembered to have seen in
Captain Berriman's cabin, and with them plenty of ammunition.
"Loaded!" whispered Mr Frewen. "Be careful with yours."
"Mine?" I said.
"Yes; one is for you, and I hope you will not have to use it; but these
are stern times, Dale, and we must not be squeamish now."
After a few moments' consideration, it was decided to hide one pistol at
the foot of the cot, and the other beneath a quantity of drugs in the
big medicine-chest which stood in one corner of the cabin.
"Hah!" said my companion, smiling for the first time for days. "I begin
to feel a little more hopeful now, Dale. You and I are going to take
the ship yet. That was Hampton's work, of course?"
"Sure to be," I said, and we now began to turn over every plan we could
think of for getting our freedom.
"I want to do it if I can, my lad, without shedding blood, unless one
could not do that without risking life."
I could not help shuddering slightly at this.
That day passed by slowly and monotonously. We were visited from time
to time by Jarette or one of his men, but always with a strong guard
outside, in which I noted Blane and Dumlow, but they were not allowed to
enter the cabin or hold any communication with us, for they had not
originally been of the mutineer party, and Jarette evidently mistrusted
them still.
I was anxious and excited for fear that orders should come for me to
occupy another cabin, but none came, and no more orders for Mr Frewen
to see the captain. Toward evening a strong wind arose, which kept
Jarette's men pretty well occupied in reducing sail.
"The scoundrel must be a good seaman," Mr Frewen said to me that night.
"The ship is well handled, you see, and it strikes me that we are going
to have a rough night."
His words proved true, for now as the ship rose and fell creaking and
groaning, and the wind swished through the rigging, I could begin to
realise how horrible it was to be shut below there in the darkness, for
if those now in command of the vessel proved wanting at some particular
crisis of the storm, our fate was sealed. They might try to save
themselves in the boats, but they would not stop for us.
"What are you thinking about?" said Mr Frewen, suddenly, some time
after dark.
I started, for we had been silent for some time, listening to the hiss
and roar of the waves, and the rough blows given from time to time as
some heavy sea struck us and then rushed by. And now that Mr Frewen
did speak it was quite aloud, for there was no need for whispering.
"I was thinking about what Captain Berriman and Mr Brymer must feel," I
said.
"About the management of the ship? Yes, poor fellows, and both
suffering too. You see that scoundrel has let the whole day pass by
without letting me go and attend the captain. You are right, Dale, they
must both be feeling horribly about the ship. Think you can sleep?"
"Sleep? No; nor you. It is far too rough for that. Think this is a
good seaworthy ship, Mr Frewen?"
"I think so. I hope so," he replied. "The owners stand high for their
character. I wish the crew were as good as the ship. Dale, do you
think we might break out to-night? We could do it without being heard;
I am sure that I could saw round the lock of the door."
"But Bob Hampton and the others would not be ready for us, and we should
not have their help," I protested.
"But this seems such a chance, my lad, with all that noise, and I want
to be clear in case of accidents."
"Hist!"
"What is it?"
"Something tapped at the cabin-window."
I ran to it, and began to unscrew the fastening, for it was closed
tightly to keep out the spray, since more than once a great wave had
struck against it with a heavy thud that evening, and we did not want a
wet cabin to add to our other miseries.
I swung open the round iron frame, and gazed at the furious sea, all
covered with its white foam, but there was nothing visible for a time.
Then all at once something swung by as the ship rose after careening
over and literally rolling in the hollow between two great waves.
It was momentary, and like a faint shadow, but directly after, with the
swing as of some great pendulum, it passed by again.
The next time I was ready for it, feeling as I did that it was some of
Bob Hampton's work, and reaching out as far as I could get my arm, I
gazed straight before me, trying vainly to make out what it was in the
darkness.
"See anything?"
"No," I said; but the next instant something struck my hand, swept by,
came back, and I had hold of it to draw into the cabin, cut the string
again, and then hastily closed the window--just in time too, for a wave
broke against it directly after with a heavy thud.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
As soon as the roar and rush of water had passed, Mr Frewen whispered--
"Another pistol?"
"Yes," I said, for I had been hurriedly tearing off the drenched canvas
in which it had been wrapped so securely that though the woollen bag in
which pistol and cartridges lay was quite damp, as far as I could tell
they were none the worse for being dipped again and again into the sea.
For there is a capital quality in canvas as a protector; as the material
gets thoroughly soaked it swells and tightens, till it is a long way on
toward being waterproof; and after carefully feeling the weapon, and
examining it in every way we could in the darkness, Mr Frewen expressed
his opinion that it was uninjured, and placed it in his breast to dry.
"This will do for Mr Preddle," he said, and after listening at the
door, where nothing was to be heard but the creaking of the ship's
timbers as she laboured on, sounding to me as if at any moment she might
come to pieces, my fellow-prisoner tapped softly at the partition, and
placing his lips to the opening, called softly upon Mr Preddle.
This had to be repeated several times without effect, and it was not
until I had taken Mr Frewen's place and jerked a little empty phial
bottle through, so that it fell upon him where he was sleeping, that Mr
Preddle started up and cried loudly--
"Who's there?"
"Hist!" I whispered, and he came quickly to the opening.
"Oh, it's you," he said. "I had just lain down, and the noise of the
waves prevented my hearing you."
"I thought you were asleep," I said dryly.
"Asleep? Well, perhaps I was nearly. You've come to tell me that all
the water will be tossed out of those trays. Oh, my poor fish!"
"I hadn't," I said, "Mr Frewen wants to speak to you. He has a pistol
for you ready for when we try to escape."
"Oh dear! oh dear!" he sighed. "We shall never try to escape. We're
shut in here, and shall be drowned. Is the ship going down?"
"No, no; she'll ride it out."
"But those men don't know how to manage her, do they?"
"I think so," I replied. "I don't half understand big ships, but they
seem to be doing what my father would do with a yacht."
"Let me come, Dale," whispered Mr Frewen.
I drew back, but I was still near enough to hear every word that was
said as the pistol was passed through by Mr Frewen.
"Take it, and be careful. When it is light, you had better make sure
that there is no moisture in the chambers."
"But when are we going to try and do something?" said Mr Preddle, in
quite an ill-used tone. "I thought you were going to saw out one of
these boards."
"We are going to act as soon as the word comes from our friends outside.
We can do nothing better than be ready."
I clapped my hand over Mr Frewen's lips, and forcing myself by him,
whispered sharply to Mr Preddle--
"Quick,--lie down!"
I had no occasion to warn my companion, for he had seen my reason for
checking him, and lay down at the side of the cabin, while I glided into
the cot. For I had caught sight of a gleam of light beneath the door,
and I had hardly settled myself in my sleeping-place, the noise of the
waves and wind covering any sounds we made, when the door was thrown
open, and Jarette and two men stood in the entrance, holding up lanterns
which made their dripping oilskins glisten.
I jumped up directly.
"Is she going down?" I asked.
Jarette made no reply, but glanced quickly round to satisfy himself that
we were not taking advantage of the storm to try and escape, while Mr
Frewen rose as if he had expected to be called.
"You want me to come and see the captain?" he said quietly.
"No," was the abrupt reply, and the men drew back, the door was shut and
fastened, and we were once more in darkness, listening to the labouring
of the ship as she rose and fell, plunging every now and then head-first
into some great wave which broke over her and deluged the decks.
The faint streak of light disappeared from under the door-way, and we
breathed freely again as there were heavy steps overhead, and I could
tell that in all probability Jarette and the others had gone to join the
man--or men--at the wheel.
"I don't envy that madman his position, Dale," said Mr Frewen. "His
mind must be in a pleasant state of anxiety, what with the management of
the ship in a storm, his doubts about his prisoners, and the pleasant
little fancies he must have about the laws of our country."
"I think we're best off after all, aren't we?" I said. "Hush!--he's
back again. No--it's Mr Preddle."
"Are you people asleep?" came from the partition.
"Hush! Go away," I heard Mr Frewen whisper loudly, as after all I
found that I had been deceived, for Jarette had evidently come back to
spy upon and trap us; for, with my breath held in my excitement, I could
hear the rustle of a hand upon the outside of the door, and then a faint
clicking and rustling sound, as if the fastenings were being softly
withdrawn.
"Oh, how I should like to give him a topper!" I thought, as I rose upon
my elbow and listened, making out, in spite of the roar of the storm,
every movement of our enemy.
"Why, if Mr Frewen liked, he could strike him down senseless, and then
we should be masters of the ship, for the men would give in if they had
no leader."
People's minds have a way of running in the same groove when there is
anything very particular to be done, and it was so here, for Mr Frewen
was thinking, as he told me afterwards, exactly as I did.
But now I could hear nothing but the creaking of the ship and the roar
of the storm, and I was not sure whether the door had been opened or
not. Suppose it had been, I thought, and Jarette was going to do some
mischief in the darkness!
It was a horrible thought, one which made the perspiration stand upon my
forehead, and begin to tickle the sides of my nose, as I listened
intently for the next movement, or for the sound of his breathing.
But still I could hear nothing, and I longed for a few moments'
cessation of the thud of the waves and hiss and splash which followed,
just as a billow came over the bows and swept the deck with a tremendous
rush and noise.
That was what our visitors had been waiting for. The door had only been
unfastened. It was now opened with a quick dash, so that the noise it
would make might be covered by the storm.
Yes; I could mentally see it all now, though everything was black as
ink. Jarette was standing in the door-way in his oilskins, for I could
hear the crackling sound they made as the noise from the deck and the
hiss of the wind came plainer, and then too, drip, drip,--in those
moments I could hear the water falling from the coat on to the
cabin-floor.
It was all in so many moments. He seemed to be listening either for any
sound we might make, or for what was passing on deck; and then as he
took a step forward into the cabin, there was a sudden rush, a struggle,
and for the moment, as my blood ran cold, I thought that Jarette had
seized and was about to murder poor Mr Frewen.
My hand went to the foot of the cot, and I was dragging out the revolver
hidden there, when a hoarse voice exclaimed in a husky whisper--
"Avast! what are yer doing on, Mr Frewen?--you'll choke me."
"You, Hampton?"
"Ay, at present."
"I thought it was Jarette," said Mr Frewen, panting.
"Wish it had been, my lad," said the sailor, in the same husky whisper.
"My word, you have got a grip! But there, I must get back; on'y look
here. There'll never be a better chance. Here's an old bosun's
whistle; stuff it in yer pocket, and don't blow it till the right
moment. When you do, blow hard, and me, Barney, and Neb Dumlow's with
you."
"But--"
"Butter be hanged, doctor. You've got three pistols, and the door's
open. You let out the mate, Mr Denning, and Mr Fishmonger; wait till
you think the moment's right, and then down on old Frenchy; whistle
hard, and then we'll all make a rush for the others, and drive 'em chock
into the forksle, or overboard if they don't mind. Off!"
"One moment, Hampton;" but there was a sharp rustling of oilskins, and
the man had hurried through the saloon and out on deck, where Jarette's
voice could be heard shouting above the din of the wind and sea.
In the cabin then for a few moments there was silence, and I stood in
that black darkness with my heart beating painfully, waiting for Mr
Frewen to speak, and face to face with the thought that in a few minutes
I might be engaged in a desperate struggle with a man and his followers,
and that they would stop at nothing when attacked.
"Why don't you speak--why don't you speak?" I kept saying to myself,
with a feeling of anger against the man who was absolutely torturing me
by his silence.
But it could not have been a minute, though in my excitement it seemed
to be so long, and he had to make his plans. Then he spoke in a quiet,
firm way.
"Now, Dale," he said, "it is our duty, and we must fight. Forget that
you are a boy, and act like a man. Got your revolver?"
"Yes."
"Charged?"
"Yes."
I'm afraid my voice sounded very husky in my excitement, and my heart
went in leaps and bounds. Frightened? Yes, I was: horribly; and if
under similar circumstances any boy or man tells you he was not, don't
believe him. I wouldn't. I know I was all of a tremble, but I never
felt for a moment that I was going to shrink as I listened to Mr Frewen
giving Mr Preddle instructions about the revolver.
"No, no," I heard him say, "don't stop to re-charge. If it will not go
off, use it as a club." Then he gripped me by the hand.
"Ready?" he whispered.
"Yes."
"Then keep close to me, and come on."
We stepped out into the saloon, shut our door after us, and stood
listening, wondering whether there was a sentry, but all was still, and
concluding that all hands were on deck, Mr Frewen unfastened Mr
Preddle's door in the black darkness. He came out, and his door was
also closed again.
"Follow!"
We went after Mr Frewen, and he stopped at a cabin-door on the opposite
side, opened it, and I heard him say--
"Brymer."
"Yes, who is it? Doctor?"
"Yes, dress sharply. Trousers only."
"I am dressed. What's up? Striking?"
"A blow for liberty."
"Hah! A good time while they're fumbling with the old Castle. How many
are you?"
"Three, and three stout men on deck."
"Who are they?"
"Hampton, Blane, Dumlow."
"All traitors and scoundrels."
"All true men waiting for my signal."
"Good. And the captain?"
"Too badly wounded to stir."
"Mr Denning?"
"Too weak."
"Yes. Lead then; I'll do all you say."
"Are you stronger?"
"Strong enough for that; but give me something to hit with. All right,
I have my pocket-knife."
"Ready then? Come on, and let's see what had better be done."
"Get Jarette down at any cost," said the mate. "The rest will come
easy."
All this was in a whisper, and then we followed Mr Frewen to the
shattered entrance of the saloon, and stood there looking forward, but
seeing very little, though a white peculiar gleam came off the sea, and
a couple of lanterns swung forward, by the side of one of which we made
out the gleam of an oilskin upon whose wet surface the dim light played.
"He'll be up by the wheel," Mr Brymer whispered. "We must tackle him
there; and once get him down, we can beat back the others. I'll make
sure for you."
Just as he spoke all doubt was at an end, for we heard Jarette shout an
order to the men at the wheel; and then, before any plan could be made,
he trotted forward, swung himself down the steps on to the deck, as we
shrank back into the companion-way, and went forward.
"Bah! We've let our chance go," whispered Mr Frewen, and then we stood
fast, for Jarette stopped and turned to come back into the saloon.
"Delivered into our hands," I said to myself, as I drew a long breath,
for the great struggle was about to begin.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
The companion-way was so black that we were completely hidden, and I
heard Mr Frewen draw his breath with a soft hissing sound, as if he now
grasped the fact that a better chance was to be afforded to us of
mastering the leader of the mutineers, who came right to the shattered
entrance, and appeared to be about to enter, but stopped short listening
for a sound, but for a few seconds there was none. Then all at once in
a muffled way we heard Mr John Denning say a few words in an angry
impatient tone, for the wind had lulled for a few moments. Then there
came the low murmur of Miss Denning's voice, and directly after the
whistling of the wind again.
Jarette was not two yards from us, and if he had taken another step, I
had made up my mind to fling myself upon him and cling with all my might
to his legs, while the others seized him by the throat and arms. I say
this, for we compared notes afterwards.
