CRUSOE AFLOAT.
So thought Tom Newcombe, as he held the door that opened from the
galley into the hold, while Friday locked and further secured it, by
bracing two of the captured muskets against it. Hardly had this been
done, when the noise of a furious struggle came from the cabin, mingled
with shouts and yells; and, at the same time, some one in the hold
threw himself against the door, and tried to burst it open.
"Stand firm, men!" exclaimed a voice, which Tom knew belonged to Harry
Green. "Remember the motto, on our flag, and 'Don't give up the ship!'"
Then came the governor's battle-cry: "Down with the 'cademy swells!
Drive 'em in the hold, an' shut 'em up!"
Tom waited to hear no more. The chief was in trouble, and perhaps
needed assistance. He sprang up the ladder that led to the deck, and
rushed to the companion-way, just in time to see the governor and his
band falling back before a crowd of students, who poured out of the
hold like bees from a hive. The first-lieutenant of the yacht led the
way, flourishing a piece of a chair, with which he defended himself
from the savage thrusts Sam aimed at him with his spear. Close behind
him came a tall, active student, armed with a pillow, which he used
with considerable effect; for, just as Tom reached the top of the
companion-ladder, where he could look down into the cabin, he saw Xury
knocked head overheels by a blow from this novel weapon. Immediately
afterward another of the students disabled Will Atkins by throwing a
quilt over his head, which he had snatched from a bunk in one of the
state-rooms. The muskets of the guard were stacked in the after end of
the cabin, and Tom saw that the students were fighting their way toward
them. If they succeeded in reaching them, the battle would be speedily
ended, and Harry would be able to fulfill his threat of taking Tom and
his band to the academy, as prisoners of war.
"Hurrah!" shouted Harry Green, as he saw two of the attacking party
stretched on the floor of the cabin. "Surrender, Sam Barton! Drop that
oar!"
"Surrender yourself!" shouted Friday and Jack Spaniard, springing down
the ladder and placing themselves beside the chief.
By a dexterous movement with his boat-hook, Friday succeeded in
disarming the first-lieutenant; and Atkins and Xury, having recovered
their feet, each seized a musket and renewed the battle. Tom, thinking
that he could assist the governor without fighting for him, stood at
the foot of the companion-ladder, and called lustily for help from some
imaginary followers.
"Bring the rest of the men in out of the boat!" he shouted, looking up
into the darkness, as if he was addressing some one on deck; "and go
and tell those fellows in the galley to come here."
"Down with the 'cademy swells!" shouted the chief again, encouraged by
the arrival of his reënforcements. "Drive 'em back! Punch 'em in the
ribs!"
If the students had been on equal terms with their assailants, all
the shouting Sam could have done would not have decided the battle
in his favor. The boys composing the guard belonged to the Storm
King, and among them were several officers--lieutenants, masters, and
midshipmen--who would willingly have borne almost any amount of bodily
suffering rather than surrender the yacht. Like all "old sailors,"
they had become strongly attached to their vessel, and they defended
her with as much resolution as they would have exhibited had she been
a human being, capable of appreciating their affection. Besides, their
reputation as officers and seamen were at stake. The result of this
night's work would be brought up at the next examination, either for
or against them; and, if they lost the vessel, it would be regarded
as evidence that they were not worthy of being trusted, and rival
students would have occasion for rejoicing. More than that, although
they were at a loss to imagine what object Tom had in view in seizing
the yacht--for they were certain that he was the prime mover in the
affair--they knew that it was his intention to take her to sea; a
proceeding that would not only endanger their vessel, but the life
of every boy on board of her. The officers of the Storm King had been
appointed after a rigid examination, and, consequently, they were the
best sailors at the academy. They were all worthy of the positions
they held, but it is doubtful if even the promise of promotion would
have induced the bravest of them to take the yacht to sea in the face
of the tempest that was then raging. But, with all these motives to
animate them, the students could not fight unarmed against the weapons
of the Crusoe band. They experienced the same feelings that soldiers
experience in actual warfare; and, indeed, that was not surprising, for
the affair in the cabin was a real battle. Crusoe and his men fought
with the utmost fury--even including Tom Newcombe, who, after calling
upon his imaginary companion on deck, to send down more help, sprang to
the side of the chief, and assisted in driving the students back from
their muskets, which were almost within reach. He also imagined that
he was fighting for his reputation. If the attack failed, he would be
forever disgraced. He would be taken to the academy as a prisoner, it
would become known throughout the village that he was the companion and
associate of young robbers, and then, what would become of him? What
would his father say about it? With Sam, the case was different. He
feared no disgrace, but he did fear Mr. Grimes, the police magistrate,
and the jail. His case was desperate; and it was no wonder that he
fought like a young tiger.
