Morning came bright as ever, and I gave a bit of a laugh as I saw Mr
Ward and Miss Bell sitting tight hold of hands; for, in place of seeming
to fear him, she was now looking up to him as if for protection. Sam
and Bill, poor chaps, were in a queer state, for when they had reached
the boat, Van had struck at them with the boat-hook, till they had
turned and swum back; and now they lay on the raft with their poor heads
seeming to ask Mr Ward to come and help them; and, with Miss Bell to
assist him, he did all he could for them.
The boats were nowhere in sight; but just about a quarter of a mile from
us lay the ship, smoking and burning just a little, her poop and
midships a deal shattered, main and mizzen gone, and lying alongside,
but foremast standing with nearly all the rigging. As to the fore-part,
it did not seem much damaged; and, as she hadn't sunk so far, it struck
me as she wouldn't sink at all while it kept calm; so, Mr Ward being of
my opinion, we paddled our raft back once more. We two got aboard with
Mr Tomtit; and what with one of the pumps left rigged, and a bucket or
two, we found we got out pretty well every spark and bit of flame we
could find; made our examination amongst the black steaming ruin, and
found that the powder on board, or whatever it was, must have taken an
upward direction, and blown a good half of the deck off. Still, so far
as we could see, there was no fear of her sinking; so, clearing a spot
forward, we began to think of getting the others aboard.
But, first of all, we got a bit of sailcloth, and laid it over the poor
gentleman as lay there stiff and stark, so as not to distress his
sister.
Now the fat passenger had offered to help us, and no doubt would have
done his best; but hang me if he could any more mount the side of the
Sea-mew than fly. He panted and puffed for a bit, but that was all, and
then he sat down again on the raft, puffing and talking to Miss Bell
when he could get her to speak, which wasn't often. As for Bill and
Sam, poor chaps, they couldn't hold a head up; and I was very glad when
we'd got a bit of an awning rigged up, and Miss Bell on board and
underneath it.
Next thing to be done was to find some biscuit and water, Mr Ward said,
for they'd finished what was in the breaker, the two poor chaps being
that thirsty they kept asking for it, and Miss Bell not having the heart
to refuse. So Mr Ward said water; but, speaking for myself, I said
rum. After a long hunt, we found, just where we should never have
thought to see it, a tin of preserved meat, and had a hard fight to open
it, but we managed that; and then I was in luck soon after, and turned
up a bag of biscuits, half burned and smoked, half sound; while a little
hard work laid bare a water-cask, and I filled the breaker.
It was quite warm, that water was, but in our state every drop was so
much bottled joy, and after a good hearty draught, I was ready for any
amount more work.
So, after forgetting them for some time, I goes up the foremast, and had
a good look out for the two boats; but not a sight of them could I see,
after a good half-hour's watch; when I came down, and helped Mr Ward
and Mr Tomtit to get all the burned wood overboard.
Now, done up as we were, it wasn't reasonable to expect a vast deal of
work done; but we kept steadily on till it was dark, when we finished
the tin of meat, had a biscuit and some water apiece, settled that I was
to keep the first watch; and then, without a mutineer within reach, the
others lay down to rest, for we had settled, Mr Ward and me, that Mr
Bell should be buried at daybreak.
Well, I took my place, and helped myself to a quid, leaned over the
bulwark, and watched the clear bright stars, now in the sky, now as I
saw them shining in the water, and then I got asking myself questions
about how it was all to end, when I thought I should be more comfortable
sitting down. So, picking out a spot, I began to reckon up how long it
would be before I must call Mr Ward to relieve me; and then I thought
that he'd feel as bad as I did, and want Mr Tomtit to relieve him, and
then he'd watch till daybreak, when he'd relieve the birds, and Mr Ward
would put a piece of fresh bandage round the turtle-dove's head, and if
the fire broke out again, the fat passenger would cry upon it till Miss
Bell boxed his ears, when he'd relieve me, and I should--no, I
shouldn't--yes, I should--
I started, saying to myself "I was nearly asleep," when I took a fresh
turn at my quid, and Mr Ward asked me if I'd marry him and Miss Bell,
and the fat passenger could give them away, and then go and sit on the
raft with me, and sink it down, and down, and down, and always going
down, and lower and lower; and instead of its getting darker and darker,
it got lighter and lighter, and there seemed a warm glow as from the
sun, only it was the water so far down seemed to choke; and I told Mr
Ward I didn't think it quite proper, but I'd marry them if the fat
passenger would not give them away, but get out of the way--and--avast,
then--avast, then--yes, what?--all right--
"The fire has burst out again!" cried Miss Bell.
And that just while I closed my eyes for half a minute.
------------------------------------------------------------------------