WATCHING SHIP FROM FLAGSTAFF-HILL--SHIP APPROACHES HARBOUR--PRONOUNCED
TO BE AN EMIGRANT SHIP--LAUNCHING BOAT TO ASSIST SHIP--SHIP ENTERS THE
SOUND--THE EMIGRANT SHIP IN DANGER--CUTTER PUTS OFF--THE SHIP ANCHORS
NEAR REEF--BOAT GETS ALONGSIDE--MRS CLAGGET'S TONGUE HEARD--PASSENGERS
LOWERED INTO BOAT--DANGEROUS PASSAGE TO THE SHORE--THE "CRUSADER" DRIVEN
ON THE REEF--WATCHING WRECK FROM THE BEACH--HARRY RETURNS TO THE WRECK--
BILL WINDY'S BRAVE EXPLOIT--COMMUNICATION ESTABLISHED WITH SHORE--SEA
BREAKING OVER SHIP--CAPTAIN WESTERWAY THE LAST TO LEAVE--ENCAMPMENT ON
THE SHORE--GOOD HOPE FOR THE FUTURE--ARRIVAL OF ENSIGN HOLT--MUTINY
AMONG THE CREW--MAWSON RINGLEADER OF MUTINEERS--RESOLVE TO BUILD A
VESSEL.
We left Harry Shafto and his companions on the brow of the hill,
watching with intense eagerness the ship they had just discovered as she
endeavoured to beat up towards the mouth of the harbour.
"They must have seen our hut blazing during the night, and it probably
served them as a beacon," remarked Harry. "What we considered our
misfortune was to their advantage."
"Ay, ay, Mr Shafto, it's an ill wind that blows no one good," observed
the boatswain. "I only wish she had the wind freer. It will be no easy
matter for that big ship, rigged as she is, to beat up this harbour, and
when she is inside it is hard to say where she can bring up; for, with
the wind shifting and veering about, there is no safe anchorage that I
could find for her."
"She would not attempt to come in here unless she was in distress,"
remarked Harry. "And if, as is probable, there are passengers on board,
they may be landed here with less danger than on the open coast, even
should she get on shore."
"I should not like to insure her against doing that," said the
boatswain. "Heaven help her and the poor people on board. If the
captain knows the place, he would rather have kept out at sea than tried
to come in here. See, she is about again, and is standing to the
south'ard. Perhaps, after all, he thinks he had better not make the
attempt."
"We must run up the flag. It will help them to find the mouth of the
inner harbour, at all events," said Harry. "Come, Patch, you must give
up your cloak; you can do without it now."
The curiously-contrived flag was quickly hoisted and flew out to the
breeze.
The party stood in silence watching the ship for some time. They were
too anxious about her to make many remarks. The gale continued blowing
as hard as ever. Suddenly it shifted to the southwest, the ship fell
off a few points, and then she was seen slowly to come about, and once
more she headed up towards the harbour.
"He has made up his mind to come in. No doubt about that," observed the
boatswain.
"It is time, Mr Shafto, for us to launch the boat, to go off to her,
and we may then be ready. The captain thinks if he is once inside he
will be all safe, but to my mind he will be greatly mistaken."
"I'll follow your advice, Mr Bollard," said Harry. "We will do our
best, lads, to help the people if the ship gets on shore. I know that I
can depend on you."
"Ay, ay, sir, and never fear," answered the men, as they followed the
young officer down the the hill. They kept the ship in sight all the
way, and could still see her clearly from the beach.
On she stood, and the wind holding, she was able to steer directly for
the harbour. Under ordinary circumstances she would have appeared
secure of entering a haven of safety; but with the wind constantly
shifting, the rocky shore on either side, and deep water close up to it,
there would still be great danger, even should she succeed in making the
entrance.
The boat was reached, but now came the difficulty of launching her; for
the wind having shifted to the south, the sea raised across the broad
estuary drove directly into the bay. Could they once get her safely
through the surf, however, they might obtain shelter under the western
point, where a reef running out formed a natural breakwater. They ran
her down the beach, but when near the water both Harry and the boatswain
hesitated about attempting to launch her. Should they not succeed in
getting her quickly through the surf, one of the heavy seas which were
breaking on the shore might roll her over and knock her to pieces, as
well as endanger all their lives. Still, if they waited till any
accident happened to the ship, they might be too late to render
assistance to those on board.
