MEETING ON THE RAFT--AN ATROCIOUS DEED--A DESPERATE FIGHT--SWIMMING FOR
LIFE--A TERRIBLE DOOM.
The people on the raft, overwhelmed with horror at the fearful
catastrophe which had occurred, were for a time unable to exert
themselves, and had we not been astern of the ship a large portion of
our party would probably have perished; but as it was, no one was hurt.
The boats, instead of returning to our assistance, continued to pull
away to the southward; they did not even stop to take on board Ben and
his companion, who, by the light of the burning ship, could be seen at
some distance.
As soon as those on the raft began somewhat to recover from their
consternation, they rose to their feet, uttering the most fearful
imprecations on the heads of those who, it was very evident, were so
cruelly deserting them. The brave boatswain was the only one among the
Spaniards who retained his presence of mind. He and I, with Boxall and
Halliday, managed to hoist a sail; when a light breeze enabled us to get
sufficiently clear of the burning wreck to avoid the masts and spars
which came falling down, hissing, into the water. Several of the people
shouted out, urging us to sail in chase of the boats; but even had we
attempted it with a strong breeze in our favour, they would of course
soon have got far ahead of us. As it was, the wind again fell, and we
lay on the calm ocean unable to impel our raft either towards the shore
or in any other direction, while we gazed with sad eyes at the burning
ship.
I looked round for Antonio and young Pedro, but could discover neither
of them on the raft. The friendly disposition the latter had exhibited
towards us made me hope that he had escaped in one of the boats. Boxall
said that he had seen Antonio not long before he himself had got on the
raft, and that he was nearly certain he had been left on the burning
wreck. Notwithstanding the bad opinion Ben had formed of him, we agreed
that we should have been glad had he been with us, as he was certainly
one of the most intelligent and active seamen on board. Boxall,
Halliday, and I sat near the mast with the boatswain, who tried in vain
to arouse his companions to exertion,--urging them to secure the raft
more firmly, and to endeavour to pick up anything which might be
floating by. Those who had at first obeyed him willingly, now only
grumbled; and from words I heard spoken, I was afraid that, should he
attempt to enforce his orders, a mutiny would break out. On mentioning
my fears to Boxall,--"We must try and defend him then," he answered. "I
trust that some will remain faithful, and rally round us."
The night continued calm. This was the time when, if active, we might
possibly have obtained some provisions, and might certainly have
improved the raft. We three did what we could, but the people would not
move out of our way, and no one would lend a hand. We succeeded,
however, in picking up several articles: a boat-hook, some oars, and two
casks--but whether they contained water or spirits we could not be
certain. Boxall said that as they floated light he believed they were
spirit-casks, and suggested that it might be wiser to let them go, in
case the people should get drunk with their contents; still, as there
was a doubt on the subject, and we were unable at once to examine them,
we secured them to the raft.
The calmness of the sea alone saved many of the people sleeping near the
edge from slipping overboard, or getting their limbs jammed between the
openings in the spars. It was easy, however, to foretell what would
happen should a strong wind and heavy sea get up: even should the raft
hold together, many of those on it must be washed away; while if all
hands had exerted themselves, it might have been greatly strengthened,
and made secure against the dangers it would in all probability have to
encounter.
Weary with our exertions, we at length agreed to go back to the mast and
rest till daylight; but on reaching the spot where we had before taken
our post, near the boatswain, we found it occupied, and were compelled
to content ourselves with a less secure place at some distance from him.
Not trusting those around us, we agreed that one should keep awake and
watch over the other two. It fell to my lot to keep the first watch;
and so, while Boxall and Halliday stretched themselves lengthways on a
plank, I sat by their side.
I had not been there long when some men began talking near me (probably
unaware that I understood Spanish). One of the men was, I made out, the
boatswain's mate, and the others were ordinary seamen. They were
speaking of the boatswain, and abusing him for what they called his
tyranny. Each one had some grievance to complain of.
"We have him now in our power," said the boatswain's mate; "let us
revenge ourselves on him."
"But who is to take command of the raft and guide us to the shore?"
asked one of the men.
"I will do that," was the answer; "I am as good a seaman as he is. And
when we get to land we will build huts and live at our ease, instead of
setting off, as he will certainly wish to do, to find some port where we
can start for Spain, where most of you will be sent back to the
galleys."
A good deal more was said to the same effect; and my immediate
impression was that the men he was addressing were emancipated convicts,
and capable of any atrocity. I longed to warn the boatswain at once of
the plot hatching for his destruction; but I knew that if I moved I
should be suspected. I hoped, however, that at all events the wretches
would not attempt to carry their nefarious plan out that night, and I
resolved to take the first opportunity of telling the boatswain what I
had heard. Growing very sleepy, I was compelled at last to awake
Halliday and get him to keep watch. I told him to arouse me should the
men make any movement, or show that they were about to carry out their
treacherous project.
I went to sleep with the thought on my mind of the boatswain's danger;
and I suppose this caused me to awake suddenly. Starting up, I found
that Halliday had dropped off to sleep by my side. The raft had drifted
to some distance from the ship, which was, however, still burning, the
glare falling on the figures of my companions in misfortune,--some lying
down, others sleeping in sitting postures. I looked around towards the
spot where the boatswain's mate and his associates had been; they were
not there. I crept towards the place where I had left the boatswain;
but could not distinguish him. Happening to look to the further end of
the raft, I saw a hand lifted up holding a dagger, which gleamed in the
light of the burning ship. I shouted to Boxall and Halliday, who sprang
to their feet; while I, followed by them, rushed towards the spot where
I had seen the weapon raised.
"Stop! stop!" I shouted in Spanish. "Commit no murder." My voice
aroused most of the other sleeping occupants of the raft; but before my
friends and I could reach the spot the dagger had descended, and we were
met by the glaring eyes of the boatswain's mate and his convict
associates.
"You have killed the brave boatswain," I could not help exclaiming.
"You shall share his fate, whatever that is," growled out the murderer.
"Who are you, who dares to interfere with me and my friends?"
I made no answer. The man held the still reeking dagger in his hand,
and I could not help fearing that, should I get within his reach, he
would plunge it into me.
The people on the raft were now shouting and talking together--some
arranging themselves on our side, while others appeared inclined to take
part with the boatswain's mate and his vile associates.
"Where is the boatswain? where is the boatswain? Pedro Alvez!" cried
out some of the petty officers. No answer came. All the officers had
their swords, and Halliday and I had got hold of two of the axes which
had been taken to form the raft. Boxall told me to urge the carpenter,
who seemed to be the chief in rank, to cut down the mutineers at once,
and either heave them overboard or lash them to the raft, as he was
certain they would otherwise take an early opportunity of attacking us
when unprepared, and would put us all to death. He hesitated, however,
observing that most of them had their knives, and that it would be no
easy matter to overcome them.