Several months had passed away, during which Stephen Battiscombe and
Roger Willoughby had performed their duties in the counting-house at
Bristol much to the satisfaction of their employers. Roger had not
abandoned his wish of going to sea, though he was too wise to give up
his present situation till a good opportunity should offer. He had,
while passing along the quay, observed a house with a large wooden
quadrant over the door, and on inquiry he found that a certain
master-mariner, Captain Trickett, who gave lessons in astronomy and
navigation, resided there. He made bold to enter, and explaining his
wish to master the subjects the captain taught, soon entered into an
arrangement to attend three evenings a week.
"I promise you, lad, before the winter is over, to turn you out as good
a navigator as Sir Francis Drake, Master John Hawkins, or any other
sea-captain you may be pleased to name," said the old captain. "Give
your mind to it, that is the first requisite; it is of little use for an
instructor to put information in one ear which pops out at the other as
soon as it is received."
Captain Trickett was an enthusiast in his art, had been pilot in his
youth to several expeditions which had gone forth from England to
explore foreign regions, and had many strange accounts to give of the
buccaneers and logwood cutters in the Caribbean Sea, where he himself
had spent some time. Roger made considerable progress in his studies,
and at length persuaded Stephen Battiscombe to accompany him.
"It would not be lost time if you also were to take some lessons and
were to try to master the subject; it is very interesting, and perchance
some day, if you have to sail on business to foreign lands, you may find
the knowledge you acquire of use," said Roger. "Captain Trickett tells
me that he has known instances where the officers of a ship have died,
and no one on board remained capable of taking her into port."
Thus instigated, Stephen, who had a very good head for mathematics,
readily attended the instruction of Captain Trickett, and following the
Captain's advice by giving his mind to the subject, soon acquired as
much knowledge as Roger himself. On holidays, when the sun was up in
the sky, the Captain delighted to accompany his pupils to some open
space, where, with the aid of a false horizon, he could teach them
practically how to take an observation or to "shoot the sun," as he
called it. The mode in which the two lads were employing themselves
came to the ears of the principals of the firm, who much approved of
their diligence and industry.
"Would that we had others like you!" said Mr Kempson. "Our difficulty
is to find men who combine knowledge of business with that of seamanship
and navigation. After a few voyages, if Captain Trickett does not speak
of you in too laudatory terms, you will be able to take charge of a ship
to sail either to the West Indies or to the North American plantations,
or to the coast of Africa, or to the Levant. We will take care, in the
meantime, that you have opportunities of exercising your skill."
Roger and Stephen thanked the worthy merchant for the approval he had
bestowed on them, and promised to continue as diligent as heretofore.
Roger often went down to the river to inquire what vessels had arrived,
in the hopes of meeting with Captain Benbow, who he felt sure would
receive him on board his ship, but the _Benbow_ frigate did not make her
appearance. He heard, however, that she had been met with bound for the
Thames, so that he had the satisfaction of knowing that she had escaped
the gale which caught her off the Dorsetshire coast. He was told,
indeed, that she always traded between London and foreign ports, and
that there was very little probability of her putting into Bristol,
unless she should obtain a cargo from any merchants connected with that
port, which was not likely, as they always reserved their freights for
Bristol vessels.
"I must hope for some other chance of meeting him," said Roger to
Stephen as they were walking home. "I do not think he can have
forgotten me, and he appeared to be a man who, having made a promise,
would certainly keep to it, so that if I could fall in with his ship I
should not hesitate to go on board and ask him to take me."
"You are very well off where you are," remarked Stephen, "and I would
advise you to stick to the desk till you have gained a thorough
knowledge of mercantile affairs. You may then have an opportunity of
turning them to good account, whereas at present you scarcely know
enough to be of much use to you."
Roger could not but acknowledge that this was the case, and he wisely
determined to quell his impatience and to go on as he had begun.