As the stranger stood in, the English flag was seen flying at her peak,
and from her appearance the boatswain pronounced her to be a
merchantman, probably an Australian emigrant ship, and that if so she
would probably have numerous passengers on board.
"She has evidently been fearfully knocked about," said Harry, who was
looking at her through his spy-glass. "And I can only see one
quarter-boat. Come, lads, we must try to launch the cutter. Dicey and
Patch, do you jump in and stand by with the oars. When I give the word,
we will run her down without stopping, and back out as the sea falls
off."
Harry waited till a heavy sea broke on the shore, then all hands uniting
their strength, in another instant the boat was afloat. They leaped in,
the oars were out in a moment, and before the next sea broke, the boat
had been urged fifty fathoms from the beach. Only one small patch of
water was visible where she could remain in safety, close inside the
reef. They pulled towards it, the seas, as they rolled in, threatening
to capsize her. It was reached, and by keeping the boat's head towards
the outer rocks they were able to lie in comparative safety, and watch
the progress of the ship.
"If the wind holds she will get in, and may be come to anchor under the
south island," observed Bollard.
"It would be safer for her, then, to run up the inner harbour; for
should the wind afterwards shift, she would be placed in a dangerous
position," said Harry.
"No doubt about that, sir," observed Bollard. "The chances are that she
will leave her ribs on the rocks."
"If so, we must do our best to save the people," said Harry. "The sea
breaks heavily along the shore, and they will be placed in great
danger."
The ship meantime was standing boldly on, keeping close to the southern
shore, for the purpose evidently of being well to windward. She had
already reached the entrance of the sound, and now she was in
comparatively smooth water, though the fierce gale made her heel over,
threatening every instant to carry away her masts. It must have been an
anxious time to those on board. Away to leeward the waves were dashing
fiercely on the rockbound coast, and well they must have known, should
any accident happen, that no power could save them from driving against
it, when few could have hoped to escape with life.
The party in the boat continued anxiously to watch the ship. Harry was
considering how he could best render her assistance. It was a long way
by land to the mouth of the sound, and should she drive on shore in that
direction, all on board might be lost before he and his party could
reach the spot. Still the masts held, and the captain evidently dared
not shorten sail, as only by carrying on could he hope to keep to
windward.
"He is a brave seaman, whoever he may be," observed Bollard. "Hold on,
good sticks, hold on, and you may still bring the stout ship into port!"
he added, apostrophising the masts.
"They see our flagstaff, and will probably steer for it," said Harry.
"Or perhaps they are aware of the existence of the inner harbour, and
purpose running up to an anchorage."
The ship had now got within two miles of where the boat lay; and,
sheltered somewhat by the land, she stood up more bravely than before to
her canvas. The captain evidently did not like the look of the shore on
his port side, as no preparations were made for coming to an anchor.
"She will do it now," cried Bollard, "if the wind holds for another
quarter of an hour. See, she is keeping away. They have made out the
entrance of the inner harbour. We might pull outside the reef, Mr
Shafto, and get on board, to pilot her in. If they see us coming, they
will have ropes ready for us."
"It would be no easy matter to reach her, and we shall risk our lives
and the loss of the boat, if we make the attempt till she is in smoother
water," said Harry. "However, we may pull round to the harbour, and
lead her in; they will be looking out for a boat, and will be sure to
see us. Now, lads, give way. Dicey and Patch, you must keep the
bailers going, for we shall ship some seas, and must be prepared. We
will first get to windward, and step the mast, and then run merrily up."
The ship was now standing almost across the sound, making directly for
the mouth of the inner harbour. As she drew nearer, the gush of water
from her sides, evidently forced out by pumps at work, showed her
distressed condition, and the reason which had induced her commander to
seek a haven instead of keeping the open sea. The boat had just got
from under the shelter of the reef, when the wind again shifted several
points to the westward, and blew with greater violence than before. The
crew tugged bravely at their oars; but all their efforts could scarcely
send the boat ahead in the teeth of the gale. The ship, heeling over,
made her way across the sound. The mouth of the harbour was almost
reached, when with redoubled violence the wind struck her. Down she
heeled, and all her masts in one instant falling over her side, she lay
a helpless wreck upon the water, driving rapidly towards the reef. So
close was she already that Harry could see the people running along her
decks. An anchor was let go, but even when the whole cable had run out,
so great was the depth of water that it did not hold. Another anchor
followed. Still the ship drove onwards.