It was not to be, for he came no farther; but apparently satisfied that
all was right, he turned sharply and went forward, and we could from
time to time make out his voice among the others as he gave orders to
the men.
"Another opportunity gone," said Mr Frewen. "We ought to have leaped
upon him."
"Better luck next time," said the mate. "He cannot stay forward long.
He is seaman enough to know that his place is at the wheel."
"Then at all costs we must have him when he returns."
"And what then?" said the mate. "You do not mean to kill him, I
suppose?"
"Oh no; of course not."
"Then I should place the door of one of the cabins wide open, and prop
it. Then as soon as we have mastered and disarmed him, bundle him
inside and keep him a prisoner."
"Yes; excellent," said Mr Frewen. "I'll open mine at once."
He crept cautiously across and opened the door to its full extent, and,
as he told me afterwards, he placed a heavy case of instruments against
it, so that it should not swing to again from the motion of the ship.
The next minute he was back, and we were watching and waiting as the
ship laboured terribly, the sea being now terrific; but, as Mr Brymer
whispered, everything possible had been done, and she was under
close-reefed storm canvas.
"I couldn't have done better myself there, but the men at the wheel are
steering very wildly."
There was silence again, and as I listened for a voice, the lanterns
forward swung to and fro, and so much water came aboard that I fully
expected to see them extinguished, when all forward would have been in
darkness.
"Is he never coming again?" whispered Mr Frewen at last.
"Oh yes, he'll come," said Mr Brymer. "They've got the grog forward
there, and perhaps he has gone below."
"Then why not crawl forward and clap on the forecastle-hatch?"
"Because it will be far safer for us to secure their leader; and,
besides, by closing up the forksle you might shut in our friends as
well."
"Yes, quite right," replied Mr Frewen, and we waited still, with the
wind shrieking amongst the cordage, and the night appearing blacker than
ever.
Thud! Plash!
A heavy wave had struck the bows, and the spray came hissing and rushing
along the deck after deluging the ship forward.
"I'm certain that my poor fish will all be killed by the salt water,
Dale," whispered Mr Preddle, but I only made an impatient movement, for
I was trying to hear what Mr Brymer whispered to the doctor, who did
not hear the remark, and said--
"What?"
"I say that was bad steering, and if I were in command, there would be a
row."
Thud! Splash!
This time the water must have curled over in a perfect deluge, for we
could hear it hiss and roar amongst the cordage on the leeward side, and
stream out of the scuppers.
"That must fetch him up if he is below," whispered Mr Brymer, and sure
enough the next moment we heard his voice shouting furiously at the men
at the wheel, though we could hardly make out a word he said.
"Look out! Here he comes!"
"To the wheel, not here," said Mr Frewen. "Shall we--"
There was not time to say more, for we caught an indistinct glimpse of
the figure in oilskins, as, balancing itself as well as it could, it
made for the ladder on the starboard side; but just then the ship gave a
tremendous lurch, and our enemy missed the ladder, nearly fell, but
saved himself, and consequent upon the impetus with which he was moving,
darted right in through the companion-way.
The next moment he was down on the deck, making a half-stifled sound,
and held fast while a revolver and knife were taken from a belt beneath
his oilskin. Then his hands were bandaged behind his back, his legs
treated to bonds, and he was dragged into the cabin, while we stood
panting over him.
"Look here," said Mr Frewen then, in a hoarse voice; "we are going to
lock you in this cabin, but mind, we're all armed--feel that!--it is the
point of a revolver--and I swear to you by all that is holy, if you make
a sound I'll shoot you as I would a dog."
He made a curious, half-choking sound, and we drew back out of the cabin
and the door was shut and fastened.
"Have you got his knife and pistol, Brymer?"
"Yes. All safe. Now then, forward silently till we are close upon
them, and then give your signal--a whistle, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Give it sharply; it will do for your friends as well as for us. Then
fire if there is the least resistance, close with them, and let's get
them under hatches. But I beg pardon, sir; you are in command."
"Nonsense! You could not have given better advice."
"But they will not show much fight. Without their leader they will be
like sheep."
I could not help hoping that they would turn out to be like sheep, and
leave it to us to play the sheep-dog with them.
"Now then, one more word," said the mate. "It would have been better to
divide, and part go to starboard, the rest to port, but we are so few."
"Yes, let's keep together," said Mr Frewen, "and make our rush. Creep
forward half-way, then I'll whistle, and we must do our best. Ready,
Mr Preddle?"
"Yes, sir, I'm ready; but I'm afraid you must not expect much from me.
I'll hit as hard as I can though."
"That will do. Now, gentlemen, forward!"
The wind shrieked more loudly than ever as Mr Frewen gave the word, and
with our pistols ready we crept forward with no little difficulty toward
where the lanterns swung, keeping together, and moving slowly so as to
keep our feet. Before we were half-way toward the bows we could see a
dull light glowing from the forecastle-hatch, and a couple of dark
figures standing in front of it, so that their oilskin-covered bodies
stood out big and grotesque.
That was our goal, I felt, and I knew that if we made a bold rush those
two could easily be driven down, while I hoped that the others would be
too much cowed to fight.
Mr Frewen and the mate were first, Mr Preddle and I behind, and I was
just thinking that it was nearly time for the whistle to be blown and
the rush made, while I thought, too, how easy it would be to make a
mistake and injure a friend with our pistols, when the ship gave such a
lurch that we all went heavily against the bulwarks, to which we clung
to save ourselves from a heavy fall, then bang, _splash_, rose a wave
over the bows, and a voice which came from one of the figures by the
light from the hatch yelled forth a torrent of oaths as he asked what
the men were doing at the wheel.
I turned cold all down my back without the help of the spray, for it was
Jarette's voice we heard, and we had bagged the wrong fox!
For a moment we clung together there in the darkness as the ship hung
over to port; then, as she righted herself, Mr Frewen, feeling
desperate, and that we could not now go back to our place, clapped the
boatswain's whistle to his lips; it sounded shrilly above that which we
could hear in the rigging, and we made our rush.
Describe what followed! How? I remember the rush; feeling mad and
desperate, and hearing, as we closed with half-a-dozen men, a couple of
shots fired quickly one after the other. Then I was in the middle of a
savage wrestling match, in which men were striking blows with all their
might, and a voice was yelling order after order in French, while we
were getting, I felt, the worst of it.
I had seized a man, who whisked me off my legs and whirled me round, but
I stuck to him till he flung me heavily on the deck, and then I wound my
arms round his legs so firmly that as the ship lurched again he fell and
rolled over with me into the scuppers, where he roared at me to let go
before he used his knife.
I need not add that he did not say use his knife, for his language was
far stronger, and he made a horrible reference to my throat. But I was
wound up then; the fighting instinct had been roused, and holding on
more tightly, I made use of my teeth as well, but not in his flesh.
Meanwhile I had a misty notion of the fight going against Mr Frewen and
my two friends, and just then Jarette yelled in French, and directly
after in English--
"Heave them overboard if they don't give in!"--when rush! crack! two men
who had been forward sprung at the Frenchman, who went down heavily, but
rose on one arm, and as I clung to the man in the scuppers I could see
the chief mutineer clearly. For he was between me and the light, and I
started as there were two loud pistol reports, a shriek, and a man fell
with a thud; but the next instant I saw some one spring at Jarette as he
was going to fire, and strike with all his force, with the result that
he fell backward down the hatch.
Then another man was beaten below, and again another, and then the hatch
was clapped down and held by Mr Preddle, while another man was dragged
along struggling hard till Bob Hampton struck him over the head.
"Open the hatch!" he yelled.
Mr Preddle obeyed, and a flash of light came out with a loud report as
the man was thrown down and the hatch clapped on again.
"Here, quick, help!" I shouted, for I was about exhausted.
"Where are you, boy?" cried Bob Hampton, and he ran to where the man I
clung to was just jerking himself clear. Then he came down upon me with
a groan as Bob Hampton struck at him, and, half-insensible, he too was
dragged to the hatch and thrown down as another shot was fired.
"I'm all right!" yelled Mr Preddle, securing the hatch again.
"Where's Mr Brymer?"
"Here, help!" came from somewhere forward, and as I struggled up I had a
faint view of Mr Frewen and Hampton rushing forward and bringing back a
couple more men with pistols held to their heads. I saw that, for the
light from the swinging lanterns gleamed upon the barrels.
These two men were thrown down, and one more shot came crashing up, but
without hurting any one, and then a familiar voice said--
"Here's another!" and Dumlow staggered up, pushing a sailor before him.
"You'll pay for this night's work when the noo--"
He said no more, for he received a heavy blow in the mouth, and then
kicking and struggling with rage, he too was thrown down.
"How many more?" panted Mr Frewen.
"There's three on 'em forward," growled Bob Hampton. "The look-out man
and two more."
"Pistols!" cried Mr Frewen, loudly, and then as there was a sharp
clicking from mine as well as three others, he shouted--"Now, you men,
surrender, or we fire!"
"Not us!" came back hoarsely. "Now, lads, rush 'em; they've got no
pistols!"
Two shots hardly heard in the roar of the storm were fired over the
heads of the men who were about to rush forward; but if the reports were
faint in the din, the flashes were bright and clear, and in place of
charging at us they hung back, and we were upon them in an instant. I
say we, for somehow or other I did as the others did, and the men gave
in directly and were marched to the hatch, below which jarette could be
heard raving at his fellow-prisoners.
"Now," cried Mr Brymer, "you know me, my lads; I never say things I
don't mean. The moment that hatch is opened, you jump down. If you
hesitate I fire."
"But old Frenchy will fire up as soon as it's opened."
"He will not fire at you."
"But he may hit us, sir."
"Open that hatch, Mr Preddle," cried Brymer, and he cocked his pistol,
Mr Frewen following suit.
"That's right, sir; fire too, in case I miss."
"But," cried the man, imploringly, "let me stay on deck, and I'll return
to my duty."
"We don't want you, dog!" cried Mr Frewen.
"Down with you!" roared Mr Brymer, as the hatch flew up, and there was
a flash and report, which the man waited for, and then leaped.
"Down with you!" cried Mr Brymer again, but the other two men
hesitated, and were hanging back. The next moment they went down
headlong, impelled as they were by Bob Hampton and Dumlow.
"There," cried Bob Hampton, as we all stood there breathless with
excitement, and quite forgetful of the storm raging round us, "if
anybody had told me, Neb, as Barney would have been such a cur, I'd ha'
hit him in the mouth for a liar."
"Yah!" growled Dumlow, "and I've shook hands with him and called him
`mate' scores o' times. Yah!"
"Never mind, gents, we've done it, eh?" cried Bob Hampton.
"God bless you both for true men!" cried Mr Brymer, holding out his
hands to them, and for a few minutes there was a general hand-shaking
all round.
"But we're forgetting the men at the wheel," said Mr Frewen. "How many
are there? Two?"
"Oh, they're a couple o' soft Tommy sort of chaps," said Bob Hampton.
"I can settle them two with one hand. That arn't the worst on it, sir;
we've got to tackle Barney Blane. No, I won't do it for fear I should
finish him, and you'd best steer out o' that job, Neb."
"If I don't, I shall sarve him like a wornut, mate."
"Dessay you would, my lad. We'll sponge over the two lads at the wheel
while the gents does Barney. Hit him, gents, or shoot him somewhere low
down, for he desarves it; all I wonder now is as he did not split all
about it to old Frenchy."
"We could all deal with him," said Mr Frewen. "You two men come with
us, and you, Dale, keep guard here with Mr Preddle. A shout will bring
us back directly."
"Right, sir," I said, in a disappointed tone, and then I brightened up,
for he told Dumlow to stop instead.
"Don't be long," said Mr Preddle. "I want to see to my fish."
"On'y to think, gents," growled Bob Hampton, holding a lantern while Mr
Brymer and the doctor thrust fresh cartridges into their pistols, "the
skipper--I mean Frenchy--sends Barney aft to speak to the men at the
wheel, for they were steering anyhow, and he knowed as this game was
going to be played, and--Eh? Well, what are you laughing at, Mr Dale?
What have I said wrong?"
For I had burst into a roar of laughter, in which Mr Frewen joined.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
"That's one enemy the less to deal with," cried the mate, as we went
aft, followed by the sailor. "Only a couple of them to tackle."
"I makes three of 'em, sir," said Hampton, "so don't you make no
mistake. Barney will be as nasty as nasty at seeing hisself the wrong
side, and find as he can fight when he likes."
"Our friend Barney is already accounted for, Hampton," cried Mr Frewen.
"What?--you have tackled him?" said Bob Hampton excitedly, slapping his
knee.
"Yes, that we have, Bob," I cried, "and he is quite safe."
"Then I scuses you all for laughing, gentlemen; though it did seem
rather a rum thing to me for you to be a-busting out in a loud grin at a
serus time like this. I see now. You met him then?"
"Yes, we met him," replied Mr Frewen, leading the way up the ladder to
the poop-deck, "but he must wait."
He cocked his pistol as he reached the top, and we did the same.
"Shall I speak 'em first, gentlemen?" said Bob Hampton, in a low voice.
"Yes, tell them to surrender," said the mate. "We don't want any more
fighting; and look here, Hampton, we want their help to navigate the
ship."
"I know, sir," growled the old sailor, and stepping to the front he
walked straight to where the two men still kept to their posts at the
wheel, knowing as they did that to leave it meant throwing the ship into
the trough of the sea to be deluged by every wave.
"Game's up, my lads!" shouted Hampton. "Orficers has got the upper hand
on us with loaded pistols, and you've got to knuckle down same as we
have, and return to your dooty."
"All right, messmate," said one of the men, shouting back so as to make
his voice heard, "I don't mind; on'y what about Frenchy?"
"Ay, what about Frenchy?" cried the other. "We don't want him to come
cussin' us and saying it's all t'other way on."
"Frenchy's down in the fork'sle, with the hatch over him, and two men
with loaded pistols keeping guard, lads."
"But s'pose he gets out again?"
"They arn't going to let him," said Bob Hampton, "so what's it to be?
I've knuckled down, and so's Neb Dumlow and Barney Blane. Are you going
to return to dooty or make a fight on it? Just say sharp, 'cause we're
in a hurry."
"Oh, we don't want to fight," said the first speaker, "and we didn't
want to mutiny, on'y Frenchy said we was to, and we did."
"Pretty pair o' sheep you was, too, my lads, to run through a gap that
way. And now look here, you, jest recklect all this; you've both got
your necks in nooses, and Mr Brymer here's got hold o' the other ends
of the ropes, so as he can pull 'em any time he likes, and he will too
if you don't stick pretty close to your dooty. That's right, arn't it,
sir?"
"Yes, that's right, Hampton," cried Mr Brymer. "You understand, then,
if you do your duty now and help to navigate the ship into port, your
conduct may--I say may, mind--be looked over."
"Oh, my mate and I'll stick to it, sir," said the spokesman of the two
men. "Frenchy was all talk about our being orficers and gentlemen if we
rose again Captain Berriman, but as soon as we did rose he pumps hisself
up, and it's all Captain Jarette, and every one else is nobody at all
'cept for him to cuss at."
