FEARFUL WANT OF WATER--FUEL NEARLY EXHAUSTED--AURORA AUSTRALIS SEEN--
ICEBERG IN SIGHT--APPROACH IT TO OBTAIN WATER--SEALS DISCOVERED ON
ICEBERG--SEALS ATTACKED--SEVERAL SEALS KILLED--A PARTY GET ON THE
ICEBERG--FRESH WATER OBTAINED--ICEBERG BEGINS TO MOVE--FLIGHT FOR LIFE--
LAUNCH NEARLY OVERWHELMED--THE CUTTER NOT TO BE SEEN--LAUNCH PROCEEDS ON
HER COURSE--MORE BIRDS KILLED--DANGER FROM WHALES--PROVISIONS BECOMING
SCARCE--LAND SEEN FAR OFF--SUFFERINGS FROM THIRST--A DARK NIGHT--THE
LAUNCH APPROACHES A ROCK--PARTY LAND ON THE ROCK--BIRD COLONY ATTACKED--
SEALS DISCOVERED--THE DOCTOR SLIPS DOWN THE ROCK--THE SEALS ESCAPE--NO
WATER TO BE FOUND--FUEL OBTAINED FROM A WRECK--LYING IN WAIT FOR THE
SEALS--A SAIL SEEN IN THE DISTANCE--THE CUTTER ARRIVES--STARVING STATE
OF CUTTER'S CREW--HOW THEY ESCAPED FROM THE BERG--PETER'S GENEROUS
CONDUCT--THE PARTY ENCAMP ON THE ROCK--A NIGHT SCENE ON ROCK--HARRY'S
MEDITATIONS.
Two days had passed away. Every drop of water, with the exception of a
small quantity the doctor could produce from his still, was exhausted; a
gill alone could be distributed to each person during the
four-and-twenty hours and sometimes even that quantity could but with
difficulty be procured. The salt provisions also, on which they had to
exist, made every one thirsty, and the bright sun shining down on their
heads increased their desire for water. Thirst--thirst--many now for
the first time learned the real significance of that word. From both
boats voices in plaintive accents were crying out for water. Oh! how
many would gladly have given everything they possessed for a draught of
the pure liquid; yet, although the still was kept going night and day,
no more water beyond the small measure could be produced, and the doctor
knew that his fuel was getting to an end. A portion of the charcoal in
the bag still remained, but that was kept for cooking purposes. There
were, likewise, a few fragments of broken-up cases and other pieces of
wood, which might for a short time feed the stove; but they would
speedily be exhausted. "What will then become of us all?" thought the
doctor. "Heaven in mercy protect us!"
Harry Shafto was at the helm. The two boats were gliding over the
mirror-like ocean, which reflected on its surface the bright stars
overhead. Willy was by his side, declaring that, though it was his
watch below, he could not go to sleep. "What strange light is that?"
exclaimed Willy suddenly. From a bank of dark clouds in the northern
horizon a bright ray darted upwards towards the zenith, expanding like a
fan, and illuminating the whole ocean. Scarcely had he spoken when it
died away, and darkness once more reigned over the world of waters.
Before a minute, however, had elapsed, a magnificent arch, from which
darted forth rays of varied colours, appeared. By degrees the light
grew more and more intense, till the whole sky was spread over with a
sheet of brightness; but not for a moment did it remain at rest--the
most brilliant red, purple, orange, and yellow tints streamed upwards in
innumerable radiations, with every possible variety of hues which a
combination of these colours could produce. Now the rays seemed to
close, now they opened again, like a vast variously-tinted umbrella,
till the bright dome of heaven was all a-blaze. Now and then the stars
could be seen beyond the mass of light; now they altogether paled, and
were concealed by the marvellous glare.
"This is indeed beautiful," exclaimed Willy. "I should so like to call
the Miss Morleys; they would be sorry to miss it."
"Thank you," said Harry, "I wish you would, and do so softly, so as not
to alarm them."
"Miss Morley," said Willy, going to the side of their cabin, "there is a
splendid display of the Aurora Australis, and Shafto thinks you would
like to see it."
