The astounding intelligence, conveyed by the final sentence of this
staggering speech, deprived me for the moment of the power of motion.
"A barrel of powder aboard!" These were his very words, and I had no
reason to doubt that they were true. On the contrary, his behaviour,
and that of those who were with him, went far to prove their truth. On
no other supposition could I account for their haste to be gone; but the
hypothesis of the powder at once explained it. Beyond a doubt the
speech was true. There was a barrel of powder aboard! Both he and the
mate were aware of it.
The dastards had made a sort of compromise with their consciences in now
declaring it. They had preserved silence about it until they were
themselves safe. If they had divulged the secret sooner, the whole crew
might have followed them into the gig--dreading to stay any longer on
board--and, therefore, they might not have got off so snugly. Now,
however, that they were themselves beyond danger, there could be no harm
in letting the others know it, as it might quicken their efforts at
escape. Of course they did not desire to see their old associates blown
into the air--if it could be helped without any risk to themselves--but
they had taken good care to remove the risk, before offering any hint
about the probable catastrophe.
The skipper, as soon as he had given utterance to the appalling speech,
sank back upon his seat; and, pulling along with the rest, the gig moved
rapidly away.
I say that the astounding intelligence deprived me of the power of
motion, and equally so of speech. It occurred to me to ask for an
explanation--an additional averment as confirmation of its truth; but,
before I could recover myself, it was too late--the boat was almost
beyond hail. It would be no use shouting after. They would not hear,
or, if they did, would not heed me; and what mattered it, for I could
not doubt but what the man had said was meant as serious truth. Though
not sober, he would hardly have jested then, and in such a fashion. The
time and the circumstances were too solemn for jest--even for him,
unfeeling fiend that he was.
No; he had spoken but the truth--the simple truth. Beyond all hope of a
doubt there was a barrel of powder on board the _Pandora_!
Where was it? In the store-room, now filled with fire? where else was
it likely to be? on the half-deck, or in the hold? No--not probable--
none of us had ever seen it there. There had been no powder observed in
any part of the vessel to which the common sailors had access; none
since the cargo was delivered to King Dingo. It must then be in the
store-room, or in the captain's own state-room? in either case
contiguous to the flames--in either case close to where I was standing!
The thought roused my senses from the state of stupefaction into which
they had fallen. The idea of self-preservation gave me new energies;
and I lost no time in hastening away from the spot. It was a mere
instinct to place myself as far from the danger as I could. I sprang
from the poop and ran forward upon the main-deck.
I was now at a loss as to how I should act. My first impulse had been
to rush forward among the men and proclaim the intelligence communicated
by the captain. I was on the point of doing so, when some good angel
seemed to whisper "prudence."
I was always considered a boy of "quick-parts," and the life I had been
lately leading had wonderfully sharpened my intellect. Just then it
occurred to me, if I divulged the terrible secret it could do no good,
but on the contrary, might beget great mischief. I saw that the sailors
were exerting all their strength to get out the boat, and were making
what haste they could. No power on earth could have caused them to go
faster. The dread of the flames, now beginning to flow through the
cabin-windows, was stimulus enough. Any additional dread would only
paralyse them. I determined, therefore, to keep the fearful knowledge
within my own breast. I thought of imparting it only to Ben, and for
him I now went in search.
I soon discovered him. He was among a crowd up over the davits, working
with all his might. I could not get near him, and of course could not
communicate with him without being overheard by the others. I therefore
resolved to remain sole possessor of the dread secret till a better
opportunity offered itself.
I set to work with the rest, heaving and hauling; but, amidst all I had
but one thought. I scarce knew what was going on, or what I was myself
doing. I was every moment in expectation of that loud report--that
horrible explosion that would fling us all into eternity! I worked
mechanically and often wrong; once or twice I caught myself hauling the
wrong way. Some of them noticed this and rudely kicked me aside. Oh!
the keen apprehension!
The boat was at length cleared of the bulwarks and swung over the sea;
and then the lowering commenced. This operation was not so difficult,
and in a few minutes more she rested upon the water. The men gave a
cheer at their success.
Many at once glided into the boat; while others remained above and on
the sides, passing down some necessary articles--some bread and water--
such things as could be most readily got at.
At this moment two men lifted between them a heavy barrel; and rolling
it over the bulwarks, commenced lowering it downward. The size and
shape of the barrel proclaimed its contents. It was a cask of rum, and
its weight proved that it had never been broached, but was quite full of
the potent spirit. No one objected to its being taken into the boat.
There were no protesters in that crew, but several now offered to assist
in lowering it down. A bight of rope was thrown around the cask, and
the letting down commenced.
It had scarcely balanced over the copper sheathing of the bulwark, when
the bight of rope--hurriedly cast around it--slipped off, and the heavy
barrel fell with all its weight into the bottom of the boat. Not
exactly into the bottom but upon one side--a little below the
water-line, as the boat lay.
A heavy crash was heard--not the firm concussion of the barrel striking
on the elastic timbers of the boat; but more as if something had broken
underneath where it fell. The barrel had fallen angularly and endways;
and the sharp projecting end of the oaken staves had struck between two
of the ribs of the boat, and fair upon the face of her outside planking.
As if the hand of a demon had guided it, the rum cast in its descent
had fallen upon one of the decayed planks; and the crash that had been
heard was the sound of the plank springing out of its bed and breaking
crossways at the same time!
A wild cry rose from out the boat, as those who were below saw the
catastrophe that had happened. It was visible even from the deck above;
for looking over I perceived a thick gush of water pouring through the
side of the boat.
Some of the men leaped out of her and came climbing up again; while
others remained endeavouring to staunch the hole, and with buckets that
were now thrown to them, commenced baling out.
They did not continue long at this. It was clearly a hopeless task; the
huge breach could not be mended, and the boat filled ten times faster
than they could bale her out. They soon abandoned the attempt; and,
dropping the buckets, followed their companions up the side.
In less than ten minutes after, the long-boat had gone to the bottom of
the sea.
"A raft! a raft!"