"A PHANTOM SHIP--SURE!"
During all this while those on board the man-of-war have been regarding
the barque--at the same time watching with interest every movement of
the boat.
Only they who have glasses can see what is passing with any
distinctness. For the day is not a bright one, a haze over the sea
hindering observation. It has arisen since the fall of the wind,
perhaps caused by the calm; and, though but a mere film, at such far
distance interferes with the view through their telescopes. Those using
them can just tell that the cutter has closed in upon the strange
vessel, and is lying along under the foremast shrouds, while some of her
crew appear to have swarmed up the chains. This cannot be told for
certain. The haze around the barque is more dense than elsewhere, as if
steam were passing off from her sides, and through it objects show
confusedly.
While the frigate's people are straining their eyes to make out the
movement of their boat, an officer, of sharper sight than the rest,
cries out--
"See! the cutter coming back!"
All perceived this, and with some surprise. It is not ten minutes since
the boat grappled on to the barque. Why returning from her so soon?
While they are conjecturing as to the cause, the same officer again
observes something that has escaped the others. There are but _eight_
oars, instead of ten--the regulation strength of the cutter--and ten men
where before there were thirteen. Three of the boat's crew must have
remained behind.
This causes neither alarm, nor uneasiness, to the frigate's officers.
They take it that the three have gone aboard the barque, and for some
reason, whatever it be, elected to stay there. They know the third
lieutenant to be not only a brave man, but one of quick decision, and
prompt also to act. He has boarded the distressed vessel, discovered
the cause of distress, and sends the cutter back to bring whatever may
be needed for her. Thus reasons the quarterdeck.
It is different on the fore, where apprehensions are rife about their
missing shipmates--fears that some misfortune has befallen them. True,
no shots have been heard nor flashes seen. Still they could have been
killed without firearms. Savages might use other, and less noisy,
weapons.
The tale of the skin-clad crew gives colour to this supposition. But
then the "cutters" went armed--in addition to their cutlasses, being
provided with pikes and boarding-pistols. Had they been attacked, they
would not have retreated without discharging these last--less likely
leaving three of their number behind. Besides no signs of strife or
struggle have been observed upon the barque.
All the more mystery; and pondering upon it, the frigate's crew are
strengthened in their superstitious faith. Meanwhile, the cutter is
making way across the stretch of calm sea that separates the two ships,
and although with reduced strength of rowers, cleaves the water quickly.
The movements of the men indicate excitement. They pull as if rowing
in a regatta! Soon they are near enough to be individually recognised,
when it is seen that neither of the two officers is in the boat! Nor
the coxswain--one of the oarsmen having taken his place at the tiller.
As the boat draws nearer, and the faces of the two men seated in the
stern-sheets can be distinguished, there is observed upon them an
expression which none can interpret. No one tries. All stand silently
waiting till the cutter comes alongside, and sweeping past the bows,
brings up on the frigate's starboard beam, under the main-chains.
The officers move forward along the gangway, and stand looking over the
bulwarks; while the men come crowding aft, as far as permitted.
The curiosity of all receives a check--an abrupt disappointment. There
is no news from the barque, save the meagre scrap contained in the
lieutenant's order: "Back to the ship, and bring the doctor."
Beyond this the cutter's crew only knew that they have seen the hairy
men. Seen and heard them, though without understanding a word of what
these said. Two had sprung upon the shrouds, and shouted at the
cutter's people, as if scolding them off!
The tale spreads through the frigate, fore and aft, quick as a train of
powder ignited. It is everywhere talked of, and commented on. On the
quarter, it is deemed strange enough; while forward, it further
intensifies the belief in something supernatural.
The tars give credulous ear to one who cries out: "That's a phantom
ship--sure!"
Their other comrade repeats what he said in the boat, and in the
self-same words:
"Shipmates, we may never see that lieutenant again, nor the young
reefer, nor the old cox--never!"
The boding speech appears like a prophecy, on the instant realised.
Scarce has it passed the sailor's lips, when a cry rings through the
frigate that startles all on board, thrilling them more intensely than
ever.
While the men have been commenting upon the message brought back from
the barque, and the officers are taking steps to hasten its execution--
the doctor getting out his instruments, with such medicines as the
occasion seems to call for--the strange vessel has been for a time
unthought of.
The cry now raised recalls her, causing all to rush towards the
frigate's side, and once more bend their eyes on the barque.
No, not _on_ her; only in the direction where she was last seen. For,
to their intense astonishment, _the polacca has disappeared_!