"That was so," growled Hampton.
"Yes," said the other sailor; "but I wants to know this: if we two's got
our necks in the nooses, why arn't Bob Hampton and Neb Dumlow?"
"'Cause we never shoved 'em in, my lad," said Bob Hampton, with a
chuckle. "It was all a paddy till we could get the genle-men out to
make a fight on it. That's so, arn't it, gents?"
"Yes, my lads, Hampton, Dumlow, and Blane have been fighting for us all
through."
"Oh, that's it, is it?" said the man. "Very well. Anything for a quiet
life, I says; on'y how much longer are we to be at the wheel?"
"I'll have you relieved soon, my men, so do your best, and keep easing
her off another point or two now and then."
"Ay; don't keep running her nose into all the big waves, mateys," cried
Hampton; and then to Mr Frewen--"You won't have to shoot 'em this time,
sir. They arn't a bad sort. It was all that Frenchy."
"Come to the saloon now," said Mr Frewen, and we all hurried down into
the black place, and to the door of the cabin, through which we could
hear a growling sound.
By this time Bob Hampton had been made fully aware of the strange state
of affairs, and was indulging in several hearty chuckles at his
messmate's expense. And now as I began to unfasten the door, he said
quickly--
"I'd be a bit on my guard, gentlemen, for Barney 'll be a bit nasty at
all this here, and p'r'aps show fight, and when he do he hits hard. Did
you tie him werry fast?"
"As fast as we could," said Mr Brymer, and I threw open the door.
"Below there, matey!" cried Bob Hampton. "How are you?"
There was a curious growling noise and a loud rap on the cabin-floor.
"Easy, my lad, and I'll cast you off. Wait till I get hold of the
knots. Frenchy's under hatches, and things is all right again."
"Goroo, goroo!" gurgled poor Blane, and knowing exactly what was the
matter, I got hold of the piece of linen that had been used as a gag,
and dragging at one end, soon freed the poor fellow's mouth from its
great stopper.
"Ah!" he roared out, after taking a long free breath. "That was your
game, Bob, but on'y just wait till I gets my lists."
"No, no, my lad," cried Mr Brymer; "it was all our doing, and we made a
mistake in the darkness. We were lying in wait for Jarette, and took
you for him."
"No, you didn't," cried Barney, fiercely, "or you'd have pitched me
overboard--you on'y wait till I get my hands loose."
"Don't be a fool, messmate!" growled Bob Hampton; "you hears what the
gentleman says."
"Yes, but it was a lark, and you sent me here to be ketched."
"Now, hark at him, gents; did you ever hear such a wooden image of a man
as that? Why, it were Frenchy sent you to bully the lads at the wheel,
warn't it?"
"Well, I won't tell a lie," panted the man, "it were, but I arn't been
able hardly to breathe."
"It was all a mistake, my lad," said Mr Frewen; "but we've re-taken the
ship."
"All right, sir," cried Barney; "but it isn't all right. It arn't fair.
I was to help re-take the Burgh Castle, and I was going to, on'y you
all set upon me as you did, and I'm knocked about orfle."
"Well, messmate, it is disappynting, I'll allow," growled Bob Hampton;
"but there arn't much the matter with you, Barney, and out forrard there
was games, I can tell you. Old Frenchy was chucking bullets about
anyhow, and 'stead o' being here in this here cabin with me untying
these here knots, you might ha' been yonder with a hole or two through
your carcadge."
"Ay, that's right enough, matey," growled Blane; "but I wanted to help,
and have it out with Frenchy. He kicked me below when the mootny fust
began, and I can't forget it. I'm English, I am, and I arn't going to
sit down and be kicked by a Frenchman, 'tarn't likely."
"No, matey, it arn't. But lookye here. He's forrard and down in the
forksle, and as soon as you get the feeling back in your legs--"
"Ay, you may say that, mate. They're like a mask o' cold lead."
"Then I'll rub them for you, and then you can go and strike him back."
"What! now he's down. Nice sort of cold meat work that'd be; I wanted
to go at him when he was up."
"There, Blane," said Mr Frewen, "you must forgive us and shake hands.
It was all a mistake, and part of the re-taking of the ship."
"Oh, if you put it that way, sir, I'm ready," growled the man; "but I
don't seem to have got no hands. It was orfle lying here, and one
corner o' that rug as you stuffed into my mouth got a bit o' the way
down my throat, and kep' on tickling me till I wanted to cough, and
couldn't. Say, Bob Hampton, mate, air you going to untie them knots and
cast off these here lashings, or arn't you?"
"Why, they are off your arms, man."
"When what's gone o' my arms? Have they been took off?"
"Nay, they're all right."
"Well, my legs arn't. Nice way to sarve a fellow."
"Shake hands, Barney," I said. "I'm so sorry."
"Can't, sir. You must do it yourself. I don't b'lieve yet as I've got
no hands, no arms, nor anything else, but a head."
"There you are, matey," cried Bob Hampton. "Did you tie them ropes, Mr
Brymer, sir? They was tight 'uns."
"No; it was Mr Dale here."
"Oh, him!" growled Bob Hampton. "Well, they was done in a second-hand
sort o' way."
"Why, they were fastened the way you taught me, Bob!" I cried.
"Well, sir, that's my modesty," said Bob, with a chuckle. "I can't say
they were done now. Now, matey, stand up, we've got lots to do."
"Can't," said Barney.
"Then lie down till we've got a lantern, and seen to the captain and Mr
Denning."
"Yes, get a lantern," said Mr Brymer; "stop, I'll come with you and
stay with Mr Preddle and Dumlow; we mustn't have the scoundrels break
loose. Ha! What's that?"
The mate asked the question, but we all knew what it was, and started
forward at once, for it was the report of a pistol, plainly heard in a
lulling of the wind.
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
It was alarming, but on reaching the hatch over the forecastle there was
not much wrong. A desperate attempt had been made to break out, and in
the midst of the effort Mr Preddle had fired his pistol, sending the
ball splintering through the woodwork, and this had the effect of
damping the ardour of the men below for the time. But we did not leave
the hatch till it had been made more secure, and then leaving Mr Brymer
to strengthen the guard as arranged, we hurried back to relieve the
anxiety of Mr Denning and his sister, and of Captain Berriman, who must
all of them be in agony.
I felt that we ought to have gone to them sooner, but I did not see how
we could have acted differently; and eager now to bear the news of the
change in the state of affairs, I trotted back with the lantern as fast
as I could over the streaming deck, and found Barney sitting down and
rubbing his legs.
"Circ'lation's a-coming back, youngster," he said. "I say, did you kill
that young Walters?"
"Walters!" I cried. "I'd forgotten all about him. I didn't see or
hear anything of him."
"Dessay not, sir. He'd get out of the way while the row was on. Maybe
he'd got into a bunk to have a snooze and didn't hear it. But, I say,
what a game!"
"What, our re-taking the ship, Barney?"
"No; you thinking I was Frenchy. Well, it's lucky you didn't heave me
overboard."
"Coming round, mate?" said Bob Hampton.
"Ay, my lad, I've got one arm and a bit o' one leg back, and toothers is
coming back slowly like, but it's rum work feeling nothing but head and
body, and your arms and legs all gone dead at first, and then you begins
to know as they arn't been cut off and chucked away, and they're still
there. They was just like sleeves and stockings stuffed with sorduss,
and people making cushions of 'em and sticking the pins in as hard as
ever they can."
"I'm so sorry, Barney," I said.
"Ay, lad, I s'pose you are, and seeing as you thinked it was old
Frenchy, I don't wonder as you tied them there knots as hard as ever you
could. But what I do wonder at is, that the line didn't cut my legs
right off. Shows as my muscles must be made of real good stuff, and
when I've done rubbing 'em back into shape, I s'pose they'll come all
right once more; but I should have liked to be in the fun."
"Get your pincushions all right, messmate," said Bob Hampton, slapping
Barney on the back, "and don't growl; the game's on'y just begun, and
you shall have first innings next time."
"Think there'll be any more fighting, matey?" said Barney eagerly.
"Think there'll be any more fighting? Just hark at him, gentlemen.
Why, you grumbling old swab, do you think as, once having hold of the
Burgh Castle and calling hisself skipper, old Frenchy's the sort o' man
to let a few planks and a hatchway keep him from making another try?
You wait a bit, old man, if you're so precious anxious to get yourself
made sore. Frenchy won't forget us for gammoning him, and pretending to
be on his side."
"I ain't hankshus to be made sore, Bob, old matey," growled Barney;
"it's a kind o' nat'ral feeling in me to make him sore, and I'm going to
do it if I gets half a chance."
"All right then, Mr Brymer 'll see as you has one, I dessay."
The next minute we were at the cabin in which the captain was lying, but
he rose up on one arm as the door was thrown open and the light of the
lantern flashed in.
Mr Frewen went to him directly.
"How are you?" he cried. "I could not come to you before."
"Tell me," cried Captain Berriman excitedly, "what has been going on?"
"Nothing much," said Mr Frewen, smiling.
"But I heard firing and a struggle in the saloon," cried the captain,
clinging to Mr Frewen's arm.
"Well, yes, we have been re-taking the ship."
"What?"
"Humph! Poor fellow, he could not bear it," said Mr Frewen, as Captain
Berriman sank back half-fainting, but he re-opened his eyes and clung to
the doctor again.
"Too good--to be true," he muttered. "Thank God--thank God!"
There was perfect silence for a few moments, as our poor wounded captain
lay back with his eyes closed. Then with his face losing its feeble,
despairing look, he said anxiously--
"I don't see Brymer; is he hurt?"
"No; quite safe."
"Mr Preddle?"
"We are all pretty sound, and the mutineers are shut down in the
forecastle, sir."
"Oh, if I only had strength!" said the captain. "Doctor, you have half
cured me with this news; can't you give anything to set me up for an
hour or two?"
"Nothing," said Mr Frewen, sadly. "I can only tell you that you must
be patient. You must lie here and give your orders. We will execute
them as far as we can."
"And we are in a bad storm. There must be danger on that side too, but
I can do nothing."
"Mr Brymer will do his best, and there are three of the best seamen to
help."
"What?" he cried excitedly.
"Hampton, and two more?"
"No, no, traitors, don't trust them--the scoundrels."
"No, we arn't, cap'n," growled Bob Hampton. "We was obliged to sham
Abram a bit. Now I do call that 'ere hard, arter me and Dumlow and
Barney helped get the ship back again."
"You did?" cried the captain.
"Course we did."
"Yes, they have been true as steel," said Mr Frewen. "You need not
fear these men."
"And that boy, Walters?"
"Oh, him, sir! He's down below somewheres, and he'd better stay too,"
growled Bob Hampton, "for if he shows his nose, young Mr Dale here's
going to tackle him pretty warmly."
"But have you got the men prisoners?" said the captain, anxiously.
"Yes, quite safe."
"Then the ship must be seen to. She's labouring heavily. Tell
Brymer--"
"I shall tell Mr Brymer nothing," said Mr Frewen firmly. "You shall
give him your orders instead. You can be at peace now, sir, so lie
still patiently, and believe that everything possible will be done to
preserve order and save the ship."
"Yes; thank you," said the captain, whose lip was quivering. "I know I
must be patient. There, I'll try and do what I have not done these many
hours,--go to sleep. But bring me some news sometimes, Dale, my lad, I
shall be so anxious to know."
I promised him, and then we hurried out, for from time to time there was
an anxious whispering going on in the next cabin, which appealed
strongly to Mr Frewen and to me.
He pointed to the door as soon as we were outside, and his voice sounded
very husky as he said--
"Unfasten it, and go in and tell them that all is safe once more."
"Won't you go?" I asked, as I offered him the lantern.
"No," he replied, after making an effort to master his anxiety to take
the lead. "You and Mr Denning were on friendly terms. He would rather
receive the good news from you. In with you quick, and tell him that if
he feels strong enough, I--that is, Mr Brymer would be glad if he would
come and help to keep watch over the prisoners."
"With a rewolver," growled Bob Hampton.
"Yes, say with a pistol," said Mr Frewen. "He would be as effective
there as a strong man."
"Better," growled Bob, "for he understands fire-arm tools, and knows how
to shoot."
I gave a sharp knock at the door, and then unfastened it and entered,
lantern in hand, to see Mr Denning looking ghastly as the light fell
upon his face, where he stood before his sister with a tiny revolver in
his hand, while the other was behind him holding the poor girl whom he
was ready, poor weak creature that he was, to defend as long as he had
life.
They had been so long in darkness that the light of the lantern, feeble
as it was, dazzled them, and they could not see who it was.
Before I had time to speak Mr Denning cried fiercely--
"Keep back, scoundrel, or I'll fire!"
"No, no! Mr Denning," I cried; "it's all right now, and we've mastered
the mutineers."
"Ah!"
I started forward at that cry--a long, low, pitiful cry--uttered by Miss
Denning; and I heard Mr Frewen's step behind me as I dropped the
lantern and tried to catch the poor girl. For the good news, after the
long and terrible strain, was more than she could bear. I knew
afterwards that she had acted like a heroine all through the fearful
excitement, and had worked hard to comfort and sustain her brother;
while now that the tension was removed, she reeled and would have fallen
in spite of my effort. But as the lantern fell, and we were in
darkness, I felt some one brush by me, and I knew by the sound that she
had not struck the cabin-floor.
"Quick, a light, Bob!--matches!" I cried.
"Right you are, sir," he said; and as he came into the cabin, I heard
him fumbling about and trying to strike a match, but for several minutes
there was nothing but a phosphorescent streak made on the boards of the
partition.
"Yah! everything's so plaguy wet," growled the sailor.
"Here, let me come, matey," I heard Dumlow say. "Mine's brass box."
And the next minute there was a sharp crick, crick, crack, a burst of
flame, and I saw Mr Frewen holding poor Miss Denning in his arms, ready
to lay her carefully and reverently down as the lantern was re-lit.
"Yes, Mr Denning," he said quietly, "I think there is no more cause for
anxiety now, except from the storm. Will you see to your sister, and
bathe her face? It is only a fainting fit from the sudden shock."
"Yes, thank you," said Mr Denning, coldly and ungraciously, I thought.
"Be good enough to take away your men."
"Of course. Come, my lads," said Mr Frewen; and he stepped out of the
cabin, followed by Bob Hampton and Dumlow.
"It's all right, Mr Denning," I said. "Nothing to mind now."
But somehow I did not speak very warmly, for I was hurt by his cold
reception of a man who had been risking his life to save him and his
sister.
My feelings changed though the next moment, for to my astonishment Mr
Denning laid hands on my shoulders, and he quite broke down and sobbed,
while his words were choking and strange.
"Thank God!--thank God!" he said. "Oh, Dale, if you only knew what we
have suffered, my poor sister and I!"
"Yes, yes, it has been horrible," I said, trying to comfort him, for his
illness had made him weak as a girl; "but that's nothing to mind now.