Harry, forgetting his previous caution, urged his men to pull out, in
the hopes of getting alongside before she struck, and saving, if
possible, some of the females who might be on board. There was but
little time to do so, however, for she was already within three cables'
lengths of the rocks.
"She holds! she holds!" cried Willy. The last anchor had brought her
up. "Whatever becomes of the ship, lads, the people may be saved."
It was now seen that the only boat had been stove in when the masts were
carried away.
"The lives of those on board may depend on our exertions, lads," cried
Harry, when he discovered this. The crew thus encouraged and incited,
used every effort to reach the sorely battered vessel. Several persons
were seen collected on the poop, eagerly watching their approach. It
was too probable that the anchor would not long hold, and when, driven
on the reef, her destruction would be inevitable.
At length the boat succeeded in getting under the ship's quarter. "Let
no one attempt to get into the boat till the women are cared for," cried
some one from the poop in a stern voice, as the boat lay tossing up and
down.
A chair slung by ropes was lowered with a female in it, who shrieked out
as she descended, "Hold on tight, hold on tight, good sailors! hold on,
I pray you, hold on tight! Don't let me drop into the water. I was
ready to sacrifice myself for the good of the rest by coming first; hold
on, hold on!"
Her tongue had been heard even before the chair was over the side, and
continuing till she was unlashed and handed over to the boatswain into
the stern of the boat, where she continued uttering exclamations without
intermission. "Oh, do take care of the girls, they are under my charge.
Let them come next; I must not be separated from them."
"Why," exclaimed Willy, as he caught sight of the lady's features, "are
you not Mrs Clagget, and are my sisters and Charles with you?"
"Yes, to be sure they are, and there comes Emily. And is it possible
that you are Willy Dicey, and can I believe my senses?" was the answer.
Willy did not stop to reply, but sprang to the bow of the boat to assist
his sister, who was just then being lowered down. May followed her.
Harry recognised them. "Is Charles with you?" he asked, as he carried
May aft.
"Oh, yes. Can he come with us?"
"Not till the other women are safe," he answered. "I am sure he would
not."
There was no time to exchange further words, for more women and children
were being lowered down. Poor Mrs Bolton, when she had got all her
children with her, cried out for her husband, but the necessary rule was
adhered to.
"He will come next trip, when you are all landed," said Harry.
Though anxious to take off as many as the boat could carry, Harry,
afraid of overloading her, at length resolved to take no more.
The passage to the shore, though short, was full of danger. The oars
were got out, the rope which held her to the ship cast off, and now came
the fierce struggle with the seas. The crew had to exert their utmost
strength to clear the end of the reef. Those who watched her from the
deck must have trembled for their safety. Often it seemed as if she
must be driven into the surf, which broke in sheets of foam over the
rocks; but the strong arms of the crew and their tough oars did not fail
them. The point of the reef was doubled, and the boat now glided into
comparatively smooth water within it. Instead of attempting to run on
the beach, Harry steered her towards some rocks which formed the inner
part of the reef. Even here the landing was far from easy. While some
of the men kept the boat from being dashed against the rocks, Harry,
with the boatswain and the rest, leaped into the water.
"Come, marm," said Mr Bollard to Mrs Clagget. "You were the first in
the boat, and you should be the first out, and do just cling on to my
back, and I will soon place you on dry ground."
"Oh, you will let me into the water, I know you will," answered Mrs
Clagget.
"No, no, marm, don't be afraid," said Bollard, seizing her hands, and
lifting her up on his shoulders as he would have carried his hammock.
"You must set the rest of the ladies an example."
Mrs Clagget's tongue did not cease; but the boatswain, regardless of
what she said, ran with her over the rocks, and putting her down,
quickly returned to the boat. Harry in the meantime having landed May,
the boatswain next took up Emily, and bore her to the shore, while Willy
and Peter scrambled over the rocks, each with a child on his shoulders.
