We, however, did call off another island in the neighbourhood, called
Massafuera, to obtain a supply of wood and water. The ship was hove-to,
and the pinnace and jolly-boat were sent on shore with casks. I was
anxious to go, but old Tom kept me back. "You stay where you are,
Jack," he said, "or the skipper may play you some trick. It's a
dangerous place to land at, you are sure of a wetting, and may lose your
life in going through the surf."
In the evening, when the party returned, I found this to be the case.
Still, I might have been tempted, I think, to run off and let the ship
sail away without me, as I heard that there were plenty of goats on the
island, abundance of water, and that the vegetation was very rich.
It is also an exceedingly picturesque spot, the mountains rising
abruptly from the sea, surrounded by a narrow strip of beach. Those who
went on shore had also caught a large quantity of fish, of various
sorts, as well as lobsters and crabs, which supplied all hands for
several days.
Perhaps old Tom had a suspicion of what I might have been tempted to do,
and I fancied that was his chief reason for keeping me on board.
The idea having once taken possession of my mind, I resolved to make my
escape at the next tempting-looking island we might touch at, should I
find any civilised men living there, or should it be uninhabited. I had
no wish to live among savages, as I had read enough of their doings to
make me anxious to keep out of their way, and I was not influenced by
motives which induce seamen to run from their ships for the sake of
living an idle, profligate life, free from the restraints of
civilisation.
A few days after leaving Massafuera, we got into the trade winds, which
carried us swiftly along to the northward. Again we crossed the
equator; and about three weeks afterwards made the island of Owhyee, the
largest of the Sandwich Islands. As we coasted along, we enjoyed the
most magnificent view I had ever beheld. Along the picturesque shore
were numerous beautiful plantations, while beyond it rose the rocky and
dreary sides of the gigantic Mouna Eoa, its snow-clad summit towering to
the clouds. It was on this island that Captain Cook was murdered by the
now friendly and almost civilised natives, who have, indeed, since
become in many respects completely so, and taken their place among the
nations of the world.
We sailed on, passing several islands, when we brought up in the
beautiful bay of Whytetee. Near the shore was a village situated in an
open grove of cocoa-nut trees, with the hills rising gently in the rear,
presenting a charming prospect. The more I gazed at it, the more I
longed to leave the brig, and go and dwell there, especially as I heard
that there were several respectable Englishmen and Americans already
settled on the island, and that they were held in high favour by the
king and his chiefs. Still old Tom had been so kind to me, and I
entertained so sincere a regard for him, that I could not bear the
thoughts of going away without bidding him farewell. I was afraid,
however, of letting him know my intentions. Often I thought that I
would try and persuade him to go too. I began by speaking of the
beautiful country, and the delicious climate, and the kind manners of
the people, and how pleasantly our countrymen, residing there, must pass
their lives. "I know what you are driving at, Jack," he said, "You want
to run from the ship; isn't it so?" I confessed that such was the case,
and asked him to go with me. "No, Jack," he replied, "I am not one of
those fellows who act thus; I have done many a thing I am sorry for, but
I engaged for the voyage, and swore to stick by the brig; and while she
holds together, unless the captain sets me free, I intend to do so. And
Jack, though you are at liberty to do what you like, you wouldn't leave
me, would you?" He spoke with much feeling in his tone. "Since young
Sam went, you are the only person I have cared to speak to on board, and
if you were to go, I should feel as if I were left alone in the world.
I should have liked to have made friends with those fine young men,
Duncan and McIvor. Once (you may be surprised to hear it) I was their
equal in position, but they don't trouble themselves about such a man as
I now am, and they will soon be leaving the brig for the shore. If I
thought it was for your advantage, I would say, notwithstanding this,
go; but it isn't. You will get into bad ways if you go and live among
those savages--for savages they are, whatever you may say about them.
And you will probably be able to return home by sticking to the brig
sooner than any other way."
These arguments weighed greatly with me, and I finally abandoned my
intention, greatly to old Tom's satisfaction. He redoubled his kindness
to me after this. Towards every one else he grew more silent and
reserved.
I may just say, that the next day we anchored off Honoluloo, the chief
town, where the king and his court resided; and that we carried on some
trading with the people, his majesty in particular, and taking some
half-a-dozen Sandwich islanders on board to replace the men we had lost,
and, as old Tom observed, any others we might lose, we sailed for the
American coast.
