CRUISE IN THE SCHOONER IN SEARCH OF THE MISSING MIDSHIPMEN--CALL AT SABA
AND FIND HIGSON--DISCOVER THE WRECK OF THE DROGHER DESERTED--RETURN
UNSUCCESSFUL--THE MIDSHIPMEN MOURNED AS LOST--THE FRIGATE AND CORVETTE
SAIL FOR JAMAICA--A BOY OVERBOARD--A HURRICANE AT SEA--THE CORVETTE
DISMASTED--MAN LOST--DANGEROUS POSITION OF CORVETTE--THE FRIGATE
PREPARED WEATHERS THE HURRICANE--ANXIETY ABOUT THE CORVETTE--THE
FRIGATE'S SEARCH FOR HER.
The next day and the next passed--the drogher did not appear, and the
two captains became as anxious as were the three lieutenants to
ascertain the fate of their midshipmen.
"If you wish to go I will spare you for a few days," said Captain
Hemming to Adair.
Accordingly all three sailed in the _Swordfish_. Having ascertained
that the midshipmen intended visiting Barbuda, they first steered for
that island. There was a good stiff breeze, and as the _Swordfish_ was
a fast craft, she rapidly ran over the thirty miles of water which
intervenes between Antigua and its small dependency. It was not,
however, all plain sailing, as numerous shoals, reefs, and rocks
surround the island mostly below the surface, some only showing their
black pates, while from its slight elevation above the ocean at the
distance of less than four miles it was scarcely visible. A negro
standing on the bowsprit end, and holding on by the stay, piloted the
schooner, giving his directions to the man at the helm in a sharp, loud
voice--
"Lub ou may--all ou can! steady! starboard. Keep her away! steady! lub,
lub, lub, for ou life!" he screamed out, waving his hand to enforce his
orders. The schooner just scraped clear of a rock, round which the
water hissed and bubbled, and the pilot once more subsided into his
ordinary calmness.
"Not a pleasant spot to find under one's lee in a gale of wind on a dark
night," observed Terence. "It proves, however, that the crew of the
drogher must have been sober, or they could not have found their way
clear of it."
The schooner at length came to an anchor, and a messenger was sent off
to the overseer, who kindly came down at once and told them that he had
seen the drogher outside the reefs, and standing to the westward. He
pressed them to remain and partake of such hospitality as he could
offer; but eager to pursue their search they declined his invitation,
and the schooner was quickly again threading her way amid the shoals out
to sea. It was a question whether the drogher had continued her course
due west, or had steered northward to Saint Barts, or southward to Saint
Eustatia, or Saint Kitts. They finally decided after examining the
chart, to stand to the westward, and call off Saba. As they approached
the island a fishing-boat was seen standing out towards the schooner,
which was therefore hove to, to let her come alongside.
"I see Higson, and some of the others, but all I fear are not there,"
said Jack, who had been watching the boat through his glass, in a tone
which showed his anxiety. Higson was soon on board. He gave a full
account of what had happened.
"I would sooner have lost my own life than allowed any harm to happen to
the youngsters," he added. "Still I have hopes that they may have
escaped. Needham is a prime seaman, and he will have done what was
possible to keep the drogher afloat, though they were sadly
short-handed, I own. Still if the craft has not foundered, as they had
plenty of provisions and water aboard we may expect to see them again,
not the worse for their cruise. We have all been on the look-out,
hoping to see her beating up to the island. You'll not blame me, Mr
Rogers, more than I deserve, and I couldn't help it, you may depend on
that."
The old mate as he spoke well-nigh burst into tears. Jack and the other
lieutenants assured him that they did not see how he could be blamed,
and they then set to work to consider what was best to be done. They
first compared notes, and agreed as to the course of the hurricane, and
calculated the direction in which the drogher must have been driven, and
the distance she had probably gone, recollecting that as she had been
carried with the wind she must have been exposed to its fury for a much
longer time than those on shore.
"If it had not been for that they ought to have made their way back long
before this," observed Jack.
"Perhaps they have gone to Saint Eustatia or Saint Kitts," remarked
Murray.
"I am very sure, sir, that for our sakes they would have done their best
to make Saba," said Higson. "If they could have helped it they would
not have deserted us."
Jack, as senior officer, had to decide, and he determined, therefore, to
steer to the south-west for a couple of days, keeping a bright look-out
on either hand, and then to beat back to Antigua, thus going over a wide
extent of sea. It would occupy them a week or more, but Captain Hemming
they knew would not object to the delay. Captain Quasho and his crew as
a punishment were left to find their way back as best they could, and
the schooner stood away in the direction proposed. During the day
Higson or one of the midshipmen was at the masthead, keeping a look-out
on every side. At night sail was shortened, and the schooner stood
backwards and forwards, now to the northward, now to the southward, so
that no risk might be run of passing the drogher in the dark. Three or
four vessels were fallen in with, but the same answer was received from
all. They had seen nothing of the missing craft. Under other
circumstances they would have been very jolly, for they had a good
supply of West Indian delicacies, put on board by the owner of the
vessel, and had nothing to do but to eat and smoke when they felt
inclined; but they were much too anxious to enjoy themselves.
