LOST OR SAVED--AYRTON SUMMONED--IMPORTANT DISCUSSION--IT IS NOT THE
DUNCAN--SUSPICIOUS VESSEL--PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN--THE SHIP
APPROACHES--A CANNON-SHOT--THE BRIG ANCHORS IN SIGHT OF THE ISLAND--
NIGHT COMES ON.
It was now two years and a half since the castaways from the balloon had
been thrown on Lincoln Island, and during that period there had been no
communication between them and their fellow-creatures. Once the
reporter had attempted to communicate with the inhabited world by
confiding to a bird a letter which contained the secret of their
situation, but that was a chance on which it was impossible to reckon
seriously. Ayrton, alone, under the circumstances which have been
related, had come to join the little colony. Now, suddenly, on this
day, the 17th of October, other men had unexpectedly appeared in sight
of the island, on that deserted sea!
There could be no doubt about it! A vessel was there! But would she
pass on, or would she put into port? In a few hours the colonists would
definitely know what to expect.
Cyrus Harding and Herbert having immediately called Gideon Spilett,
Pencroft, and Neb into the dining-room of Granite House, told them what
had happened. Pencroft, seizing the telescope, rapidly swept the
horizon, and stopping on the indicated point, that is to say, on that
which had made the almost imperceptible spot on the photographic
negative--
"I'm blessed but it is really a vessel!" he exclaimed, in a voice which
did not express any great amount of satisfaction.
"Is she coming here?" asked Gideon Spilett.
"Impossible to say anything yet," answered Pencroft, "for her rigging
alone is above the horizon, and not a bit of her hull can be seen."
"What is to be done?" asked the lad.
"Wait," replied Harding.
And for a considerable time the settlers remained silent, given up to
all the thoughts, all the emotions, all the fears, all the hopes, which
were aroused by this incident--the most important which had occurred
since their arrival in Lincoln Island. Certainly, the colonists were
not in the situation of castaways abandoned on a sterile islet,
constantly contending against a cruel nature for their miserable
existence, and incessantly tormented by the longing to return to
inhabited countries. Pencroft and Neb, especially, who felt themselves
at once so happy and so rich, would not have left their island without
regret. They were accustomed, besides, to this new life in the midst of
the domain which their intelligence had as it were civilised. But at
any rate this ship brought news from the world, perhaps even from their
native land. It was bringing fellow-creatures to them, and it may be
conceived how deeply their hearts were moved at the sight!
From time to time Pencroft took the glass and rested himself at the
window. From thence he very attentively examined the vessel, which was
at a distance of twenty miles to the east. The colonists had as yet,
therefore, no means of signalising their presence. A flag would not
have been perceived; a gun would not have been heard; a fire would not
have been visible. However, it was certain that the island, overtopped
by Mount Franklin, could not have escaped the notice of the vessel's
look-out. But why was this ship coming there? Was it simple chance
which brought it to that part of the Pacific, where the maps mentioned
no land except Tabor Islet, which itself was out of the route usually
followed by vessels from the Polynesian Archipelagos, from New Zealand,
and from the American coast? To this question, which each one asked
himself, a reply was suddenly made by Herbert.
"Can it be the _Duncan_?" he cried.
The _Duncan_, as has been said, was Lord Glenarvan's yacht, which had
left Ayrton on the islet, and which was to return there some day to
fetch him. Now, the islet was not so far-distant from Lincoln Island,
but that a vessel, standing for the one, could pass in sight of the
other. A hundred and fifty miles only separated them in longitude, and
seventy in latitude.
"We must tell Ayrton," said Gideon Spilett, "and send for him
immediately. He alone can say if it is the _Duncan_."
This was the opinion of all, and the reporter, going to the telegraphic
apparatus which placed the corral in communication with Granite House,
sent this telegram:--"Come with all possible speed."
In a few minutes the bell sounded.
"I am coming," replied Ayrton.
Then the settlers continued to watch the vessel.
"If it is the _Duncan_," said Herbert, "Ayrton will recognise her
without difficulty, since he sailed on board her for some time."
"And if he recognises her," added Pencroft, "it will agitate him
exceedingly!"
"Yes," answered Cyrus Harding; "but now Ayrton is worthy to return on
board the _Duncan_, and pray Heaven that it is indeed Lord Glenarvan's
yacht, for I should be suspicious of any other vessel. These are
ill-famed seas, and I have always feared a visit from Malay pirates to
our island."
"We could defend it," cried Herbert.
"No doubt, my boy," answered the engineer smiling, "but it would be
better not to have to defend it."
"A useless observation," said Spilett. "Lincoln Island is unknown to
navigators, since it is not marked even on the most recent maps. Do you
not think, Cyrus, that that is a sufficient motive for a ship, finding
herself unexpectedly in sight of new land, to try and visit rather than
avoid it?"
