The night was very dark, the sea rose fearfully high. Now the water
broke over the starboard, now over the port bow, nearly swamping the
boat, and all hands were employed in baling it out. We worked for our
lives, for should another sea come before the boat was clear she might
be swamped. Some of the men cried out that we should not live through
the night.
Mr Griffiths and the doctor cheered them up, but if it hadn't been for
the raft ahead, which broke the seas, I believe that we must have gone
down. I had heard of boats being saved by hanging on under the lee of a
dead whale, but I had not supposed that a few oars lashed together would
have served as an effectual breakwater.
The peaked oar played a most important part by keeping the boat's head
to the wind, and at a sufficient distance from the raft. She must
otherwise have broached to, and it must have been driven against her and
stove in the side.
As soon as the boat was clear of water, Brown sang out, "Now let's have
a stave, lads," and he began to sing, but few were able to join in with
him.
Jim and I tried, knowing Brown's object, but we had scarcely got through
a verse when another sea came roaring on board, nearly carrying over the
men in the bows, and washing away some of our provisions. We all had
immediately to turn to again and bale out the boat. No one thought of
singing after this, for directly we were free of one sea another broke
aboard us. It was a mercy that they didn't come together.
"We must pray to God, lads," cried Mr Griffiths. "He who rules the
seas and winds, if we ask Him, can save us if He thinks fit. Don't
cease baling. He likes people to work and pray, but not to fall down on
their knees while there's work to be done and leave it undone."
He and the doctor set the example by baling away as hard as any of us.
We had the boat's regular balers, our iron pot, and a couple of small
buckets; the rest of us used our hats and caps. Still, do all we could,
it was a difficult matter to keep the boat free from water. We were wet
through, as was everything in the boat, and we were afraid that our
provisions would be spoilt, except perhaps the onions and potatoes.
Hour after hour went slowly by, for we had no time for talking to make
it appear shorter. Still the night did come to an end at last, but
there were no signs of the gale abating. As soon as the sun rose we
looked out eagerly on all sides for land. Nothing broke the uniform
line of the horizon except the foam-topped seas, which rose up
tumultuously between us and it. We were driving all this time, it must
be remembered, to the southward at the rate, the mate said, of two knots
an hour, so that if we had been near Guam when the gale came on we were
being driven farther and farther from it, and it would be a hard matter
to regain the island.
We had taken nothing during the night, and we now all cried out for
food. The store of salt fish we had remaining was scarcely eatable, for
the salt had been washed out of it, and it was becoming bad. What we
had smoked was a little better, but that also was almost spoilt, yet
such as it was we were glad to have a portion with an onion apiece, and
a small mug half full of water. The mate would give us no more.
"What I do is for the good of all of us, lads," he said. "I can't tell
when we may make the land, or what provisions we may find when we get
there."
Horner sang out, "We had some biscuit. What has become of that? Why
don't you let us have a piece for our breakfasts?"
"Because the biscuits will keep longer than anything else, and are all
we may have to depend upon," answered the doctor, who had got them under
him in the stern-sheets, and had been trying from the first to keep them
as free from water as possible.
We had till now fancied that we had an abundance of food, but some had
been washed overboard and some had been completely spoilt, so we found
to our dismay that we had a very small quantity remaining. Horner now
began to complain bitterly of hunger and thirst, declaring that if he
didn't get some food he must die.
Jim and I endeavoured to cheer him up. It was not a matter to joke
about; indeed I was myself feeling the pangs of hunger and getting
weaker and less able to work, though I did my best. Jim kept up better
than I did. We had not much time to be thinking, however, for we were
compelled to be constantly baling the greater part of the day.
Towards evening the sun broke through the western clouds, sending his
rays athwart the troubled ocean, and tinging the seas with a ruddy hue,
while his heat dried our wet clothes.
Soon afterwards the wind began to drop, but the seas still ran so high
that the mate thought it prudent to hang on some time longer to our
raft. However, they no longer broke on board as they had been doing,
and we had better hopes than on the previous night that we should see
another sun rise. We had been awake so long that none of us were able
to keep our eyes open, and I suspect that at times every person in the
boat was fast asleep. I know for my part that I must have dozed through
the greater part of the night, for I was awakened by hearing the mate's
voice saying--
"Now, lads, we will get the raft on board and make sail."