We've thrashed the scoundrels and locked them up, and Mr Frewen has
behaved like a hero."
"Yes; and--and I'm afraid I spoke very sharply to him, but I could not
help it, Dale."
"Well, you weren't very warm to him," I said; "and he does deserve
something."
"Yes, yes," he cried hastily; "and I'll try and thank him another time.
Hush! she's coming to."
"Yes, and I mustn't stay," I cried quickly; for I was miserably
uncomfortable, and wanted to get away before Miss Denning quite came to,
and burst out sobbing and crying, as I was sure she would.
"Can't you stop--a few minutes?" he said.
"No; I must go on deck. There's everything to do, and we're
short-handed. I'll leave you the light."
"Thank you, yes," he cried, wringing my hand.
"Tell Miss Denning I'm so glad," I said hastily; and then I hurried out.
But I was no sooner outside than I remembered my message, and ran back,
to find, as I expected, that Miss Denning was sobbing on her brother's
shoulder; when to my horror she left him, and with a cry flung her arms
about my neck and kissed me.
"Oh, Alison Dale," she cried warmly, "bless you, and thank you! You
have always been like a dear good brother to us both, ever since we have
been on board."
"He has--he has," cried Mr Denning warmly, and he looked as pleased as
could be at his sister's behaviour; while as for me, I would have given
anything to be outside the cabin. For to a lad of my age, being thanked
for what I had done was painful in the extreme; and in a hurried way I
hastened to tell them my message, and briefly about how we had found
friends in the mutineers' ranks, and then of our attack and success.
But my stay was brief. We had so far mastered one enemy, but were
suffering from the attack of another, which we had ignored for a time;
while now it was impressing itself upon us all, as I soon found, in a
very serious way.
On reaching the deck, along which I had to guide myself by holding on by
the side, and catching at rope and belaying-pin, I found that the sea
had risen higher, and the wind was rushing through the rigging with
almost hurricane force. But I made my way to the forecastle-hatch,
where Mr Preddle was still on guard, as I could see by the light of the
swaying lantern, and Mr Brymer was with him.
"Ah, Dale," he cried, "I'm glad you've come. I want you to stay on
guard with Mr Preddle. You have a pistol?"
"Yes," I said, pointing to my belt.
"That's right. I want to go to the wheel. Hampton is there now. I
should like to do more, but it is terrible work now, short-handed as we
are; and we must run on in this blind fashion, for I have no idea where
we are."
Just at that moment there was a tremendous crack overhead, followed by a
snapping as of pistol-shots; for one of the sails had got loose, and was
now being torn into ribbons, which snapped and cracked like so many
cart-whips on a gigantic scale.
"Is that dangerous?" I shouted, for the wind carried away my voice.
"No; a blessing, my lad. It will save her. I only want steering power.
Look here, don't fire unless you are obliged. If you do, mind, I take
it as a signal that you want help, both of you; and then of course we
shall come to your help. But what about Mr Denning?"
As he spoke, the invalid came struggling along by the bulwarks, and I
ran to help him to where he could stand in shelter.
"Glad to see you, Mr Denning. Ah, that's right. Rather a small
pistol, but I dare say it can do its duty. You will help them?"
"As far as my strength will let me," he said.
"That's right. Now, Mr Preddle, I must go. Sorry about your fish, but
we can do nothing till the weather mends."
"No, I'm afraid not," Mr Preddle yelled.
"I don't hear that crying out now."
"No; I haven't heard it since Mr Dale came," panted Mr Preddle, with
the wind driving his words back so that he could hardly get his breath.
"That must wait too. The safety of the ship is all we can look to now."
He made a dash for the weather-bulwark, and disappeared at once into the
darkness and mist of spray which flew before the gale, hissing by us,
and drenching us to the skin.
"You ought to have brought a waterproof, Mr Denning," I said.
"Who could think of waterproofs at a time like this?" he said, with his
lips to my ear. Then with a start, as he turned his head and looked
forward--"What's that?"
I had heard a cry as he spoke.
"I don't know," I said. "Why, it must be some one wounded crying for
help."
"It is what Mr Brymer and I heard several times before," said Mr
Preddle excitedly. "He thought it must be one of the mutineers who had
escaped aloft at first, afraid to stir to come down."
"I don't think it could be that," I said. "It didn't sound like being
up aloft."
"So he said. Then he thought--"
"There it is again," cried Mr Denning and I heard, above the shrieking
of the wind and the hissing spray, a despairing kind of wail, as if some
one called for help.
"Why, it's forward somewhere," I said, with a curious shudder running
through me which was not caused by the wind and spray.
"Yes, that's what Mr Brymer said; but he went and searched all about
forward."
"Then it must be one of the men below--one who is wounded," I said. "Do
you think we could send Mr Frewen down to his help?"
"Not without letting your prisoners loose," said Mr Denning,
decisively. "I'm sorry for the man, but he must suffer for the
present."
"It's very horrible," I said; "for he may be very bad--dying perhaps."
"Yes," said Mr Denning coldly; "but it was not our work, I suppose."
"There it is again," said Mr Preddle. "When the mate was here, he felt
sure that some one had crept overboard, and down to what he called the
stays under the bowsprit."
"When the attack was made?" I cried. "Yes, that must be it. There it
goes again. That was certainly `Help!'"
"Yes."
"He must be afraid of falling. Why, the vessel keeps on driving into
these great waves, and at every dip down he must be nearly drowned."
"What are you going to do, Dale?" cried Mr Denning.
"Find out where he is, and then lower a rope to him; and when he has
fastened it round him, we must haul him on board, even if he is another
enemy. There'll be no need to be afraid of him."
I was trying to make out where I could most handily find a rope, when,
plainly heard above the heavy beating of the waves against our bows, as
the ship rose and fell in her wild race onward through the dense
blackness ahead, there was the murmur of a voice and a loud movement
below the hatch we were guarding.
Then distinctly heard came the words--
"Give me room then," and this was followed by a crashing sound, and a
jar against my hand as I held on to the side of the hatchway.
"They've got a chopper, and are going to cut their way out!" I said
excitedly. And almost as I spoke there was another dull blow, and this
was followed by a cheer.
"What are you going to do?" I cried, as Mr Preddle held on with one
hand, and presented his revolver at the door of the hatchway.
A flash and a dull report served for my answer then; and as the bullet
crashed through the woodwork, there was a yell, a dull sound as of a
fall, and then in the momentary silence Mr Preddle said--
"Those were my orders; I was obliged."
A ragged volley was fired then from below, and we heard the bullets
striking the wood, and saw two or three splitting the thick wood at the
top of the hatchway. But we stood back too much for either of them to
touch us, as we listened, trying to distinguish the words said, as we
pictured, no doubt pretty accurately, what was going on in the
forecastle; for a dull groaning told only too plainly that Mr Preddle's
shot had taken effect.
What I pictured was the men lifting their bleeding companion forward to
one of the bunks, while others were talking and raging furiously about
the shot.
I shuddered, and yet I felt excited, and that it was a necessity. And
just then I made out Jarette's voice shouting at the men, and giving
some order which only evoked a deep growl.
"I don't like having to fire like that," said Mr Preddle just then;
"and I feel now as if I ought to fetch the doctor.--Ah, Frewen," he
cried, "I've just shot one of the men."
For there were Mr Frewen, the mate, and Barney Blane, all panting and
eager to help us.
I told him what had happened, and Mr Brymer said quietly--
"On their own heads be it. This may act as a warning to them. But
there must be no hesitation; our lives and that of Miss Denning depend
upon swift action. At the first stroke of an axe, fire again."
"I will," said Mr Preddle firmly; and by the light of the lantern I saw
that the chambers of his revolver were exposed, and that he was
thrusting in a fresh cartridge.
"Ought we to send down Mr Frewen?" said Mr Denning just then.
"Don't ask absurd questions, sir," replied Mr Brymer angrily. "Come,
Frewen. Now, my lad."
He turned away, and before following, Barney Blane got beside me, to say
in my ear--
"Disappynted again, sir. I did think I was to have a go at Frenchy
now."
He hurried off; and the shrieking of the wind ceased for a few moments,
during which we strained our ears to try and make out what went on
below, when very faintly, but the word distinctly heard, came the cry--
"Help!"
"There is some one forward there by the bowsprit!" I cried excitedly;
and leaving my companions, I crept to the bows, and, holding on tightly,
climbed up and looked over, seeing nothing but the foaming water churned
up by the ship as she plunged on and on, looking as if she were moment
by moment going to split upon what might have been one huge black rock
right ahead.
I changed my position, and got to the other side of the bowsprit to hold
on and look over there, but still I could see nothing, and though I
shouted again and again there was no reply.
"Nobody could possibly be hanging on there," I thought, as I tried to
pierce the mist of spray; and I felt that if low down on the stays, he
would be dipped at every plunge, and drowned in a few minutes, and if
higher, to a certainty, unless lashed to the ropes, be washed off.
I stayed some minutes, hailing again and again, with my voice carried
forward by the wind, and then made my way back to my two companions,
whose faces were turned inquiringly toward me as I shook my head.
"There can't be any one there," I said. "It's impossible."
"So Mr Brymer thought," said Mr Preddle. "He said he would be either
washed off or drowned, and that it must be one of the men below."
"There it is again," said Mr Denning; "and it is below."
"Yes; there!" I cried, for there was a heavy banging at a bulk-head,
and some one shouted savagely to whoever cried for help to be quiet, and
then a shot was fired, but not at us.
"The wretches!" I said.
"The wretch!" said Mr Denning. "That was Jarette's voice, I'm sure;
and he must have fired."
"At some prisoner they have there below," I said.
"Or at the wounded man," cried Mr Preddle.
"It must be another wounded man then, for you heard the sound before you
fired that shot."
"Yes; and it makes me feel better satisfied, for the mutineers are such
brutes--such savage brutes."
"There!" I cried; "do you hear?" for once more the cry for help came so
piteous, faint, and despairing that it seemed to go through me from head
to heel in one long, continuous shudder.
"If it hadn't been for what we heard just now," said Mr Preddle just
then, "I should have been ready to think it was something uncanny--
something ghostly; but," he added hastily, as Mr Denning turned a
mocking face to him, "I don't think so now."
"It's very horrid," I said; "and the worst of it is that one can't do
anything. I wish we could send Mr Frewen to help the poor fellow,
whoever it is."
"Yes, it is horrible," said Mr Denning; "but they made us suffer so
that I feel hardened against them. It must be a wounded man."
"Why," I cried, as a flash of mental light just then illumined my thick
brain, "I know!"
I was so excited by my discovery, which was one of those simple finds
that the wonder was it had not been thought of at once, I could hardly
contain myself, and I made for a swinging lantern and took it down.
"What is it? What have you found out?" cried Mr Denning at the top of
his voice, though it only sounded feeble then in the din of the storm.
"It's some one in the cable-tier," I cried.
"Cable-tier? Where's that?"
"Just forward. Front of the forksle," I shouted. "We must get the
hatch off."
"No, no; not till Mr Brymer comes," said Mr Denning.
The words sounded so wise that I hesitated with the lantern in my hand,
and for a moment or two I thought of running off to report my discovery;
but I recalled the fact that I was on a perilous duty, and that I had no
right to leave my post without orders; so I re-hung the lantern, and
then, after listening and convincing myself that there was no
threatening sound coming from below, I shouted to my companions what I
was going to do, and then staggered forward to the carefully battened
down hatch, beneath which the great rusty chain cable was lying in a
heap.
I listened, and my heart sank with disappointment, for the wind was
shrieking as fiercely as ever, and I could not hear a sound.
"Am I mistaken after all?" I thought, and listened still.
Just then, with a heavy thud, as the ship plunged downward, a wave
struck the port-bow, rose in a perfect cataract, and curling over,
deluged me and rushed along the deck.
I should have been swept away, but the combings of the hatch sheltered
me a little, and as the hissing splash of the water ceased, I fancied I
heard a faint clink of one of the links of the great chain below, while
the moment after came more plainly than I had heard it before a
smothered, piteous cry--
"Help!"
And again directly after, as if he who uttered the cry were in agony--
"Help!"
I took out my pistol and thumped with the butt on the hatch, when there
was silence again.
"Below there!" I shouted with my lips close to the boards.
"Help! pray help!" came in answer.
"All right," I cried; "I'll see."
I crept back on hands and knees to my companions, who were waiting for
me impatiently.
"It's all right," I said; "there's some one in the cable-tier a
prisoner, and as it must be some one of our lads he is of course afraid.
Oughtn't I to run to Mr Brymer?"
The need ceased the next moment, for before we could decide whether the
signal ought to be given by firing a pistol, Neb Dumlow appeared in the
feeble glow shed by the lantern, coming out of the black darkness in a
peculiarly weird fashion.
"Ahoy!" he growled. "Mate says, is all right?"
"No," I said eagerly, for boy as I was, I seemed to be the captain of
that watch, the two gentlemen giving place to me, even if they did
oppose some of my ideas. "Go and tell Mr Brymer to come here."
"Ay, ay!" growled the great ugly fellow--uglier now in the darkness than
he had ever looked before--and he turned and trotted aft, to return in a
few minutes bearing a lantern, and in company with the mate and Mr
Frewen.
I told them what I had discovered, and Mr Brymer gave an angry stamp.
"Of course!" he cried. "I might have known. Why, it must be one of our
lads, and a friend. Quick, Dumlow, and have off that hatch."
In another moment or two the sailor was on his knees dragging off the
piece of tarpaulin which had been fastened down over the top, probably
when the storm began, and directly after the hatch was lifted off, and
the lantern held down to throw its light upon a ghastly face, which was
raised to us as a couple of hands grasped the combings around the
opening. I was so astounded that I could not speak, only listen, as
Dumlow shouted--
"I say, what cheer you, my lad?"
And Mr Brymer--
"Walters! Why, my lad, what are you doing there?"
"Help!" groaned my old messmate with a piteous look up at us;
"half-smothered--water--help!"
"Well, mutineer or middy," said Mr Brymer, "there's nothing to fear
from you. Take one arm, Dumlow," and seizing the other himself, they
hoisted Walters quickly out of the little compartment and set him on his
feet; but his legs gave way, and he dropped on the deck and lay upon his
back.
At that moment sounds came up from the hatch, which suggested the
possibility of the mutineers breaking through the heavy bulk-head and
making their way on deck that way, so before aught else was done, the
hatch was securely fastened down again.
While that was in progress, but feeling wroth all the time, I bent down
over the poor, miserable-looking wretch, whose eyes were following every
movement I made, and recalling the shot I had heard fired, I at once
came to the conclusion that he was hurt.
"Here," I said roughly, "where are you wounded, so that I can tell Mr
Frewen?"
"I'm--I'm--"
"Well, where?" I said, still very roughly, for the sight of the
treacherous young wretch made a hot feeling of rage against him rise in
my throat.
"Not--not wounded," he said feebly.
"Then what's the matter with you?" I cried contemptuously; "sea-sick?"
