I was awoke by the cry of "All hands, shorten sail." Slipping on my
clothes, I sprang on deck. The sea was running high, the ship was
heeling over to a strong breeze. I flew to the rigging, and my station
in the mizzen-top. It was daylight. The crew were swarming up the
rigging, and I could distinguish the Lascars forward among the most
active. Whatever might have been their intentions for evil, they seemed
as eager as any one in taking in the reefs. The serang himself lay out
on the weather yard-arm, and I saw him, earing in hand, working away
actively with the rest. The dream was still vivid on my mind; and I
could not help feeling surprised at seeing him thus engaged, when I had
expected to be struggling in a deadly conflict with him and his
companions. The ship was soon brought under snug sail, and standing on
her course to the eastward. The watch below returned to their bunks to
take the remainder of their short night's rest, and I was quickly
asleep.
Again the same dream came back to me. Once more the Lascars made their
way aft, but this time stealthily. I fancied I saw Ali leading them
through the gloom of night, whilst the captain was unconscious of their
approach, gazing over the taffrail, as if watching some object astern.
I tried to warn him, but could not make my voice heard. Ali was close
to him, with his kriss ready to strike, when I heard the watch below
called.
In a moment I was awake. My dream was at an end. I dressed as usual
for the morning work of washing down decks, and in another minute was
paddling about with my bare feet on the planks, among idlers
holy-stoning, and topmen dashing buckets of water here and there on
every side, often into the face of some unhappy wight to whom they owed
a grudge. The wind did not increase, but there was sufficient sea on to
keep many of the passengers below. Mrs Davenport, however, with Emily
and Grace, came on deck. They required, however, assistance to move
about, which I and the third mate, and a young civilian going out to
Singapore, had the satisfaction of rendering them. Emily and Grace sat
watching the high, tossing, foaming seas with delight.
"How grand!" exclaimed Emily. "I quite envy the huge fish which can
swim about unconcerned in these tumbling waves, or the sea-fowl which
fly over them from ridge to ridge bathing in the spray."
Grace admired the masses of white foam which flew off from the summits
of the seas as they rolled grandly by. Mr Hooker was the merriest of
the party, and seemed well pleased with the delight the girls exhibited
at the new aspect the ocean had put on. He only regretted that he could
not read as much as usual, as he was tempted, like them, to remain on
deck and observe it.
I had not forgotten what I had heard from Potto Jumbo about Ali and his
companions. I observed them on deck going about their duty as quietly
and orderly as any one. Mr Thudicumb had not again alluded to the
subject, and I could not tell whether or not he had informed the
captain. I could not, however, help suspecting that Ali had seen Potto
speaking to me, and that he might therefore be acting as he was doing
for the purpose of throwing us off our guard. I resolved to mention my
suspicion to Mr Thudicumb as soon as I had an opportunity, and in the
meantime to watch Ali, and try to find out what he was about. I had no
opportunity of speaking, unobserved, to the black cook; for whenever I
went forward either Ali himself, or one of the Lascars, were near the
caboose. I suspected that they went there purposely.
For three days the gale continued. At last, one evening Mr Thudicumb
called me into his cabin.
"I have not been asleep, Walter," he said. "The captain knows all about
the matter. He does not think that the Lascars will really carry out
their plans, and suspects that Ali was merely attempting to frighten the
black cook. Still, as a matter of precaution, he has directed all the
officers, as well as most of the gentlemen passengers, to carry arms;
and has warned Mr Tarbox, and three or four of the most trustworthy of
the men, to be on the alert. However, while the gale blows, there is
little fear that they will attempt anything; but if we were to have a
long calm, their courage would get up, as they would believe that they
could navigate the ship in smooth water, should they be able to gain
possession of her."
That night the sea had gone down, and the weather appeared mending.
While I was on deck, I found Potto Jumbo by my side.
"Well, Potto," I said, "do you think our friends have given up their
kind intentions?"
"No, Massa Walter," he answered. "Me tink dey cut your t'roat, and my
t'roat, and de captain's t'roat, and de mate's t'roat, and everybody's
t'roat who no side wid dem."
"Then would it not be better to get them all put in irons at once?" I
observed. "I wonder the captain does not secure them."
"Dey done nothing," answered Potto. "Dey good, obedient seamen. What
for de captain put dem in irons? I only try and find out, and tink and
guess what dey want to do."
"True," I observed; "then all we can do is to watch till they commit
some overt act, as the lawyers call it."
"I don't know what overt act is," observed my friend; "but I know dat if
dey stick de kriss into me, or de mate, or Massa Tarbox, dey no stop
dere. When dey begin, I know what dese fellows are."
"Then, what we must do, is to watch them narrowly," I observed.
"Ay, ay, Massa Walter, I got my eyes about me; neber fear of dat. Dey
tink me go to sleep. When cunning Lascar talk and plot, and say what he
will do, Potto lies wid one eye just little open, peeping out of de bunk
and awake, and snore all the time like de big animal you call 'nosorous
in my country. Dey say, `Dat black cook is fast asleep--he no
understand what we say.'--Now, good-night, Massa Walter; me go below and
talk of de tree glass of grog I got, and den lie down, and go off to
sleep and snore. Ha, ha, ha! Potto Jumbo no sleep when his friends in
danger, and their enemies plotting."