I jumped up to lend a hand. We got the oars out and put the boat before
the seas while we set up the mast and hoisted the sail.
The wind was still in the same quarter, blowing directly from where we
supposed Guam to be, and as there were no hopes of making it the mate
determined to run for some island to the southward, where, though it
might be uninhabited, we should probably find cocoanuts and water, and
might catch some fish.
As none of the islands are very close together we ran a great risk of
passing between them without seeing land, but then again he argued that
we might be days or weeks beating up to Guam, and as he could not tell
its exact position, we might even pass it after all, while by keeping to
the south we might have a better prospect of having fine weather, and
finding food on any shore at which we might touch. On the other hand
again there was the risk of falling among savages, for the natives of
these latitudes were known to be fierce, treacherous, and inhospitable
to strangers.
We might, however, possibly meet with some ship, as we should cross the
course pursued by Spanish vessels sailing from America to the
Philippines. Should we pass through the Caroline group we should have
another long channel to sail over, and must then reach the coast of New
Guinea. If driven thus far south our prospect of escape was small
indeed; though we might obtain food, the people were supposed to be
extremely savage and cruel.
The doctor, to cheer us, said that he had some doubts about that, for
although such was the character of the natives of some parts, there were
others who might treat us kindly should we fall among them, provided we
behaved well and showed that we wished to be friendly.
As we sailed on the sea gradually went down, and at length we were
running with a light breeze over the smooth ocean. Though at first the
warm sun was pleasant it soon became very hot, and while it dried our
clothes increased our thirst.
At the same time the heat destroyed the remaining portion of our fish,
which became so bad that we were obliged to throw it overboard. We had
now only a few raw potatoes and onions, and the little store of biscuits
which the doctor had so wisely husbanded.
The mate told us that we must make up our minds to live on very short
allowance, and be content with a quarter of a biscuit, an onion, and a
small piece of raw potato. To make the latter more wholesome he cut
them and hung them up to dry in the sun. Our food was served out about
noon, and each day we sat eagerly waiting for the hour. Horner would
turn his eyes up and watch the sun till he fancied that it had gained
its greatest altitude, and then cry out to the mate--
"It must be twelve o'clock, now, sir. Won't Dr Cockle look at his
watch and see?"
The doctor was the only person who kept his watch wound up. The mate
had collected all the provisions and placed them in the stern-sheets,
and he didn't think fit to tell us how rapidly they were going. The
quantity he served out was scarcely sufficient to keep body and soul
together, but he acted for the best; there was no doubt about that. We
were all becoming rapidly weaker, and longing for some substantial fare.
Horner at last cried out that if he didn't get it he must die. Two or
three of the other men said much the same thing. As I looked at their
faces I felt afraid that they spoke the truth. Our limbs were swollen,
and we felt so stiff that we were scarcely able to move.
"Trust in God, lads," said the mate, to try and cheer us up.
We were no longer inclined to spin yarns or sing songs, and only now and
then exchanged a few words with each other. Not long after this, as I
was gazing over the side, I saw a movement in the water, and presently a
score of flying-fish rose from the sea, their wings glittering in the
sunlight, and about a dozen pitched into the boat. Oh, how eagerly we
all stooped down to seize them! Just then, as I was looking out,
expecting some more to come, I saw several dolphins, which had no doubt
been pursuing the flying-fish, and now came close up to the boat,
looking out for them.
Notwithstanding our hunger the doctor advised that we should split the
fish and hang them up in the sun to dry. We were, however, too hungry
to do this, but the mate insisted that all should be handed to him. He
then served out to each of us half a fish, which we eagerly devoured.
This meal, scanty as it was, somewhat restored our strength.
"I told you to trust in God, lads," said the mate. "See He has sent us
these fish, and He'll send us more, never fear."
Before long I saw, a hundred yards off, another flight of flying-fish
rise from the sea, and come darting through the air like masses of
silver, when, to our joy, a number struck the sail and dropped into the
bottom of the boat. The mate immediately served out the remainder of
those which had at first been sent to us. This made the men cheer up
more than ever, as we expected that, now we had got into the tropics, we
should have an ample supply every day.