One after the other, the whole of the passengers were thus landed.
The midshipmen were then about to jump into the boat. "No, Dicey, do
you and Patch remain on shore, and take care of the women," said Harry.
"If we are lost, there will be no one to send for help to the
settlement. You understand me? I can trust to your judgment.
Good-bye." Saying this, Harry ordered the crew to shove off, and once
more pulled away to the ship.
Harry had frequently cast an anxious glance towards her. She appeared
already to have got nearer the reef; and his fear was, knowing the depth
of the water on the outside and her already leaky condition, that,
should she strike, she might go down before the rest of the people could
be landed.
The boat had got to the outer end of the reef, when so heavy a squall
met her that the crew, though exerting all their strength, in vain
attempted to pull against it. The ship felt its force; nearer and
nearer she drew to the reef, pitching her bows into the seas as they
rolled along nearly the whole length of the broad estuary. At last she
rose to a heavier sea than ordinary. The cable parted, and the hapless
"Crusader" drove stern-on to the rocks. She struck heavily, the falling
sea driving her broadside on to them. To rescue any of those on board
from the outside of the reef was now an operation of too much danger to
be attempted, and Harry, by the boatswain's advice, steered back, hoping
to establish a communication with the ship across the reef.
Emily and May Dicey stood on the beach, watching with fearful
apprehension the ship as she lay with her broadside against the reef,
the sea wildly breaking over her. "Oh! they will be lost, they will be
lost," cried May.
Emily clasped her hands. "Willy, can nothing be done for them?" she
exclaimed.
"I hope so," said Willy. "If man can help them, Harry Shafto and
Bollard will do it."
Most of the poor women were uttering cries and lamentations in their
terror for the safety of their husbands left on board. There were still
also a number of poor women and children. Willy felt more anxious for
them even than for the men.
The boat was seen coming back. "Oh, they have given it up. There is no
hope for them! Dear, dear Charles! he will be lost. I wish we had
stayed with him," cried May.
"I am very sure Harry Shafto has not given it up," said Willy. "He
knows that the only way to get the people out of the ship is on this
side. We shall soon see what he is about to do."
The part of the reef where the ship had struck was under water, and some
distance from the point of rocks which ran out from the shore. Had she
gone to pieces and no boat been at hand, although so close to the land,
the greater number, if not all, might have perished, for the surf as it
receded would have carried them off, and even the strongest swimmer
would have found it difficult to make way against it.
Harry and his brave crew were now seen to approach as near the ship as
they could venture without the risk of being carried on the rocks.
Several persons were standing on the ship's starboard bow, which was now
nearest the shore. One of them held a coil of light rope in his hands;
he hove it, but it fell short. Again and again he made the attempt. At
length a person standing near was observed to fasten it round his waist,
when, holding on by another rope, he lowered himself down. He waited
till the receding sea had gone past him, and then, as another rolled up,
he leaped on its crest, and was borne onwards, striking out boldly
towards the beach. On he struggled. Again the receding sea bore him
backwards towards the reef. He redoubled his exertions. Harry ordered
the cutter to "back in," anxious to assist the brave fellow. The rocks
appeared fearfully close. He stretched out his hand to grasp the
swimmer's arm. "Give way, lads, give way," he shouted; and the
boatswain coming to his assistance, they hauled the man in, and secured
the rope which was fastened to his waist. They now pulled away across
the little bay formed by the reef and the shore, towards a high rock
which jutted out from the beach.
"I thought Bill Windy would do it," exclaimed the man who had been
rescued; and without shaking the water from his clothes, he began
hauling in on the line which he had brought with him. At the other end
was a hawser which the boat now towed towards the rock. Leaping on to
it, the boatswain and Lizard made fast the hawser. A communication was
thus established between the vessel and the shore.
Emily and May, with the rest of the party on the beach, had been
watching these proceedings with intense eagerness. The boat again
pulled back towards the wreck. The brave mate was seen to cling to the
hawser, and work his way back. Several times the surf covered him, but
he held on tight, and, emerging from the water, clambered up the bows of
the ship. The hawser was tautened up, while the boat hung on to it,
ready to receive the next comers. The mate was soon again seen making
his way along the hawser, carrying another line and a block. He reached
the boat in safety, when the block was secured, just above the boat. A
cradle, which had meantime been prepared, was slung on the hawser; but
eager as those on board were to reach a place of safety, they appeared
to hesitate about trusting themselves to it.