He said this in his usual low voice, and leaving me, dived below. By
the next forenoon the sea had almost completely gone down. The reefs
had been shaken out of the sails, and under our usual canvas we were
making good speed across the ocean. Passing near the caboose, Potto
Jumbo popped out his head.
"Tell de first mate to be on de watch. Dey going to do something--
mischief--never fear dat; me know not what dough, dey so quiet; but dey
intend to take away a boat, dat I heard dem say."
Having thus delivered himself, Potto drew his head in within his den.
As soon as I could return aft, I found an opportunity of telling Mr
Thudicumb what Potto had said.
"Not much fear of their getting off," observed the first mate. "It
would be difficult for the serang and his men to lower a boat without
being discovered. We must, however, keep a strict watch over him. He
probably supposes that we are near some land which he hopes to reach.
Still, whatever may be his intentions, we will be even with him."
The sun had set in a glorious glow of red. The passengers were on deck
enjoying the coolness of evening, though the shades of night quickly
came down over the ocean. Suddenly there was a startling cry of "Fire,
fire!" and a thin wreath of dark smoke was seen ascending up the
fore-hatchway.
"Strike the fire-bell!" cried the captain. "No rushing, my men!
Steady! Mr Thudicumb will lead the way below. Be ready with the
buckets.--Mr Martin," to the second officer, "rig a pump overboard!
Mr Tarbox, come aft!"
The captain whispered a few words to him. The men obeyed all the orders
promptly. A line was formed to pass the buckets as they were filled
down the hold. The first officer and several men descended. The
passengers joined the party to pass the buckets. Among the most active
of the people appeared Ali, and two or three of his men. I observed,
however, that the remainder kept together on one side of the ship. The
smoke increased, in spite of the water which was now hove down on the
spot whence it was supposed to proceed. Faster and faster we passed the
buckets. Presently there was a cry, and first one man and then another
was hauled up almost suffocated with smoke. Mr Thudicumb came last: he
could scarcely stand; indeed, he appeared almost senseless. He quickly
recovered, however, and insisted on again going below, though the other
officers begged to take his place.
"No, no," he shouted. "Bring wet blankets, wet bedding--anything by
which we may smother the flames!"
Once more he and his companions descended with wet blankets in their
arms. The seat of the fire was evidently far down.
"We must get at the cargo!" cried Mr Thudicumb, from below, to the
captain, who was standing over the hatchway.
A crane was rigged, and whips rove, and bales and packages hauled up,
several more men jumping below to assist. I was passing the buckets
when Mr Tarbox came near me.
"Keep an eye on Ali and his people," he said. "I have a notion this is
their doing. For all they appear so active, they mean mischief, depend
on it."
Still Ali was working away, now passing along a bucket, now hoisting up
a bale of merchandise. Presently, however, I saw him slip away and
glide off. His men, who had apparently been watching him, directly
afterwards also made their way up to the starboard quarter boat; and I
observed that each man carried a package of some sort. I ran round to
where the boatswain was assisting in hoisting up the cargo; and he and
several men, whom he summoned, instantly sprang aft, where we found Ali
and his companions in the act of lowering the boat. Two were already in
her. "Hold fast, you villains!" cried Tarbox, giving a blow to Ali,
which knocked him over.
His companions drew their sharp knives, which they had concealed in
their trousers, and made a rush at the boatswain, who was, however, too
quick for them, and drawing a pistol from his pocket, presented it at
the head of the first; while the men, seizing some boat-stretchers which
had been placed ready for use by the boatswain, laid about them with so
much energy that they quickly knocked over several of the Lascars,
though two or three were wounded in the scuffle. Ali had again sprung
to his feet, but instead of attempting to attack Mr Tarbox, he only
cried out--
"What do you mean? I lowered a boat to save the ladies! Suppose fire
gain on ship, what you do then with them?"
"Oh! is that it, my hearty!" answered Tarbox. "However, the fire is not
going to gain on the ship, I hope. Do you tell your men to come out of
the boat quickly, and make fast the falls again, and just you come along
with me."
Saying this, the boatswain made a rush at the Lascar, and quickly passed
a rope behind his arms. Two other men were seized at the same time,
their knives being taken from them. They were then dragged into one of
the cabins, and a seaman with a loaded pistol placed as a guard over
them.
"Now, the rest of you go forward!" cried the boatswain to the Lascars;
and, without attempting resistance, they obeyed the order.
Oliver Farwell was sent aft by the captain to assist the seamen in
watching the prisoners, while I again joined the gangs in passing the
buckets. The smoke continued to ascend as quickly as before; and, as
the cargo was removed, flames burst up, rising through the hatchway.
Again Mr Thudicumb and his companions had to come on deck.