They both occasionally received letters from home, which seldom,
however, contained much matter of interest except to themselves. More
frequently news came from London of important public matters. They
heard of the Rye-house Plot, of the fall of Shaftesbury and of his
escape to Holland, the execution of Russell and Sydney, the death of
Essex by his own hand in the Tower, to escape the fate awaiting him.
Roger took but little interest in politics; Stephen, on the contrary,
was always eager to read the _News-Letter_ when it arrived from the
capital. He mourned over the banishment of the Duke of Monmouth, who,
after the discovery of the Rye-house Plot, though forgiven by the King,
thought it prudent to retire to Holland; and he was indignant at hearing
of the way the Duke of York was ruling Scotland, of the odious laws he
had passed, and of the barbarous punishments he caused to be inflicted,
often himself being present when prisoners were subjected to torture.
It was said that he watched the agony of the sufferers as if it afforded
him intense satisfaction.
"His tyrannical proceedings show clearly how he intends to govern
England. Should he succeed to the throne of England, he must never be
allowed to mount it," exclaimed Stephen. "He will not be content till
he has crushed out our civil and religious liberties, which the best
blood of our country has been shed to obtain. Would that when the
gallant Duke of Monmouth came to the west, the thousands who greeted him
had banded together and marched to London to insist on the exclusion of
the Duke of York and the nomination of Monmouth as heir to his father."
"Such a proceeding could scarcely have succeeded without bloodshed,"
observed Roger.
"Better to have shed a few streamlets then than the rivers which may
have to flow should the tyrant gain the throne," answered Stephen.
The opinions of Stephen Battiscombe were held by a good many others,
although, like wise men, when they could not benefit the cause they did
not utter them in public. Bristol having had fighting enough in former
years, they did not again wish to see war brought to her gates. Stephen
might at present safely entertain his opinions, but there seemed no
chance just then of his having an opportunity of practically acting on
them.
The summer had commenced, when one morning Mr Kempson sent for Stephen.
"You know, Battiscombe, that we have a new vessel, the _Dolphin_,
fitting out in the river, and judging from the intelligence you have
shown and your aptitude for business that you will be well suited for
the office, we propose sending you out as supercargo, and as young Roger
Willoughby has given us satisfaction, we think of letting him go as
cabin-boy that he may assist you. Are you willing to undertake the
office?"
"With all my heart," answered Stephen; "and I can answer for Willoughby,
who will, I know, be delighted, for he has long wished to go to sea."
"We will consider that matter settled, then," said Mr Kempson. "Here
is a list of the cargo we intend shipping, and you and Willoughby will
go on board to-morrow morning, and note each case and bale as it is
lowered into the hold. You will also be supplied with samples of all
the goods, so that you will be well acquainted with the articles under
your charge. I will give you further directions by and by. In the
meantime you can see about young Willoughby's outfit and your own, and
tell Mr Tape the tailor to send in the account to us."
Stephen was highly pleased with the complimentary way the senior partner
spoke to him, and he was about to leave the room eager to tell Roger the
good news, when a strongly-built black-bearded man entered.
"Stay, Battiscombe," said the senior partner; "I will take this
opportunity of introducing you to Captain Roberts, who commands the
_Dolphin_, as you will be shipmates for some months, or longer."
"Happy to make the young gentleman's acquaintance," said the Captain,
putting out his hand and giving Stephen a grip which nearly wrung his
fingers off; "hope we shall get on well together. I came up here, Mr
Kempson, to say that the ship is ready to take in cargo as soon as you
are ready to ship it."
"We may say to-morrow, then, and Mr Battiscombe, with young Willoughby
to assist him, will go on board and take charge of the cargo."
As the Captain had some further business to transact with Mr Kempson,
Stephen took his leave, and hurried out to tell Roger, who was just
leaving the counting-house for the day.
"What, are we really to be off soon!" exclaimed the latter. "I can
scarcely believe the good news you tell me. I little thought when I got
off my high stool, that it was the last time I was to mount it, for I
suppose that the _Dolphin_ will sail as soon as the cargo is received on
board."