"That's it, lads?" exclaimed the chief, as the students fell back,
when they saw the reënforcements coming down the ladder, and heard Tom
calling for more men. "Down with the 'cademy swells!"
The attack was too furious to be successfully resisted. The students
retreated in confusion, and when the last one had been driven into the
hold, the door was closed and fastened.
"Well done, lads!" exclaimed the governor, leaning on his spear, and
surveying the battle-field, and the valiant warriors who surrounded
him. "We said we'd do it, an' we've kept our promise. Cap'n, I turn the
vessel over to you."
"I say, Newcombe!" shouted the first-lieutenant of the Storm King, from
his prison, "I want to ask you a question."
"Well, ask away," drawled the captain.
"I want to know if you are commander of the yacht now?"
"I am," answered Tom, with becoming dignity.
"Are you going to take her to sea to-night?"
Tom replied that he was.
"It is all up with us, boys," said Harry, turning to his fellow
prisoners. "If Newcombe ever gets the yacht outside the harbor, we're
booked for Davy's Locker, sure. How does he suppose he can manage a
vessel like this in a storm, when he can scarcely handle a little
sail-boat in calm weather?"
"All hands on deck!" commanded Tom, who did not hear what Harry said.
"Bear a hand, and get the outfit aboard! Jump down into the yawl, a
couple of you, and pass up those boxes! Xury, see that they are stowed
away in the cabin and galley!"
The chief and one of his men sprang into the boat, and the first thing
they handed up to their companions on deck was the fisher-boy, who had
lain under the thwarts during the fight, heartily wishing that Sam and
his band might be defeated, so that he would be released. His situation
was a trying one indeed. To be obliged to remain bound hand and foot,
while an ignorant, unskillful young captain was taking him out to sea,
would have tried stronger nerves than his. While the governor and his
men were lifting him to the deck--an operation of some difficulty,
owing to the constant rocking of the vessel--he renewed his entreaties
that they would release his hands and feet, and he even went so far as
to promise that, if allowed the freedom of the deck, he would not make
the least attempt at escape. But the chief would not listen. He was
afraid of his prisoner, and he believed that the only way to prevent
him from doing mischief was to keep him securely bound. Friday and Jack
Spaniard carried him into the cabin, and laid him on the sofa, after
which they returned to the deck to assist in stowing away the outfit.
When the last box had been safely housed in the galley, the chief
sprang over the rail, cast off the painter, and gave his fine yawl up
to the mercy of the waves. "Now cap'n," said he; "we're all ready."
For the first time since receiving his appointment as master of the
vessel, Tom realized that he had something of a task before him. To
begin with, he had at least a mile of harbor to traverse before he
reached the bay. The harbor was very crooked, and, in some places,
too narrow to admit of much maneuvering; and, even in the day-time,
with a fair wind, it would have required the exercise of all his skill
and judgment to take his vessel through the shipping that lay at the
wharves without some accident. One reason why he had declined to assume
charge of the yacht during the trial trip, was because he was afraid he
could not take her safely into the bay, and he would not have thought
of attempting it now had he been in his sober senses. The night was so
dark that he could not see the shore, except when an occasional flash
of lightning revealed it to him; and the wind was blowing directly up
the harbor, raising a sea that, even in that sheltered position, made
it difficult for the captain to keep his feet without holding fast to
something. Tom shuddered when he thought of what they would experience
if they succeeded in reaching the bay, where the wind could have a fair
sweep at them.
"Come, skipper!" said the governor, seeing that Tom did not issue any
orders; "are you afraid to try it?"
"O, no!" replied the captain, arousing himself, and pulling the collar
of his pea-jacket up around his ears, "I was just thinking what was
best to be done. Xury, look around and find a tow-line. Governor, take
two men and get into your yawl; pull around under the bow, and stand by
to take the tow-line."
"What's that fur?" demanded the chief.
"Why, we've got to tow the ship out of the harbor, haven't we?" drawled
Tom.
"Well, if you'll find the yawl fur me, I'll do it. I let her go as soon
as we got the things out, an' there's no tellin' where she is by this
time."
"O, now, what made you do that?" exclaimed the captain. "Who ordered
you to turn her adrift?"
"Why didn't you tell me that you wanted to use her? A nice skipper
you'll make, if you don't look out fur things better than that."