We saw large quantities of dolphins, bonitos, and albicores, which
pursue the flying-fish, and induce them to seek for safety in flight;
but none of the larger fish came near enough to enable us to catch them,
though Brown, harpoon in hand, stood up as long as he could keep his
feet, in the expectation of striking one. It was very tantalising to
see them sporting round us, and yet not to be able to get one on board.
We had, however, a sufficient number of flying-fish to give us a good
meal each for that and the next day. The mate proposed drying some in
the sun and reserving them in case no more should come aboard, but
nearly all hands cried out that we were certain to have some more sent
us, and begged so hard to have the fish while they were good that the
mate yielded to their wishes.
During the night we steered south-east, with the wind on our port
quarter. It was in that direction Mr Griffiths said he knew the
islands lay thickest. We had a regular watch set, and a bright look-out
kept ahead, for we could not tell when we might come upon reefs, and the
boat might be knocked to pieces on some uninhabited spot where neither
food nor water was to be procured. The next day was passed much as the
previous one had been, but no flying-fish came on board, though we saw
them glittering in the air in the distance. It was drawing towards
evening when I saw a black triangular fin, which I knew to be that of a
shark, coming up astern.
"What are you looking at?" asked the doctor.
I told him. Presently we caught sight of the monster's cruel eyes and
back a couple of fathoms from the boat. I saw by their looks that the
men did not like its appearance.
"We hab him," cried Sam Coal. "We eat him if he no eat us."
Brown, on hearing this remark, stood up, with his harpoon in hand, but
the savage brute seemed to know its danger, and kept just beyond his
reach, eyeing us, we thought, as if he expected to make a feast of the
whole party.
The men made their remarks on the shark, for having had sufficient food
they had somewhat recovered their spirits. Still I wished that the
shark would take its departure, but it kept on swimming alongside the
boat, and as the breeze freshened it made faster way to keep up with us.
Brown at last proposed shooting it, for our powder, being in a metal
flask, had kept dry, but Mr Griffiths objected to any being expended
for the purpose. It was a hundred to one that the shark would be
killed, he said, and every charge might be of value. Still, as no
flying-fish had been caught, the men cried out that they must have the
shark, and Mr Griffiths at length allowed Brown, who was a good shot,
to try and hit it in a vital part. Just, however, as he stood up with
the musket in his hands the shark dived and disappeared.
"Ah, ha, Jack Shark know what you going to do. Him know eberyting,"
said Sam Coal.
Shortly after this the sun sank amid a bank of black clouds, and
darkness came down on the world of waters, the weather again looking
very threatening. I was awakened by a splash of water in my face. On
sitting up, though a heavy sea was running, I found that the boat was
still keeping on her course. The sail had been reefed, but it was as
much as we could carry. Again and again the sea broke on board. The
sleepers were all aroused, and we had to bale as fast as we could.
Presently the mate said, "We must heave her to, lads. Get the raft
rigged."
We soon had this done, but as we were rounding to a heavy sea came
rolling up, and breaking on board, nearly carried Sam Coal over the
side. The raft was hove into the water, and we lay head to wind as
before, with the oar apeak. This did not prevent the seas from
occasionally breaking on board, though they came with less violence than
they would otherwise have done; but the boat was severely strained and
shattered as they beat against her, and she now began to leak in a way
which gave us just cause for alarm.
We spent the night baling as hard as we could, all striving to save our
lives; but we hoped almost against hope that we should succeed.
At last some of the men, as before, began to despair, saying that it was
as well to die now as a few hours later, and that it would be better to
give in and let the boat sink, but seeing the mate and doctor calm and
composed as ever, I tried to imitate their example.
"God wants us to labour on, lads," cried Mr Griffiths. "He'll help us
if we do. Gales in these latitudes never last long. Perhaps to-morrow
we shall have a fine day and catch some more flying-fish, or maybe we
are not far off from an island and we shall be able to stretch our legs
and find plenty of cocoanuts, and perhaps yams and pigs. We shall soon
have a fire alight and something cooking before it, and then won't we
eat, boys!"