"Little doubt about that," said Stephen. "The sooner we see to getting
our outfits the better."
"I have brought a good store of things from home," said Roger.
"You have outgrown a good lot of them, I should think," remarked
Stephen; "and we will at once pay a visit to Mr Tape, who will know
more or less what you require."
"But how are they to be paid for?" asked Roger.
"Mr Kempson will settle that," said Stephen.
"He is very kind and generous, and I am grateful to him," said Roger.
They at once carried out their intentions.
The following morning by daybreak they went on board the _Dolphin_. As
none of the cargo had arrived, they had time to look over the ship, and
to take a glance round the cabin which was to be their home for some
months to come. It was fitted up with several berths, besides a state
cabin intended for the Captain's use. There were arms of various sorts,
such as musketoons, pistols, pikes, and hangers, fixed against the
after-bulkhead, and there was a table in the centre, surrounded by
strong wooden chairs. There was not much in the way of ornament,
everything seemed intended for use.
While they were there the Captain, who had come on board, entered the
cabin. "Glad to see you so soon, young gentlemen," he observed; "it is
the early bird that gets the worm," as they say. "I thought that we
should very likely have to wait for you, but now when the cargo comes
down we may begin stowing away at once."
In a short time a number of trucks arrived on the wharf, bringing bales
and packages, which the crew began hoisting on board with the help of a
crane and whips. The process was a somewhat long one compared to the
rapid way in which vessels are laden at the present day. Stephen and
Roger had plenty of time to note each bale, package, and cask before it
was lowered into the hold, it being Roger's business to see where each
was stowed, so that they might be got at when required. They worked on
diligently, knocking off only for a short time to dine, so that in the
afternoon, when Mr Kempson came down, they had made good progress. He
commended them accordingly. Roger, as he looked at the pile of goods,
wondered how room could be found for them on board, yet after all the
cases had been stowed away in the capacious hold, there was plenty of
room left for more. In three days, however, the cargo was complete, the
hatches were put on and fastened down, and Captain Roberts announced
that he was ready for sea. Stephen and Roger had but little time to get
their things, to run round and bid their friends farewell; their last
visit was to Captain Trickett.
"Farewell, my boys, and a prosperous voyage to you!" he said, as he
shook their hands warmly. "You may meet with adventures, some not as
pleasant as you would desire, but stick to your duty, never say die, and
hope for the best."
That evening the _Dolphin_ began to drop down the river with the tide.
She was a fine vessel, not so large, Roger thought, as the _Benbow_
frigate, but she had three masts, with a long mizzen-yard, on which a
triangular sail was set. She was deep-waisted, with a high poop, and
topgallant forecastle, from beneath each of which two guns were so
placed that should boarders gain the deck, they would be quickly shot
down. She had, besides, eight guns pointing out at the sides, and was
able to defend herself against any ordinary enemies; indeed, in those
days when pirates and buccaneers abounded, it was necessary for merchant
vessels which had rich freights to guard to be well-armed, especially
when they sailed alone, without convoy of a man-of-war. As the wind was
from the northward, as soon as they got clear of the Severn all sail was
hoisted, and they stood down the British Channel, and Roger walked the
deck with no little satisfaction at finding himself at length on board
ship. The following day they were out of sight of land. When Roger saw
the Captain and his mates bring up their quadrants on deck just before
noon to make an observation, he brought up his, and began in a
methodical way to make preparations for taking one also.
"What, youngster, have you been at sea before?" asked the Captain.
"No, sir, but I have studied navigation, and I want to put my knowledge
into practice."
"Well, now is the time; let us see how you do it."
Roger "shot the sun" in very good style; not only did that, but rapidly
worked out the calculation on a small piece of paper, and it exactly
agreed with that taken by the Captain, who looked well pleased, but it
differed from that of one of the mates, who had made a mistake.
"You will do, my boy," said Captain Roberts. "I will try you with other
observations by and by. Where did you get your knowledge?" Roger told
him. "What, from old Trickett? No wonder you are correct; there is not
a better navigator in Bristol."