From that day I could not help observing a more than usually sad
expression on my friend's countenance; indeed, every day he seemed to
become more and more gloomy, and I determined to ask him what there was
on his mind to make him so. I took the opportunity I was looking for
one night when he was at the helm, and the second mate, who was officer
of the watch, had gone forward to have a chat, as he sometimes did, with
the men. The night was fine and clear, and we were not likely to have
eaves-droppers. "Tell me, Tom," I said, "what is the matter with you?
I wish that I could be of as much use to you as you have been to me."
"Thank you, Jack," he answered; "the fact is, I have got something on my
mind, and as you have given me an opportunity, I'll tell you what it is.
I think I shall be the better afterwards, and you may be able to do for
me what I shall never have an opportunity of doing myself, for, Jack, I
cannot help feeling sure that my days are numbered. If that captain of
ours wishes to get rid of me, he will find means without staining his
hands in my blood, he will not do that, there are plenty of other ways
by which I may be expended, as they say of old stores in the navy. For
myself I care but little, but I should wish to remain to look after you,
and lend you a helping hand should you need it."
"Thank you, Tom," I said, "I value the kind feelings you entertain for
me, and I hope that we shall be together till we reach England again.
But I was going to ask why you think that the captain wishes to get rid
of you? He can have no motive that I can discover to desire your
death."
"He hates me, that's enough; he's a man who will go any lengths to
gratify his hate," answered old Tom. "But I promised to tell you about
the matter which weighs on my mind. Jack, I did many things when I was
a young man, which I am sorry for, but I was then chiefly my own enemy.
A time came, however, when I was tempted to commit a crime against
others, and it's only since I began this voyage that I have had a wish
to try and undo it as far as I have the power. You must know, Jack, I
am the son of a gentleman, and I went to college. I had got into bad
ways there, and spent all my property. When my last shilling was gone,
I shipped on board a merchant vessel, and for years never again set foot
on the shores of old England. I knocked about all that time in
different climes and vessels, herding with the roughest and most
abandoned class of seamen, till I became almost as abandoned and rough
as they were. Still, during all my wanderings, I had a hankering for
the associates and the refinements of society I had so long quitted.
Thoughts of home would come back to me even in my wildest moments,
although I tried hard to keep them out. At length I returned to England
with more money in my pocket than I had ever again expected to possess.
Throwing aside my seafaring clothes as soon as I got on shore, I dressed
myself as a gentleman, and repairing to a fashionable watering-place,
where I found several old friends, managed to get into respectable
society. I forgot that unless I could obtain some employment my money
must soon come to an end. It did so, but the taste for good society had
been revived in me. It was now impossible to indulge in it, and I was
compelled once more to seek for a berth on board ship. Thoughtlessly, I
had never studied navigation while I was at sea, and consequently had
again to go before the mast. I got on board an Indiaman, and reached
Calcutta. On the return voyage we had a number of passengers. I of
course knew but little about them, as I seldom went aft except to take
my trick at the helm. I observed, however, among them a gentleman of
refined appearance, with his wife and their little boy. They had a
native nurse to take care of him. No one could be more affectionate
than the gentleman was to his wife and child, but he seemed of a
retiring disposition, and I seldom saw him speaking to any one else. We
had had particularly fine weather during the greater part of the
passage, when the ship was caught in a tremendous gale. During it the
masts were carried away, several of the hands--Lascars and Englishmen--
were lost overboard, while she sprung a leak, which kept all the crew
hard at work at the pumps.
"It became evident, indeed, before long, that unless the weather
moderated the ship would go down. We had four boats remaining, but as
they would not carry a third of the people on board, the captain ordered
all hands to turn to and build rafts. We were thus employed when night
came on; such a night I never before had seen. The thunder roared and
the lightning flashed around us, as if it would set the ship on fire.