For another whole day they stood on. Still not a sign of the drogher.
Jack felt greatly inclined to continue the search for a third day. He
reflected, however, on the risk of doing so. It would take very much
longer beating back, and should light winds prevail they might run short
of water and provisions; and though he was ready to undergo any dangers
himself, with the prospect of recovering his brother, he had no right,
he felt, to expose others to them. There was also the possibility of
having to encounter another hurricane, which might try the schooner,
capital sea-boat as she appeared to be. The weather had again become
threatening--dark clouds collected overhead--the wind fell, and as the
little vessel lay roiling her sides under the glass, like swell, down
came the rain, not a mere sprinkling, like that of northern latitudes,
but in a perfect deluge, the huge drops leaping up as they fell, and
flooding the deck. Those who could took refuge below; the rest were wet
to the skin before they could get on their great coats. Just before
sunset a breeze sprang up, and the clouds clearing away left the horizon
more defined and distinct even than usual. Jack himself went aloft to
take a look round, and consider whether he should haul up at once, and
commence the long beat to Antigua, or stand on for a few hours longer.
He had already swept his glass round on every side when, as he turned it
once more towards the south-west, just clear of the setting sun, his eye
fell on a dark object almost on the very verge of the horizon. It
seemed a mere speck, though it might, he thought, be a dead whale, or a
piece of wreck, or only a mass of floating seaweed. His directions to
the man at the helm to steer for it called all hands on deck, and
several came aloft--various opinions were expressed. Old Higson was
positive that it was part of a wreck of some unfortunate vessel lost in
the late hurricane, or the whole hull of a small craft dismasted. The
breeze freshened, and hopes were entertained that they might get up to
it before darkness settled down over the deep. It could soon be seen
from the deck.
"I knew that I was right, and I wish from my soul I wasn't," exclaimed
Higson, as he looked steadily through his glass. "That's a small craft
on her beam ends, and it's my belief that she's the _Snapper_!"
"I trust not," said Rogers, who overheard him. "If she is the
_Snapper_, what has become of the poor youngsters?"
"Perhaps they are still clinging to her, sir," answered Higson. "I have
known men hold out on board a craft in as bad a position as she is in."
"But they are boys, and must have succumbed to hunger and thirst, even
if they escaped being washed overboard when the craft capsized,"
observed Murray, who was not inclined just then to take a hopeful view
of matters.
"I'd trust to my nephew holding out as long as any youngster ever did,"
said Adair. "The others have not less pluck in them."
"I see no signal, and as they must have made us out long ago if they
were aboard I fear they are gone," sighed Jack.
"Faith, it's likely enough they have nothing to make one with," observed
Adair. "I'll not believe they are lost."
Every glass on board was continually kept turned towards the object
ahead. As the schooner approached, however, no one could be discovered
on board. It was nearly dark by the time she got up with it. Several
voices on board the schooner hailed, but no reply came. She hove to,
and a boat was lowered. Jack, Terence, and Higson jumped into her.
"Hand a lantern here," cried Higson, as they were shoving off. They
were quickly alongside the hapless craft. It was then seen that she had
been capsized with her sails set, which, with the mast and rigging,
assisted to keep her in her present position. Probably also her ballast
having shifted contributed to do so, as she was only partially filled
with water. Not a human being, however, was visible. Higson, seizing
the lantern, leaped on board, and climbed up to the companion hatch.
Jack and Adair were about to follow, but they, observing that even his
weight made the water flow over the bulwarks, saw that it would be more
prudent to let him search alone. They waited for him anxiously. He
quickly put his head up the hatchway.
"She's the _Snapper_--no doubt about that; but there's not a soul aft,"
he exclaimed. "At all events, however, they were not starved, for there
are plenty of provisions in the locker."
Having let himself down into the hold, holding on to the coaming with
one hand, he stretched out the other with the lantern, so as to let its
light fall on every side. No one was there. He then made his way into
the fore-peak. It seemed to Jack that he was a long time absent, though
in reality scarcely a minute passed before he scrambled out again.
"What has become of the youngsters I can't say, but on board this craft
they are not; nor is their monkey Spider, who with his long tail to hold
on by was not likely to be washed overboard," he exclaimed, as he sprang
back into the boat. "The sooner we shove off the better, for she is
filling fast, and may go to the bottom at any moment."
"I can't bear to leave her though without having a look round," said
Jack, taking the lantern from Higson.
He made his way into the little cabin, and was soon convinced that
Higson was right. Not a trace of the midshipmen could he see. He
searched the hold and the fore-peak. They were not there, dead or
alive. Jack came back to the boat and sat down, feeling very sorrowful.
"Let me go in again," said the old mate, as he took the lantern.
He was back very soon with three small carpet-bags in his hand.
"Be sharp," cried Adair. "She is going down!"
He spoke truly. Higson made a leap into the boat, which shoved off just
as the drogher, giving a slight roll, sank from sight. The crew pulled
away from her.
"I could only find my own and two other fellows' bags," said Higson.