Next day Stephen brought out his quadrant and did justice to his
instructor, he also receiving a due amount of praise from the Captain.
The mates looked rather jealous at the two youngsters, who had never
before been to sea, who took observations as well as they could. Before
the _Dolphin_ had got half-way across the Bay of Biscay it fell calm,
and she lay laving her sides in the smooth water, as the swell, which is
seldom wanting there, passed under her keel. For many hours she did not
move her position; the big mizzen, which had been flapping with reports
like thunder, was furled; the other sails were brailed up. Roger, who
was always of a social disposition, took the opportunity of having a
talk with some of the crew. Among them was a black, who, although still
very young, being scarcely more than a boy, had met with many strange
adventures,--among others, he had been made prisoner by the Moors. He
could talk Arabic, he said, as well as English, which was not, by the
by, very correctly. He was called Jack Jumbo on board, but he preferred
being called Felix, a name, he told Roger, some gentlemen had given him
because he was always a merry fellow. He hinted that he had been a
prince in his own country, but he had been carried away at an early age;
he did not know much about it. Roger took a great liking to him, for
from his intelligence and good disposition he was a better companion
than the rough seamen who formed the crew of the _Dolphin_. The only
other person who need be named was Sam Stokes, an old sailor who had
fought under Blake and Admiral Penn, had made half a dozen voyages to
Virginia and the West India Islands, besides to many others in different
parts of the world. He was rough enough to look at, being the colour of
mahogany, his countenance wrinkled and furrowed by strong winds and hot
suns. He was quiet in his manners, seemed kind-hearted, with plenty of
sense under his bald head and its fringe of grizzled hair. He was an
excellent seaman, and took a pleasure in instructing Roger, who always
went to him when he wanted information. He would tell him not only how
to do a thing, but the why and the wherefore each thing was done, so
that Roger made rapid progress under his tuition. Of the mates and
boatswain little need be said; they were tolerable seamen, but the first
two were but poor navigators, and the boatswain could not take an
observation or work a day's work, being unable to read or write, though
he was the best seaman of the three. The crew were rough-and-ready
fellows, were tolerably obedient when they were well treated and liquor
was kept out of their way; but if anything was done to displease them,
they were ready to grumble and try to right themselves after their own
fashion. The two mates and the boatswain, who constituted the officers
of the ship, were somewhat jealous of Stephen and Roger, whom they
considered unduly favoured by the owners. Neither of them, however,
took any notice of this. Roger's great object had been from the first
to master all the details of seamanship. From morning till night he was
at work getting the seamen to show him how to knot and splice, to steer
and reef; whenever sail was to be made or taken in he was always on the
yard, and as active as any one, so that he soon gained the respect of
the seamen. It was a great advantage to him and Stephen to have fine
weather for so long a period, though they made but slow progress on
their voyage, but it enabled them to gain experience far more easily
than they would have done had the sea been rough and the ship tumbling
about. Owing to light and contrary winds, five weeks had passed before
the _Dolphin_ got into the latitude of the Straits, nearly a hundred
miles to the westward of them.
"When, Captain Roberts, think you, shall we be into the Mediterranean?"
asked Stephen, who had been examining the chart.
"That must depend on the way the wind blows," answered the Captain. "It
has been out of temper with us for a precious long time, and I cannot
say when it is likely to get into a better humour."
The Captain was right not to be too sanguine; before an hour had passed
the wind shifted to the east-north-east. The _Dolphin_, close-hauled
under larboard tack, stood towards the African coast.
"What about Algerine corsairs, the Sallee rovers?" asked Roger.
"If we fall in with any of the gentry, as our business is to trade not
to fight, we must run if we can; but if they come up with us, we must
show what British pluck can do, and beat them off," said the Captain.
"As little honour is to be gained, we may hope not to encounter any of
the gentlemen," said Stephen.
