"Dar coming on!" muttered Snowball. "Wha' we better do, Massa Brace?
Ef we stay hya dey detroy us fo' sartin."
"Stay here!" exclaimed the sailor, who no longer spoke in whispers,
since such would no longer avail. "Anything but that. Quick, Snowy,--
quick, Will'm! Back down to the deck o' our craft. Let's make all
speed, and cast off from the karkiss o' the whale. There be time enough
yet; and then it'll be, who's got the heels. Don't be so bad skeeart,
Snowy. The ole _Catamaran_ be a trim craft. I built her myself, wi'
your help, nigger; an' I've got faith in her speed. We'll outsail 'em
yet."
"Dat we will, Massa Brace," assented Snowball, as, close following the
sailor, he glided down the rope on to the deck of the _Catamaran_, where
little William had already arrived.
It was the work of only a few minutes to cut the tiny cable by which the
little embarkation had been attached to the fin of the _cachalot_, and
push the craft clear of its moorings.
But, short as was the time, during its continuance the sun had produced
a wonderful change in that oceanic panorama.
The floating fog, absorbed by his fervid rays, had almost disappeared
from the deep, or at all events had become so dissipated that the
different objects composing that strange tableau in the proximity of the
dead _cachalot_ could all be seen by a single _coup d'oeil_; and were
also in sight of one another.
There was the huge carcass itself, looming like a great black rock above
the surface of the sea. Just parting from its side was the little
_Catamaran_, with its sail set, and its crew,--consisting of two men and
a boy,--the little Portuguese girl appearing as a passenger,--the two
men energetically bending to the oars while the boy held hold of the
rudder.
Scarce a hundred yards astern was the larger embarkation,--supporting
its score of dark forms,--some seated, and straining at the oars,--some
steering,--others attending to the sail; and one or two standing by the
head, shouting directions to the rest,--all apparently in wonder at the
tableau thus suddenly disclosed, and uncertain what to make of it, or
what course to pursue!
The occupants of the great raft were infinitely more astonished than
those of the _Catamaran_. On the part of the latter there was no longer
any astonishment. On recognising the voices taking part in that
ceremonious inquest they had comprehended all. The surprise they had at
first felt was now changed into terror.
The men on the raft were still under the influence of astonishment; and
no wonder. The apparition that had so suddenly loomed up before their
eyes,--at first obscurely seen through the fog, but gradually becoming
more distinct,--was enough to cause any amount of surprise. Such a
grouping of strange objects in such a situation! The huge carcass of a
whale,--a fire upon its back, with bright flames blazing upward,--a
crane over the fire with the curious flitches suspended from it,--a
raft, in some respects resembling their own, supported by empty casks,
and carrying a sail, with four human beings seen upon its deck,--all
these formed a series of phenomena, or facts, that was enough to have
excited the surprise of the most indifferent observers. Some of the men
were even speechless with wonder, and so continued for a time, while
others gave vent to their astonishment in loud shouts and excited
gesticulations.
That first order issued by Le Gros--for it was his voice that had been
heard giving it--had no other object than to cause a rapid movement
towards the dark mass, or rather the beacon seen blazing upon its
summit. The order had been instantly obeyed; for there was an
instinctive apprehension on the part of all that, as before, the light
might again vanish from their view.
As they drew nearer, however, and the fog continued to disperse, they
obtained a fairer view. Their surprise was not much diminished, though
their comprehension of the objects before them became rapidly clearer.
The retreat of the Catamarans--for the movements of the latter
proclaimed this design--was of itself suggestive; and, perhaps, more
than aught else, enabled those from whom they were retreating to
comprehend the situation.
At first they could not even conjecture who they were that occupied the
little raft. They saw four human beings upon it; but the mist was still
thick enough to hinder them from having a clear view of either their
forms, faces, or features. Through the filmy atmosphere to recognise
them was impossible. Had there been but two, and had the embarkation
that carried them been a mere platform of planks, they might have shaped
a conjecture. They remembered that upon such a structure Ben Brace and
the boy had given them the slip; and it might be them. But who were the
two others? And whence came the six water-casks, the sail, and other
paraphernalia seen upon the escaping craft?
They did not stay to waste time in conjectures. It was enough for them
to perceive that the four individuals thus seen were trying to get out
of their reach. This was _prima facie_ proof that they had something
worth carrying along with them; perhaps water!
Some one made use of the word. It was like proclaiming a reprieve to a
wretch upon the scaffold about to be launched into eternity. It caused
such excitement in the minds of the motley crew--all of them suffering
from extreme thirst--that, without further hesitancy, they bent eagerly
to their oars,--putting forth the utmost effort of their strength in
chase of the _Catamaran_.