"The others must have slipped down into the water."
The boat at once returned to the schooner with the sad intelligence.
Norris and the master's-assistant were very glad to get back their
carpet-bags. Their recovery, it is possible, somewhat consoled them for
the loss of their young messmates. They, at all events, congratulated
themselves that they had not been on board the drogher when she was
blown away from Saba.
Jack, who loved his brother dearly, was very much grieved at his loss;
so was Terence for Gerald, though he thought most of the sorrow his
sister would suffer when she heard of her boy's death.
"Arrah now; I wish that I'd let him stay at home and turn farmer; but
then, to be sure, he might have been after breaking his neck out
hunting, so it comes to the same thing in the end," he exclaimed, with
as near an approach to a sigh as he ever uttered. "Och, ahone, poor
Nora, the sweet cratur! and I not able to bring her back the boy."
Murray was less demonstrative, but he knew that young Archy would be
truly mourned for in his distant highland home.
The schooner now commenced her long beat back to Antigua. There was
every prospect of its being a tedious business; but there was a fresh
breeze, and by carrying on, though the top-masts bent like willow-wands,
English Harbour was gained at length. Captain Hemming felt the loss of
his midshipmen; but when the matter was explained to him, he acquitted
old Higson of all blame.
"Only I will never, as long as I command a ship, allow my midshipmen to
go away for their amusement by themselves," he observed. "They run
risks enough as it is in the course of duty."
This being reported in the berth made Norris and others very angry, and
they were much inclined to abuse poor Tom and Gerald for getting
drowned, and thus being the cause of the restriction likely to be placed
on their liberty.
The two ships were now ready for sea. Murray went to pay a farewell
visit to the Houghtons. Kind Mrs Houghton--who, for Stella's sake as
well as his own, took a warm interest in him, for she having keener eyes
than the colonel, knew perfectly well that they were engaged--had
letters of introduction ready to her daughter Mrs Raven, to the
Bradshaws, Stella's relatives, and to other friends.
"You'll receive a hearty welcome, and I have just hinted how matters
stand. They agree with us that the colonel has no right to be dragging
his daughter about in the way he does, and will be thankful to see her
placed under the guardianship of one who will take better care of her
than, in my humble opinion, her father does."
Alick was duly grateful, and said all that was proper, though he wished
that his friend had not mentioned the matter she alluded to, as he felt
somewhat nervous at the thought of appearing before strangers in the
character of a melancholy lover.
"However, if there are any young ladies among them, they'll not expect
me to pay them attentions," he thought.
The frigate and corvette were at sea, with the prospect of a quick run
to Port Royal. During his quiet night-watches Alick's thoughts were
ever occupied with Stella. Hitherto the weather since she sailed had
been unusually fine, and she might, he hoped, have escaped the dangers
of the sea; but there were others to which she was too likely to be
exposed on board a vessel engaged, as he understood the brig was, in
landing arms and ammunition, and in running contraband goods. The
colonel himself, Murray fully believed, had nothing to do with such
proceedings; but he would, notwithstanding, be placed in a dangerous
position should the vessel be captured while so employed, and then to
what a fearful risk might not Stella be exposed. He shuddered at the
thought. Again and again it occurred to him. The two ships had got to
the southward of Saint Domingo.
In those piping times of peace there was very little excitement at sea--
no enemy to be encountered, no vessels to be chased, except perhaps a
slaver from the coast of Africa. There had, however, been a steady
breeze, all sail being carried, and the officers were congratulating
themselves on making a quick passage, when about noon it suddenly fell
calm. The sun struck down from the cloudless sky with intense heat,
making the pitch in the seams of the deck bubble up and run over the
white planks, while every particle of iron or brass felt as hot as if
just come out of a furnace. The chips from the carpenter's bench
floated alongside, and the slush from the cook's pots scarcely mingled
with the clear water, till a huge mouth rising to the surface swallowed
the mass down with a gulp, creating a ripple which extended far away
from the ship's side. The atmosphere was sultry and oppressive in the
extreme, for air there was none. It was a question whether it was
hotter on deck in the shade or below. In the sun there was not much
doubt about the matter. The sails hung motionless against the masts;
even the dog-vanes refused to move. The smoke ascending from the galley
fire rose in a thin column, till, gradually spreading out, it hung like
a canopy above the ship. The men moved sluggishly about their duties,
with no elasticity in their steps; and even Jack and Adair, the briskest
of the brisk, felt scarcely able to drag their feet after them. The
ocean was like a sheet of burnished silver, so dazzling that it pained
the eye to gaze at it. Ever and anon its polished surface would be
broken by a covey of flying-fish rising into the air in a vain effort to
escape some hungry foe. A nautilus, or Portuguese-man-of-war, would
glide by, proving that the wind had nothing to do with its movement; or
the dark, triangular fin of a shark might be seen, as the monster, with
savage eye, moved slowly round the ship, watching for anything hove
overboard.