Some hours passed away; we could get on but slowly with our work. I was
on the after-part of the deck, when I remember seeing the gentleman I
have spoken of come up and make an offer to the captain to lend a hand
at whatever might be required to be done. I observed at the time that
he had a small case hanging to his side. He did not seem to think that
there was any danger of the ship going down for many hours to come; nor
indeed did any one; for the leaks were gaining but little on the pumps,
although they were gaining. He seemed so well to understand what he was
about that I suspected he was a naval officer. We worked away hard, and
it was nearly morning, when a dreadful peal of thunder, such as I had
never heard before, broke over our heads, and it's my belief that a bolt
passed right through the ship. Be that as it may, a fearful cry arose
that she was going down. The people rushed to the boats. Discipline
was at an end. The gentleman I spoke of shouted to the men, trying to
bring them back to their duty. Then I saw him, when all hope of doing
so had gone, hurry into the cuddy. Directly afterwards he came out with
his wife and child, together with the nurse. Supposing, I fancy, that
the boats were already full, or would be swamped alongside, he secured
the nurse to the raft we had been building, and had given her the child
to hold, calling on me and others to assist in launching it overboard,
intending to take his place with his wife upon it. He was in the act of
securing her--so it seemed to me--when the ship gave a fearful plunge
forward, and a roaring sea swept over her. I at once saw that she would
never rise again. On came the foaming waters, carrying all before them.
Whether or not the gentleman and his wife succeeded in getting to the
raft, I could not tell; there was no room, I knew, for me on it. Just
before I had caught sight of one of the boats, which had shoved off with
comparatively few people in her, dropping close under the ship's
quarter. I sprang aft, and, leaping overboard, struck out towards her,
managing to get hold of her bow as it dipped into the sea. I hauled
myself on board. By the time I had got in, and could look about me, I
saw the stern of the ship sinking beneath a wave, and for a moment I
thought the boat would have been drawn down with her. Such fearful
shrieks and cries as I never wish to hear again rose from amid the
foaming sea, followed by a perfect and scarcely less terrible silence.
We had but three oars in the boat, which we could with difficulty,
therefore, manage in that heavy sea. Most of the men in her were
Lascars, and they were but little disposed to go to the assistance of
our drowning shipmates. There were three Englishmen in the after-part
of the boat, and I made my way among the Lascars to join them. Even the
Englishmen belonged to the least respectable part of the crew. They,
however, sided with me, and, seizing a stretcher, I swore that I would
brain the fellows if they would not try to pick up some of the drowning
people. Two or three on this drew their knives, flourishing them with
threatening gestures. Knowing them pretty well, I felt sure that if we
did not gain the day, they would take the first opportunity of heaving
us overboard; and with all my might I dealt a blow at the head of the
man nearest me, who held his weapon ready to strike. The stretcher
caught him as he was in the act of springing up, and he fell overboard,
sinking immediately. `Any more of you like to be treated in the same
way?' I exclaimed. The wretches sank down in their seats, thoroughly
cowed; but in the scuffle one of the oars was lost overboard, and was
swept away before we could recover it. Some time was thus lost, and the
boat had drifted a considerable distance from the spot where the
Indiaman had gone down. We could hear, however, cries for help rising
above the hissing and dashing sounds of the tumbling waters. Every
instant I expected that the boat would be swamped; when at length the
Lascars, who had the oars, were induced by my threats to pull away and
keep her head to sea. I had taken the helm, and though we made no
progress, the rafts and various articles which had floated up from the
wreck came drifting down towards us, scattering far and wide over the
tossing ocean. I caught sight of a boat and two or three other rafts,
but they were too far off to enable me, through the gloom, to
distinguish the people on them. The shrieks had gradually ceased; now
and then the cry of some strong swimmer, who had hitherto bravely
buffeted the sea, was heard ere he sank for the last time. Daylight was
just breaking when, as I was standing up in the stern-sheets, I saw a
person clinging to a piece of timber, and I determined, if possible, to
save him. I pointed him out to the English seamen; and two of them,
springing up, seized the oars from the hands of the Lascars, and by
pulling away lustily we got up close to the spot. The man saw us
coming. It was not without difficulty that we managed to haul him on
board so as to avoid striking him or staving in the boat against the
piece of wreck which had kept him up. To my surprise I found that he
was the very gentleman who had assisted in forming the raft before the
ship went down. I knew him by the case, which he still had secured to
his side. He was so exhausted that for some minutes he could not speak,
though he was evidently making an effort to do so. At length, beckoning
me to put my ear down to his mouth, he asked in a low voice whether we
had seen his wife and child, with the nurse. The only comfort I could
afford him was by telling him that I had caught sight of several small
rafts, and possibly they might be upon one of them. He had been washed
away before he could secure himself when the ship foundered; and though
he was carried down with her, on rising to the surface he had caught
hold of the piece of wreck to which we had found him clinging.
"There we were, fourteen human beings in a small boat out in the middle
of the Atlantic, the dark foaming seas surrounding us, without a
particle of food or a drop of fresh water, while our two oars scarcely
enabled us to keep her head to the sea, and save her from being capsized
or swamped.