The _Dolphin_ had been standing on to the south-east, a course which
would take her some way to the southward of the Straits. Captain
Roberts said he hoped that a tack or two would enable him to fetch the
Straits, and once through them, that they should get a fair wind up the
Mediterranean. Evening was approaching when the look-out from aloft
shouted, "A sail on the weather-bow."
"What does she look like?" asked the Captain.
"She's a large craft, standing to the south-west, under all sail."
The stranger's course would bring her directly down upon the _Dolphin_.
Captain Roberts was provided with a telescope, an instrument not long
introduced at sea, which many merchant vessels did not possess. Taking
it with him, for he was not willing to intrust to the hands of any one
else, he went aloft, steadying it against the mast; while he stood in
the maintop, he took a long gaze at the stranger. Returning on deck, he
immediately ordered the ship to be kept away, so as to bring her before
the wind. All sail which she could possibly carry was set, some hanging
down from the yards, rigged across the bowsprit to the very water, while
stud-sails were rigged out on the foremast, and the sheet of the huge
mizzen was eased off, and the sail bulged out with the freshening
breeze.
"What do you think of the stranger, sir?" asked Stephen of the Captain.
"I deem her to be an Algerine, one of those piratical craft we were but
just now speaking of. She's a large ship, more than twice our size, and
probably carries heavy guns, and four or five times as many men as we
do; we might beat her off, and if she comes up to us, that is what we
must try to do, but it will be wiser to keep ahead of her. We shall
soon see which is the fastest craft, and what chance we have of running
out of her sight. We have the advantage of night coming on, and during
the darkness we must alter our course so as to give her the slip." All
hands were on deck at their stations, ready to shorten sail should it be
necessary. Many an eye was turned towards the stranger to ascertain if
she was getting nearer.
"What do you think about it, Sam?" asked Roger of the old sailor.
"Yonder craft is light, and we are heavily laden, though I will allow
that the _Dolphin_ slips along at a good rate; but there is no doubt
that she is gaining on us, though a stern chase is a long one. We may
keep ahead of her for some hours to come, always provided we do not
carry anything away."
"But if she does come up with us, what shall we have to do?" asked
Roger.
"Beat her off, of course, though we have only eight guns, and may be she
carries twenty or more; we must work ours twice as fast as she does
hers. I know those Algerine cut-throats of yore; and if they are met
bravely, they quickly show the white feather. It is only when the
Christians cry out `Peccavi!' and seem inclined to give in, that they
become wonderfully brave, and shout and shriek and wave their scimitars.
I was with the brave Captain Harman, aboard the twenty-six-gun ship
_Guernsey_, with a crew of a hundred and ten men all told, when we fell
in up the Straits with an Algerine man-of-war, carrying fifty guns and
five hundred men, called the _White Horse_. She stood down upon us,
under all sail, having the weather-gauge, and as soon as she got within
gunshot began blazing away. Several times she attempted to board, but
we drove back her cut-throat crew, though the rest of her people were
blazing away at us with musketry from her poop and forecastle. I
believe we should have taken her, but our captain received three musket
balls in his body, and was nearly knocked over by a gunshot; still he
would not go below, and remained on deck till he sank from loss of
blood. Our first lieutenant then took the command, and we continued
engaging for another hour or more, till we had lost nine killed and
three times as many wounded, for no one ever thought of giving in--that
meant having our throats cut or being carried off into slavery; but at
last the Algerine hauled off. Our rigging was too much cut about to
allow us to follow, so she got away with the loss of not far short of a
third of her crew, I suspect, from the number we saw hove overboard.
Our brave captain died three days afterwards from the effects of his
wounds, and the first lieutenant was promoted, as he deserved to be.
Now, it is my belief that if we do not capture yonder craft, should she
attack us, we may beat her off just as we did the _White Horse_."
Old Sam told this story in a loud voice, so that his shipmates might
hear and be encouraged to resist to the last.
Captain Roberts walked the poop, every now and then taking a glance at
the stranger through his telescope. Stephen and Roger joined him there.
