THE ANIMAL THAT WOULDN'T BE RESCUED
No unusual incident marked the castaways' first night on the island.
Guard was relieved with the utmost regularity, while the weary watches
were spent in gazing at the exterior of the tent and listening to the
regular breathing of its four inmates.
At length the day broke, and the camp became the scene of activity.
Breakfast over, there was a rush to the boat; Quexo, however, remaining
with the injured Mr. McKay.
The weather showed every indication of remaining fine, a light
south-easterly breeze--a part of the regular trade-wind--blowing off
shore, while not a cloud was visible in the dark blue sky.
"We must make two trips to-day," observed Andy, as they pushed off from
the little natural dock. "Yesterday the clouds kept the sun's rays
from us, but to-day we will not be able to work during midday."
"Honestly, I don't feel like work," remarked Terence, stifling a yawn.
"I suppose there is some excuse for you, seeing you did two turns of
sentry-go last night," replied his friend. "Still, this is an
exceptional time, and we must set to work with a will. Can we get over
the reef, do you think, Hoppy?"
"We had better stick to the channel," replied Ellerton. "You see, we
don't know the actual depth, and there is a slight swell on. We'll
board on the port quarter, so as to get between the ship and the reef."
The lads plied their oars steadily yet without undue exertion, and in
less than half an hour from the time of leaving the shore they ran
alongside the stranded _San Martin_.
Ellerton's first care on boarding the wreck was to supply fresh water
and food to the animals. To get them safely ashore was a difficult
problem, for the ox was an unwieldy brute to ship aboard the cutter,
while it was equally risky to let it swim ashore on account of the
presence of numerous sharks. The sheep could be trussed up and laid
upon the bottom boards.
Andy and Terence at once made for the provision-room, and returned
laden with flour, salt beef, tinned goods, and some small chests of
pressed tea. These articles they placed on deck close to the entry
port and proceeded to procure more.
Ellerton, having attended to the live stock, made a thorough
exploration of the after cabins and staggered on deck looking like a
second-hand wardrobe dealer, for he realised the necessity of having a
good supply of clothing. Then a huge pile of bedding, including
waterproof sheets, blankets, and pillows, was added to the already
large collection of plunder.
"I think this lot will be sufficient for one trip," remarked Andy.
"We may as well take the rest of the navigating instruments," replied
Ellerton, "and, what is also necessary, the carpenter's chest."
"Capital," replied his chum. "That will, of course, come in handy; but
won't we require it on board?"
"There are enough tools for work both ashore and on board," said
Ellerton. "I've seen to that. But I should like to get the animals
off."
"The ox?"
"If possible. Otherwise we must kill it and bring the carcase ashore
piecemeal."
Andy thought for some moments. He, too, realised the danger of the
animal being devoured by sharks. Dead or alive, the ox would be far
more useful to the castaways.
"How are we going to get the brute on deck?" asked Terence.
This was a poser, for with the fall of the foremast the derricks for
working the fore-hold had also been carried away.
"We must rig up a pair of sheer-legs," observed Ellerton.
"Well? How are we to pass a sling round the brute's body?"
"That's as easy as pie; the beast is quiet enough."
"Then you take the job on, Hoppy; I'd rather not. So let's look sharp
with the sheer-legs; there's plenty of tackle to hoist the creature
with."
The work of making the early preparations proceeded without a hitch,
then Ellerton commenced his particular part of the operations.
By the aid of a lantern which he hung from the deck-beams, the
apprentice descended once more to the partially submerged hold.
Holding a stout canvas sling, with a rope ready to haul tight the
moment the lifting gear was in position, Ellerton climbed over the
partition of the stall.
The animal, now refreshed by its food and drink, had lost its docile
manner, and eyed the intruder with no friendly spirit. Possibly it
thought the youth was one of the brutal Peruvian cattle-drivers. If
so, there was some excuse for its action, for lowering its head the
brute tossed the apprentice right over the wooden partition, landing
him squarely in the midst of the startled sheep in the adjacent pen.
"Aren't you nearly ready?" asked a voice from above.
Ellerton sat up. He was beginning to feel pain in more than one part
of his anatomy. The task of tackling an apparently inoffensive ox was
not going to be quite so easy as he imagined.
"Come and bear a hand," he replied. "The brute is getting vicious."
Andy thereupon descended into the semi-gloom of the hold.
"Be careful," continued the apprentice. "He nearly bumped my head
against the deck-beams; as it was, I had a flight through space."
"Then I'm not going to pass a sling round him," said Andy. "We'll
lasso him just behind the horns."