Woe betide the careless seaman who might lose his balance aloft, and
drop within reach of the creature's jaws. In spite of the heat several
of the ship's boys, rather than remain stewing below or roasting on
deck, were sky-larking in the fore-rigging, chasing each other into the
top or up to the cross-trees and along the yards, now swarming up by a
lift, now sliding down a stay. The most active of the boys, and
generally their leader, though one of the smallest, was Jerry Nott. He
had been over the mast-head several times, keeping well before the rest,
when he made his way out to the end of the starboard fore-yard-arm. At
that moment Mr Scrofton, the boatswain, coming on deck, and reflecting
probably that having been deprived of their tails, they were not as fit
as their ancestral monkeys to amuse themselves as they were doing, and
might come to grief, called the youngsters down. Jerry, startled by the
boatswain's voice, cast his eye on deck, instead of fixing it on the
topping-lift. A small body was seen falling, and a splash was heard.
"Man overboard!" shouted numerous voices.
"Lower the starboard quarter boat!" cried Jack Rogers, who was officer
of the watch, and having given the order he rushed forward and had
sprung into the main-chains, intending to jump overboard and support the
boy till the boat could pick them up; when he saw the youngster throw up
his arms--a piercing shriek rent the air. That bright face a moment
before turned towards him had disappeared, a ruddy circle marking the
spot where it had been. With difficulty he restrained the impulse which
had prompted him to leap into the water, to which had he given way, he
knew that he would probably have shared the fate of the poor boy. The
boat, notwithstanding, was lowered, and the men rowed round and round
the spot hoping to get a blow at their foe with the boat-hook and an axe
with which one of them had armed himself; but neither the shark nor his
hapless victim again appeared. The only thing which came to the surface
was Jerry's straw hat--crushed and blood-stained.
The heat increased--the sun itself seemed to grow larger--the sky became
of a metallic tint, the sea lost its silvery brilliancy, and gradually
assumed the hue of molten lead. The captain, having several times
examined his barometer, came on deck. "All hands, shorten sail!" he
shouted out, and while the boatswain was turning up the crew he ordered
a signal to be made to the corvette to follow his example.
The topmen swarmed on the yards, the idlers were at their stations.
"Be smart about it, lads!" he shouted. In a few minutes every sail was
furled, with the exception of a closely-reefed fore-topsail, braced
sharp up. Royal and top-gallant yards were sent down, and the masts
struck.
The captain made another signal to the corvette to hasten her
proceedings, but her commander showed but little disposition to do so.
"What's Hemming making such a fuss about?" he was reported to have said.
"Why, the sea is as smooth as a mill-pond, and if a strong breeze does
spring up on a sudden, which I have my doubts about, we shall have
plenty of time to trim sails I should think. I ought to know how to
take care of my own ship, and don't require to be dictated to by a young
fellow who wore long clothes when I was a lieutenant."
Captain Hemming, in the meantime, as he walked the deck of the frigate,
ever and anon cast a vexed glance at the corvette.
"Babbicome will be having his sticks about his ears if he does not look
sharp," he muttered. "Obstinate old donkey, were it not for those with
him I should be glad to see him receive the lesson he'll get to a
certainty."
Still, not a breath of air stirred the dog-vanes--the ocean remained as
glass-like as before, but thick clouds appeared in the north, and in a
short time rain began to fall. It soon ceased, and a stillness like
death succeeded the pattering sound of the falling drops. On a sudden
the dark clouds seen before in the distance covered the sky, except in
the zenith, where an obscure circle of imperfect light was visible,
while a dismal darkness gathered round the ships. The midshipmen of the
frigate, and several others, had begun to think the captain
over-cautious.
"One would suppose that he had changed places with old Babbicome,"
observed Norris. "See, they are letting all stand on board the
corvette."
"No; they are not, though. See! there's hands aloft, shorten sail!"
exclaimed Higson. "Good reason, too--they must be smart about it. Look
there!" He pointed to the north-east, where a long, white line was seen
sweeping on towards the ship, and rapidly increasing in height and
thickness, while a roar like that of distant thunder was heard--yet more
shrill than thunder--the sound every instant becoming louder and
shriller, till it seemed like that of countless voices screaming at
their highest pitch. On came the breath of the mighty hurricane, not
seen except by its effect on the ocean, which now began to leap and
foam, rising into huge rolling billows, sweeping along in threatening
array; the foam which flew from them forming one vast sheet covering the
ocean, while vivid lightning bursting from the clouds flashed in all
directions with dazzling brilliancy. The furious wind struck the
frigate on her broadside. In a moment over she heeled, and the
close-reefed fore-topsail, blown out of the bolt-ropes, fluttered wildly
in shreds, which speedily lashed and twisted themselves round the yard.