"I do not like to talk or even to think of the horrors which followed.
Daylight had now come on, but all around was gloom, the dark clouds
appearing like a pall just above our heads, and hanging round on either
side, so as to circumscribe the horizon to the narrowest limits. Here
and there I occasionally thought that I saw a few dark spots, which
might have been the boats and rafts, or pieces of the wreck.
"The day passed by and there was no abatement of the gale. The Lascars
had again taken the oars, but as night again approached, worn out with
hunger and fatigue, they refused to pull any longer, and the gentleman
offering to steer, the three other men and I took it by turns to labour
at the oars.
"Thus the second night passed by. I had begun to feel faint and hungry,
and to experience the pangs of thirst; and, judging by my own
sensations, I felt sure that, should we not fall in with a ship during
the coming day, some of my companions would give way. Another morning
dawned, but no sail was in sight. One of the Lascars lay dead in the
bows, the rest were stretched out under the thwarts, unable even to
continue baling, and apparently no longer caring what might become of
them. The gentleman, though the most delicate-looking of us all, held
out the best. His eye was constantly ranging over the ocean in search
of the raft or boat which might contain those he loved best on earth. I
had great difficulty in persuading him to let me take the helm again
while he got a little sleep.
"As the day drew on the gale moderated, and the sea went down. So weak
were the three other Englishmen by this time, that I believe we should
not otherwise have been able to prevent the boat being swamped. The
Lascars were in a worse state. Two more died, and as their countrymen
would not heave them overboard, we were obliged to do so. Eagerly we
looked out for a sail, but none appeared. Before the next morning broke
all the Lascars were dead, and I saw that one of my messmates was likely
soon to follow them. Another, however, died before him, but ere the sun
rose high in the heavens, he was gone.
"Besides the gentleman, only I and one man remained, the latter indeed
was near his last gasp. I will not tell you what dreadful thoughts
passed through my mind. Just then, as I was stooping down, I put my
hand under the after seat. There, stowed away, was a large lump of
grease. I felt round farther, and drew forth two bones with a
considerable amount of meat on them. One of the dogs, I have no doubt,
had made it his hiding place. The selfish thought came across me, that
had the Lascars and the other two men been alive, this food would have
gone very little way, but now it might support the existence of my two
companions and me for another day or two. Eagerly I seized the putrid
meat in my mouth, offering a piece to my companions. My messmate
attempted to eat it, his jaws moved for a few seconds, then his head
fell back. He had died in the effort. The gentleman could with
difficulty swallow a few morsels. `Water! water!' he muttered, `without
water it is too late.' I tried some of the grease, and felt revived.
"Not without difficulty we hove the last who had succumbed into the sea,
and then the gentleman and I were alone. His spirits, which had
hitherto kept up, were now, I saw, sinking. He beckoned me to sit close
to him, and I saw that he was engaged in trying to loosen the strap
which held the case to his side. `You are strong, my friend,' he
whispered, `and may possibly survive till you are picked up, I feel that
I can trust you. Take charge of this case--it contains an important
document, and jewels and money of considerable value. Here, too, is a
purse of gold, to that you are welcome,' and he handed me a purse from
his pocket. `The case I as a dying man commit to your charge, and
solemnly entreat you to take care of it for the benefit of my widow and
orphan child, for the belief is still strong within me that they
survive. You will find within this metal case full directions as to the
person to whom it is to be delivered.' He said this with the greatest
difficulty, and it seemed as if he had exhausted all his strength in the
effort. I promised to fulfil his wishes, and fully intended doing so.
He took my hand, and fixed his eyes on me, as if he was endeavouring to
read my thoughts. I tried to make him take some more food, but he had
no strength to swallow it. Before the evening closed in he too was
gone.
"I had not the heart at once to throw him overboard. As I stood looking
at him, prompted I believe by the spirit of evil, an idea came into my
head. Should I reach shore the purse of gold would enable me to enjoy
myself for some time, and perhaps I might obtain permanent employment in
a respectable position, instead of knocking about at sea. I took off
the dead man's clothes, and dressed myself in them, though I was so weak
that the task was a difficult one. I then lifted the body overboard.
Having secured the box round my waist, I placed the metal case and purse
in my pocket.