One of the young ladies was apparently awake; she called her sister,
and, wrapped in their cloaks, they stood for some time gazing at the
wonderful spectacle. Mere words indeed cannot describe it, nor can the
painter's pencil. It continued for nearly half-an-hour, varying during
the time in its form. Now the arch grew still more brilliant, then it
suddenly melted away, dropping downwards in a sheet of flame; now it
arose once more, and the same brilliant and varied hues again appeared.
As Willy was looking out eastward, his eye was attracted by a vast mass
of brilliant light, now assuming one colour, now another, yet the form
remained the same. He called Harry's attention to it.
"It is an iceberg," exclaimed Harry, "and directly in our course. Had
it not been lighted up by the Aurora, we might have been close upon it
without its being observed." He carefully took its bearings by the
compass, while the Aurora continued. Even the men at the oars could not
help uttering exclamations of astonishment while the glorious spectacle
was exhibited before them. At length it died away; but the Miss Morleys
continued to watch for some time longer, expecting it to reappear; they
were at last persuaded to return to their cabin, for though the
atmosphere was warm enough when the sun was shining, it was very cold at
night.
Harry altered his course so as to pass to the northward of the iceberg,
hailing the boatswain to follow him. The boats made but slight
progress; and when daylight broke, they were close abreast of the huge
berg. The doctor was on his feet in a moment, with unusual animation on
his countenance. "We must get some of that berg," he said. "Heaven has
sent it to our aid. Hurra, boys! We shall now have as much water as we
can pour down our throats."
How welcome were those words to the seamen, as they awoke from their
sleep with parched mouths and cracked lips; for notwithstanding the
exertion they had gone through, they had taken even less water than the
women and children. Those who had been tugging at the oars during the
last hours of the night had been relieved, and the boats were eagerly
pulled towards the berg. As they approached, several dark objects were
seen on a low ledge projecting from one side of it. "They are seals,"
cried the doctor. "We must have them! They will serve us for food and
fuel to melt the ice. Our casks must be filled with water, and we must
take on board as many lumps of ice as the boats can carry. But steady,
boys! If we make the slightest noise, we shall frighten the seals and
lose them."
"I think I could shoot one of the fellows," observed Captain Twopenny.
"And I another," said Harry. "I suppose Bollard sees the seals." He
hailed the boatswain, and together the two boats eagerly approached the
ice. Just then some more seals were seen at a little distance, and in
order to double the chance of killing some, Harry directed the cutter to
steer for the last which had appeared. Paul Lizard got his harpoon
ready, in the hope of striking one should they take to the water. Those
in the boats almost held their breath as they glided onwards, for fear
of frightening the wary creatures. They appeared, however, never to
have been alarmed by man, for every now and then one lifted up its head,
and gazed at the advancing boats, as if they were some huge sea animals,
without showing any signs of alarm.
"You take the big fellow on the right hand," whispered Captain Twopenny
to Harry. "I'll take another I have marked farther to the left.
Doctor, you pick out one in the centre."
The boats drew nearer and nearer; the seals began to show that they
suspected their visitors. No one moved in the boat, for fear of
frightening the creatures. Again the animals began to move.
"They will be into the water if we don't take care," whispered the
doctor. A few more strokes of the oars were given, and the seals
nearest the edge began to move towards it. Captain Twopenny fired; the
doctor followed his example, aiming at an animal some way from the edge;
Harry, less accustomed than his companions to the use of a rifle, was
afraid that he had missed his game. The boat now darted on, Paul Lizard
standing with harpoon poised ready to strike. The seals, frightened at
the noise, came rushing over the ice, and splashing into the water;
fierce-looking fellows they were, too, with their huge tusks, long
manes, and big beards. Instead of taking to flight, they came roaring
angrily round the boat, apparently with the intention of attacking her.