This sort of talk had a good effect upon the men, and they no longer had
any thought of giving in. Still, the night went by very slowly.
Sleeping, even if we had had time, with the water washing into the boat,
was next to impossible.
Daylight came back at last, and as the sun rose the clouds dispersed,
the wind rapidly dropped, and the sea went down. In a short time the
mate ordered the raft to be got on board, and we ran on as before. We
were very nearly starving, for we had had nothing to eat since we had
devoured the raw flying-fish on the previous day.
"The doctor's got some biscuit," said one of the men, and they at once
all cried out, begging that they might have it. The mate, however,
would only give us a quarter of a biscuit each, with a little water. It
just served to stay the gnawings of hunger, but as the day grew on we
wanted food as much as ever, and our spirits again sank.
For the first time I began to think that I should not survive, even if
the mate and Dr Cockle did. Though they had eaten no more than any of
us, they endured their sufferings better. By this time we were a
scarecrow crew, our hair long, our faces wan, our bodies shrunk, and our
skin tanned to a yellow by the hot sun. At last the men entreated that
they might have the remainder of the biscuit, declaring that they were
ready to die after they had had one good meal if we could not catch any
more flying-fish.
"No, lads," said Mr Griffiths; "I know what is best for you. Your
lives are committed to my charge, and I'll not yield to your wishes.
See, while you have been talking the water has been coming into the
boat. Turn to and bale away."
They obeyed, though with scowling countenances. The mate had both the
guns in the stern-sheets, and he and the doctor looked as if they were
prepared to resist violence. The men knew also that Jim and I would
have sided with the officers. The wind had dropped, and with a gentle
breeze we were gliding on, when suddenly, not ten yards off, a number of
flying-fish rose out of the water and came towards the boat. Some
struck the sail, and others we beat back with our hands.
"I told you not to despair, lads," said Mr Griffiths. "Thank God for
what He has sent us!"
I believe we all did so most heartily. The mate allowed all the fish we
had caught to be eaten. I heard the doctor ask him why he did so, as we
might catch no more till the next day.
"I'll tell you presently," he answered.
We had finished our meal, with just a small piece of biscuit apiece and
a quarter of a pint of water, when the mate stood up, and, shading his
eyes, gazed ahead.
"I would not say so before, lads, for fear of disappointing you, but I
now tell you that we're in sight of land. It is not very large, and may
not be inhabited; it may have no cocoanuts or other vegetables on it,
but it will give us room to stretch our legs, and we may be able to
catch as many fish as we want off it."
"Thank God!" burst from the lips of most of the crew, and I and some
others knelt down to return thanks to Him who had thus far preserved us,
while we prayed that we might be brought in time to a place of safety.
We all now wanted to stand up and see the land. The mate told us to sit
quiet, but he allowed each one of us at a time to rise to our feet and
take a look ahead. A blue irregular line could just be distinguished
above the horizon, clear and defined. That it was land none of us had
any doubt. A fair breeze carried us along at the rate of four or five
knots an hour. In less than a couple of hours we might hope to be on
shore, but the sun was sinking, and it would be dark, unless the breeze
freshened, before we could reach it.
In a short time the wind fell, on which our hopes of landing before
night were disappointed. We got out the oars, however, and pulled on.
"We must be careful, lads," said the mate, after we had rowed some
distance.
"Most of these islands are surrounded by coral reefs, and we may run
upon one of them in the dark and knock the boat to pieces. We must
heave-to, shortly, and wait for daylight."
Some of the men grumbled at this, and asserted that the noise of the
surf upon the reefs would give us sufficient notice when we were
approaching them, but the mate was firm.
"I will not risk the safety of the boat for the sake of getting on shore
a few hours earlier," he said.
We all, however, had the satisfaction of taking another look at the land
and assuring ourselves that it was land before darkness came on. Mr
Griffiths then ordered us to lay in our oars, and except two who were to
keep watch and bale out the water which leaked into the boat, to lie
down and go to sleep.
I don't think many of us did sleep. We were all thinking too much about
getting on shore in the morning to care for rest. We forgot that before
that time another gale might spring up and drive us off the land, or
dash the boat a hopeless wreck upon the coral reef.