"Never fear, though," he cried out, as soon as he had recovered from the
effects of the smoke. "We are getting at the seat of the fire! More
volunteers for below! Come, lads!"
He had not to make any further appeal. A dozen fresh hands, led by Mr
Hooker, each carrying sails or blankets or bedding well saturated,
sprang below; and I could not resist the feeling that I could do more
good there than on deck. Meantime water came rushing down round us,
preventing our clothes from catching fire. Happily the ship was steady,
or the danger would have been greatly increased.
I shall never forget that scene. The lurid glare of the fire cast a
ruddy glow over the figures of the men as they gathered round the
crater-like opening which had been made, while dark wreaths of smoke
hung over the deck above us, and curled up towards the hatchway.
Scarcely, however, had a fresh supply of sails and bedding been thrown
over the hole, aided by the streams of water which came rushing into it,
than the flames suddenly subsided.
"Hurrah!" shouted Mr Thudicumb, and the cry was taken up by Mr Hooker
and the rest of us. "More water! more water!"
Bucket after bucket was handed down and dashed into the opening, and
again hauled up. We were now left in almost total darkness: not a
glimmer of light remained. The smoke entirely disappeared, though the
strong smell of it remained. The first officer called for lanterns, and
they were quickly brought by the boatswain and his mates. He now
descended into the lower hold, and the blankets and bedding were hoisted
up out of it.
"It is as well we got out these bales," I heard him observe to the
boatswain. "Here, Tarbox; what do you say to this?"
It was evident on examination that a space had been cleared out under
the cargo, and filled with straw and shavings and other light matter.
This had caused the smoke, though until the bales above it had been
removed the flames were kept down. When the superincumbent bales were
lifted off, the flames quickly rose up; but the material which fed them
being light, had speedily burned out before they had time to ignite the
surrounding cargo, which, fortunately being very tightly packed, did not
easily catch fire. A thorough examination having been made, no further
signs of fire could be discovered. A couple of trusty hands were placed
to watch the hold, and those who were drenched to the skin retired to
put on dry garments.
I soon afterwards met Mr Tarbox, and asked him if he suspected the
cause of the fire.
"Of course I do," he answered. "Depend upon it, that fellow Ali and his
gang have had a hand in it; but how they managed to get below without
being discovered is more than I can say."
The captain and officers held now a consultation, and the rest of the
Lascars were seized, and the whole of the party put in irons. I will
not describe the scenes which took place in the cabin after it was known
that the fire had been thoroughly put out, and that we were once more in
safety. The passengers exhibited their feelings in a variety of ways.
Some wept, others laughed; and many, I am glad to say, knelt down and
returned thanks to Heaven for the protection which had been afforded us.
I kissed my dear sister Emily, and told her how thankful I was that she
was safe; for, indeed, my thoughts had been of her all the time, more
than of anything else.
The next morning Ali and his companions were brought up for trial before
the captain and officers and several passengers. Suspicions were
evidently strong against them, and yet no one could prove that they had
placed the combustible matter in the hold, or had set it on fire. Ali
himself declared, with many oaths, that he was innocent of the charges
brought against him; his air, indeed, was that of a much injured person.
As to his attempt to lower a boat, he asserted positively, and his men
corroborated his statement, that the order had been given by the second
officer. When Martin declared he had issued no such order, Ali shrugged
his shoulders, and could only say that he must have been mistaken, and
that the error arose in consequence of his slight knowledge of English.
When asked how they came to have arms in their hands, they said they had
brought their knives for ordinary use; and in the same way they had
secured some provisions, knowing that should they have to go in the
boats they would be required, as they could not eat the food cooked by
the Christians.
Now, if my kind friend Captain Davenport had a fault, it was that of
being too lenient. Instead of keeping Ali and his gang in irons, he at
once liberated them, warning them that though suspicions were strongly
against them, he was willing to believe the best. I do not think either
the officers or passengers were particularly well pleased with his
decision. I afterwards heard Mr Thudicumb tell the boatswain to keep
as bright a look-out as possible on Ali and the other Lascars.
"I doubt whether that fellow has got any gratitude in his breast; and if
he is determined to do mischief, he will bide his time and do it, depend
on that," he observed.
"Ay, ay, Mr Thudicumb, I have no doubt about it," observed Tarbox. "I
only wish the captain would have kept them in irons till we get to
Singapore, and would then hand them over to justice. That fellow Ali
deserves hanging, to my mind, as much as any pirate who has ever swung
in chains, or mutineer who has been run up to the yard-arm. It was no
fault of his that this fine ship and all on board were not burned or
sent to the bottom."
Ali perhaps knew that he was watched; at all events, his whole conduct
was changed. No man could behave more respectfully to the officers, or
could more carefully see that those under him did their duty, while he
himself worked away as hard as any one. He seemed to bear no ill-will
against Tarbox or any of the other men, while he appeared to have
positively a kindly feeling towards Potto Jumbo, and to be especially
patronising to Macco. Indeed, after this everything went on smoothly
and pleasantly among the men, while perhaps the dangers they had gone
through made the passengers even more sociable and pleasant than before.