The helm was put up. After a struggle the frigate answered to it, and
off she flew before the wind, passing close under the stern of the
corvette, which lay with her masts gone, on her beam-ends, the sheets of
foam sweeping over her, almost concealing her from sight. The crew of
the corvette had been swarming aloft, and some had already laid out on
the yards when the hurricane struck her. Over she heeled--the tall
masts bending like willow-wands. The sheets were let fly, but it was
too late. The men called down by the officers endeavoured to spring
back into the tops, and those who could descended on deck, but many had
no time to escape. In one instant, it seemed, the three masts, with a
fearful crash, went by the board, carrying all on them into the seething
ocean; and the lately trim corvette lay a helpless meek, exposed to the
fury of the raging--which dashed with relentless fury over her. Efforts
were made by those on deck to rescue their drowning shipmates, whose
piercing shrieks for help rose even above the loud uproar of the
tempest, whose shrill voice seemed to mock their cries. Some few were
hauled on board, but many were swept away before aid could be rendered
to them. The masts, also, were thundering with terrific force against
the side, threatening every moment to stave in the stout planks, and to
send the ship and all on board to the bottom. To clear the wreck was
the first imperative work to be performed. Murray, followed by a party
of men armed with axes, sprang into the main-chains to cut away the main
rigging, while other officers were similarly engaged on that of the fore
and mizen masts. He saw at that instant the captain of the maintop, a
fine young seaman, who was at his station when the mast went, still
clinging to it. A cask with a line was hove into the sea, in the hopes
that it might reach him, but this the mass of spars and sails rendered
impossible. Murray shouted to him to try and make his way along the
mast.
"No, no!" he answered in return, knowing that he would be washed off
should he venture on the attempt. "Cut--cut!"
The reiterated blows of the butt-ends of the masts allowed of no
alternative. The bright axes gleamed while the seamen rapidly cut the
ropes. As the last shroud was severed the gallant topman waved his hand
a farewell to his shipmates, and a faint cheer reached their ears as the
tangled mass of spars, rigging, and sails, floated away clear of the
ship. They had already, however, committed fearful damage. The
carpenter sounded the well; he reported six feet of water. The pumps
were rigged, and the hands set to work to try and overcome the leak,
while he and his mates went below to ascertain the locality of the
injury the ship had received. Meantime the hatches were battened down
to prevent the water from the seas, which broke on board, increasing the
mischief.
Before long the carpenter returned, his countenance showing the anxiety
he vainly endeavoured to conceal.
"There are more leaks than one, sir, through which the water is rushing
in like a mill-sluice; and it's more than man can do to stop them from
within-board," he said, coming aft to the commander. "You'll pardon me,
sir, but it's my duty to say that unless we heave the guns overboard,
with everything else to lighten the ship, and can get a thrummed sail
under her bottom, she'll founder before the world is many minutes
older."
"Very well, Mr Auger, I'll consider what you say," answered Commander
Babbicome; who, though obstinate and irritable under ordinary
circumstances, was cool enough in moments of danger. Murray, who had
been below, confirmed the carpenter's report. The boatswain was ordered
to get a sail up and prepare it as proposed, while the drummer beat to
quarters. Gladly would the crew have mustered had it been to meet an
enemy, but it was to perform a task the most painful of all to a
man-of-war's man, and one of no small danger.
"Heave the guns overboard!" shouted the commander. "Watch the right
time now."
As the dismasted ship rolled in the foaming seas raging around her,
first the guns on one side were allowed to slip through the ports, then
those on the other went plunging into the deep. The anchors were next
cut away from the bows, and now the attempt was made to get the thrummed
sail under the ship's bottom. It seemed well-nigh hopeless, with the
ship rolling and the heavy seas breaking over her. Murray and the other
officers laboured as hard as any one, setting an example, by their
energy and courage, to the men dispirited by the loss of so many of
their shipmates. Two hawsers were at length got under the ship's
bottom, when the sail filled with oakum was hauled over the part where
the worst leaks were supposed to exist. Still the water rushed in. The
efforts of the hands at the pumps were redoubled, and anxious eyes were
turned towards the frigate, which could still be dimly seen to leeward,
but too far off to render them any assistance should the sea overcome
all their efforts, and carry the ship to the bottom. That this would be
her fate before long seemed too probable; the bulwarks in many places
had been crushed in--the boats stove or carried away, scarcely a spare
spar remained--everything on deck had been swept off it; indeed, it
seemed a wonder that she should still be afloat.
A short jury-mast was got up, fixed to the stump of the fore-mast, and a
spare royal was bent to a yard and hoisted in the hopes of getting the
ship before the wind; but scarcely had the sail been sheeted home,
before it had produced the slightest effect, than away went the canvas,
mast, and spar to leeward. A second attempt to set a sail was made with
similar want of success, and now not an available spar remained on which
another could be hoisted.
"Spell, ho!" was cried more frequently than at first, as the exhausted
hands at the pumps summoned their shipmates to relieve them, when they
staggered to the stumps of the masts or the remaining stanchions and
bulwarks, to which they clung to save themselves from being borne away
by the wild surges as they broke on board. Thus the disastrous day wore
on, to be followed by a still more fearful night. Even the most hopeful
had no expectation of seeing another sunrise, as the increasing darkness
told them that it had sunk into the storm-tossed ocean.
Alick Murray had endeavoured to maintain that calmness of mind, one of
the characteristics for which he was noted. Thought, however, was busy.