"Here's a tow-line, cap'n," said Xury.
"Very good, sir!" replied Tom. "All hands lay aft to lower the cutter."
In obedience to this order, the crew moved aft, where a very small
boat, that Tom had dignified with the name of cutter, hung at the stern
davits. She was scarcely large enough to accommodate three men, and the
governor, after he had examined her by the aid of the lantern, which he
carried under his coat, through fear of attracting the attention of the
watch on some of the neighboring vessels, shook his head and stepped
back.
"Man the falls," commanded Tom.
"Now, jest look a here, cap'n," said Sam, "if you want a crew to man
that ar egg-shell, you'd best call for volunteers. You don't ketch
Governor Barton in no such craft in a night like this. Why, she'd be
swamped the minute she touched the water."
"O, now, how am I to get the ship out to sea, I'd like to know?"
drawled Tom.
"That's your look out, an' not mine," replied Sam, as he turned on his
heel and walked forward, followed by the rest of the crew. "I aint
master of this vessel."
"It don't look as if I was master of her, either," answered Tom, almost
ready to cry with vexation. "What's the use of having any captain, if
no one will obey his commands?"
"Why don't you give sensible orders, then, like a man had oughter do?
We aint a goin' to get into that ar little boat, an' that's jest all
about it."
Tom did not know what to do. It looked as though the expedition was
to end then and there. What was the use of being captain, if his crew
were to be the judges as to whether or not an order ought to be obeyed?
How he wished that he possessed the physical power of the second mate
of the Savannah! Wouldn't he enforce obedience? Perhaps all that was
needed was a show of authority and resolution.
"Now look here, men," exclaimed the captain, in a voice which he
intended should strike terror to the hearts of every one of the band,
"I am not going to stand any such nonsense. I am the lawful master of
this vessel, and I'll make you sup sorrow with a big spoon if you don't
obey orders. Lay aft, now, to lower away the cutter. Mr. Mate, use a
rope's end on the first man who dares hesitate."
"Yes, I'd like to see Mr. Mate try that on," exclaimed the governor,
fiercely. "Tommy, if you know when you are well off, you won't give no
more such orders as that ar. You aint lord an' master of the whole of
us, if you do command the Storm King. But you aint cap'n no longer. You
can jest take your old name agin; fur I won't serve under no feller who
talks of usin' a rope's end on me."
"O, now, do you suppose I am going to stand that?" whined Tom. "I won't
serve as a sailor. I am the best navigator and seaman in the band, the
only one who knows any thing about the winds and currents, and if I
stay on board this vessel I am going to command her."
"Now, Muley," said the governor, "you haven't yet larnt that I am the
head man in this society, an' if you don't look out, I'll have to give
you a few lessons like I did Will Atkins. You're a foremast hand now."
"Well, I won't be one long," said Tom, who now, being convinced that
he could not rule the expedition, had suddenly determined to ruin it.
"I've got an idea."
If the governor had understood the meaning of this declaration, he
would have paid some attention to it. As he was not yet well acquainted
with Tom, he did not think it necessary to reply to him, for he turned
to his crew, and ordered them to assist him in hoisting the sails.
"O, now, you are not going to try to sail out in the teeth of this
storm," exclaimed Tom, who, ignorant as he was, knew that their chances
for reaching the bay were very slim indeed. "You'll sink the yacht
before you've gone twenty yards."
"That's enough out of you, Muley," returned the new captain, as he and
the crew busied themselves in clearing away the mainsail. "I am master
of this vessel now, an' if you don't move when you're spoken to, I'll
make _you_ sup sorrow with a wooden ladle, an' that's bigger'n a spoon.
Lend a hand here!"
Tom obeyed this order very reluctantly. All his bright hopes had
disappeared, like snow before an April shower. The edict of the chief,
reducing him to the ranks, destroyed all the interest he had ever felt
in the Crusoe band. He no longer desired the success of the expedition;
on the contrary, he resolved to defeat it if possible. He would watch
his opportunity, and, when he could do so without being discovered, he
would slip down into the cabin and liberate all the prisoners. They
could arm themselves with their muskets, which the governor had very
carelessly left scattered about the cabin, and while Crusoe and his
men were occupied in navigating the vessel, they could surprise and
overpower them. This was his new idea. By the time he had thought it
over, the mainsail had been close reefed, and was ready for hoisting.
"Now, then," shouted the governor, "stand by--"
"Hold on," exclaimed Xury. "Mebbe she won't handle well without a head
sail. You had oughter hist one of them jibs."