He looked calm and determined.
"If I can, I intend to avoid fighting," he said; "but if we are
attacked, I know I can rely on you two, as I have seen what stuff you
are made of. You will do your best to keep the crew at their guns; and
should anything happen to me, you will fight the ship as long as there
is a shot in the locker or a charge of powder remains. I wish I had
more confidence in my mates; but I am afraid that they have not the
hearts of chickens, though they are good seamen, for I have been trying
to make them understand that it is safer to fight than to yield, for if
we give in, one and all of us will be knocked on the head or carried
into slavery, so that it will be far better to let the ship sink under
us than to strike our colours."
Stephen and Roger fully agreed with the Captain, and promised to do
their best to keep their men at the guns. At length the sun went down,
his last rays shining on the lofty canvas of the stranger, now about two
miles astern; still the _Dolphin_ might keep ahead. Darkness came on,
but with the darkness the chance of escaping increased. At length the
dim outline of their pursuer alone could be seen against the sky. Those
on board the _Dolphin_ well knew that while she was visible to them,
they must also be seen by her, and that it would be useless to attempt
altering their course. They therefore kept on as before. The Captain
kept his eye upon her, hoping that some change of the atmosphere might
occur to hide her from sight, but that dark phantom-like form grew more
and more distinct.
"My lads," cried the Captain, "before another half-hour has passed she
will be up with us. Have your matches ready, and fire as soon as I give
the word; do not wait for further orders, but load as fast as you can,
and blaze away at her hull. The Moors, if I mistake not, will soon have
had enough of it; they are not fond of attacking vessels when they meet
with opposition."
Roger felt his heart beat quick when shortly after this he saw the
ship's white-spread sails, towering towards the sky, come ranging up on
their quarter.
"Down with the helm," cried the Captain. "Now, lads, fire!" The
_Dolphin_ sent a raking broadside aboard the Algerine, and the helm
being immediately put up again, she stood on her former course. Shrieks
and cries and groans came from the deck of the enemy, followed
immediately by a broadside intended to rake the _Dolphin_. Though
several shot came on board, no one was hurt. Captain Roberts knew,
however, that he could not expect to execute the same manoeuvre with the
like success. In a short time the Algerine was close abreast of her.
All the _Dolphin's_ guns had been run over to the same side, and were
now fired as rapidly as the crew could load and run them out. The
enemy, however, were not idle, and their shot came crashing aboard;
first one man was shot down, then another, still the British crew
cheered, and kept blazing away. This sort of work had been going on for
some time, when the Captain shouted, "Look out, lads! Boarders; repel
boarders!" And the Algerine was seen ranging up so as to fall
alongside, her rigging crowded with figures, arms and weapons waving,
showing their eagerness for the fight. In another minute there came a
loud crash, and a number of her crew, led by their captain. Most of
them were cut down, others driven overboard, or back into their ship,
the grappling-irons were cast loose, while the _Dolphin_ rushed forward
on her former course. Still her after-guns were plied vigorously,
though the enemy, again ranging up abreast, fired her broadsides in
return. As far as Roger could perceive, the mates behaved well,
assisting the men to work the guns. The Captain continued to cheer them
on, and presently Roger, who was standing not far off, blazing away with
his musket, saw him stagger, hurried to his assistance barely in time to
save him before he fell on the deck.
"Are you hurt, sir?" he asked.
"I am afraid somewhat badly. Do not let the men know it. Help me to
the bulwarks, where I can hold on."
He called Stephen, who was also loading and firing as fast as he could,
to come and help him. The Captain continued, wounded as he was, to
cheer on the men. Several more broadsides were exchanged, the bullets
all the time flying about like hail, when the pirate's bows were seen to
be turning from them. Presently she hauled her wind, and stood away to
the southward. The British crew on this raised a hearty cheer as they
sent a few last shot flying after her. Scarcely had the shout died away
than the brave Captain sank down on the deck.