He, like the rest, believed that ere long the fierce waves would sweep
over the foundering ship, and his life, with the lives of all on board,
would be brought to a close; for who could hope to escape with not a
boat remaining uninjured, and scarcely a spar to afford support? One
thought, however, afforded him consolation; the brig, with his beloved
Stella on board, had long ere this got well to the southward of the
latitude the hurricane was likely to reach, and she, at all events,
would escape its fury. Earnestly he prayed that she might be protected
from the many dangers she might have to encounter, and though he knew
she would mourn his loss, that she might find comfort and he restored in
time to happiness.
The rage of the hurricane was unabated--a dreadful darkness settled down
over the deep; the only objects to be seen beyond the deck of the
labouring ship being the black mountainous seas, crested with hissing
foam, which rose up on either beam, threatening every instant to
overwhelm her.
In the meantime the frigate, well prepared as she had been to encounter
the first onslaught of the hurricane, flew before it unharmed. As she
passed the corvette, Captain Hemming, seeing her perilous condition,
hailed, promising to heave-to if possible, and lay by her, but the wild
uproar of the elements drowned his voice. To bring the ship to the wind
under the full force of the hurricane was, indeed, a difficult and
dangerous operation, which only the urgent necessity of the case
rendered allowable. The captain of the _Plantagenet_ was not the man to
desert a consort in distress, and notwithstanding the risk to be run he
determined to make the attempt. Still some time elapsed before the
trysails could be set, and during it the frigate had run considerably to
leeward of the corvette. The ports were closed, the hatches secured,
preventer stays set up; every device, indeed, which good seamanship
could suggest, was adopted to provide for the safety of the ship. The
boats were secured by additional lashings, as was everything that could
be washed away on deck. Relieving tackles were also rove, and four of
the best hands were sent to the helm. The crew were at their stations,
ready to carry out the intended operation. All was ready, but it was
necessary to wait for an opportunity to avoid the fury of the mountain
foam-crested billows, rolling in quick succession across the ocean, one
of which, striking her bows as she came up to the wind, would have
treated the proud frigate with little less ceremony than they would a
mere cock-boat. Even during the fiercest gale there are spots on the
surface of the sea which are less agitated than elsewhere, while at
times there comes a lull of the wind, often the precursor, however, of a
more furious blast. For such a lull the captain waited. It came.
"Helm's a lee!" he shouted.
With a mighty struggle the frigate came to the wind, the main and mizen
trysails were sheeted home, the fore-topsail was braced sharp up. Every
one looked with anxiety towards the next huge sea which came roaring
towards the frigate, to observe how she would behave. Most gallantly
she breasted it, though its hissing crest burst over the bulwarks, and
came rushing furiously aft along the deck, but the lee ports being
opened, the water made its way out again, without committing any serious
damage. To bring the ship to the wind and heave-to was one thing, to
beat her up to her hapless consort was another, and that it was found
impossible to do without the certainty of meeting with serious disaster.
In the attempt she would probably have missed stays, and making a stern
board would have gone down into the yawning gulf which the next passing
sea would have left. As it was, though she rose buoyantly over most of
the seas, ever and anon the summit of one broke on board, and all hands
had to hold on fast to save themselves from being carried into the
lee-scuppers, or washed overboard, while at the same time it was evident
that she must be making very considerable leeway, and thus be drifting
farther and farther from her consort. Jack and Adair could not help
feeling very anxious about the corvette, for the sake, of course, of all
on board, but more especially on account of Murray. They had last seen
her through a dense mass of spray, with her masts gone, and many of her
crew struggling in the waves, while the savage seas were breaking
completely over her. Commander Babbicome was very naturally not spoken
of, either by them or any one else, in the most complimentary manner.
"His stupid obstinacy has got his ship into this mess, and, as far as he
is concerned, he richly deserves it," observed Jack, trying to catch a
glimpse through his glass of the wreck, as she rose, in the far
distance, on the summit of a billow, quickly again to disappear. "It's
a sad fate for those poor fellows who have lost their lives, and I am
very much afraid that they will not be the only ones. It's a question
whether the corvette will weather out the hurricane."
"I am very much afraid that she will not," said Adair. "If there was a
prospect of a boat living I would volunteer to board her, and try and
save some of the people."
"The best-manned boat wouldn't live a minute in such a sea as this, so
there's no use thinking about it," answered Jack. "I have tried to
persuade myself that it might be possible, but I know it is not. All we
can hope is that should she go down, poor Alick may manage to get hold
of a plank or spar, or into one of the boats, and that when the gale
moderates we may pick him up. There is but a poor chance of that, I
own."
"I'll hope that the corvette won't go down," said Adair. "She is a new
ship, and, unless abominably managed, she ought to weather out the
hurricane."
"She ought to have been put before the wind by this time, and have
followed us; and see, she has not altered her position since she was
dismasted," said Jack, with a sigh. "Poor Alick!"
"Poor Alick! and poor Stella," echoed Adair.
Night came on. Few of the watch below--officers or men--turned in, for
every one knew that at any moment all hands might be piped on deck to
save ship.