"No, sir," replied the chief. "It aint best to put up too much canvas
in this breeze. We've got a long voyage to make, an' we must be careful
of our vessel. Muley, you ketch hold of the peak halyard, an' the rest
of us man the throat-halyard. All ready, now! Hist away."
As this order was obeyed, the yacht began to plunge and careen worse
than ever; and presently, a flash of lightning showed Tom that they
were drifting up the harbor.
"Sam!" he almost gasped, "she's dragging the anchor."
"Hist away, lively," exclaimed the chief, in desperation. "If you've
got any muscle at all, show it now;" and catching up his lantern,
he ran forward, intending to slip the chain. But he was saved that
trouble. The cable, which had not been intended to hold the yacht in a
gale of wind, with her mainsail set, parted with a loud snap, and for
a moment the little vessel was at the mercy of the storm. The greatest
excitement prevailed among the crew. The lightning flashed again, and
Sam held his breath in dismay when he saw that the Storm King was being
driven rapidly toward the shore. It was a capital opportunity for him
to make an exhibition of his seamanship, but he had not the slightest
idea of what ought to be done; neither had Tom Newcombe, who stood
holding fast to the peak-halyard, his mouth open, and his tongue
paralyzed with terror. Fortunately for the Crusoe band, for the vessel,
and for the comfort of the prisoners below, there was one boy on board
who kept his wits about him, and that was Xury.
"Belay all!" he shouted, springing to the wheel. "Stand by the
main-sheet! Haul in, fur your lives."
Xury put the helm hard-a-starboard, the boom flew over with a jerk,
prostrating two of the crew who were careless enough to put themselves
in its way, and the next moment the yacht was thrown almost on her beam
ends. But Xury was equal to the emergency. He handled the wheel with a
great deal of skill, and proved himself to be worthy of the position
he held. He "eased her up" without a moment's delay; the Storm King
righted, and the next flash of lightning showed the crew that she was
scudding across the harbor at a terrific rate of speed.
"Bully for you, Xury!" shouted the governor, who never once thought of
the danger they might be in. "We're all right now. From this time on,
you are my first-lieutenant."
"Put a look-out on the forecastle, governor," exclaimed Xury, yelling
with all the strength of his lungs, in order to make himself heard
above the howling of the wind, "I can't see a foot."
"Jerusalem!" shouted Will Atkins, suddenly. "Look out, Xury!"
"Ship ahoy!" came the hail, in startled tones, through the darkness.
"Keep away! Don't run into me!"
"Mind your own business!" shouted Friday, in reply. "This ship has got
her own officers on board."
Xury had been warned just in time to avoid running into a vessel lying
at the wharf. He put the helm to port, but the yacht, being without a
head-sail, obeyed very slowly. By the light of a lantern, which the
governor held over the side, the Crusoe band discovered that they were
rushing by the side of a large ship, and so close to her that they
could almost touch her. But Xury understood his business, and in a
moment more that danger was passed, and the Storm King was scudding
toward the other side of the harbor.
"O, now, I can't stand this," drawled Tom Newcombe, who was utterly
confounded by the recklessness displayed by the Crusoe band. He stood
holding fast to the rail, and, had it been daylight, the governor would
have seen that his face was deadly pale, and that he was trembling in
every limb, as if he had been seized with a fit of the ague. The wind
had carried his cap overboard, but he was so completely engrossed in
thinking over the dangers of his situation that he did not notice that
he was bare-headed, and that the rain was running down his back in
little streams. "O, I know that I shall go to the bottom in less than
five minutes!" cried Tom, involuntarily catching his breath, as the
Storm King careened wildly under a fierce gust of wind. "Then what will
become of those fellows below deck? I am going to start for the cabin,
and, if I live to get there, I'll let them all out. I know Harry Green
can manage the vessel."
As Tom spoke, he let go of the rail and staggered toward the
companion-way. Just as he placed his foot upon the first step of the
ladder, he lost his balance, and pitched headlong into the cabin. He
was much more frightened than hurt by the fall, for he firmly believed
that the yacht had capsized, and that, in an instant more, he would
find the cabin flooded with water. But nothing of the sort happened.
The reckless Xury still kept the Storm King well under control,
and, thus far, by some unaccountable fortune, he had succeeded in
keeping her clear of the vessels at the wharves. Tom clung to the
companion-ladder a moment or two, to make sure that the yacht was
still right side up, and that his absence from the deck had not been
discovered, and then prepared to carry out his new idea.