"Why are they losing so much precious time?" cried Emily. "How
fearfully the sea is breaking over the ship; any moment she may be
dashed to pieces, or fall off the rocks into the deep water. Oh, see!
see! there is a man making the attempt with two children. It is Mr
Paget." That gentleman, finding others hesitated, had taken two infants
from their mothers' arms, and had seated himself in the cradle, to set
an example to the rest of the people on board. Holding on with one
hand, and steadying the cradle with the other, though the surf as it
rose washed over him more than once, he reached the boat with his
charges.
"Thank Heaven!" exclaimed Emily. "He is safe! he is safe! And there is
Charles; he is following the brave example."
Several other persons succeeded in gaining the boat. Tom Loftus, Jack
Ivyleaf, and Mr Bolton, the father of the large family already on
shore, were among them. Each brought either a couple of children or one
of the women with him--the latter being afraid of trusting themselves
alone. The boat was already full, and as yet no casualty had occurred;
but the danger was every instant increasing. The tide was rising, the
sea striking with fearful violence against the side of the ship, making
every timber in her quiver. It need not be told how heartily those who
now reached the shore were welcomed by the party already on the beach--
how his wife and children clung round Mr Bolton; how Emily and May
pressed Charles' hand; and how, in voluble language, Mrs Clagget
expressed her satisfaction at seeing her fellow-passengers out of the
terrible wreck.
Harry, without stopping a moment after the last person had landed, again
pulled across the bay. Already several of the sailors were seen making
their way along the hawser independent of the cradle. As the boat
approached, they then dropped one by one into her. Bill Windy rated
them for not remaining on board.
"You should have stopped to get up provisions, you rascals," he
exclaimed. "How are all these people to be fed?"
"Little hope of getting provisions or anything else," answered one of
the men, "when the chances are that the ship will be knocked to pieces,
or go down before the day is many minutes older."
"Greater need for you to have stopped and helped to get them into the
boat," said Windy. "But, bear a hand, and assist these people off the
cradle."
The same operation as before was repeated, till the boat was once more
full, all the remaining women and children being got into her.
A rush was now seen to take place towards the forecastle, and a heavy
sea struck the after-part of the ship, carrying away a large portion of
the stern upper works. What would next happen it was not difficult to
foretell. Several unfortunate people who had remained there were hurled
into the surf. In vain they struggled--no assistance could be given
them--and, one by one, they were carried away. Had anything been
necessary to make the nigh worn-out crew of the boat increase their
exertions, this would have done so. Happily, the hawser still remained
secure. Harry shouted to the master, who unflinchingly was standing on
the forecastle directing the landing of the people, to put himself into
the cradle. "No, no," he answered. "Not while a man remains on board
will I quit the ship." At length, contrary to the expectations of many,
nearly all the surviving passengers and crew were got safely into the
boat. Besides the captain, only one trembling wretch remained. He
clung frantically to the bulwarks, afraid of quitting his hold, and
trusting himself to the cradle.
"Come, Mr Mawson," exclaimed Captain Westerway, "I am hauling the
cradle back for the last time, and if you do not go, before many minutes
you will be carried off by the sea, and no power on earth can help you."
The wretched man looked up with pale cheeks and staring eyes. "I dare
not, I dare not," he answered. "But will you not save me, Captain
Westerway?"
"Save you! I want you to save yourself!" said the captain, taking him
by the shoulder. "Come, get in there, and hold tight;" and the captain
lifted the trembling wretch, and forced him into the cradle. He
shrieked out with alarm as he felt himself moving, clinging convulsively
to the hawser; but the men in the boat, more for the captain's sake than
his, hauled away, and quickly had him out; and the cradle was travelling
back for their brave commander. As he was placing himself in it he felt
the ship tremble violently. The sea which struck her washed over him.
Those in the boat thought he was gone, but to their joy they saw him
still holding on to the hawser. They hauled away with all their
strength, for a few seconds' delay might have caused his destruction. A
loud cheer burst from their throats as he reached the boat, and at that
moment the upper part of the ship, to which the hawser was made fast,
parted, and was speedily washed away.