"No--no, that--that wretch, Jarette."
"What?" cried Mr Brymer, with a mocking laugh. "What? `Wretch
Jarette!' Do you mean your captain, my worthy young lieutenant?"
Walters' eyes gave a roll and then closed as he lay there; but they
opened again directly, for Mr Brymer gave him an angry thrust--a
thrust, not a kick--with his foot.
"Here, get up, cur! You're our prisoner now. What do you say?"
Walters' lips were moving as Dumlow held the light over him and bent
down.
"Says as you're to stow him in prison, sir, and not let the skipper see
him."
"Bah! Has it come to this? Speak to him, Dale. What does he say now?"
"Water; he is asking for water," I said, as I saw how piteously weak the
lad was.
"Suffering from exhaustion and want of air."
"Then he must have a rest," cried Mr Brymer. "Now, sir, can you get up
and walk?"
"No," said Mr Frewen, decisively.
"Lift him up, Dumlow," said Mr Brymer, "and bring him aft to one of the
cabins. Will you see to him, Mr Frewen?"
The doctor nodded, and I felt as if I wanted to go; but my duty was
there, and I had to stay.
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
That storm showed no signs though of abating, and we watched on through
the night, constantly on the strain, attacked as we were by alarms from
below, and the furious assault of the winds and waves. Several times
over during the night, when I was suffering from the cold, and faint
with hunger and exhaustion, a horrible chilly feeling of despair came
creeping over me. I began thinking of home and those there who would be
heart-broken if I was lost; but always at these worst times something
seemed to happen that took me out of myself, giving me work so
particular to do that all my energies were directed to that duty, and in
consequence I forgot my own troubles.
Twice over, when Mr Brymer came with one or other of the men, Mr
Denning expressed a wish to be relieved, and I had to take his arm and
help him along under the shelter of the bulwarks to the saloon and the
cabin where his sister was waiting anxiously for news, and as we
struggled aft, he talked to me as freely as if I had been his brother.
"Is there any hope for us, Dale?" he said on one occasion as we rested
for a few moments underneath the bulwarks.
"Oh yes," I replied. "Why not?"
"I don't know, I'm not a sailor, but I should not have thought the ship
could have kept on long like this without sinking."
I laughed.
"Why, she's a splendid boat," I said, "and quite strong, and so long as
we've got plenty of sea-room, we shan't hurt."
"You're talking like this to comfort me," he said.
"No; I'm telling you the truth as far as I understand it. Of course
I've never been out in a storm on the ocean before, but I've been in
some big ones off the coast round Ireland, where we were always in
danger of going on the rocks, which are awful there."
"But the sea comes thundering down on the ship so."
"What of that?" I replied. "The ship's hollow, and it sounds all the
more, but the water is soft, and we go through it or ride over it
somehow."
"Ah, you're too young to know what fear is," he said sadly.
"Oh no, I'm not," I cried, laughing. "I've been awfully frightened
several times to-night, but I'm more afraid of Jarette and his gang than
I am of the sea."
"You have no sister on board," he said. "No bitter regrets for letting
her come into such danger."
"No," I said, rather chokingly; "but I've got people at home, and it
would be very horrid to think I should never see them again."
"Let's go on," he said laconically, and I helped him along, choosing the
easiest moments till we were in shelter, and then without leaving hold
of me he whispered--
"Make the best of things to her."
There was a lamp burning in the cabin as we entered, and Miss Denning
sprang to our side.
"Oh, John," she cried piteously, "this will be death to you, drenched
with the cold sea! Pray, pray, stay in shelter now."
"Nonsense!" he cried; "it does me good, and it's grandly exciting to
fight the storm like this. How are you, little one? Ah, don't touch
me, I'm wet."
"Suffering terribly, John dear. You must stay with me now."
"Tied to your apron, you foolish girl," he said merrily. "Nonsense!
I'm wanted to help. There, I bring you good news. We've got all the
pirates safely in prison, and as soon as the storm's over all will be
right again."
Miss Denning gave me a piteous, inquiring look.
"Yes, that's quite right, Miss Denning," I said cheerfully.
"But this terrible storm; shall we be wrecked?"
"Ships don't get wrecked out in the open sea," I replied coolly, "only
have their sails blown away, and sometimes lose a spar, or get a boat
torn off the davits."
"Then you think we are safe?"
"Oh yes, I hope so," I replied.
"Safe? Of course, darling little cowardly sis," said Mr Denning,
kissing her pale cheek very lovingly, and I felt that I had never liked
him so well before, never having seen his true nature and affection for
his sister.
"Now then, Mr Dale and I have to go back on duty to shoot mutineers and
pirates, and you are to lie down and trust in our all taking care of
you. Try and sleep for a few hours."
"Sleep!" she said reproachfully, "with you exposed to all that danger."
"Yes! Why not? To grow strong, and ready to help me if I want it."
"But, must you go, John?"
"Yes, dear," he said gravely, "I must; but, please God, the worst danger
is over, and you will not hinder me from doing my duty like a man, even
if I am a weak one."
She held his hand to her cheek, and smiling at me, spoke quite
cheerfully.
"Come back in about an hour," she said, "and I will have coffee made
with the spirit-lamp, and try and find some biscuits."
"That we will," cried Mr Denning. "Make plenty, Lena, Mr Brymer and--
and the sailors will be glad of some."
She nodded, trying to look cheerful, and we left her, but had not
reached the broken companion-way before a door on our right opened, a
light was thrown across us, and I felt Mr Denning's arm twitch. For it
was Mr Frewen coming out of the cabin in which Walters had been placed,
the one in which Mr Preddle had been kept a prisoner, and as soon as he
was outside he carefully locked it.
"Not much need for it," he said to us quietly, "for the little wretch is
very weak still. Nice sort of characters you choose for your
companions, Dale," he continued. "How do we know that you have not been
contaminated, and are going to rise against us?"
"There's no fear till the storm's over, Mr Frewen," I said, laughing,
and then, with the two gentlemen keeping perfectly silent, we went
forward again, and had nearly reached the forecastle-hatch, when,
sounding very feeble and strange, there was the report of a pistol, and
we hurried forward to hear shouts of rage coming from below the hatch,
and the blows of an axe being used with such effect, that before long
whoever wielded it must make a way through.
Mr Brymer glanced round at us as we came up, and I saw the barrel of
his revolver glistening in the pale light.
Then with his face close to the hatch he shouted--
"Once more, stop that or I fire!"
A shout of derision came from within.
"I warn you again!" roared Mr Brymer. "I fired before without trying
to hit you, now I shall aim straight. Stop that this moment!"
"Fire away! Ready below, lads, I'll have it off--"
The report of the revolver, a hoarse, half-stifled cry from within, and
then a yell of rage arose, to mingle with the shrieking of the wind.
"I was obliged to fire, Mr Frewen," said the mate, sharply, "for at any
cost we will keep the upper hand now."
No one spoke, and I could not help shivering as I saw the stern looks of
the men by me, even Mr Preddle's round smooth face looking fierce and
determined.
Mr Frewen was the first to open his lips.
"It is a bitter necessity," he said; "those men must be kept down, but I
am obliged to speak now. Brymer, I am a surgeon, and there are at least
two wounded men there below, perhaps more. It is necessary for me to go
down."
"It is impossible, Mr Frewen. If I give orders for that hatch to be
opened, there will be a rush, and even if we remain masters and beat
them down, it can only be at the cost of wounding more, perhaps causing
death."
"Why not make a truce with them?"
"With the men it would be easy enough, but not with their leader, a
scoundrel who feels that he is fighting with penal servitude before him,
perhaps the halter! But, Mr Frewen, these are no times for being
humane. No; that hatch shall not be opened."
"But I will stand ready, after telling the men what I am going to do,
and if they will keep away while the hatch is open there can be no
rush."
"I think differently, sir," said Mr Brymer, coldly.
"I agree with Mr Brymer, sir," said Mr Denning, "that it would be
madness."
"But you agree with me, Mr Preddle?" cried the doctor, excitedly.
"No, I don't, Mr Frewen," came in Mr Preddle's high-pitched voice. "I
don't like men to suffer, but I won't give my vote for you to go down
into that wild beasts' cage."
Mr Frewen laughed bitterly, and turned to me.
"What do you say, fellow-prisoner?" he cried.
"I shall vote against Mr Frewen being allowed to go down," I said
sturdily. "We want your help more than they do."
"Bravo! my lad," cried Mr Brymer.
"Well, yes; bravo! then," said the doctor, sadly. "I am beaten; I give
in."
"Thank you, Frewen," cried Mr Brymer, holding out his hand, which the
doctor took frankly. "I am sorry to go against you, but you are too
valuable to us here. I am sure that if I let you go down, they would
not let you come up gain. Jarette is fox enough to know how your
absence would weaken us, and then there is the captain; I place his life
as of more value than that of a mutinous crew."
"I'm convinced," said Mr Frewen. "My desire was to stay, but as a
surgeon I couldn't stand still, knowing that my help was wanted down
there."
"You doctors are so greedy," cried Mr Preddle. "You have two patients
as it is, and if we're going, on like this I'm afraid you'll soon have
some more."
"Yes," said the doctor, turning to Mr Denning, "I shall have another
one. Forgive me for speaking, Mr Denning, but I think you ought to go
back to your cabin now and remove your wet things."
"You mean well, sir," said Mr Denning, courteously, "but I am wanted
here."
"Not now, sir," said the mate. "I think we can manage, and if you would
hold yourself in readiness to turn out if we raise an alarm that would
be enough."
"I am here, and I have faced so much of the storm and trouble that I
will see it through now."
No one attempted to argue with him, and the watch was resumed, with the
ship tearing through the water before the storm, for short-handed as we
were, Mr Brymer shrank from attempting to alter her course, or riding
head to wind.
From time to time there was a stir below, and voices rose angrily, but
we could always hear Jarette's shrill utterances, and he generally
seemed to calm the men down, or to master them, with the result that the
angry sounds ceased and gave place to a low murmuring as if some plan
were being discussed. After this had been going on some time, on one
occasion Mr Brymer, who had been aft at the wheel with Bob Hampton and
had returned in time to hear the talking, shook his head and said to Mr
Frewen--
"That sounds bad. They're hatching a new plot against us. It is like
having your ship on fire somewhere amongst the cargo in a place where
you cannot reach. It goes on smouldering day after day, and you are in
the full expectation of its breaking out. You don't know when, but you
are sure that it must come before long."
"I was thinking something of the kind," replied the doctor.
And so was I, though I did not speak. And in addition, I had an idea in
my head that I could not work out, and while I was trying I had another
idea. The first one was, that if by any means we could catch Jarette,
the mutiny would all fall to pieces; but then the job was to catch the
rascal, and that puzzled me.
It was very close to daylight; and cold, low-spirited, and miserable, I
was beginning to think that between the storm and the men below, the
poor old Burgh Castle must come to grief, when Bob Hampton came up
glistening in his oilskins.
"I were to come and say as the lady's got jorums o' hot coffee ready,
sir, in the captain's cabin. Mr Denning and Mr Dale's to go first,
and I'm to take the watch till they comes back."
I saw Mr Denning wince and dart a sharp look at the doctor, but the
latter did not turn his head, and once more we began fighting our way
back, with the ship seeming at times quite to dance on the tops of the
waves.
But we reached the shelter in safety, and as soon as we were under cover
I felt sure that the wind was not so fierce, and said so.
"I could not tell any difference," said Mr Denning, sadly, as we went
right aft, to find the captain's cabin, right in the stern--the one
through whose window I had climbed after my hazardous descent from the
rigging--looking bright and cheerful, and hot coffee waiting for us, in
company with sweet smiles and cheering words.
It was wonderful. One minute I had been ready to give up and think that
all was over; the next, as the hot drink sent a glow through me, I was
ready to smile back at Miss Denning, and join her in persuading her
brother to go to his cabin and change; while the very next minute Mr
Brymer came down with a large bottle, and after hastily swallowing a cup
of the coffee, he begged for a bottleful to carry up to the men at the
wheel.
"Is the storm still so bad, Mr Brymer?" asked Miss Denning, as the mate
was about to hurry back on deck.
"No," he said emphatically. "It's one of those gales which blow in a
circle, and we're passing through it. The glass is rising, and in less
than an hour I think it will begin to lull." This was joyful news, and
I rose to hurry back so as to take the place of Mr Preddle.
"You'll stay now, John," I heard Miss Denning say, and he answered her
quite passionately.
"Don't tempt me, Lena!" he cried. "I want to stay, but I want also to--
there, I will act like a man."
I did not then understand him as I did afterwards, what a strange
jealous hatred and dislike there was burning within him as he caught my
arm, and held it tightly.
"Help me quickly!" he whispered. "Take me back before my weakness
masters me, and I break down."
"But if you are so weak?" I said anxiously. "Take me forward!" he
whispered angrily. "You cannot understand."
I saw Miss Denning looking wonderingly at her brother as we went out,
and again fought our way back to the forecastle-hatch, no easy task with
the ship heeling over, and the spray flying as it did; but I felt
hardened to it now, and the darkness did not appear so terrible, nor the
danger so great, with the warm glow I felt spreading through me. Then I
looked at my companion quite wonderingly, as I could just see his pale
thin face, for he said quickly in a lull of the wind--
"I think I've conquered, Dale."
"Conquered? It's wonderful how brave you have been."
I saw him smile, and then wondered afresh that I could have seen the
change in his face. "Why, it's getting light!" I said joyfully.
I was quite right, and as we were in the tropics the change was coming
rapidly. But just then we reached the watch, and to my surprise Mr
Denning said as well as the rushing wind would let him--
"Mr Frewen, Mr Preddle, my sister has hot coffee ready, and will be
glad if you can go at once."
I saw Mr Frewen give quite a start, and Mr Preddle regularly jumped,
but they were both so surprised that they could neither of them speak,
while Mr Denning turned to Bob Hampton.
"Your turn must be when they come back," he said.
"Oh, all right, sir, I can wait," growled Bob--I mean roared--for though
there was a momentary cessation in the shrieking of the wind, he spoke
as if Mr Denning were by the wheel; and there was no doubt now--we
could not see it, nor were we likely to, through the mist and spray, but
the sun was rising, and ten minutes after I was gazing at the sea, which
was churned up into one chaos of foam.
"It's all over!" yelled Bob, a minute or two later.
"What's all over?" I asked.
"The hurry-cane, sir. We're most through it, and the wind's beginning
to drop."
"But it's blowing terribly," I cried.
"Ay, sir, it is; but 'nour ago it was blowing ten times as terrible.
Why, there was a time when it most shaved my head, and another time when
I put my hands up to feel if my ears was cut off. Strikes me as they
would ha' gone if they hadn't been tied down with the flaps of this here
sou'-wester."
"Yes, it's getting lighter fast," cried Mr Denning. "But how rough the
sea is!"
"Ay, sir, she be a bit tossy like," said Bob; "but this here's nothing
to what it is on a rocky coast. Ah, that's bad if you like."
"But we've had an awful night, Bob."
