I turned in, supposing that the brig would remain at anchor till the
morning. I was, however, awakened in the middle watch by old Tom's
voice. "Come on deck, Jack," he said; "there's mischief brewing; the
captain had a quarrel with Mr Duncan the other day, and he hates young
Sam for his impudence, as he calls it, and so I believe he intends to
leave them behind if he can do so; but he is mistaken. We will not lift
anchor till they are safe on board, or a party has been sent to look for
them. They probably lost their way, and could not get back to the
harbour before dark. There are no wild beasts or savages on shore, and
so they could not come to harm; you slip into the cabin, and call the
other gentlemen, and I'll manage the crew, who have just loosed
topsails, and are already at the windlass with the cable hove short."
I was on deck in an instant, and, keeping on one side, while the captain
was on the other, managed to slip into the cabin. I told the gentlemen
of old Tom's suspicions, and observed that the captain probably thought
those in the boat would return without Mr Duncan and Sam, when they saw
the vessel making sail.
They instantly began to dress; and one of them, a spirited young
Highlander, Mr McIvor, put a brace of pistols into his belt and
followed me on deck. I tried to escape being seen by the captain, but
he caught sight of me, I was sure, though I stooped down and kept close
to the bulwarks as I crept for'ard.
By this time the men were heaving at the windlass, which they continued
to do, in spite of what old Tom said to them. The captain had overheard
him, and threatened to knock the first man down with a handspike who
ceased to work. Old Tom, however, had got one in his hand, and the
captain did not dare to touch him. In another instant I heard Mr
McIvor's voice exclaiming, "What is this all about, Captain Pyke? What!
are you going to leave our friends on shore?"
"If your friends don't come off at the proper time they must take the
consequences," answered the captain. "Then, what I have got to say,
Captain Pyke, is, that I'll not allow them to be deserted, and that I
intend to carry out my resolution with a pretty strong argument--the
instant the anchor leaves the ground I'll shoot you through the head."
"Mutiny! mutiny!" shouted the captain, starting back, "seize this man
and heave him overboard." As he spoke the other two gentlemen made
their appearance, and old Tom and I, with two or three others, stepped
up close to them, showing the captain the side we intended to take.
Neither of the mates moved, while the men folded their arms and looked
on, showing that they did not intend to interfere.
"Very well, gentlemen," cried the captain, "I see how matters stand--you
have been bribing the crew. I'll agree to wait for the boat, and if she
does not come with the missing people we must give them up for lost."
"That depends upon circumstances," said Mr McIvor, returning his pistol
to his belt. He and the rest continued to walk the deck, while the
captain went, muttering threats of vengeance, into his cabin.
None of us after this turned in. In a short time the splash of oars was
heard, and the boat came alongside. "We have come for food," said Mr
Fraser, one of the gentlemen who had gone in her. "I intend going back
at daylight, and must get two or three others to accompany me. We will
then have a thorough search for Duncan and the boy--there is no doubt
that they have lost their way, and if we fire a few muskets, they will,
with the help of daylight, easily find the harbour. Mr McIvor promised
to accompany his friend, and I volunteered to go also."
"No, Jack," said old Tom, "you remain with me. If we all go, the
captain may be playing us some trick." I don't know what side old Tom
would have taken if it had not been for young Sam. Judging by his usual
conduct, I suspect that he would have stood with his arms folded, and
let the rest, as he would have said, fight it out by themselves.
At daylight the boat pulled away with Mr McIvor and another additional
hand, taking a couple of muskets with them. Shortly afterwards the
captain appeared on deck--though he cast frequent angry glances towards
the shore, he said nothing--probably he could not afford to lose so many
hands, as there were now four away, besides the two gentlemen, while the
aspect of old Tom, with the rest of the crew, kept him from attempting
to carry out his evil intentions. Two or three times, notwithstanding
this, I thought he was about to order the anchor to be hove up; but
again he seemed to hesitate, and at length, towards noon, the boat was
seen coming off, with Mr Duncan and Sam in her. The captain said
nothing to the gentlemen, but, as soon as the boat was hoisted up, he
began to belabour poor Sam with a rope's end. He was still striking the
lad, when old Tom stepped between them, grasping a handspike. "What has
the lad done, sir?" he exclaimed. "Why not attack Mr Duncan? If
anyone is to blame for the delay, he is the person, not young Sam." The
gentlemen were advancing while old Tom was speaking, and several of the
crew cried out shame. The captain again found himself in the minority,
and, without replying to old Tom, walked aft, muttering between his
teeth.
These incidents will give some idea of the state of matters on board the
ship.