The hurricane continued to rage with unabated fury. Hour after hour
went by without a sign of its ceasing. The vivid lightning darted
around; the whole upper regions of the sky being illuminated by
incessant flashes, while darts of electric fire exploded with surpassing
brilliancy in every direction, threatening each instant the destruction
of the ship. Jack and Terence were standing together, holding on to a
stanchion, when the latter gave a loud cry, and some heavy object fell
at their feet.
"Hillo! what's that?" exclaimed Paddy, as he put up his hand to his cap.
"Faith, I thought a round shot had taken my head off. Catch it, Jack,
or it will be away."
"What, your head, Terence?" asked Jack, unable to restrain a joke even
then.
"No, but that big bird there; see it's scuttling away along the deck."
Jack sprang forward and caught the bird, which proved to be a large
sea-fowl, but he had not the heart to injure it. Presently another
dropped on the deck near them, and in a short time a flash of lightning,
spreading a bright glare around, showed that the launch and booms, and
all the more sheltered spots, were tenanted by sea-birds, which, unable
to breast the storm, could find no other resting-place for their weary
wings. Some unfortunate ones were caught and carried captives below,
but the men generally showed compassion to the strangers, and allowed
them to enjoy such shelter as they could find undisturbed.
"Well, I do hope that the hurricane is at its height," observed Jack, as
six bells in the middle watch were struck. "I doubt if the canvas will
stand much more."
"If it isn't it will be after blowing the ship herself clean out of the
water," answered Adair. "We ought to be thankful that our sticks are
sound, and the rigging well set up."
"Yes; Cherry deserves full credit, and we should give old Scrofton his
due, for, though his theories are nonsensical, he is an excellent
boatswain," observed Jack. "I am convinced that every accident on board
a ship occurs from the carelessness, and often from the culpable
neglect, of some one concerned in fitting her out, or from bad
seamanship."
While they were speaking there came a sudden lull of the wind, and the
lightning ceased, leaving the ship enveloped in a blackness which could
be felt. The two lieutenants, though close together, could not even
distinguish the outlines of each other's figures.
"This is awful," exclaimed Adair.
Jack felt that it was so, but said nothing. Suddenly the whole heavens
appeared ablaze with fiery meteors, which fell in showers on every side.
"Look look! mercy--what can that be?" cried Adair.
A mass of fire, of a globular form and deep red hue, appeared high up in
the sky, when downward it fell, perpendicularly, not a cable's length
from the ship, it seemed, assuming an elongated shape of dazzling
whiteness ere it plunged, hissing, into the ocean.
"We may be thankful that ball did not strike us," observed Jack. "It
would have sent us to the bottom more certainly than Fulton's torpedo,
or any similar invention, could have done."
"I hope that there are no others like it ready to fall on us," said
Terence.
Scarcely a minute had elapsed when the wind fell almost to a calm, its
strength being scarcely sufficient to steady the ship. At the same
moment the heavens seemed to open and shower down fire, so numberless
and rapid were the flashes of the most vivid lightning which played
between the clouds and ocean, filling the whole atmosphere with their
brilliancy. The captain had put his hand to his mouth to order more
sail to be set, when again the hurricane burst forth with renewed fury,
howling and shrieking, as Terence declared, like ten legions of demons
in the rigging, while the mountain seas, as they clashed with each
other, created a roar which almost overpowered the yelling voice of the
hurricane. For nearly an hour the hideous uproar continued, until, as
if wearied by its last mighty effort, the storm began evidently to
abate, although the darkness was even denser than before, while the seas
continued tumbling and rolling in so confused a manner that any attempt
to steer the ship, so as to avoid them, would have been impossible.
Daylight was looked for with anxiety by all on board, to ascertain the
fate of the corvette, the captain eagerly waiting for the moment when he
could venture to make sail, that he might stand towards her. Just as
the cold grey dawn broke over the leaden-tinted, still tumbling ocean,
the wind shifted to the southward. The light increased. The eyes of
all on deck were turned towards the spot where it was supposed the
corvette would be seen. In vain they looked. She was nowhere visible.
A groan of disappointment escaped their breasts. Jack and Adair hurried
aloft with their glasses, still in the hopes of discovering her. They
swept the whole horizon to the northward from east to west, and every
intermediate space, but not a speck on the troubled waters could they
discover which might prove to be the hull of the corvette. "Poor Alick!
poor Alick!" they both again ejaculated, and descended with sad hearts
on deck.
The captain now gave the order to make sail, and under her topsails and
courses the frigate began to force her way amid the still rolling
billows to the northward. Mr Cherry, and several of the other
officers, were speaking of the loss of the corvette as a certainty.
Jack, who could not bear the thought that Murray was indeed gone,
declared that he still had some hopes of finding her above water.
"I agree with Rogers," said the captain, joining them. "We have made
scarcely sufficient allowance for the distance the frigate has drifted
during the hurricane. Though I allow that the corvette will have had a
hard struggle for it, and that it is too probable she has foundered;
yet, as I think that there is a possibility of her being still afloat, I
intend to pass over every part of the sea to which she can have been
driven, or any boats or rafts escaping from her can have reached."