The women screamed as they saw the savage-looking animals surrounding
them. "Load again quickly," cried Harry, "and drive these creatures
off." One big fellow, the leader of the herd probably, came swimming up
with grinning teeth, as if intent on mischief. He looked fully capable
of ripping a plank out of the boat; and such seemed his purpose. Paul's
harpoon flew from his hand, burying itself in the monster's head. The
seal swam off, dragging out the line. Paul called two of the men to his
assistance, and while they were hauling away at the animal, who was
fast, the other men were engaged with their oars in keeping the rest of
the infuriated herd at bay. Two seals lay on the ice dead, brought down
by the captain and doctor. Three more were shot, but scarcely had the
bullets entered their brains than down they sank, and were lost to
sight. The remainder of the herd, having sufficient sagacity to know
that the fate of their companions might be theirs, suddenly diving, with
loud splashes disappeared. They rose again at some distance, blowing
loudly, and looking as if they were about to make a fresh attack on the
boat. After, however, they had continued for some time swimming rapidly
to and fro, uttering their fierce cries, they seemed to have arrived at
the conclusion that "discretion is the better part of valour," and away
they went till they were lost to sight in the distance. In the
meantime, Paul Lizard had succeeded in hauling the seal he had struck up
to the boat, when a few blows killed it. As rapidly as possible it was
cut up, the best part of the blubber being taken on board, and stowed
away in the bows. The doctor was eager to secure the other two seals
which had been killed, and by pulling a little way round, a smooth
landing-place was found. The boat rowed cautiously in, when the doctor,
with Willy Dicey, Lizard, and two other men, leaped on to the berg. The
two seals which lay there were soon cut up, under the doctor's
directions. "And now, Willy," he said, "as we have an abundance of
fuel, we must get as much ice on board as the boats can carry. See!" he
added, chopping off a lump with his hatchet; "it is perfectly sweet and
free from salt. Just tell Shafto to send two more hands here; we shall
soon have enough to quench the thirst of all the party." Willy ran to
the boat, and quickly returned with two men, bringing axes and a large
basket to transport the ice. They were working away on the side of the
berg, and had already sent a good supply on board, when they felt it
move in a strange manner.
"Why, it seems as if an earthquake were taking place," said Willy.
At that moment they heard Shafto shouting loudly to them.
"Not a moment to be lost," cried the doctor. "On, boys, for your lives!
Here, take my hand, Dicey, I'll not leave you behind."
The huge ice-mountain became more and more agitated as they moved on.
They reached the bows of the boat, and tumbled headlong in; and, at the
same moment Paul Lizard, who had seized a boathook, shoved her off; the
men got out their oars, and pulled her head round.
"Now give way, lads, for your lives," cried Shafto.
The water around them became violently agitated, and the huge ice-rock
swayed to and fro. Shafto cast an anxious look behind him. Its tall
summit seemed to be bending over. Where was the other boat? No one
could tell. There was little time for thinking of their friends; their
own probable fate absorbed all their attention. The men bent to their
oars, looking up with horror in their eyes towards the mass which seemed
about to come down and crush them. The ice on which they had lately
stood disappeared. Large masses of frozen snow came hurtling down,
falling with loud splashes into the water on either side of them. One
such mass would have been sufficient to send their boat to the bottom;
but only a few small fragments fell on board, and no one was hurt. Then
came a cry of terror from many a usually stout heart. The summit of the
ice-mountain bent over more and more. What chance had they of escaping
from beneath it? Down, down it came with a terrific splash into the
hitherto calm sea, throwing up the foaming waters, which dashed over
them in dense showers, while the wave raised by the fall of the berg, as
it rolled after the boat, seemed as if it were about to break on board
and swamp her. The crew needed no urging to put forth all their
strength. The boat's stern rose high as it passed under her, and then
on she glided, away from the danger. They were saved! Narrow, indeed,
was their escape.
"But where is the cutter?" exclaimed Willy, looking around. She was not
to be seen.
The weather, which had hitherto been so calm, had been changing rapidly
while they were engaged in killing the seals. A thick mist had rapidly
swept over the ocean, and shut out even the huge mass of the overturned
iceberg, which still floated upon the water. They shouted loudly,
hoping that those in the cutter, if she was still above water, might
hear them; but no answer came.
"God's ways are mysterious," observed Mr Morley. "He has thought fit
to preserve us while our poor companions have perhaps been allowed to
perish. To Him our thanks are due."