"We must carry him below and see to his wounds," said Stephen, and Roger
called Sam Stokes and another man to their assistance.
"Tell the mate to stand on till he loses sight of the pirate, and then
haul to the northward," whispered the Captain in a faint voice. He
could say no more. As soon as he was placed in his berth, Stephen and
Roger did their best to doctor him, but they were unaccustomed to
surgical operations.
"Let me see what I can do," said Sam. "I have had half-a-dozen bullets
in my body during my time, and seen hundreds of men wounded, so I ought
to have a little notion." So he set to work in a methodical way to
discover what had become of the bullet which had entered the Captain's
side. He managed to find it, and, what was of great consequence, the
cloth which had been carried in at the same time, and got them out, then
stopped the blood and bound up the wound.
"Cannot say how he will do, but I have done my best, and can do no
more," observed old Sam as he left the cabin to look after some of his
wounded messmates.
Three men had been killed and five wounded out of the crew, which
greatly reduced their strength. The first mate, who now took command,
hauled up to the northward, as the Captain had directed him. As the
_Dolphin_ had been running for so many hours out of her course, she was
considerably to the southward of the Straits, though the mate asserted
that they would be able to fetch the entrance of the Straits if the wind
held the following day. Nothing more was seen of the Algerine during
the night, and hopes were entertained that she would not again attempt
to molest them. The Captain, notwithstanding that the bullet had been
extracted, continued in a very weak state, and almost unconscious.
Stephen and Roger, not trusting to the mate's navigation, got out the
chart, marked down the course they had run to the best of their
knowledge, and the next morning took an observation, which placed the
_Dolphin_ considerably to the southward. Whereon the mate asserted that
she was much nearer the coast, in fact she had been sailing almost
parallel with it for a considerable distance, and soon after noon he put
the ship about and steered due east.
"I think, sir, that to sight the rock of Gibraltar we should be steering
north-east," observed Stephen, pointing to the chart.
"Ho, ho, young man, you fancy that you understand navigation better than
I do," said the mate. "Just keep your remarks to yourself till I
request you to make them."
Stephen could say no more, but he and Roger agreed, when the first mate
went below, they would try to get the second to alter the ship's course.
The first mate seemed to suspect their intentions, for he remained on
deck, and when the wind drew more from the east which it did shortly
after noon, kept the ship away to the south-east.
"The fellow will be running us on shore, or we shall be falling in with
some Sallee rovers, for we cannot be far off their coast by this time,"
said Stephen. "I think we had better have a talk with Sam Stokes, and
hear his opinion."
Sam, although no navigator, was perfectly inclined to agree with them.
"If the Captain was himself, we might get orders to put you under
arrest, for it might be a serious affair if we did so and fell in with a
man-of-war; we should be accused of mutiny and intending to turn
pirates," observed Sam.
Roger, however, was strongly of opinion that they ought to make the mate
again tack to the northward. They again spoke to him on the subject,
and warned him of the danger he was running. He laughed scornfully, and
again told them to mind their own business, asserting that they had
nothing whatever to do with the navigation of the ship. On this they
applied to the second mate and boatswain, and did their best to alarm
them. They were still speaking on the subject, and had some hope of
success, when the first mate came up and inquired what they were talking
about.
"This is mutiny, downright mutiny!" he exclaimed, and without more ado
he ordered the second mate and boatswain to lash their arms behind them
and carry them into the cabin.
"I do not wish to be hard with you, but I will not have my authority
disputed, and you youngsters will remain there till I can prove to you
that I am right and you are wrong."
Though they protested loudly at this treatment, the mate would not
listen to them; they had therefore to submit. In the evening Jumbo
brought supper to them, but he said that he was ordered not to hold any
conversation, but to come away again as soon as he had placed the supper
before them.
"But how is the ship going; what course is she steering?" asked Stephen.
"Bery well as far as me make out," answered Jumbo. "Sometimes steer
east-south-east, sometimes south-east."
"Well, tell the men that that course will carry us on shore before
daylight to-morrow morning," said Stephen.