The remarks made by the captain considerably raised the spirits of Jack
and Terence. A look-out was sent to the masthead, and they themselves
frequently went aloft with their telescopes, in the hopes of catching
sight of the missing ship. As the day advanced the light increased, and
the wind gradually fell to a moderate breeze. The captain and Mr
Cherry, having been on deck during the whole night, had turned in, as
had all who could do so. Jack had charge of the watch, and Terence
remained with him.
"A lump of something floating away on the starboard bow," cried the
look-out from aloft.
Jack kept the ship towards it. In a short time the object seen was
discovered to be a tangled mass of spars and rigging, evidently
belonging to the corvette. As the frigate passed close to it the figure
of a seaman was perceived in its midst floating, partly in the water and
partly supported by a spar, with his face turned upwards, as if gazing
at her. Several on board shouted, but no voice replied, no sign was
made. Jack, notwithstanding, was about to shorten sail and heave the
ship to, that a boat might be lowered to rescue the man, when the
corpse--for such it was--turned slowly round and disappeared beneath the
waves.
"There goes poor Bill Dawson. He was captain of the main-top aboard the
_Tudor_," observed one of the men. "I knowed him well, and a better
fellow never stepped!"
Jack's heart sank as he saw the wreck of the corvette's masts.
"Surely they could not have floated to any distance from her, and as she
is not in sight she must have gone down," he thought.
The sea was still too rough to attempt taking any of the spars on board,
so the frigate stood on as the captain had directed. Ten minutes or
more passed by, when again the look-out hailed the deck in a cheery
voice,--"A sail on the port bow!"
The announcement raised the spirits of every one. Terence hurried
aloft, and a midshipman was sent to call the captain, who quickly
appeared.
"I thought so," he exclaimed. "Depend on it, that is the _Tudor_."
Some time passed before Terence returned on deck. His report confirmed
the captain's opinion. He could clearly make out the hull with a small
sail set forward. The last reef was shaken out of the topsails, the
starboard studding-sails were set, and the frigate dashed after the
corvette. The news spread below, the sleepers were awakened, and all
hands turned out. The frigate speedily came up with the lately trim
little ship, now reduced to a mere battered hulk. From her appearance
it was surprising that she should be still afloat. A mast and yard,
composed of numerous pieces, had been rigged forward with a royal or
some other small sail set on it. The whole of the bulwarks on one side
were stove in; not a gun remained, the boats were gone. Many of the
crew lay about the deck exhausted with fatigue, and scarcely able to
raise themselves, and utter a faint cheer, as the frigate, now
shortening sail, approached, while the remainder were labouring hard at
the pumps; and by the gush of water flowing from the scuppers, it was
evident that they found it a hard matter to keep the ship afloat.
"Shorten sail, Commander Babbicome, and I'll send you assistance, for I
see you require it," shouted Captain Hemming, with a touch of irony in
his tone, as the frigate ranged up alongside.
A hawser had been got ready and passed aft; a long line secured to the
end was hove on board the corvette, and those who just before seemed
scarcely able to stand on their feet hauling on it with right good will;
the hawser was passed forward, and quickly secured. In the meantime two
boats had been lowered, and fifty fresh hands sent from the frigate
relieved the worn-out crew of the corvette. Adair had gone in charge of
the men, and Murray was the first person he greeted on deck.
"We had given you up for lost, but, thank Heaven, you are safe!"
exclaimed Terence, as he warmly wrung his friend's hand.
"It isn't the first time either that we've had cause to be frightened
about each other's safety; and for my part I intend in future, should
you or Jack disappear, never to despair of seeing you turn up again
alive somewhere or other."
"We have indeed been very mercifully preserved," answered Murray,
gravely. "But, my dear Adair, unless we take the greatest care, I very
much doubt that the ship can be kept afloat till we reach Port Royal."
And he briefly told Terence all that had occurred. There was but little
time, however, for conversation. While most of the fresh hands went to
the pumps the rest got up another sail, which, having been thrummed like
the first, was passed under the ship's bottom. The result was
satisfactory. Though the frigate was towing the corvette at the rate of
four knots an hour, instead of the leak increasing, as had been feared
would be the case, the pumps rapidly gained on it. Higson, with
additional hands, came on board; the hatches were taken off, and buckets
being brought into play, passed rapidly up from below by a line of men,
the depth of water in the hold was sensibly decreased, the corvette in
consequence towing the lighter. Poor Commander Babbicome, who looked as
unhappy as a man could do, went to his cabin; and even Murray, with most
of the officers, was glad to turn in and leave the ship in charge of
Adair and Fligson. Happily the wind remained fair and moderate, and in
three days the frigate and her battered consort came safely to an anchor
in the magnificent harbour of Port Royal. Their arrival was officially
notified to the admiral, living at the Pen above Kingston, and he,
shortly after coming down in his barge, having inspected the ships,
ordered the corvette into dock to be repaired, while he gave a gentle
hint to Commander Babbicome that, as he was not a good subject for
resisting an attack of yellow fever, it would be wise in him to return
by the first opportunity to England.