The doctor and Captain Twopenny fired their rifles several times, but
still there was no reply, and Harry reluctantly continued his course. A
light breeze had sprung up, the sails filled, and the "Ranger's" launch
glided rapidly over the water. The doctor at once lighted the stove,
and having melted the ice, filled all the water-casks. How eagerly did
those who had for so many days tasted barely sufficient water to moisten
their throats drink down large draughts of the pure liquid. A plentiful
repast of seal cutlets and steaks was served out, and a small quantity
of spirits to those who wished for them. All, however, felt very sad at
the loss of their companions. "Poor Peter Patch!" sighed Willy; "I
little thought, when he was joking with me this morning, that I should
never see him again."
For several days the boat ran on, the breeze having freshened
considerably. The charts showed some rocks in their course. Harry kept
a bright look-out for them. He was anxious to make them, if possible,
at the same time that he dreaded running on them during the dark hours
of night. Once more the wind fell, and by this time their water was
again getting low. All the ice had been melted, and a good deal of the
seal blubber burnt up. What remained was becoming far from pleasant,
but the doctor insisted that it was too valuable to throw overboard.
Numerous birds were seen at different times, and several came near
enough for the captain and doctor to get a shot at them. Several
petrels and Cape pigeons were killed; but it was necessary to haul down
the sails in order to pick them up. Though Harry did not like the
delay, they were too valuable an addition to their larder to be lost.
It was wonderful all this time how Mrs Morley and her daughters bore up
under the trials to which they were exposed. Poor Mrs Twopenny was the
only invalid, she constantly requiring the doctor's attention. Thus day
after day passed away, Paul Lizard in vain trying to catch a porpoise or
dolphin, or some other fish. Their dark backs were frequently seen as
they swam by at a tantalising distance, and sometimes a whole shoal
would appear, by the curious way in which they rose and sank as they
darted forward near the surface, making it seem as if they were
performing somersaults in the water. Willy could scarcely believe that
they only rose to breathe, and that their backs but slightly moved out
of the horizontal position, their peculiar shape giving them the
appearance of diving. Whales, too, frequently appeared close at hand,
sending forth from their blow-holes a column of foam-like breath--the
spray which they forced up falling round in graceful jets. The doctor
explained that the white spout which appeared was the warm breath of the
animal, and not, as the sailors often suppose, a mass of foam forced
from its nostrils. The whales were, however, too formidable antagonists
to attack, even had one come near enough to allow Paul Lizard to send
his harpoon into its back.
"No, no," he observed; "I know what I am about. We should get but
little change out of one of those creatures if we interfered with it.
Much more likely to have the boat capsized or sent by its flukes to the
bottom."
The doctor had now again recourse to his still to obtain a supply of
water. One of the casks was always left full, in case of emergency,
should bad weather come on, and it be impossible to keep the stove
alight. Again they were on a short allowance of food; the wet flour had
become perfectly mouldy, and the biscuits were in very little better
condition. Starving people only could have eaten them.
One evening, as the sun was setting, a blue hillock appeared rising out
of the eastern horizon. At first it was so faint that few on board
believed it to be land. Harry hoped that it might prove one of the
rocky islets of which he was in search. All he could tell from the
chart was its existence. Nothing was said about its size or height. He
stood towards it, but the wind was light, and little progress was made.
The last pieces of seal blubber had been expended, and but one small
cask of water remained. There was charcoal only sufficient to cook
breakfast for the next day. Every one was suffering more or less from
thirst.
"Cheer up, friends," cried Mrs Rumbelow, whose throat, though she did
not say so, was as if a hot iron had been thrust down it. "Yonder is
the land, and we there may hope to find water and provisions of some
sort."
The night was very dark, and anxious as Harry was to get on shore, he
was afraid of running on some unknown reef, or passing the rock, should
he continue his course. He therefore hove the boat to, and, as many
sailors have had to do, longed for daylight. Willy, that night dreamed
of home more than he had done before, and of the loved ones there.
Sometimes, too, thoughts of his late shipmates came into his head, and
they appeared to perform a fantastic drama before him. "Harry," he
exclaimed, starting up, "what has happened? You don't know what
dreadful things I have been thinking about."
Harry tried to calm his agitation, but it was no easy matter to do so.