This was done, but then came the difficulty: how were they to release
the animal from the stall and drag it to the hatchway?
"Look here," explained Andy, "I'll take this end of the line on deck,
wind it on to the tackle, and heave taut. Then we'll unship this
ladder and you can unfasten the front of the stall."
"Then what happens to me?" objected Ellerton.
"Oh, you can make a bolt to the fore end of the hold and stay there
till Terence and I haul the brute on deck. Then we'll re-ship the
ladder and you can get out."
Ellerton had his doubts, but he followed his companion's counsel.
Directly there was a strain on the lasso, he threw open the door of the
stall and rushed for the shelter of the sheep-pen.
Bellowing lustily, and contesting every inch of the way, the animal was
slowly dragged towards the hatch, to the accompaniment of a lusty
"Heave-ho!" from the two youths on deck.
Terence watched the operation with considerable misgiving, expecting
every moment to see the rope part and to find himself confronted by the
infuriated brute.
Slowly the animal was forced across the floor of the hold, then its
ponderous carcase rose, kicking and plunging, in the air.
As the animal appeared above the coaming, the light of day
revealed--not a mild ox, but an unusually sturdy specimen of an
Andalusian bull!
"Belay there, and lower away the after guy!" shouted Andy, "or he'll
drop down the hatch again when we let go."
Terence hastened to obey; but, allowing the sheers to incline too far
forward, the infuriated animal's legs touched the deck.
Instantly the brute made a wild rush, the lassoo parted like pack
thread, and the next moment Terence and Andy were flying for their
lives, while Ellerton, a prisoner in the hold, heard the thunder of the
animal's hoofs and its triumphant bellowing as it revelled in its
new-found freedom.
Andy made a desperate rush aft, but finding the bull close to his
heels, gripped a rope hanging from the boat booms, and swung himself
into a position of comparative safety upon one of the narrow timbers,
his upward flight being assisted a little too well by the obliging
animal.
[Illustration: ANDY, FINDING THE BULL CLOSE TO HIS HEELS, GRIPPED A
ROPE AND SWUNG HIMSELF INTO A POSITION OF COMPARATIVE SAFETY]
Never did matador execute a more rapid leap over the barrier than did
Andy on this occasion. Terence, finding that he was not pursued, took
a more leisurely step, and hoisted himself into the main shrouds, where
he would be quite safe from any further onslaught of the animal.
For a while the bull eyed the fugitives with undisguised
disappointment, then spying the heap of bedding and clothing on the
deck, it lowered its head and rushed headlong to the attack.
Both lads watched the proceedings, powerless to prevent the
catastrophe, and indulging in vain regrets that their firearms were not
available, as beds, blankets, and suits of useful clothing were tossed
overboard.
At length a heavy blanket became impaled upon the brute's horns, the
folds falling over its eyes.
In vain the bull strove to toss aside the fabric; then, rushing along
the deck, it collided with ventilators, hatchways, and other obstacles,
each obstruction increasing its anger. Wheeling suddenly, the bull
darted through the entry port and vanished over the ship's side.
"Oh, the boat! The boat will be smashed to firewood," shouted Andy,
sliding down from his perch.
Terence had joined him, and, heedless of Ellerton's voice shouting to
be released from his prison, the two lads rushed to the side of the
vessel.
The animal had fallen upon one of the thwarts of the boat, breaking it
completely in half, and was lying on the bottom-boards plunging wildly.
One kick in a vital place and the boat would be holed.
"There's enough damage done already," muttered Andy. "It's the only
way," and running aft he returned in a moment with a loaded rifle.
"How are you going to manage it?" asked Terence. "You'll do almost as
much damage to the boat with the bullet----"
"Shut up!" growled Andy, and, snapping the safety catch of the weapon,
he swung himself without further delay into the stern sheets of the
cutter.
The bull tried to rise, but in vain. Its head reared itself slightly
above the gunwale; the rifle cracked.
"There's fresh beef at least, Terence. Throw Hoppy the tail end of a
rope and get him out of that hole."
Then, as Ellerton appeared, blinking in the strong sunshine, Andy
continued:
"Throw those things into the boat, and look sharp. We've wasted enough
time and precious cargo this morning--all for the sake of that brute."
During the time the boat was being rowed shoreward, Andy--usually so
genial and even-tempered--preserved an almost sullen silence; while
Ellerton, annoyed at having failed to bring the bull ashore alive, was
also ill at ease. Nor did the latter guess the cause of his friend's
glumness till some days later, when he observed Andy repairing a rent
in one of his garments. Even a graze from an infuriated bull is likely
to cause discomfort, he thought, though there is no reason why others
should suffer for it.