"Certainly," replied Pencroft.
"I think so too," added the engineer. "It may even be said that it is
the duty of a captain to come and survey any land or island not yet
known, and Lincoln Island is in this position."
"Well," said Pencroft, "suppose this vessel comes and anchors there a
few cables-lengths from our island, what shall we do?" This sudden
question remained at first without any reply. But Cyrus Harding, after
some moments' thought, replied in the calm tone which was usual to him--
"What we shall do, my friends? What we ought to do is this:--we will
communicate with the ship, we will take our passage on board her, and we
will leave our island, after having taken possession of it in the name
of the United States. Then we will return with any who may wish to
follow us to colonise it definitely, and endow the American Republic
with a useful station in this part of the Pacific Ocean!"
"Hurrah!" exclaimed Pencroft, "and that will be no small present which
we shall make to our country! The colonisation is already almost
finished; names are given to every part of the island; there is a
natural port, fresh water, roads, a telegraph, a dockyard, and
manufactories; and there will be nothing to be done but to inscribe
Lincoln Island on the maps!"
"But if any one seizes it in our absence?" observed Gideon Spilett.
"Hang it!" cried the sailor. "I would rather remain all alone to guard
it: and trust to Pencroft, they shouldn't steal it from him, like a
watch from the pocket of a swell!"
For an hour it was impossible to say with any certainty whether the
vessel was or was not standing towards Lincoln Island. She was nearer,
but in what direction was she sailing? This Pencroft could not
determine. However, as the wind was blowing from the north-east, in all
probability the vessel was sailing on the starboard tack. Besides, the
wind was favourable for bringing her towards the island, and, the sea
being calm, she would not be afraid to approach although the shallows
were not marked on the chart.
Towards four o'clock--an hour after he had been sent for--Ayrton arrived
at Granite House. He entered the dining-room, saying--
"At your service, gentlemen."
Cyrus Harding gave him his hand, as was his custom to do, and, leading
him to the window--
"Ayrton," said he, "we have begged you to come here for an important
reason. A ship is in sight of the island."
Ayrton at first paled slightly, and for a moment his eyes became dim;
then, leaning out of the window, he surveyed the horizon, but could see
nothing.
"Take this telescope," said Spilett, "and look carefully, Ayrton, for it
is possible that this ship may be the _Duncan_ come to these seas for
the purpose of taking you home again."
"The _Duncan_!" murmured Ayrton. "Already?" This last word escaped
Ayrton's lips as if involuntarily, and his head drooped upon his hands.
Did not twelve years' solitude on a desert island appear to him a
sufficient expiation? Did not the penitent yet feel himself pardoned,
either in his own eyes or in the eyes of others?
"No," said he, "no! it cannot be the _Duncan_!"
"Look, Ayrton," then said the engineer, "for it is necessary that we
should know beforehand what to expect."
Ayrton took the glass and pointed it in the direction indicated. During
some minutes he examined the horizon without moving, without uttering a
word. Then--
"It is indeed a vessel," said he, "but I do not think she is the
_Duncan_."
"Why do you not think so?" asked Gideon Spilett. "Because the _Duncan_
is a steam-yacht, and I cannot perceive any trace of smoke either above
or near that vessel."
"Perhaps she is simply sailing," observed Pencroft. "The wind is
favourable for the direction which she appears to be taking, and she may
be anxious to economise her coal, being so far from land."
"It is possible that you may be right, Mr Pencroft," answered Ayrton,
"and that the vessel has extinguished her fires. We must wait until she
is nearer, and then we shall soon know what to expect."
So saying, Ayrton sat down in a corner of the room and remained silent.
The colonists again discussed the strange ship, but Ayrton took no part
in the conversation. All were in such a mood that they found it
impossible to continue their work. Gideon Spilett and Pencroft were
particularly nervous, going, coming, not able to remain still in one
place. Herbert felt more curiosity. Neb alone maintained his usual
calm manner. Was not his country that where his master was? As to the
engineer, he remained plunged in deep thought, and in his heart feared
rather than desired the arrival of the ship. In the meanwhile, the
vessel was a little nearer the island. With the aid of the glass, it
was ascertained that she was a brig, and not one of those Malay proas,
which are generally used by the pirates of the Pacific. It was,
therefore, reasonable to believe that the engineer's apprehensions would
not be justified, and that the presence of this vessel in the vicinity
of the island was fraught with no danger. Pencroft, after a minute
examination, was able positively to affirm that the vessel was rigged as
a brig, and that she was standing obliquely towards the coast, on the
starboard tack, under her topsails and topgallant-sails. This was
confirmed by Ayrton. But by continuing in this direction she must soon
disappear behind Claw Cape, as the wind was from the south-west, and to
watch her it would be then necessary to ascend the heights of Washington
Bay, near Port Balloon--a provoking circumstance, for it was already
five o'clock in the evening, and the twilight would soon make any
observation extremely difficult.