The hardships and anxiety he was going through told on the young boy's
nerves, well-strung as they were; as also on those of many others
aboard. Poor Mrs Morley struggled bravely; her daughters, feeling
their situation not the less keenly, exerted themselves to the utmost to
console her. The launch was still a considerable distance from the
rocky island when daylight appeared. Harry, now once more easing off
the sheets, stood towards it, proposing to go round, and stand in on the
other side, knowing that on the weather side landing would be difficult.
As they approached, several parts of the rock were seen covered with
white patches, and on drawing nearer, these patches appeared to be
moving.
"Why, I believe, those are birds!" exclaimed Willy. "See, there are
hundreds of them. They appear to me to be arranged in rows one above
another on the higher ledges of the rock."
"They are penguins, I have no doubt," exclaimed the doctor. "Though
they themselves are not very palatable food, their eggs, if any remain
unhatched, will afford us some substantial meals. We shall not starve
if we can get at them."
The sun was very hot, and there was a great demand for water; but the
doctor would only serve out half-a-gill to each person. He knew full
well that in a short time the last drops would be reached, and that then
their suffering, hitherto but moderate, would be greatly increased. The
wind fell, and once more the oars were got out. As the rock was
approached, it was evident that too much surf was breaking on it to
allow of landing on that side. The boat was therefore rowed round it;
and after coasting along the shore for a short distance, a small
sheltered cove was found, into which they gladly ran. For the first
time for many a day the wanderers at length stepped on firm ground. The
ladies were first assisted to land, but they could with difficulty walk,
after being cramped up for so long a time.
"I am afraid the island will afford but short rambles," observed Harry;
"but we need fear no savages or wild animals."
"The first thing to look out for, boys, is water," exclaimed the doctor;
"though, by the appearance of these rocks, it may be a hard matter to
find."
While the females of the party preferred remaining near the little cove,
the rest rambled away in search of the much-desired fluid. The doctor
had taken his rifle, and Willy, by his direction, carried an axe in his
belt, and a spar sharpened at the end.
"You observe, Dicey," said the doctor, "if we come upon any soft place,
we shall, by driving this spar into it, more readily ascertain whether
water is below."
They had not gone far, however, before they saw how slight was the
probability of discovering water. There might be some trifling rivulet
formed by the melting snow, but hitherto not a trace of moisture had
been seen on the hard dry rock. They were climbing the rocks when,
having passed a deep fissure, they saw before them a vast array of
strange-looking birds perched on the crags above their heads.
"Come, Willy," cried the doctor, "we must have some of these fellows at
once."
Directly they were seen, the birds set up a loud concert of squeaking,
squalling, and gabbling. The doctor shouted to Willy to come on, but so
overpowering were the cries that he could not hear what was said. Each
bird appeared to be endeavouring to out-squall and out-gabble its
neighbour. Undaunted by the noise, the doctor climbed on, and was soon
in the midst of the feathered colony. Willy followed close at his
heels, when the birds fearlessly commenced attacking them, snapping at
their legs, seizing hold of their trousers, and showing their anger in
every possible way.
"I say, Dicey, we must put a stop to this," cried the doctor, beginning
to jump about as the birds dug their beaks into his calves. Willy, for
the same reason, was skipping here and there, in a vain endeavour to
avoid them. "Give me your axe, and defend yourself as you best can with
your stick," cried the doctor; and saying this, he laid about him with
the weapon, and a number of hapless penguins were soon brought to the
ground. In a short time, upwards of a hundred were killed; the
remainder still continuing gabbling and squalling as loud as ever. In
some places there were old birds with their young, in others nests on
which the hens were still sitting. In some of the nests, which were
formed of dry seaweed, or frequently only placed without a lining in the
hollow of a rock, was one egg, in others two. The eggs varied in size,
some being as large as those of a goose, others not larger than a hen's
egg, with a slight tinge of green. The nests were about two feet apart,
and generally one old bird was found sitting on the nest, the young ones
endeavouring in vain to nestle themselves under her wings. They were
very like goslings, covered with a dark thick down. The parent birds
were about twenty inches in height, with a white breast, and nearly
black back; the rest of the body being of a dark, dun colour, with the
exception of the head, which was adorned on each side with four or five
yellow feathers, three or four inches long, forming graceful plumes.
Thus the birds, when seen standing erect in rows, had very much the
appearance of a company of soldiers.