"Tidy, sir, tidy. Not so bad as it might ha' been."
"Oh, it couldn't have been worse!" I cried.
"What? Not been worse, sir? Why, where's your mainmas' gone by the
board, and your fore-mast cut off at the top-mast-head, and your mizzen
splintered into matchwood? Why, my lad, this arn't been nothing. And
look yonder, there's the sun a-coming out, leastwise it's making the
clouds look red-like. We're coming out of it well. Why, you ought to
be proud, Mr Dale, o' belonging to such a ship as the Burgh Castle.
She's a clipper, if ever there was one built."
"I am proud of her, Bob," I said, "but I'm not proud of her crew."
"Well, no, sir," said Bob, rubbing his red nose, which looked wet and
shiny now; "they arn't turned out a werry good lot, but then arter all
they might ha' been worse. You see it's just like having so much soup
as the cook's made for you, and all as good as can be, till the cook's
mate tilts the lamp aside by a-hitting it with his head, and a drop o'
hyle goes into the soup. That one drop o' train-hyle spyles all the
pot. See what I mean?"
"That Jarette is the drop of oil?"
"That's it, sir, and a werry, werry rancid drop he be."
Mr Denning laughed, and I saw him turn his back to the direction in
which Mr Frewen had gone.
"_Tlat_!" went Bob Hampton's lips in a loud smack. "Glad when they
gents come back, for I want some o' your young lady's hot coffee, bless
her! to take the taste o' the hyle out o' my mouth."
"You shall have it soon, Hampton, my good brave fellow," cried Mr
Denning, and I saw the weak tears in his eyes, "and you tell my sister
that she is to find my little silver flask, and give you some brandy in
your coffee."
"Thankye, sir, thankye, that's very good of you. Why, Mr Dale, sir,
you talk of our having a bad night. Tchah!--nothing, lad, nothing. How
could it be a werry bad 'un when you have the luck to be shipped aboard
a craft with a angel aboard? A angel, that's what I says, and Neb
Dumlow and Barney says the same. We all said it arter the mutiny had
begun, and that if we didn't get the best of old Frenchy somehow we'd
eat our heads.--Lie down, will yer?" he roared, as he gave the side of
the hatch so fierce a kick that I thought his heavy boot would have gone
through.
There was a heavy rustling sound, and the grumbling of voices plainly
heard now, for the wind was rapidly falling.
"That was French Jarette a-listening, sir, for a penny-piece," whispered
Bob, for it was growing possible to whisper now. "Strikes me we arn't
done with him yet, and if I might adwise, I should say as Mr Frewen
ought to be sent down below with some of his doctor's stuff to pyson
that chap like you would a rat, for there'll never be no peace while
he's aboard. Hah!" he continued, smacking his lips. "There's your
sort; here's Mr Preddle coming back with his face shining and smelling
o' hot coffee like a flower-garding."
Mr Denning turned round sharply, but checked himself as he saw that Mr
Frewen was coming too.
"Looks like my turn now."
"Miss Denning is waiting to give you some coffee, Mr Hampton," said the
naturalist.
"Thankye for the mister, sir, and thank her for the coffee," said Bob,
smiling, and he straddled off, the sloping of the deck as the ship rose
and fell and heeled over being apparently of no consequence to him.
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.
A few minutes later Mr Brymer joined us, rubbing his hands.
"We shall almost have a calm in an hour, gentlemen," he said, "and
smooth water, with nothing but a long heavy swell before night. I think
we may all congratulate ourselves upon what we have done, for we've
saved the ship."
"Not yet," said Mr Frewen, pointing at the fore-castle-hatch.
"No, not yet, doctor; but we've only one enemy to deal with now, and can
devote all our attention to him. I think I can relieve two of you
gentlemen now. Mr Frewen, will you fight out another hour or two,
while these gentlemen go and change, and have an hour or two's sleep?"
"I'll go and change," said Mr Denning; "but no sleep to-day."
"Please yourselves, gentlemen; but you must have rest, and be in
readiness for a call. Hah! that's grand; what should we do without the
sun?"
For as he was speaking, a bright gleam suddenly shot almost level across
the spray, which still flew over the waves, and made it flash like a
rainbow. It did more, for it sent light and joy into our breasts as Mr
Preddle and Mr Denning went aft, meeting Bob Hampton with some boards,
a saw, hammer, and nails with which he was soon busily at work
strengthening the sides and top of the hatch, nailing down board after
board, and only leaving one small opening in case communication should
be needed with the prisoners below, who, saving for the light filtering
through a small sky-light, and also through the ventilator, were in the
dark.
An hour later a sort of council of war was held in the captain's cabin,
and it was decided to well nail up the hatch of the cable-tier as well,
there being no dread of the men breaking out in other directions on
account of the closely-packed-in heavy cargo, much of which consisted,
as I said, of machinery--agricultural implements and the like--for the
Antipodes. Then arrangements were made as to the men being fed with
biscuit and water, just sufficient for keeping them alive, and this
starvation policy it was considered would be the means of setting the
mutineers thoroughly against their leader, with the probable result that
they would open up negotiations, and end by binding Jarette hand and
foot and delivering him up. After that, as many as the captain thought
could be trusted might be released to assist in navigating the ship, and
the rest could be kept in prison.
Mr Brymer was quite right about the weather; we sailed right through
the circular storm, and long before sunset of what proved to be a very
hot day, the ship was gently gliding up one side of a long wave, and
after pausing for a moment on the top, gliding down the other, so that
it was hard to imagine that we had just passed through so terrible a
storm.
That evening I asked Mr Frewen to take me with him when he went into
Mr Preddle's cabin to see Walters, and this resulted in his leaving me
behind to sit down by where my brother midshipman lay, looking white, or
rather grey as ashes.
I found him very stubbornly silent with the doctor, who did not seem to
think him very bad; and to all the sharp appeals to him to try and sit
up, or explain his symptoms, he only gave vent to a piteous kind of
groan which worried me a good deal, for I could not help thinking that
Mr Frewen was hard, and to put it plainly, rather brutal, to one who
had evidently gone through a great deal of suffering, and was now
completely prostrate.
But certainly it had been rather tantalising, for to everything there
was this piteous groan.
"Put out your tongue," said Mr Frewen.
"Oh!"
"Well, open your eyes."
"Oh!"--long drawn out, and strange.
"Surely that does not hurt you, my lad. I want to do you good if I
can."
"Oh!"
"Are you in pain?"
"Oh!"
"Does that hurt you?"
"Oh!"
"Can you feel it if I press your chest?"
"Oh!"
"Stand a little on one side, Dale; I want to look at his eyes."
I stepped back, feeling very uncomfortable, and Mr Frewen parted the
lad's eyelids gently enough.
"Oh!" came more loudly than ever, as Mr Frewen looked closely into
first one and then the other eye.
Another moan and groan came fast one after the other, sometimes loud and
sometimes piteous in the extreme, making me shiver again as I imagined
all kinds of horrors.
At first Mr Frewen was very gentle in his examination; but as Walters
kept on groaning, the doctor seemed to lose patience, and in feeling the
patient's ribs, testing his arms and joints, he was, I thought,
unnecessarily rough and harsh.
Mr Frewen did not speak out, but kept on uttering little ejaculations;
and at last he began to pass his hands over and around Walters' skull,
while I shuddered, and fully expected to hear the broken bone-edges
grate together from a fracture.
But the doctor let my messmate's head sink down again, quickly too, for
Walters uttered a thrilling moan and let his face hang down away from
the doctor, looking so ghastly and strange that I was more horrified
than ever in the dim cabin-light.
I looked anxiously at the doctor, silently asking him what was the
matter; but he only gave me a short nod of the head, and once more
directed his attention to Walters, who lay breathing slowly in a catchy,
spasmodic fashion, and I was almost about to question Mr Frewen, but he
once more bent over the prisoner patient, listening to his breathing.
I saw him frown and then lay his hand upon Walters' side, and then I
started, for there came so piteous a groan that I was sure the ribs must
have been crushed, and I felt angry with him for not being more
sympathetic.
"He went against us and played the blackguard," I thought to myself;
"but he has been severely punished, and is down, so it isn't right to
jump upon him."
I felt then that I disliked Mr Frewen, who must be a cold-hearted,
brutal kind of man, and I was not surprised at Mr Denning the invalid
showing so much dislike to him now.
"Yes, he's very bad," said Mr Frewen at last, "I shall have to get
ready a mixture for him--something pretty strong too."
I was looking anxiously in his eyes as he said this, and then we both
looked at Walters, for the poor fellow winced and moaned again.
"Yes," said Mr Frewen to me, but watching his patient the while;
"medicine is as a rule very nasty, and the strong mixtures worst of all;
but there are cases where you cannot hesitate to administer them, even
if they are distasteful; and where you disguise their taste with syrups
and essential oils you often do harm instead of good."
"Do you think he is very bad, Mr Frewen?" I said.
"Oh yes--very," was the reply. "Not dangerous!" I whispered.
"Yes, decidedly dangerous," he said, in the same low tone.
"Then he ought not to be left?"
"Oh yes, better left. He'll come round. There, I'm going to see how
the other prisoners are getting on. I'm afraid that I am badly wanted
there."
He stood looking down at the patient with his brow knit, and I noticed a
fidgety movement about one of his feet.
"Oughtn't I to stop and nurse him?" I asked.
"No; certainly not. He is better alone. This kind of case does not
require attention--only time. Come along," and he went to the door.
"All right, Mr Frewen; I'll come directly," I said softly.
"But I want to fasten the door," he whispered.
"I'll fasten it when I come out."
"No, that will not do; Mr Brymer said that the door was to be kept
fast, and I can't go away and leave it."
"But I want to talk to him," I whispered. "Lock me in for a bit."
"And suppose he turns savage with you, and tries to get your weapons?"
whispered Mr Frewen, with a smile.
"I shan't let him have them," I replied. "Besides, he's weak and ill."
"Humph!--not so very, my lad. There, I'll lock you in, and come and let
you out in a quarter of an hour."
He closed and locked the cabin door sharply, and I stood there thinking
what I should say to my old messmate, and feeling how awkward it was now
he was in trouble. For he lay there half turned away with his eyes
closed, and I heard him moan piteously again while I waited to hear Mr
Frewen's departing step.
But it did not come for a few moments. Then I heard him go into the
adjoining cabin, and the opening of his medicine-chest quite plainly.
"I don't believe he wants medicine," I thought. "He must be suffering
from some internal injury." Though as to what part of his body the
injury might be in, I had not the slightest idea.
There was a loud clink of bottle or glass, and then quite plainly came
the setting down of something hard upon a shelf, the sound coming
plainly through the opening we had so laboriously made when Mr Preddle
was a prisoner in this cabin, and Mr Frewen and I in the next.
Then I heard a loud cough. There was a squeaking sound of a cork being
thrust into a bottle, and the doctor went out of his cabin, shut the
door sharply, and went off, while it was like an electric shock through
me, and I stared wildly, for Walters started up, and in a vicious angry
voice exclaimed--
"Brute! Beast! I only wish--"
He stopped short as he vigorously wrenched himself round.
"I thought you were gone," he said blankly. "He told you to come away."
"I stopped to help you," I said. "I did not like to have you left when
you were so bad."
"No, you didn't," he cried, with a vicious snarl. "You stopped to play
the miserable, contemptible, cowardly spy. It's just like you, Dale.
You always were a beast!"
"If you call me a beast, I'll knock your head off!" I cried, for my
temper was rising against him and against myself, for I felt that I had
been imposed upon, and horribly weak and stupid in my sympathy for one
who was shamming from beginning to end.
"It would take a better man than you," he snarled.
"Not it, though you are bigger and stronger," I cried. "Get up, and
I'll show you."
"Get up," he groaned, "while I'm so weak and bad that I can't stir?"
"Can't stir," I said, as I realised how thoroughly the doctor had read
him, and I understood now why Mr Frewen was so indifferent instead of
being sympathetic. "Why, there's nothing the matter with you at all.
You can move as well as I can. Get up, sneak!"
"Oh!" he groaned, "you're as great a brute as the doctor," and he turned
up his eyes till only the whites showed, making him look so ghastly in
the dim light, that I was ready to fancy I was misjudging him after all.
But I recalled his manner and his utterance as soon as he had made sure
that the doctor had gone, and thought himself quite alone.
"Get up," I said again, "and leave off this miserable shamming. There's
nothing the matter with you at all."
He groaned again, and it made me feel so angry at the thought of his
believing that he could impose upon me again, that I raised my right
foot, whose toes seemed to itch with a desire to kick him.
"Get up!" I cried angrily again.
"I can't, I can't!" he groaned.
"Get up," I said, "or I'll lie down by you and punch your head that
way!"
"Oh, you coward, you coward!" he moaned.
"No, it's you who are the coward, shamming being injured. Will you get
up?"
"What," he snarled, changing his manner again, "to fight with a
miserable coward who is armed?"
"I'm not armed now," I cried, snatching the revolver I carried from my
belt, and laying it on Mr Preddle's chest. "Get up, you miserable,
cowardly, treacherous, shamming impostor! I'll give you some physic
which will do you more good than the doctor's."
As I spoke, I gave him a heavy push with my foot.
He sprang from the bunk as if he had been suddenly galvanised, made a
rush at me, and struck out with all his force, but I darted on one side,
and he struck the bulk-head with his fist.
"Poor fellow, how weak he is!" I said, as I stood on my guard, and
writhing now with bodily as well as mental pain, he came at me looking
almost diabolical.
I forgot everything the next moment--the nearness of the dangerously
wounded captain, and the alarm that would be felt by Miss Denning, and
with fists feeling like solid bone I sprang at him in turn. For I was
in a strange state of exaltation. My nerves had been stirred by the
excitement of the past days. I had been horribly imposed upon, and in
place of my pity I now felt something very near akin to hate for my
treacherous messmate, whom I had been ready, to forgive everything. I
felt as if the most delightful thing in life would be to thrash him till
he was in such a condition that he would be obliged to have the doctor
to see to him and put him right--if he did not half-kill me instead, for
he looked capable of doing it then. But this last did not occur to me,
as I made my fists fly at his head, no round-about windmill blows, but
straight-out shots right at his face, chest, anywhere I could see a
chance to hit, though in the majority of cases I missed him, and
received his blows instead.
But these did not seem to hurt, only excite me, and give me strength.
They were like spurring to a horse; and as I hit out, my tongue was not
idle, for I kept on taunting and gibing at him, asking if that one did
not make him groan and this one did not need the doctor, while all the
time he was perfectly silent, save that as he glared at me and fought
savagely I could hear his teeth grinding together. He fought savagely,
and so did I, for to use an old school-boy term, my monkey was up, and I
was ready to keep on till I dropped.
Blows fell fast enough on both, and then we closed and wrestled and went
down.
Then we were up, and crashing against the bulk-head on one side, then on
the other. Then I sent him staggering against the door; and _en
revanche_, as he recovered himself and came on again, he sent me heavily
against the ship's side, where the back of my head gave a sounding rap
close to the little circular window.