"I was alone, and though suffering greatly from thirst, I still felt
that there was some life in me. I gazed around, but no sail was in
sight. A light breeze only was blowing, and the sea had become
tolerably calm, so eating a little more of the grease and meat, I lay
down in the stern-sheets to sleep. I was awoke by feeling the water
splashing over me. It was raining hard. There were two hats and a
bucket in the boat. I quickly collected enough water to quench my
thirst, and at once felt greatly revived. The rain continued long
enough to enable me to fill the bucket. Had it not been for that shower
I must have died.
"Two days longer I continued in the boat, when, just as the sun rose, my
eyes fell on a sail in the horizon. How eagerly I watched her; she was
standing towards me. Securing a shirt to the end of an oar, I waved it
as high as I could reach. I was seen--the ship drew nearer. Being too
weak to pull alongside I made no attempt to do so, and this being
observed, the ship hove-to and lowered a boat, which soon had mine in
tow. I was carefully lifted up the side, and on my dress being
observed, I was at once treated as a gentleman. A cabin was given up to
me, and every attention paid to my wants. I found that the ship was an
emigrant vessel, outward bound, for Australia.
"I was some time in recovering my strength, and when I appeared among
the passengers I took care to evade any questions put to me. I found
the life on board very pleasant, and having purchased some clothes and
other articles I was able to appear on an equality with the rest.
"We fell in with no other ship till Sydney was reached. I went on
shore, purposing to amuse myself for a short time, and then return home
and fulfil the dying request of my unfortunate companion in the boat.
Would that I had gone on board a vessel sailing the very day of our
arrival. Jack, never put off doing your duty, under the idea that it
may be done a little time hence, lest that roaring lion we read of may
catch hold of you and tempt you to put it off altogether. I remained on
day after day, mixing in society, and rapidly spending my money. It was
all gone, and then, Jack," and old Tom lowered his voice, "I did that
vile deed--I broke open the box and took possession of the money I found
within--the widow's and orphan's gold. I tried to persuade myself that
they had certainly been lost. At first I only took the gold, intending
to go home with the other articles; then I got to the notes. I had some
difficulty in getting them changed, and was afraid of being discovered.
At last I began to dispose of the jewels.
"At length I got a hint that I was suspected, and securing the case I
once more dressed myself as a seaman, bought a chest, and got a berth on
board a homeward-bound ship. I was miserable--conscience stung me--I
could get no rest.
"The ship was cast away on the west coast of Ireland, and nearly all on
board perished. I had secured about me the case, which still contained
the parchment, the title-deeds of a large property, and a few jewels.
"I, with a few survivors, reached the shore. I was afraid to go back to
England to deliver the case to the person to whom it was addressed, and
so, making my way to Cork, where I found a ship bound for America, I
went on board her.
"Jack, I have been knocking about ever since, my conscience never at
rest, and yet not having the courage to face any danger I might incur,
and make the only reparation in my power to those who, if still alive, I
have deprived of their property. Now, notwithstanding what you say,
there's something tells me that I have not long to live. I never had
such a notion in my head before, but there it is now, and I cannot get
rid of it. You are young and strong, and I want you to promise me, if
you get home, to do what I ought to have done long ago. I will give you
the case when we go below. Take it to the lawyer to whom it is
addressed, and tell him all I have told you, and how it came into your
possession, he'll believe you, I am sure, and though the money and most
of the jewels are gone, the remainder will, I hope, be of value to the
rightful owners."
I of course promised old Tom that I would do as he wished, at the same
time I tried to persuade him to banish the forebodings which haunted
him, from his mind. "That's more than I can do, Jack," he said, "I
shouldn't mind the thoughts of death so much, if I could find the means
of undoing all the ill I have done in the world--that's what tries me
now." Unhappily neither I nor any one on board could tell the poor
fellow that there is but one way by which sins can be washed away. I
did indeed suggest that he should try and borrow a Bible from one of the
gentlemen in the cabin, if they had one among them, for there was not
one for'ard nor in the captain's or officers' berths.
When our watch was over, old Tom sat down on his chest, waiting till the
rest of the watch had turned in and gone to sleep. He then cautiously
opened his chest, and exhibited within, under his clothes, a small box,
strongly bound with silver, and the metal case he had spoken of. "Here,
Jack," he said, "I make you my heir, and give you the key of my chest:
I'll tell the men to-morrow that I have done so, and let the captain and
mates know it also, that there may be no dispute about the matter." I
thanked old Tom, assuring him, at the same time, that I hoped not to
benefit by his kindness.