"These will be a welcome prize to our poor friends," exclaimed the
doctor; "so load yourself, Dicey, with as many eggs and birds as you can
carry, and we will send the men up for the remainder." Saying this, the
doctor, tying the legs of a number of birds together with his
handkerchief, fastened them round his neck, and then filled his hat full
of eggs. Willy did the same.
"They will take us for a couple of feathered bipeds of some new
species," said the doctor, laughing. In truth, except their heads,
nothing was to be seen of the doctor and Willy but masses of feathers.
Now and then some of the birds, who had only been stunned, began
fluttering about, and sticking their beaks into the bodies of their
captors, who, climbing down the steep rocks, were but ill able to defend
themselves. In spite of this, they succeeded in reaching the cove in
safety, where their appearance, as they expected, created no little
astonishment. Mrs Rumbelow, with some of her companions, quickly
relieved them of their burdens, and instantly began plucking out the
feathers of the birds, while the doctor and Willy again hastened off to
continue their rambles. After making their way over the hill, they
came, as they neared the beach, upon a large family of seals basking on
a small strip of sand in a little cove below them. The doctor was
delighted at the sight. "Now, Willy," he exclaimed, "we must have some
more of these phocae." The doctor in his eagerness was hurrying on,
rifle in hand, when his foot slipped, and he went sliding down a steep
rock. The rifle exploded, the bullet passing very near Willy's head.
Willy cried out, dreading that the doctor would be killed. Still he
continued his downward course, Willy making his way by a more circuitous
path as rapidly as he could towards him. At length the doctor reached
the bottom of the cliff, where he lay without moving. Willy hurried
towards him, expecting to find every bone in his body broken. Happily,
the sand was soft where he had fallen.
"Help me up, Dicey," he said, in a faint voice. "Where is my rifle; we
must do battle with the seals notwithstanding."
Willy soon assisted his friend to get on his feet; but when they looked
round for the seals, not one was to be seen; the sound of the rifle and
the doctor's and Willy's voices had put the whole family to flight. The
worthy doctor, after shaking himself, discovered, to his infinite
satisfaction, that no bones were broken, and in a short time was able to
scramble up the rocks again, to continue his search for water. Their
worst anticipations were realised; not a spot was found which gave the
slightest indication of there being water below it. The rock had been
searched throughout, and all hands returned to the cove with the same
report. They came, however, laden with as many penguins as they could
carry, and all the eggs that could be collected. There was now no fear
of suffering from starvation. The great difficulty was how to cook
their abundant supply of provisions. No other seals had been seen; and
it was feared that those on the little beach, frightened away by the
doctor, would not return.
"If so, the sooner we get away from this barren spot the better,"
observed Harry. "If the fine weather continues, as I hope it may, we
can expect to reach the Auckland Islands in three or four days."
"I think we should not give up all hopes of catching a seal or two,"
observed the doctor. "As they have been only once disturbed, the herd
we saw are pretty certain to come back before long; and if we can
conceal ourselves and watch for them, we may shoot or knock some on the
head before they can again escape."
This proposal was agreed to, and Harry resolved to wait a few hours
longer, in the hopes of success. One of the men also stated that he had
seen some pieces of timber apparently, thrown up into a shallow cavern
at the north end of the rock, and a man with him had in vain tried to
get down to them; but he thought, with the aid of ropes, they might be
reached.
"Then let us get hold of them at once," said the doctor; "they will
serve as fuel, and fuel can procure us water--no time to be lost."
Two lengths of rope, and three blocks to form a tackle, were therefore
procured from the boat; and Harry, taking a party of men with him, under
the guidance of the seaman proceeded to the spot. From a projecting
point they could look into the cavern, where was seen a considerable
amount of broken planking and timbers, the remains, apparently, of a
large boat or small vessel One of the seamen volunteered to be lowered
down to the spot. The tackle was secured to the rock overhead, and in a
short time, to the doctor's great satisfaction, a considerable amount of
planking was hoisted up. He at once eagerly shouldered as much as he
could carry, and two of the men who could be spared followed him to the
cove. His still was landed, and a blazing fire being raised beneath it,
he was soon able to offer a small quantity of the precious fluid to his
thirsty companions. All had had enough to moisten their parched
throats, when the remainder of the party arrived with a fresh supply of
fuel.