Of course it was a matter of a very few minutes. Boy human nature could
not stand a prolongation of such a fierce struggle, even if our muscles
were tense as so much elastic wood. And how that time passed I can
hardly tell. I was conscious of seeing sparks, and then of Walters'
eyes and gleaming teeth which were very hard to my knuckles. So was his
head, and the boards, and cabin-floor; but I fought on, and wrestled and
went down, and got up again, and the fighting was soon in perfect
silence as far as our lips were concerned, till after one desperate
round--the last--I struck out so fiercely with my left, adding to it the
whole weight of my body, that Walters fell back over the chest in one
corner, his head struck the bulk-head with a sounding bang, and he went
down in a sitting position, but in an instant sprang up again, grinding
his teeth.
The cabin was nearly dark now and my fists were up for the renewal of
the contest, for Walters seemed to be about to spring at me; but he drew
back, and as quickly as I could grasp what it meant, I heard almost
simultaneously the clicking of my pistol-lock, the report, and the crash
caused by the sudden wrenching open of the cabin-door.
"Hurt?" cried Mr Brymer, as I staggered back, conscious of a sharp
stinging pain at the side of my head; and as he spoke he sprang at
Walters, wrested the pistol from him, and threw him down.
"I--I don't know," I stammered as I put my hand to my ear. "Yes, I
think so," for my fingers were wet with blood.
"You cowardly, treacherous hound!" cried the mate, with his foot upon
Walters' breast.
"I--oh don't!--help!--I was only defending myself from Dale. I'm weak
and hurt, and--"
"A cowardly, malingering liar!" cried Mr Frewen, hotly. "He tried to
make me believe he was very bad, groaning and wincing, and thinking he
had deceived me, but I saw through him all the time."
"No, no, I am bad!" groaned Walters, piteously.
"He isn't," I said, with my anger against him mastering a sensation of
sickness. "He was shamming; I found him out, and we quarrelled and
fought, and as soon as he was beaten he caught up the pistol and fired
at me."
"It's all a lie!" shouted Walters, fiercely. "I was so weak and ill
that I--"
"Jumped up well as I was, and called Mr Frewen a brute and a beast as
soon as he was out of hearing."
"And the pistol cocked itself, jumped up into his hand, and then went
off and wounded Dale. Is it much, doctor?" said Mr Brymer.
"No, only his ear cut, fortunately," said Mr Frewen, holding a
handkerchief to my head. "An inch more and our amiable, treacherous
young friend would have had to be tried for murder. Who's that?"
"Me," growled Neb Dumlow. "Want help, sir?"
"No. Go and tell the captain there's nothing the matter, and Miss
Denning that there's no cause for alarm. Lock up the wild beast,
Brymer! I thought he was a little weak and wanted feeding up. Leave
him to me, and I'll feed him down."
Mr Brymer gave a sharp look round, and then closed the door and locked
it, while following Mr Frewen into the next cabin, he put a few
stitches in my injured ear and then strapped it up.
"Feel sick?" he said.
"Pretty well," I said, and I looked dismally at my knuckles.
"Like a light, and a glass to see your face?"
"Eh? No," I cried, as I recalled all that had taken place. "Does it
look very bad?"
"Not half so bad as it will to-morrow," said Mr Frewen, coolly. "You
had a tidy fight then, you two?"
"Oh yes; don't talk about it, please, sir. He made me feel so wild
after I found out that he was only shamming."
"Humph! Well, don't let Miss Denning see you. If you had been knocked
about like this in a struggle with those scoundrels under the hatch you
would have won her sympathy; but a lad who goes and indulges in
fisticuffs till his face looks like a muffin which has tumbled into the
slop-basin, can't show himself in ladies' society till he has grown
well."
"Oh, I say, Mr Frewen!" I cried.
"It's a fact," he said, laughing at my dismal face.
"But can't you put some stuff on it to make it look better?"
"No, nothing," he said coolly. "I only know of one thing that will help
you out of your difficulty," he continued quietly.
"Yes," I said. "What?"
"You must wait till we have another fight with the men forward, and then
if you get knocked about, all those bruises will go to the same
account."
I was busily bathing my face and hands as he spoke, and then, as I began
dabbing myself gently with a towel, there was an alarm from forward
which suggested that, though I was getting stiffer and more sore every
moment, the time had already come for the doctor's remedy to be put in
force, for there was a pistol-shot followed by several more, and a loud
shouting which sounded like cries for help.
It was a wonderful change from the previous night as we hurried along
the deck to join our friends. The ship rode on an even keel, the night
was glorious with stars, and the lanterns shone bright and clear where
they were swung. There was no creeping along a few feet at a time,
holding on by rope and belaying-pin, with the spray dashing over the
side.
We could see the group about the hatch standing a little back, for in
spite of our defences, the mutineers were making a desperate effort to
escape, and were keeping up a steady fire through the top and sides to
cover the work of one of their number, who was chopping away at the door
to hack out the fastening.
As we reached them, Mr Brymer was ready revolver in hand, hesitating as
to whether he should fire, for he was husbanding his ammunition, the
supply being far from abundant.
"It's getting warm, doctor," he said as we came up. "What is to be
done? I grudge wasting cartridges."
Just then Bob Hampton, who had been right aft, came trotting up.
"Who is at the wheel?" said Mr Brymer, sharply.
"Blane, sir."
"That will do. Look here, Hampton, the captain saw to the receiving of
the powder and cartridges while I was busy over the other portions of
the cargo, and he is too weak to be questioned. You joined the mutiny
for a time."
"Never, sir, for no time," growled Bob.
"Well, you were with the men, and in their confidence."
"Not a bit on it, sir, arksing your pardon. Frenchy never trusted me a
mite; only got all the work out of me that he could."
"Well, well, we will not argue little points," said Mr Brymer,
impatiently, as the chopping and firing went on. "You saw a great deal
of what was going on."
"Yes, sir, heaps; I kep' my eyes open."
"Well, tell me this--what about the powder and weapons? What do you
know about them?"
"I'll tell you, sir," said Bob; "but, begging your pardon, hadn't you
better clap a stopper on this here game?"
"How, man?"
"Answering them shots, sir."
"I would, but my cartridges are nearly all gone. How did you get
these?"
"Outer the hold, sir, where they stowed 'em close alongside o' the
blasting-powder. There's plenty more."
"Can you get them?"
"Oh yes, sir. You see, before the mutiny began, Jarette set some one,
as I heard afterward, to smuggle all the cartridges and weapons he could
out of the cabins and from the captain's locker."
"Yes, we found out that had been done. Who did they send?"
Bob Hampton chuckled.
"Why, you know, sir."
"Not Mr Walters?"
"If you was to spend all the rest o' your life, sir, making shots at it,
you wouldn't never get nigher than that."
"The young scoundrel! Then you know where the cartridges are?"
"Course I do, sir: under the battened down hatches yonder. Frenchy put
'em there himself, and wouldn't let no one go nigh 'em, 'cause the
fellows were always smoking. I got down to 'em at night when the storm
was coming, as you know, and when you want more, there they are,--yer
pistols and guns too."
"Oh, that puts quite a different complexion upon our position, Mr
Denning. We can fire as much as we like," cried the mate. "But one
word more, Hampton. What about the mutineers? Have they a very large
supply of ammunition?"
"Well, sir, that I can't say. I know Jarette always kep' his pockets
jam-full, but I don't know nothing about the others."
The chopping was still going on while this discussion took place, and
shot after shot was fired, evidently in a blind fashion, as if the man
who used the revolver was unable to take an aim at any one, and merely
fired to keep us away from the hatch; but now all at once we were
startled by a sharp jingling of glass, and the violent swinging of one
of the lanterns, which had been struck by a bullet.
"That was the result of some one aiming," cried Mr Denning, sharply.
"If they don't do any more damage than that it won't matter," said Mr
Preddle.
"Look here, Brymer," whispered Mr Frewen, speaking now after carefully
watching the dimly-seen hatch for some minutes, "it strikes me that if
you let them go on firing for a little longer they will be forced to
surrender."
"For want of ammunition?" said the mate.
"No; for want of air. That ventilator will not carry off the foul gas
from the firing."
"But the holes they are making will," said the mate. "If it were not so
dark you would see that the smoke is curling out from several little
holes."
Mr Frewen took a step forward; there was a sharp report, and he
staggered back. "Flit?" cried Mr Preddle, excitedly. "Yes, but not
hurt," replied Mr Frewen. "The bullet struck my collar, and it was
like something giving me a violent jerk."
"Change positions every one," said Mr Brymer in a low voice. "Hampton,
the lanterns. Let them both down, and put them in the galley."
Bob Hampton ran to one line by which they were hoisted up, I to the
other; and as I was lowering mine down, I heard a shot, and a whizz like
a bee flying over my head.
"Quite time that was done," said the mate, as the two lighted lanterns
were taken by Bob and carried to the galley. But the door was fast, and
it was not until after a good deal of dragging and wrenching that it was
pulled open, I holding the two lights, while Bob tugged.
Bang! went a revolver again, and a shot whizzed by my companion's ear,
and stuck into the side of the galley.
"Look sharp, Hampton; they can see you, man!" cried Mr Brymer. "Throw
something over the lights."
"Done it, sir," cried Bob, as the door yielded, and I stepped forward to
get the lanterns in, when, as Bob opened the door widely, and the light
flashed in, he uttered a yell, and nearly dropped the lanterns, for
there before us in the corner of the galley stood, or lay back, a
ghastly-looking figure which at first sight seemed to me like the body
of one of the mutineers who had been shot. But as I stood trembling and
holding up one light, the white face moved and the eyes blinked.
"What's the matter?" cried Mr Brymer, loudly. "Go and see, Mr
Frewen."
The doctor took a few steps and joined us, saw the figure, and said
sharply--"Another prisoner?"
"No, sir; can't he; 'cause he's fastened hisself in," replied Bob.
"Why, matey, what are you doing here? I thought you was a ghost."
"Why, it's the cook!" I exclaimed.
"Cooky it is, sir," said Hampton. "Here y'are, mate; we've brought you
a light."
The lanterns were thrust in, the door shut, and we hurried back,
discussing our discovery, but this was checked by the firing from the
hatch, while the blows from an axe threatened to make short work of the
door and the boards that had been nailed across.
"What's to be done?" said Mr Preddle, mildly. "Hadn't you better speak
to them, Mr Brymer?"
"I feel as if I can only speak by deputy," he replied, and he raised his
pistol,--"by this. But I don't like firing until the last extremity."
"I'll speak to them," said Mr Frewen.
"Very well; but get well out of reach. They will not be so merciful as
we are."
Mr Frewen went round to the bow-side of the hatch, and shouted loudly
to those in the forecastle, with the result that the chopping ceased,
and after a few moments' delay Jarette's voice was heard.
"You surrender then, eh?" he shouted. "Look sharp and knock off these
boards."
Mr Brymer could not help laughing aloud, and a pistol was fired in his
direction.
"Stop that!" shouted Mr Frewen. "Look here, my men, if you hand out
your weapons through the top of the hatch, and promise not to attempt to
escape, food and water shall be passed down, and you shall receive fair
treatment till we get into port."
"Do you hear, my lads?" cried Jarette, loudly. "And when we get in port
they'll hand us over as prisoners. What do you--there, I'll say it for
you," he continued hastily. "No, no, no! And now listen to me, all you
who can hear. You can't sail into port without us, and you are only
proposing a truce because you are growing frightened."
"Indeed!" said Mr Frewen, coolly.
"Yes, indeed, doctor. I know your voice. Now you take my advice--you
and those two passengers. Get back to your cabins, and perhaps I'll
forgive you. We can come on deck now whenever we like, and we're
masters here. If you don't do as I say, look out, for I warn you I can
cover all of you with my pistol, and if I couldn't I'd sink the ship
before you should hold her again."
"Then you refuse to surrender?" cried Mr Frewen. "Harkye, my lads,
below there; don't let this madman lead you on to your ruin. Will you
surrender?"
"Silence below there!" shouted Jarette. "I'll give him his answer.
There!"
He fired, evidently aiming in the direction of Mr Frewen's voice, for
the bullet whizzed over the doctor's head; when, without waiting for
orders, Mr Preddle fired back, and his shot was followed by a sharp
ejaculation, suggesting that some one had been hit; but directly after
we heard a little talking, and several shots were fired at us, but
without effect.
"There," said Mr Brymer, "we have done our duty by them, we must now do
it by ourselves."
"If we could only master that one man," said Mr Frewen in the little
council of war which followed, "we could manage."
"Hadn't you better order the hose to be laid on, Mr Brymer, sir," said
Bob Hampton, "and drown 'em out like rats?"
"It would be punishing the weak with the guilty and strong, my lad,"
said Mr Brymer. "I am loth to proceed to extremities."
"Werry well then, sir, smoke 'em out as you would rats. I dessay the
doctor has got some brimstone."
"Yes, I have, Hampton," said Mr Frewen; "but, you see, these are men,
not rats."
"That's a true word, sir."
"You would not like to kill them all in cold blood, my man?"
"No, sir, that's a butchery sort o' way; but I'm ready to give 'em a
wopses' nest squib to bring 'em to their senses."
"Out of their senses, man!" cried Mr Frewen, impatiently. "It means
death, I tell you--wholesale murder. The men, I repeat, are not rats."
"Well, sir, they're behaving like 'em, and there's no gammon about it
now. They're desprit; Jarette's worked 'em up; and they've got the
judge to face if we take 'em into port. Strikes me it's our lives or
theirn; but you knows best. I was thinking about the young lady."
Just then the chopping began again, and Mr Brymer raised his pistol and
fired.
The chopping ceased, and there was a burst of loud talking. Then all
was still for hours, while a careful watch was kept until morning.
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.
The discovery of the cook made a great difference in the state of
affairs. It was found that he had been forced by Jarette's threats to
work for the mutineers, and if they had gained the upper hand he would
no doubt have sided with them again; but now he seemed to return gladly
to his regular duties, and he was as energetic as possible in preparing
breakfast, waiting on Miss Denning and her brother, and when he was not
cooking, making himself generally useful, as the advertisements say,
about the cabins, especially that of the captain, to whom, unasked, he
began to act as nurse.
That morning, by Mr Brymer's orders, he filled a number of bottles with
fresh water, and got ready a quantity of biscuits, which he was told to
bear to the mutineers.
"But I dursen't, sir," he said. "That Jarette would swear I was a
traitor as soon as he heard my voice, and shoot me same as he did poor
Phipps."
"What! the steward?" cried Mr Frewen.
"Yes, sir, dead, on the night they rose."
"You rose," said Mr Brymer.
"No, sir, I didn't; I'm only a cook, and not a fighting man. One does
lots of things when a pistol's held to your head as you wouldn't do
other times."
"Bring the biscuit and water," said Mr Frewen, "and I'll speak to the
men. They will not use pistols when they know food is going to be given
to them."
The cook shook his head.
"You don't know Jarette, sir," he said.
