THE SPIRIT OF DISCORD
The days which followed my fight with Van Luck were full of anxiety for
those who were responsible for the safety of the ship. It was evident
that a spirit of discord had begun to show itself among the crew, which
threatened a mutiny. Janstins, the pilot, whom we knew to be
trustworthy, did not attempt to hide the peril that was brewing in the
forecastle.
"Those lubbers for'ard," he said when Hartog, he, and I sat together
one evening in the cabin, "will make trouble if they can. They are a
pig-headed lot, and a dozen apiece at the gratings would do them no
harm. But while they outnumber us, as they do, three to one, we must
avoid a quarrel. Besides, if we got the upper hand, and drove the scum
into the sea, we'd be undermanned for the voyage, and unable to weather
the first storm that came upon us."
"What is it they want?" asked Hartog impatiently. "Am I a wizard to
conjure gold and jewels out of the wilderness? They knew the chances
they took when they set sail, and will have their wages paid in full,
whereas I shall receive nothing but abuse, so that in this they are in
better case than I, their captain."
"Granted you are right," answered Janstins, "yet these dunderheads will
not view the matter with such common sense. They believe that gold and
jewels are to be found, but we have not the wit to find them."
"Who has told them this?" demanded Hartog with a frown. "They must have
a leader amongst them whom we wot not of. If I find him I'll send him
adrift upon the sea to look for the treasure he speaks of with none to
hinder him."
It was the first time I had seen Hartog so deeply angered, aroused as
he was by the rumoured treachery that was being hatched against his
command, and when he spoke of the punishment most dreaded by seamen, of
being cast adrift in an open boat with three days' provisions, I knew
full well he would not hesitate to inflict this penalty upon whomsoever
might be found attempting to undermine his authority.
At these consultations held by the officers in the cabin, I noticed Van
Luck was never present. He made an excuse for his absence that, as
first officer, his place was on deck when the captain was below.
Although this could not be disputed, yet I bethought me he might have
found an opportunity to add his voice to our councils had he the
inclination to do it. But as yet I had no proof of treachery against
Van Luck, and although I suspected him, I was loath to voice my
suspicions lest my action might be attributed to malice for his scurvy
treatment of me.
As luck would have it, an incident now occurred which, for the time,
diverted the men's minds from the dangerous brooding in which they had
indulged. A dark line appeared on the horizon, which at first we took
for a breeze, but which, as it swept down upon us, proved to be a
prodigious number of flying fish. These delicate creatures rose out of
the water like silver clouds, and as they passed over our Vessel
numbers fell upon our decks. These fish are excellent eating, and of
those that fell aboard of us we soon had an ample supply. Hartog, as
much to give the crew some novel occupation as from any other motive,
set the men to work salting and drying the fish, so that we secured
three barrels full, as an addition to our ordinary fare, which was very
acceptable. The flying fish were pursued by a shoal of dolphins, which
continued to play round our ship for several days, and some of these we
captured with the line and converted into food.
In the excitement of the sport the sailors soon forgot their mutinous
conduct, and resumed something of their former cheerfulness. Like
children, seamen are easily led and readily influenced.
"I thank Providence," declared Hartog, "for the draught of fishes sent
to us at so opportune a time; but for their coming I doubt we would
have been at each other's throats ere this."
And indeed there is more in chance and circumstance than most believe.
I observed that Van Luck took no part in the fishing. The sport in
which the seamen were engaged appeared to afford him more irritation
than amusement.
I often wondered that Hartog did not note the surly demeanour of his
chief officer. But he did not appear to do so, and it was no part of my
duty to make mischief between the captain and his first mate.
When the fishing and salting were over, a breeze sprang up which
freshened to half a gale--before which we scudded under furled mizzen
and foresails. The men had now plenty to do, and there was no time for
brooding or lamenting over lost hopes. It is mostly during a calm, when
the ship rides motionless upon a painted sea, that mutinous and
rebellious thoughts arise among seamen. When the vessel is ploughing
her way through storm and stress, each man seems a part of the ship and
to have an interest in her voyage. It is then, too, that the word of
command carries weight and meaning, and the knowledge of common
dependence upon the captain makes for obedience and discipline, so that
while the gale lasted we had no fear of mutiny.
At the end of a week, during which time we covered many leagues of sea,
the weather moderated, when we found ourselves once more among the
islands of the South Seas, and the thoughts of being again on shore,
and the adventures that might be in store for us, put to flight less
wholesome and healthy thoughts.
By the time we came in sight of the islands Janstins had recovered his
spirits, and Hartog his good humour. Janstins, who was of a sanguine
disposition, began to speculate upon our chances of finding treasure,
and Hartog predicted that fortune stood upon the shores of one of these
pleasant islands to welcome us, and send us home rich men.
"It is not in nature, Peter," he said to me, "that precious stones and
metals exist only in the Old World. They are as much the elements of
the earth as rocks and water. It only needs a patient search to
discover a mine of wealth, as yet untouched by civilized man."
I did not like to discourage him, but, young as I was, I knew how
fickle a jade is fortune, giving to one with both hands, and from
another withholding that which he most deserves.
Besides, who could tell, among these countless islands or the Pacific,
upon, which one Nature had lavished her wealth?
As we approached the land I noticed that Van Luck appeared to have lost
the influence he had acquired over the crew, many of whom seemed now as
anxious to avoid him as before they had been inclined to follow him. He
was, therefore, left much to his own devices, which, from his surly
manner, did not seem to be pleasant company.
"I am resolved, Peter," said Hartog to me, "not to return home without
sufficient treasure, at all events, to pay for the expenses of this
voyage. So make up your mind to grow old among savages unless luck
brings us a ransom from this banishment. My reputation, nay more, my
honour, is pledged not to go back empty-handed, and I'd face greater
perils than any we have encountered sooner than tell those
money-grubbers at Amsterdam their principal would not be returned to
them with interest."
I could understand the captain's dilemma, but I sighed when I thought
of the time that might elapse before I would again see my betrothed.