"Poor fellows, little did they think, when their vessel was cast away,
what a blessing her ribs and skin would prove to us," soliloquised the
doctor, as he added fresh fuel to his fire. A shot was just then heard.
It was fired by Willy Dicey, who had remained on the summit of the
rock; he was pointing westward, and waving his cap.
"The boat! the boat!" he cried out; and the top of the rock was soon
crowded with most of the seamen, eagerly looking out in the direction
towards which he pointed. There, just rising above the blue water, was
seen a tiny white spot, some declaring that it was only the wing of a
sea-bird; but when Harry arrived with his spy-glass, he at once
pronounced it to be the sail of the cutter. So anxious were they all in
watching it that most of them forgot the seals. Captain Twopenny,
however, reminded by the doctor, had made his way, accompanied by Paul
Lizard and one of the soldiers, towards the sandy beach. Here they
concealed themselves among the rocks on either side of it, while Harry
and Willy, with the rest of the party, were watching the approach of the
boat on the top of the rock. First one dark head, and then another, was
seen rising above the surface of the water, and presently the herd of
seals made their way towards the beach. The creatures, after cautiously
looking about them, began crawling up. The first which arrived lay down
at no great distance from the edge; but soon others climbing up, giving
them no very gentle shoves, they crawled on still further, and then
again lay down, the next treating the last comers in the same way; till
at length a herd of full fifty seals had landed, the inner ones being at
a considerable distance from the water. The seamen on the top of the
rock were eager to rush down and attack them.
"They will be off as before, and we shall lose them," said Willy, in a
low voice. Just then a shot was heard, then another and another, and
presently Paul Lizard was seen scrambling along the beach, and followed
by the captain and a soldier, and a regular onslaught on the seals was
commenced. The seamen could restrain themselves no longer, and down
they rushed pell-mell to assist their friends; the only weapons,
however, which they possessed were some pieces of the wreck. The seals
were rushing towards the water, tumbling over each other in their hurry
to escape; a few old bulls, however, the patriarchs of the herd, were
ferociously attacking their assailants. The captain was tumbled over,
the soldier had nearly broken his rifle in defending himself against the
assaults of a fierce bull, while Paul was laying about him right and
left with his club, when the rest of the party arrived to their rescue.
Two seals had been shot, and Paul's club had brought down four more; the
rest, charging all who opposed them, made their way to the water. The
captain, though somewhat bruised, and having his clothes torn by the
teeth of the seal which had attacked him, was not otherwise the worse
for the encounter. The six seals which remained as trophies of the
battle were well worth all the injuries which had been received. The
seamen's knives were quickly at work, and the flesh and blubber were cut
off and carried away in triumph to be laid at the doctor's feet. He was
delighted when he saw the spoils brought to him.
"No fear now, my friends, of dying of thirst or hunger," he exclaimed.
"If we can keep our pot boiling, we shall do well."
By this time the cutter had drawn near the rock, and Harry and Willy
once more mounted its summit to watch her. They could see with the
telescope the faces of those in her looking up with astonishment at
them. Harry waved to them to go round to the other side of the rock;
and as soon as they understood his signals, the boat was hauled on a
wind, so as to weather the north point. They all seemed very pale and
miserable.
"There are some people lying at the bottom of the boat," observed Willy.
"I fear they have been suffering greatly."
The two friends hurried down to the cove, and in a short time the cutter
was seen coming round and standing in for it. The sail was lowered, and
the oars got out; but from the languid way in which they moved, it was
evident that those who were rowing had but little strength. As she
approached several people were seen pointing to their mouths.
"I thought so," observed the doctor. "We have fortunately saved some
water, though there is scarcely more than sufficient to wet their lips."
"Oh, give them all we have," exclaimed Mrs Morley, who overheard the
remark.
"Oh yes, do! do!" exclaimed several of her female companions.
The doctor, who had been perseveringly attending to his still, hurried
to the cove as the boat came in with a jug and a little tin canister,
which served as a measure. The pale cheeks and cracked lips of those on
board the cutter showed how much they had suffered.