"What shall we do when night comes on?" asked Gideon Spilett. "Shall we
light a fire, so as to signal our presence, on the coast?"
This was a serious question, and yet, although the engineer still
retained some of his presentiments, it was answered in the affirmative.
During the night the ship might disappear and leave for ever, and, this
ship gone, would another ever return to the waters of Lincoln Island?
Who could foresee what the future would then have in store for the
colonists?
"Yes," said the reporter, "we ought to make known to that vessel,
whoever she may be, that the island is inhabited. To neglect the
opportunity which is offered to us might be to create everlasting
regrets."
It was, therefore, decided that Neb and Pencroft should go to Port
Balloon, and that there, at nightfall, they should light an immense
fire, the blaze of which would necessarily attract the attention of the
brig.
But at the moment when Neb and the sailor were preparing to leave
Granite House, the vessel suddenly altered her course, and stood
directly for Union Bay. The brig was a good sailer, for she approached
rapidly. Neb and Pencroft put off their departure, therefore, and the
glass was put into Ayrton's hands, that he might ascertain for certain
whether the ship was or was not the _Duncan_. The Scotch yacht was also
rigged as a brig. The question was, whether a chimney could be
discerned between the two masts of the vessel, which was now at a
distance of only five miles.
The horizon was still very clear. The examination was easy, and Ayrton
soon let the glass fall again, saying--
"It is not the _Duncan_! It could not be her!"
Pencroft again brought the brig within the range of the telescope, and
could see that she was of between three and four hundred tons burden,
wonderfully narrow, well-masted, admirably built, and must be a very
rapid sailer. But to what nation did she belong? That was difficult to
say.
"And yet," added the sailor, "a flag is floating from her peak, but I
cannot distinguish the colours of it."
"In half an hour we shall be certain about that," answered the reporter.
"Besides, it is very evident that the intention of the captain of this
ship is to land, and, consequently, if not to-day, to-morrow at the
latest, we shall make his acquaintance."
"Never mind!" said Pencroft. "It is best to know whom we have to deal
with, and I shall not be sorry to recognise that fellow's colours!"
And, while thus speaking, the sailor never left the glass. The day
began to fade, and with the day the breeze fell also. The brig's ensign
hung in folds, and it became more and more difficult to observe it.
"It is not the American flag," said Pencroft from time to time, "nor the
English, the red of which could be easily seen, nor the French or German
colours, nor the white flag of Russia, nor the yellow of Spain. One
would say it was all one colour. Let's see: in these seas, what do we
generally meet with? The Chilian flag?--but that is tri-colour.
Brazilian?--it is green. Japanese?--it is yellow and black, whilst
this--"
At that moment the breeze blew out the unknown flag. Ayrton, seizing
the telescope which the sailor had put down, put it to his eye, and in a
hoarse voice--
"The black flag!" he exclaimed.
And indeed the sombre bunting was floating from the mast of the brig,
and they had now good reason for considering her to be a suspicious
vessel!
Had the engineer, then, been right in his presentiments? Was this a
pirate vessel? Did she scour the Pacific, competing with the Malay
proas which still infest it? For what had she come to look at the
shores of Lincoln Island? Was it to them an unknown island, ready to
become a magazine for stolen cargoes? Had she come to find on the coast
a sheltered port for the winter months? Was the settler's honest domain
destined to be transformed into an infamous refuge--the headquarters of
the piracy of the Pacific?
All these ideas instinctively presented themselves to the colonists'
imaginations. There was no doubt, besides, of the signification which
must be attached to the colour of the hoisted flag. It was that of
pirates! It was that which the _Duncan_ would have carried, had the
convicts succeeded in their criminal design! No time was lost before
discussing it.
"My friends," said Cyrus Harding, "perhaps this vessel only wishes to
survey the coast of the island. Perhaps her crew will not land. There
is a chance of it. However that may be, we ought to do everything we
can to hide our presence here. The windmill on Prospect Heights is too
easily seen. Let Ayrton and Neb go and take down the sails. We must
also conceal the windows of Granite House with thick branches. All the
fires must be extinguished, so that nothing may betray the presence of
men on the island."
"And our vessel?" said Herbert.
"Oh," answered Pencroft, "she is sheltered in Port Balloon, and I defy
any of those rascals there to find her!"
The engineer's orders were immediately executed. Neb and Ayrton
ascended the plateau, and took the necessary precautions to conceal any
indication of a settlement. Whilst they were thus occupied, their
companions went to the border of Jacamar Wood, and brought back a large
quantity of branches and creepers, which would at some distance appear
as natural foliage, and thus disguise the windows in the granite cliff.
At the same time, the ammunition and guns were placed ready so as to be
at hand in case of an unexpected attack.