The Hurricane.
In utmost astonishment the sailors looked after the helmsman and the
two boys as they were led away. All honored and trusted Green as a man
true to his duty and a brave comrade; the Captain's nephew was the
favorite of the crew, and everybody liked faithful little Peppo. What
did it all mean? Now before their very eyes the helmsman had attacked
the first officer and the Captain, and even commanded the Chinamen to
be insubordinate, and the boys openly had taken sides with the helmsman.
"Green has lost his mind," cried an old sailor.
"It must be so," answered his companion. "Perhaps he is moonstruck;
more than one good fellow has gone moonstruck in the tropics."
"He must be out of his mind," put in the Captain, "but that's a matter
for the judge to find out. You can testify as to what he said and did,
and if the judge sends him to the mad-house instead of the gallows, I
shall be glad. Redfox has fortunately recovered himself after the
murderous attack and is going into my cabin." The Captain started
across the deck. "But hello, here!--What's the matter? The wind has
changed all of a sudden, or rather the breeze has ceased. The sails
are flapping against the mast, and the pennons are not moving. Every
man to his post," he shouted. "I fear the wind will veer suddenly
before we have time to turn round, and blow harder than will be
pleasant for us. Gray, go to the wheel. The rest of you mount the
rigging, furl the sails, all, even the great topsail. Oh, here, you
Chinamen, get down stairs."
The scene which had just taken place on deck had so absorbed the
attention of the entire crew that now for the first time they took note
of the change. There was the same long swell on the sea, but the
beautiful blue green waters had taken on a dull leaden hue. The sky
was threatening; instead of being azure, as it had been for weeks, it
was of a peculiar grayish color, although not a cloud was visible. In
the west the sun surrounded by a dark halo was going down. First a
dark bank of clouds appeared above the horizon; then quickly, like a
giant's hand with outstretched fingers to grasp the ship which lay
motionless on the waters, it spread until it covered the sun. With
greatest anxiety the sailors watched the signs of the approaching
hurricane, making what preparations they could by furling the sails,
locking the hatchways, and fastening every rope securely.
"We're going to have a hurricane, I fear, Captain. Just see how the
quicksilver has dropped in the barometer, and we are right upon this
accursed island with its coral reefs. God have mercy on us or we are
lost," said Gray.
White with fear he looked at the barometer, then at the sky. Already
the rumblings of the storm could be heard, and in the distance sheets
of foam like a mist were being driven before the wind.
"It will be here in a moment. The first shock will strike us on the
side.--If we only don't capsize," said the Captain.
"I cannot turn the ship against the wind so long as it is lying still
like this. We must let the waves wash over us--there!"
While Gray was speaking the storm broke and went howling through the
rigging, filling the only sail which was unfurled. The mast creaked;
the ship groaned in all its joints, as it tipped on its side until the
ends of the yards touched the water, and for one awful moment it seemed
as if it could not right itself. Then yielding to the rudder it swung
round to the west, and offered the point of the bow to the storm. Only
the fact that it was very strongly built saved it from destruction.
"Keep to the south as much as you can," called the Captain.
"The first danger is over," said Gray breathless, "but what now? How
am I to steer a ship that won't and can't be steered in such a storm as
this. I wish Green were here in my place."
"Keep to the south as much as you can. Every inch that we get away
from the Soloman Islands is so much away from sure destruction. If we
can only avoid those coral reefs we shall be safe.--Oh, that I was ever
fool enough to listen to Redfox and steer for those accursed islands."
These last words the Captain muttered under his breath, as he realized
how quickly God's punishment was overtaking him.
"To the south, Captain, so long as mast and sails remain and the good
ship yields to the rudder; but do let Green come and take my place. I
am not capable of steering in such a storm as this."
The Captain left Gray and went immediately to the room where the
helmsman was chained. The thrashing of the vessel, and the noise of
the waves dashing over its decks told that a frightful storm was
raging, and of the dangers of the coral reefs he knew only too well.
Consequently he said when the Captain came in, "It is no time now to
talk of grievances and discipline, you need my help. I give you my
word that when the ship is saved, if saved it can be, I will put on my
chains again."
"I hope it will not be necessary. You will see that there is some
misunderstanding.--What was that awful crash? Death is upon us," cried
the Captain, interrupting himself.
"One of the masts has broken and gone over board!" cried Green. "Come
quickly or we'll go to the bottom. Bring the two boys into the cabin
and let them pray. If God will not spare these two innocent children
there is no hope for the rest of us. We can only repent and prepare
for the end."
A moment later Green was on deck. The mizzen-mast had broken off, but
still hung to the side of the vessel with all its tackling.
"Cut the ropes and clear the ship; then try one of the jib-sails,
otherwise there will be no such thing as steering," he said.
The sailors obeyed quickly. They were approaching nearer and nearer to
the reefs, over which the breakers washed with a thundering noise.
"If only the jib-sail will stand the pressure on it, perhaps we can
avoid the reefs. I reckon they are not a half mile away; the ship
yields a little," said Green.
The Captain again came on board, but avoided the helmsman. To Gray he
said, "Put out the flying-jib so as to be prepared in case the jib does
not hold, and get ready to cast the anchor." The sailors took their
places at the capstan and made ready to lower the anchor. Meantime the
night had settled down quickly, for in the tropics night follows the
going down of the sun without any twilight. There was a rainbow but
thick banks of clouds driven along by the storm hid it. The darkness
was so intense that you could not see the top of the mast, and even on
the deck it was impossible to distinguish objects only a step or two
away. Now and again a flash of lightning showed the foaming breakers
washing over the reefs and the dark outlines of the island beyond them.
Anxiously every eye was turned towards the point of danger.
"We're not two knots away from those accursed islands," said Gray.
"The storm is rising. The sails will be in shreds in a moment. Such
waves I have never seen before," answered Gray.
The ship danced like a nutshell on the raging waters. The bowsprit
raised itself high in the air, while the stern was buried in the trough
of the sea. All clung to the ropes or whatever object presented itself
expecting to be washed overboard, as the boat shook and creaked in its
agony.
Hanging for dear life to the railing near the wheel the Captain looked
upon the uproar of the elements, and must have admitted to himself that
the helmsman's words of accusation were only too well founded. A
frightful cry shook his soul. "Cain, where is thy brother Abel? What
hast thou done with thy brother's child? What judgment will be
pronounced on thee?" Now he did not seek to put the guilt on his
corrupter, his bad angel, but admitted that he was guilty, and despair
almost broke his heart. "There is no forgiveness, miserable sinner,"
whispered the arch enemy. "Thou art a murderer, thy brother's
murderer!" Then came back a happier thought, a picture of his innocent
youth. He saw himself before the miraculous image of the Blessed
Virgin, which he then so often visited. There were the lights of many
candles, and her motherly eyes looking down upon him, and at the foot
of the image written on a little tablet these words: "Mother of mercy,
refuge of sinners: pray for us." Like a friendly star in the night of
awful darkness came this bright picture, and in his agony he cried to
heaven: "O Lord, give me time to repent and atone for my sins."
The vessel swept on. The wind tore the sails to shreds. The sailors
cast the anchor. With a thud it went into the sea, and for a moment
held the vessel.
"Cut the masts," thundered the Captain. The sailors obeyed orders, but
with the first stroke of the ax, above the roaring of winds and waves
came the awful human cry: "The anchor is lost! We're drifting!"
"God have mercy on our souls," cried Green crossing himself, and the
Captain fell on his knees, moaning, "Mercy, mercy, O Lord, have mercy
on us!"
A dazzling streak of lightning showed the white outlines of the reef
and the next moment a wave mountain high washed the vessel upon it.