"I'll go with you and help you," I cried, for I fully believed Mr
Frewen's words, which proved quite correct, till we had passed down all
that we had taken, the men eagerly thrusting up their hands and seizing
bottle and biscuit.
Then as the last bottle of water was handed through the opening Bob
Hampton had left when he nailed the boards over, Jarette shouted--
"That isn't all, is it?"
"Yes," I said, "that's all you'll get;" and fortunately I started away
and fell back in my fright, for quick as lightning the scoundrel thrust
out a pistol and fired at me, the flash being so close that I felt sure
for the moment that I was hit. In fact I was stunned, but it was from
the sharp rap which I gave the back of my head on the deck.
"Hurt?" cried Mr Frewen, running to my help, as I sat up rubbing the
back of my head.
"Hurt? Yes, of course I am," I cried, angrily; but I laughed it off the
next minute, for I was afraid that they would think it cowardly of me
for shrinking away.
"I'm afraid it will be some time before they get any more refreshments,"
said Mr Preddle, laughing; and now by Mr Brymer's orders a tarpaulin
was drawn over the top of the hatch, but it had not been there a minute
before a knife-blade was passed through it, and a good-sized piece cut
out.
Then a board was thrown on, but it was only tossed away, and shot after
shot was fired, evidently, from the good aim taken, by some one who
could see the people on deck.
Nothing more was done then, for the mutineers made no further attempt to
escape; and in wonderful contrast to what we had gone through, it now
fell perfectly calm, with the sun blazing down upon us and the heat
intense.
Short-handed though we were, matters fell back into the old ship
routine, with the exception that the watches kept were against something
more serious than the weather.
The captain seemed better; and though they were not friendly, there was,
it appeared to me, a certain amount of polite intercourse kept up
between Mr Frewen and the Dennings, though Mr Denning always appeared
to be rather cold and strange during the short time they were together
at meals. These the cook served up regularly for the officers,
passengers, and men, the two who were at the wheel having settled down
in their places with Hampton and his two companions, and had even gone
so far as to offer to fight upon our side.
They sent the message by Bob Hampton, and he bore it to Mr Brymer, but
said to me afterwards with a good deal of screwing up of his honest
wrinkled countenance--
"Mr Brymer can do as he likes, of course, Mr Dale, but I should just
trust them two chaps as far as I could see 'em."
"They'll be all right while we have the upper hand, Bob," I said, "and
go against us if Jarette beats us."
"That's it, sir. You're as right as you can get. I'm friendly with
'em, of course; but I've got my eyes open, and they don't go nigh that
hatch while I'm on deck."
"Do you think we can trust the cook, Bob?" I said in a low voice, for
we were not far from the galley, which was smoking away as methodically
as if there were no such thing as a mutiny on board.
Bob gave me a very slow wink.
"Suet," he said in a whisper.
"What?"
"Suet, sir. That's 'bout what he's made on. Sort of soft fat man.
There's no harm in him, only softness. Think of a fellow being so
scared that he goes and shuts hisself up and drinks hisself into a state
o' muddle so as not to know what's going on. Why, if one's got to be
drowned, one wants to make a bit of a fight for it. Never say die, my
lad. Life in a mussel, you know. Oh, there's no harm in old
bile-the-pot, only I shouldn't like to depend on him in a row, though he
could do us a lot o' good."
"How?" I said, laughing, as I thought of Bob's low estimate of his
fighting powers.
"Lot of ways, my lad. Cook's got a good many advantages, you see.
Red-hot pokers is one; pots and kettles o' boiling water's another,
without counting the long sharp knives; but he won't do nothing, and I
must. Don't walk too near the wild beasts' cage, my lad, I'm going
aft."
He went steadily aft to mount the poop-deck, while being near the galley
I strolled towards it to have a few words with the man of suet, and as
he welcomed me with a simple placid smile, I felt that Bob Hampton's
estimate of his character was pretty correct, and that it would be bad
policy to trust much to him in a time of peril.
"Well," I said, "been to the captain?"
"Yes, Mr Dale, sir, and have taken him a beautiful basin of broth. Let
me give you one."
"No, not now," I said, though I felt tempted to say yes. "Did you take
Mr Walters his provisions?"
"I did, sir, with Mr Brymer looking on all the time."
"Does he seem very bad?"
"Well, sir, he pulled a long face, but I don't think there's much the
matter with him. He can eat readily enough."
"I say, cook," I half whispered, "you were a good deal on deck?"
"No, sir, not much, I was busy here. The crew ate a deal."
"But you knew about Mr Walters being shut up in the cable-tier?"
The cook glanced uneasily toward the forecastle-hatch and shook his
head.
"They can't hear you," I said, "and even if they could they can't get at
you."
"I don't know, sir," he whispered; "that Jarette's got ears such as no
man before ever had. I've often thought it isn't hearing he has, but a
kind of knowing."
"Oh, he's knowing enough!" I said, laughing.
"I don't mean that, Mr Dale," he whispered. "I mean there's something
uncanny about him, as the Scotch people say, and he can tell what you
are thinking about without your saying it."
"Oh, nonsense!"
"It arn't nonsense, sir, and there's more about him than you think for.
Why, he can do anything with the men. They're not only afraid of him,
but they're obliged to do what he wants, and if I was Mr Brymer, sir, I
shouldn't rest till he was put in a boat and sent off to shift for
himself."
"You think he's dangerous then?"
"Ah, that he is, sir; and if he isn't hatching out something row to
surprise you all, I don't know mutton from beef."
I looked sharply at the cook, for his words chimed in with a kind of
fancy I had that the people in the forecastle were not so silent for
nothing.
"Ah, well," I said, "I dare say we shall be ready for him if he does try
to play any pranks. But you didn't tell me about Mr Walters."
The cook gave a sharp glance round.
"What's the matter?" I asked.
"I don't seem to like to talk about him, sir," he whispered. "He never
forgets anything, and never forgives anybody. I wouldn't say a word
against him for worlds."
"I don't ask you to," I said; "I only asked you why Mr Walters was shut
up in the cable-tier?"
"Jarette don't like him, sir. He found him very useful for stealing
pistols and cartridges, and fastening people in the cabins, but once he
got all he wanted, though he made a fuss with him and encouraged him to
strut about, and called him his lieutenant, he used to be always looking
at him ugly-like, and I got to think that before long there would be a
row."
"And there was?"
"Oh yes, sir, a terrible row. You see Mr Walters couldn't forget that
he had been an officer, and Jarette couldn't forget he had been a
fore-mast man, and feel jealous of Mr Walters, who used to make-believe
amongst the men that he was the real captain of the ship, and that
everything depended upon him. So at last there was a terrible row about
something in the navigation, and Mr Walters told Jarette that he didn't
know anything about it. Then the Frenchman hit him, kind of boxed his
ears, and Mr Walters whips out a pistol. That was enough. Jarette
whistled up the men, who none of 'em liked Mr Walters, and before he
knew where he was, they had him on his back with his pistol gone and him
helpless. He made a bit of a fuss, and threatened to have Jarette
punished if he did not give it up, and then the skipper pointed the
pistol at him, and told the men who were holding Mr Walters down to
hang back as far as they could while he shot the prisoner. That was
enough. The poor boy began to holloa out and beg for mercy, and Jarette
set to and teased him, sir, horribly.
"`Oh, very well,' he says, `you don't want to be shot?'
"`No, no!' cries Mr Walters, crying now like a little child.
"`Well, then, sir,' says Jarette, `I'll try and oblige you.'
"Mr Walters lay watching him with his eyes rolling, but they wouldn't
let him turn his head, while Jarette whispered something to some of the
men, who went forward, and I saw them stoop down, but I didn't know what
they were doing there even when they came back, and at a word four of
them seized him, taking hold of his ankles and wrists.
"`What are you going to do?' cried Mr Walters, who looked white, sir,
as so much dough.
"`What you wanted,' says Jarette. `You didn't want to be shot, so I
thought I'd humour you, and have you pitched overboard.'
"Then Mr Walters begins to howl for mercy, but Jarette shakes his head.
"`Off with him!' he cried; and in spite of the poor fellow's kicks and
struggles, they trotted with him right forward and close up to the bows.
Then I shut my eyes, for I thought it was all over, and I put my head a
little farther out of the door-way here to listen for the splash. But
there came a shriek and a loud slap down of a lid, and then I opened my
eyes and saw the men all laughing, and found what they had done. For
they had given the poor fellow a few swings to make him believe he was
going over, and then all at once took a few steps and shot him down feet
first into the cable-tier, shutting the lid over him directly after."
"The cowardly brute, to torture any one like that!" I said to myself,
as I went aft and into the saloon, stopping for a few moments by
Walters' prison, and feeling sorry for him till I passed my hand over my
face.
That night passed quietly enough, and a soft breeze rose to send us
gently through the water, Mr Brymer giving his instructions to the men
at the wheel as to the course they were to steer, though I had not the
least notion where we were bound for now.
A strict watch was kept, of course, and there was a slight alarm once,
but it passed off; and the sun rose again, with the wind dropping, and
leaving us once more rocking gently upon the smooth ocean.
We were all in better spirits though, thanks to the cook and the few
hours of rest every one had managed to snatch. Mr Frewen gave us the
news, too, that the captain was decidedly better, and that Miss Denning
was nursing him constantly.
This was a bit of relief to me, for it kept Miss Denning in the cabin,
and I was determined not to let her see my face till I looked different.
About an hour later, first one and then another crawled along the deck
very silently to try and make out what was going on in the forecastle.
I did not go, neither did Mr Frewen or Mr Preddle. Mr Denning was in
the captain's cabin resting; but all came back with the same story, one
which relieved me, for I was startled, thinking that the party were all
smothered by being shut down in the cabin place in such hot weather.
Dumlow, Blane, and Bob Hampton all said that the men were sleeping, and
that they thought they had been at the drink.
Mr Brymer crept close up in his turn, listened for some time, and
confirmed the men's statement.
"Getting ready for a fresh attack," he said. "I'll have a talk to the
captain as to what is to be done."
He placed another trusty man on duty, ready to give the alarm if the
mutineers woke and tried to break out, and then proposed that we should
all go into the captain's cabin and have a council of war once more.
"Think he can bear it, Frewen?" he said.
"Oh yes, if we do not stay too long. It will rouse him up and do him
good mentally, to feel that he has some interest in the management of
the ship."
"Then come along," said the mate. "But where is Mr Preddle?"
"Gone to look after his fish," I said; for he was always snatching every
opportunity to go and see how the salmon and trout fry were getting on.
"Go and fetch him, Dale."
I had to pass Mr Frewen on my way, and I seized the opportunity to
whisper to him--
"I shall hang back till you come to the door, and signal to me that Miss
Denning has gone. She mustn't see me like this."
He smiled, and I went forward to where Mr Preddle was making himself
very hot by using the bellows to aerate the water.
"Yes--yes, of course," he said. "I'll come." And hastily putting on
the light flannel jacket he had removed, he followed me toward the
saloon.
"They will not make a rush and get out while we are away, will they?" he
said, with an uneasy look over his shoulder.
"They are well watched," I replied, "and we shall not be very long."
"Ah! It would be very dreadful if they did, Dale. Have they been fed
this morning?"
"Why, you talk as if they were wild beasts in a cage, Mr Preddle," I
said merrily.
"So they are," he cried,--"worse. I feel sometimes as if I could kill
them all."
"Gone to her own cabin, Dale," said Mr Frewen, meeting us at the
saloon-door-way, and Mr Preddle looked at us inquiringly.
"Dale is afraid of Miss Denning seeing his wounds," said Mr Frewen,
laughing. "He does not think they look the proper kind to be proud of."
"I wish you wouldn't joke me about my bad face, Mr Frewen," I said, as
we entered the far cabin, where the mate was seated by Captain
Berriman's cot, and I was startled to see how changed he looked.
But his eyes were bright, and he held out his hand to each in turn, as
we stood about with the door well open, the place of course being very
small.
"Now, sir," said Mr Brymer, firmly, "you know how we stand. I'm
horribly averse to taking life, but things cannot go on as they are."
"No," said the captain, in a voice hardly above a whisper. "You must
act now, and firmly, before there is loss of life on our side."
"That means then," said Mr Frewen, "shooting down every man who attacks
us."
"Of course," said a low, firm voice, and I started to see that Mr
Denning was standing outside.
"My practice is always to save life if I can, Mr Denning," said the
doctor, sadly. "Are you not too hard and revengeful?"
"Neither, sir," replied Mr Denning, sternly. "If I were alone I would
say nothing, but I have my sister to protect, and I say that at any cost
these ruffians must not leave that place alive."
There was so absolute a silence in the captain's cabin, that we all
heard distinctly a piteous sigh from that which Mr Denning had just
left.
"Yes, Mr Denning is quite right," said Mr Preddle, in his
highly-pitched voice. "I hate all this, and I am not a fighting man;
but I know that I shall fire on the first wretch who tries to break out
without a qualm."
"You hear, Mr Frewen," said the mate; "I am forced by circumstances to
take very strong measures."
"That may mean the death of several of those misguided men?" said Mr
Frewen, excitedly.
"I fear so, sir. But Captain Berriman agrees with me that it is our
duty, unless we like to well provision a boat and leave the ship."
"But that would be a terrible alternative," said Mr Frewen, hastily.
"Terrible, sir; and a cowardly and unfaithful one to the owners of the
vessel."
"But can we not keep the men down until you are able to run into some
port?"
"When we have run into the region of calms. No, sir, even if we had
favourable winds we are horribly short-handed, and I should not dare to
make much sail for fear of a change, and being unable to reduce it."
"But that is not the point, doctor," said the captain, in a feeble
voice; "those scoundrels are certain to make a desperate effort to break
out before many hours have passed, and if they do, I fear that you
gentlemen will be too humane to back up Mr Brymer and the men."
"But--" began Mr Preddle.
"Pray understand, gentlemen, that I do not doubt your courage," said the
captain.
"Nor I, gentlemen," cried Mr Brymer, warmly. "You have to a man--and
boy," he added hastily as he glanced at me--"proved how I can trust you;
but there is not one of you who would not shrink, and naturally too,
from shooting down one of our enemies. Am I not right?"
"I'm afraid so," replied Mr Frewen, gravely. "Even Mr Denning would
shrink from the stern necessity."
I glanced at Mr Denning, and saw him wince.
"Then you will agree with Captain Berriman and me that some very stern
measures must be taken?"
"Yes," said Mr Preddle.
"I do, certainly," replied Mr Denning.
Mr Frewen and I were both silent; but at last the doctor spoke.
"What do you propose doing?" he said, rather huskily.
"That is what we are here to decide, and that quickly, for one or two of
us must always be on deck. Can you suggest anything, either of you?"
No one spoke, and I felt that whoever did would feel like a judge
condemning a man to death.
"Time is flying, gentlemen," said the mate. "We must act, and the
captain and I ask for your help to share this terrible responsibility;
for whatever we do we shall have to answer for to the laws of our
country."
"Yes,&q |