"The women first, if you please, sir," said Mr Bollard, as the doctor
stepped on board. How thankfully they and the poor children received
the few drops of water offered to each of them. One person only looked
at him with an angry glance. "Why don't you bring me champagne?"
exclaimed poor Ensign Holt. "That's fit tipple for a gentleman." It
was evident, poor fellow, that he was as mad as ever. He did not,
however, refuse the water poured into his mouth, declaring as he drank
it that it was hock of the first quality. Not till all the others had
been served would the brave boatswain accept the water for himself. The
doctor then hurried back to get a fresh supply.
"We are truly glad to see you, Bollard," said Harry, "for we believed
that you had been overwhelmed by the iceberg."
"So we should have been, sir," was the answer, "but the moment we saw
the top of the berg beginning to move we shoved off, and pulled away to
the westward. We were not a moment too soon, however; for a mass of ice
rose right up out of the water, directly astern of us. Had we been a
moment later, it would have lifted the boat fifty feet in the air, and,
for what I know, sent us all flying over the top to the other side of
it."
Willy, who had hurried down to the cutter, looked anxiously for Peter
Patch. He was in the stern-sheets, his cheeks as pale as death, and his
eyes closed. A few drops of water poured down his throat revived him.
"Thank you, Dicey," he whispered, opening his eyes. "I thought it was
all up with me."
"You will be soon to rights, Mr Patch," said Bollard, looking kindly at
him. "He would not touch a drop of water himself," he added, turning to
the doctor, "but gave his share to those two little children crying out
for it."
"And you gave yours to their mothers," said Peter, "so you need not talk
of what I did."
"The youngster has got a heart after all, in spite of his nonsense,"
muttered the doctor; and Peter was a favourite of his ever afterwards.
It was indeed providential that the launch had arrived at the rock some
time before the other boat, and that the firewood and seals had been
procured, or probably many of the poor women and children on board her
would have perished, however the stronger men might have endured their
sufferings.
The doctor hurried back to his still, which he believed no one could
superintend so well as himself. It required, indeed, the greatest
attention, and three hands were constantly employed in filling up the
boiler and supplying the condenser with cold water. Though Harry was
anxious to continue the voyage, the doctor begged that they might remain
on the rock during the night, that he might the better keep his still at
work, and, at the same time, as there was fuel sufficient for their
fires, that a good supply of seal-flesh might be cooked. The tent was
accordingly carried on shore and considerably enlarged, to afford
accommodation for the ladies and other women, while some of the men
slept on shore, thus giving ample space for the remainder to stretch
their legs on board the boats. The scene looked wild and strange in the
extreme to Harry, as he retired a short distance from the camp to enjoy
a few moments of solitude, and seek for that strength he so much needed,
with the heavy responsibility thrown upon his young shoulders.
By the side of the small cove on which floated the two boats was the
white tent, and at a little distance their camp-fires blazed up
brightly; while high above rose the dark, rugged peaks of the
weather-worn rock on which, ever and anon, a ruddy glare was cast by the
flames at their base, while beyond stretched out into interminable space
the dark, heaving ocean. Across that ocean he was now to go, and guide
the course of the two boats towards an inhospitable land, yet the
nearest where water and fuel could be found. It could not, however,
prove a permanent resting-place, as the winter, he had heard, was severe
in the extreme, and provisions for so many mouths it might be impossible
to find. Yet could he venture farther on in these open boats? New
Zealand lay beyond; but a large portion of that country was but little
known; they might reach a part inhabited by savages, who might treat
them as foes instead of rendering them assistance. If so, might it not
be safer to stand across from the Aucklands to the distant shores of
Australia? Even should the weather favour them, could they carry water
and provisions sufficient for so large a party? Could any of their
number be left behind? Who, indeed, would consent to stay?
These questions, and many more, crowded on the young officer's mind as
he thus sat beneath the rugged cliffs of that wild sea-worn rock. He
resolved, at all events, to steer for the Auckland Islands, which had
been discovered in 1806 by Captain Bristow, commander of the "Ocean,"
South Sea whaler, and called after Lord Auckland; but with the exception
that they contained some good harbours, Harry knew very little more than
that fact about them.