In about three weeks we reached the mouth of the Columbia river. A
strong gale from the westward had been blowing for several days, and as
we came off the river a tremendous surf was seen breaking across the bar
at its mouth. "I hope the captain won't attempt to take the vessel in,"
observed old Tom to me. "I have been in once while the sea was not so
heavy by half as it is now, and our ship was nearly castaway." Still we
stood on. Presently, however, the captain seemed to think better of it,
and indifferent as he was to the lives of others, he apparently did not
wish to lose his own, and the brig into the bargain. She was
accordingly hauled to the wind, and we again stood off. It was only,
however, to heave-to, when he ordered a boat to be lowered. He then
directed the first mate to take four hands to go in her and sound the
bar. The mate expostulated, and declared that the lives of all would be
sacrificed in the attempt. "You are a coward, and are afraid,"
exclaimed the captain, stamping with rage. "Take old Tom and `Happy
Jack,' and two others," he called out their names. "No man shall justly
say I am a coward," answered the mate; "I'll go, but I'll take none but
volunteers. My death and theirs will rest on your head, Captain Pyke."
"I'll not go if the boy is sent," exclaimed old Tom; "but I am ready to
go if another man takes his place."
"Let me go, Tom," I said; "if you and the mate go I am ready to
accompany you."
"No, Jack, I'll do no such thing," answered my friend. "You stay on
board. Unless others step forward the boat won't go at all. The bar is
not in a fit state for the vessel to cross, much less an open boat."
The captain, however, seemed determined to go into the river, and now
ordered another man to go instead of me. "I'll make you pay for this
another day," he cried out, looking at me. I saw the mate shaking hands
with several on board before he stepped into the boat. "Remember the
case, Jack," said old Tom as he passed me, giving me a gripe by the
hand. "You have got the key, lad."
The boat shoved off and pulled towards the bar. I watched her very
anxiously; now she rose to the top of a roller, now she was hidden by
the following one. Every instant I expected her to disappear
altogether. I couldn't help thinking of what old Tom had said to me.
Some time passed, when the captain ordered the helm to be put up, and
the brig was headed towards the bar. He had been looking with his
glass, and declared he had seen the mate's signal to stand in. The wind
by this time had moderated. The brig was only under her topsails and
main-sail, and I began to wonder at the mate's apprehensions. We had
not stood on long when I saw the boat to the northward of us, much
nearer the breakers than we were. She seemed to be carried by beyond
the control of those in her. A strong current had caught hold of her.
Presently she passed, not a pistol shot from us. The three men were
shouting and shrieking for aid; old Tom was in the bows, sitting
perfectly still; I could even distinguish the countenance of the mate,
as he turned it with a reproachful glance, so it seemed to me, towards
the captain. Beyond her appeared a high wall of hissing, foaming
breakers, towards which she was driving. The captain seemed scarcely to
notice the unfortunate men; indeed his attention was occupied with
attending to the brig, our position being extremely critical. I
couldn't take my eyes off the boat. Would she be able even yet to stem
the current and get back into smooth water? Suddenly, however, it
seemed as if the wall of foaming breakers came right down upon her, and
she disappeared amidst them. A cry of horror escaped me. "We may be no
better off ere long," I heard one of the men exclaim. He had scarcely
spoken when the brig struck, and the foaming waters leaped up on either
side, as if about to break on board. Another sea came roaring on, and
she again moved forward. Again and again the brig struck, and at last
seemed fixed.
Darkness was coming on, the foaming waters roared around us, frequently
breaking on board, and we had to hold on to escape being washed away.
The hatches had been battened down, or the vessel would have filled.
She must have been a strong craft, or she could not have held together.
The passengers behaved like brave men, though they evidently thought
that it was the captain's obstinacy which had brought them into their
present perilous position.
Hour after hour passed by, with no object discernible beyond the foaming
waters surging round us. The men declared that they could hear the
shrieks and cries of our shipmates. The captain swore at them as fools
for saying so, declaring that their voices must long since have been
silenced by the breakers. Every instant it seemed that the brig must go
to pieces, and that we should be carried away to share their fate.
Suddenly, however, I felt the brig move. The topsails were let fall and
sheeted home, and we once more glided forward. In another hour we were
safely at anchor in a sheltered bay within the mouth of the river.