"Me tink dey break dis nigger's head if he stop talking," said Jumbo,
hurrying away in a great fright.
As their arms had been released, as soon as they had had their supper,
being pretty well tired with the exertions which they had made the
previous night, they lay down, and in spite of the danger they
considered the ship was in.
After some time Roger woke, and going to the door of the cabin, found to
his surprise that Jumbo had not locked it. Anxious to know how the ship
was steering, he went up on deck, hoping not to be perceived by either
of the mates. Getting a glimpse at the compass, he found that the ship
was still steering south-east, and that the wind had become very light;
the boatswain had charge of the deck. He knew by examining the sailing
directions that strong currents set in towards the coast thereabouts,
and should the wind shift to the westward, he even fancied, as he looked
over the bulwarks, that he could see the distant land. He accordingly
went back to Stephen, and rousing him up, asked him to come on deck.
Stephen immediately hurried up with him.
"If the wind shifts to the westward, it will not be long before we are
on the shore," said Stephen boldly to the boatswain.
"Who told you?" asked the boatswain in a somewhat anxious tone.
"My own sense," answered Stephen.
Scarcely had he spoken than the wind, which had dropped almost to a
calm, shifted suddenly to the westward, and began to blow with
considerable force.
"All hands shorten sail," shouted the boatswain, and the crew came
tumbling up from below. The mates turned out of their berths, and the
first mate looked with much astonishment at the state of affairs. The
mate now saw that the ship's head must be put to the northward, and
under diminished canvas he endeavoured to haul off shore. The wind blew
harder and harder. Not half-an-hour had elapsed when a loud grating
sound was heard.
"Down with the helm!" shouted the mate. It was too late; the ship would
not come about, but drove on till she stuck hard and fast with her
broadside to the sea. Stephen and Roger hurried into the cabin to
secure some important papers, also to see what could be done for the
poor Captain, should the ship go to pieces. They had fancied him
unconscious, but he had been aroused by the sound of the ship striking,
the meaning of which he knew too well.
"Battiscombe," he said, "help me on deck. I know what has happened, and
that mate of mine has been the cause of it. I must see what can be
done."
Though he was very weak they did as he directed them. His appearance
tended to restore order.
"Men," he said, in as loud a voice as he could speak, "your lives depend
upon obeying my directions. Battiscombe, you and Willoughby lower a
boat, and carry a line ashore with you. Take Stokes and Jumbo with you.
The rest of us must remain and try to get the ship afloat."
They did as he told them. The boat being lowered, they carried a long
rope so as to form a communication with the shore, that should the worst
come, those who remained on board might have a chance of gaining it.
They had got within fifty fathoms, when a roller came in and capsized
the boat, and sent them all struggling into the water. Stephen, who was
a good swimmer, struck out, calling to Roger and the rest to follow him,
and in a few seconds his feet touched the sand. He scrambled out, but
on looking round, what was his horror not to discover Roger! He saw Sam
Stokes and Jumbo strike out for the land. He gazed for a moment towards
where the boat had been capsized, when he saw a head and arms rise amid
the surf. Darting forward, he breasted the waves, and soon caught hold
of the person he had seen. It was Roger, who, on being hauled on shore,
quickly came to himself. Together they managed to rescue the seamen,
but the boat was knocked to pieces, and the end of the rope lost. They
could now neither return nor help those on board to reach the shore.
The wind was increasing, clouds covered the sky, and they lost sight of
the vessel in the thick spray and darkness. Roger proposed lighting a
fire as a signal to those on board, but no driftwood could be
discovered, and the fierce gale would soon have scattered the ashes had
they made the attempt. They shouted at the top of their voices.
"It is no use in exhausting your strength," observed old Sam. "In the
teeth of this hurricane our voices cannot travel half the distance to
the wreck."
Finding at length that they could do nothing on the beach, they sought
for shelter under the lee of a sandhill, where, being exhausted by their
exertions, they soon fell asleep.