We now made sail, with a gentle breeze right aft, but scarcely had we
lost sight of the islands when a heavy gale sprang up. The lighter
canvas was instantly handed--young Sam and one of the men who had gone
in the boat were ordered out on the jibboom to furl the flying jib. As
they were about this work, a tremendous sea struck the bows, the gaskets
got loose, the jibboom was carried away, and with it the two poor
fellows who were endeavouring to secure the sail. The captain, who had
seen the accident, took no notice of it, but the first mate, not wishing
to have their death on his conscience, sprang aft and ordered the ship
to be brought to, while others hove overboard every loose piece of
timber, empty casks, or hencoops, which they could lay hands on, to give
our shipmates a chance of escape. Old Tom and I instantly ran to the
jolly-boat, and were easing off the falls, when I felt myself felled to
the deck by a blow on the head, the captain's voice exclaiming, "What,
you fools, do you wish to go after them and be drowned too?" When I
came to myself I saw the boat made fast, and could just distinguish the
articles thrown overboard floating astern, while old Tom was standing
gazing at them with sorrowful looks, the eyes of all on board, indeed,
being turned in the same direction.
"It would have been no use, Jack," he said, heaving a deep sigh; "the
captain was right, the boat couldn't have lived two minutes in this sea,
but I would have risked my life to try and save young Sam, though, for
your sake, my boy, it's better as it is."
After this the ship was put on her course, and we stood on, plunging
away into the heavy seas which rose around us, and threatened every
instant to break on board the brig. The passengers looked, and, I
daresay, felt very melancholy at the accident, for young Sam especially,
was liked by them, and on that account Mr Duncan had taken him on his
expedition. Old Tom could scarcely lift up his head, and even the rest
of the crew refrained from their usual gibes and jokes. The captain
said nothing, but I saw by the way he treated the first mate that he was
very savage with him for the part he had taken in attempting to save the
poor fellows.
After this old Tom was kinder than ever to me, and evidently felt
towards me as he had towards young Sam, whose duties as everybody's
servant I had now to take, being the youngest on board, and least able
to hold my own against the captain's tyranny, and the careless and often
rough treatment of the crew.
I had some time before told poor young Sam how I used to be called
"Happy Jack," and he went and let out what I had said among the men.
When one of them started me with a rope's end, he would sing out,
"That's for you, `Happy Jack.'" Another would exclaim, "Go and swab the
deck down, `Happy Jack;'" or, "`Happy Jack,' go and help Mango to clean
out the caboose, I hope you are happy now--pleasant work for a young
gentleman, isn't it?"
"Look you," I replied one day, when this remark was made to me, "I am
alive and well, and hope some day to see my home and friends, so,
compared to the lot of poor young Sam and Dick Noland, who are fathoms
deep down in the ocean, I think I have a right to say I am happy--your
kicks and cuffs only hurt for a time, and I manage soon to forget them.
If it's any pleasure to you to give them, all I can say is, that it's a
very rum sort of pleasure; and now you have got my opinion about the
matter."
"That's the spirit I like to see," exclaimed old Tom, slapping me on the
back soon afterwards, "You'll soon put a stop to that sort of thing." I
found he was right; and, though I had plenty of dirty work to do, still,
after that, not one of the men ever lifted his hand against me. The
captain, however, was not to be so easily conquered, and so I took good
care to stand clear of him whenever I could.
The rough weather continued till we had made Cape Horn, which rose dark
and frowning out of the wild heaving ocean. We were some time doubling
it, and were several days in sight of Terra del Fuego, but we did not
see anything like a burning mountain--indeed, no volcanoes exist at that
end of the Andes.
The weather moderated soon after we were round the Horn, but in a short
time another gale sprung up, during which our bulwarks were battered in,
one of our boats carried away, our bowsprit sprung, and the
fore-topsail, the only canvas we had set, blown to ribbons. Besides
this, we received other damages, which contributed still further to sour
our captain's temper. We were at one time so near the ironbound coast
that there seemed every probability that we should finish off by being
dashed to pieces on the rocks. Happily, the wind moderated, and a fine
breeze springing up, we ran on merrily into the Pacific.
Shortly after, we made the island of Juan Fernandez, and, as I saw its
wood-covered heights rising out of the blue ocean, I could not help
longing to go on shore and visit the scenes I had read about in Robinson
Crusoe. I told old Tom about my wish. Something more like a smile than
I had ever yet seen, rose on his countenance. "I doubt, Jack, that you
would find any traces of the hero you are so fond of," he observed; "I
believe once upon a time an Englishman did live there, left by one of
the ships of Commodore Anson's squadron, but that was long ago, and the
Spaniards have turned it into a prison, something like our Norfolk
Island."
CHAPTER FIVE.
OLD TOM'S STORY.
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 Roa, 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.