The next morning several natives came off to us in their canoes. They
were red-skinned painted savages, but appeared inclined to be friendly.
By means of Mr Duncan, who understood something of their language, they
were told of the accident which had happened to the boat, and they
undertook to search along the shore, in the possibility of any of the
crew having escaped, and been washed on to the beach. On hearing of
this my hopes of seeing old Tom again somewhat revived, though I
scarcely believed it possible that any boat getting into those fearful
breakers could have survived. Mr Duncan and two of the other gentlemen
agreed to accompany the savages.
In the evening the boat which had taken them on shore was seen coming
off. I anxiously watched her. Besides those who had gone away, I
distinguished one other person, he turned his face towards the vessel as
the boat approached, and, to my delight, I saw that he was old Tom.
"And so you have escaped, have you?" said the captain, as he stepped on
board. "Yes, sir, but the others have gone where some others among us
will be before long," answered Tom, gloomily, "and those who sent them
there will have to render an account of their deeds."
"What do you mean?" exclaimed the captain. "I leave that to others to
answer," said Tom, walking forward.
He told me that the boat, on entering the surf, was immediately
capsized, and that all hands were washed out of her. That he had
managed to cling on with one man, and that when they got through the
surf they had righted the boat, and picking up two of the oars, after
bailing her out, had succeeded in paddling, aided by the current, some
distance to the northward. On attempting to land the boat was again
capsized. He had swam on shore, but the other poor fellow was drowned,
and he himself was almost exhausted when met by the party who brought
him back. "You see, Tom," I observed, "your prognostications have not
come true, and you may still live to get back to old England again."
"Oh no, Jack, though I have escaped this once, I am very sure my days
are numbered," he answered; do all I could, I was unable to drive this
idea out of his head.
The crew were so indignant at the boat having been sent away, declaring
that the captain wished to get rid of the mate and old Tom, that I felt
sure another slight act of tyranny would produce a mutiny. While the
gentlemen remained on board this was less likely to happen, but they
were about to leave us, and take up their residence on shore.
Some time was occupied in landing their goods and stores, and then we
found that we were to proceed to the northward, on a trading voyage with
the Indians, and that Mr Duncan was to accompany us. We had also
received on board an Indian, who had long resided with the whites, and
who was to act as our interpreter.
A fair wind carried us over the bar, and, steering to the northward, we
continued on for several days, till we brought up in a deep bay, on the
shore of which was situated a large native village. Large numbers of
the Indians came off in their canoes, with furs to exchange for cutlery,
cotton goods, looking-glasses, beads, and other ornaments. Many of them
were fine looking, independent fellows, but veritable savages, dressed
in skins, their heads adorned, after their fashion, with feathers,
shells, and the teeth of different animals. The captain treated them
with great contempt, shouting at them, and ordering them here and there,
as if they were beings infinitely inferior to himself. I saw them
frequently turn angry glances at him, but they did not otherwise exhibit
any annoyance. One day, however, he had a dispute with one of their
chiefs about a matter of barter, when, losing his temper, he struck the
savage and knocked him over on the deck. The Indian, recovering
himself, cast a fierce glance at him, then, folding his arms, walked
away, uttering some words to his companions, which we did not
understand.
The next day, Mr Duncan, who had gone on shore, returned on board
hurriedly, with the interpreter, and warned the captain that the Indians
intended to take vengeance for the insult their chief had received. The
captain laughed, declaring that he did not fear what ten times the
number of savages who as yet had come on board, would venture to do.
"They are daring fellows, though, Captain Pyke, and treacherous, and
cunning in the extreme," observed Mr Duncan. "Take my advice and keep
them out of the ship. We have already done a fair trade here, and the
natives have not many more skins to dispose of."
"I am not to be frightened as other people are," answered the captain,
scornfully. "If they have no skins they will not bring them, and if
they have, I am not the man to be forgetful of the interests of the
Company, by refusing to trade."
This was said on deck in the hearing of the crew. "I'll tell you what,
Jack," observed old Tom to me, "the captain will repent not following
Mr Duncan's advice. If the Indians come on board, keep by me--we shall
have to fight for our lives. I know these people. When they appear
most friendly, they are often meditating mischief."
That very evening several canoes came off, and in them was the chief
whom the captain had knocked down. He seemed perfectly friendly,
smiling and shaking hands with the captain as if he had entirely
forgotten the insult he had received.
When the savages took their departure, they were apparently on the best
of terms with us all.