The old captain sighed as he watched the ship breaking up. "I would
gladly have been among the poor fellows lost; and yet, no. I am wrong
to say that. It is my duty to look after those who are saved."
The survivors of the passengers and crew of the ill-fated "Crusader"
were now collected on the beach. Though saved from a watery grave, how
fearful would have been their condition had Harry and his companions not
been there to assist them! As it was, starvation stared them in the
face. How could all be fed with the scanty supply of provisions which
he possessed. Bill Windy proposed going back to the wreck; but now that
the communication with her had been cut off, it was impossible to get on
board without the greatest danger. Evening, too, was approaching, and
shelter must be found for the women and children. Harry despatched some
of his men for the axes to cut wood for fuel and building huts, while he
and others hauled up the boat, and by turning her partly over under the
cliff, provided shelter for the whole of the women and children; while a
large fire made in front enabled the shipwrecked party to dry their
drenched garments. Willy and Peter hastened off to the spring to obtain
water. The poor children were crying out for food. Such as Harry had
he divided among them and their mothers, but nearly the whole party were
already suffering from hunger.
At the settlement all might be fed and sheltered, but many hours must
elapse before they could reach it. He knew, too, that in the dark it
would be almost hopeless to make the attempt. He resolved, however, to
start the next morning with a party of the men, who might return with
provisions; but in the meantime he feared that many would suffer
greatly. He held a consultation with Captain Westerway, Mr Paget, and
Charles as to what was best to be done.
"Should the weather moderate in the morning, or the wind shift, I still
have hopes that we may get some provisions from the ship," answered the
captain. "If not, the men, at all events, can hold out a few hours; and
as there seems to be an abundance of wood in the island, we may form
litters, and carry the women and children who are unable to walk. We
have hitherto been so mercifully preserved that I do not fear for the
future. Had it not been for the light you showed on shore, Mr Shafto,
we should none of us at this time have been alive. The men were nearly
worn-out at the pumps, and I had no hopes of keeping the ship afloat
many hours longer, when, as we were standing to the eastward, we caught
sight of the light on shore, and I at once knew that it must be on a
part of the Auckland Islands."
"Our hut did not catch fire by chance, then," said Harry. "We were
mourning its loss, little thinking of the advantage it would be to
others. You would probably not have seen the ordinary fire we had kept
burning."
While they were talking a shout was heard, and Willy and Peter Patch
were seen hurrying up, followed by Ensign Holt with a couple of men and
young Broke, each carrying a heavy load of seals' flesh on his
shoulders.
"Here is food for you all, good people," shouted the midshipmen. "No
fear of starving now, for Holt says they left a couple more big fellows
which they knocked on the head not a mile away."
Harry warmly welcomed him. The ensign's astonishment was, as may be
supposed, very great at seeing so large a party. He at once volunteered
to go back to the spot where he and his companions had killed the seals,
with any of the people who would accompany him, to obtain a further
supply of their flesh.
Meantime, Harry and Captain Westerway set all hands to work. While some
were cooking the seals' flesh, others brought in fuel, and poles, and
boughs to build huts. A tent was formed of the boats' sails which Harry
begged the Miss Diceys, Mrs Clagget, and the other ladies to occupy.
Some, however, of the merchant seamen grumbled on being ordered to work
by the young naval officer, asserting that as they were now on shore,
and their ship stranded, they were free men, and would do what they
liked.
"As you please," said Harry. "But no work, no pay. You will have, at
all events, to forage for yourself."
The mutineers, who had sat down at some distance from the rest of the
party, at length appeared to repent of their resolution, and one of them
came up, humbly begging for some meat, and fuel to keep up a fire.
Harry, not sorry to be relieved of their society, granted them their
request. They were joined by some of the younger emigrants, and Charles
observed that Job Mawson stole off and sat himself down among them.
Ensign Holt and his party returned at dark with an ample supply of food,
and by this time all the huts for which they had materials were erected,
and the shipwrecked people, thankful that their lives had been spared,
prepared to pass their first night on shore, no one knowing how many
more they might have to spend on the island before they could make their
escape.
The storm continued blowing, but the rain held off. Harry and his men
went about renewing the fires, so as to keep the poor women and children
as warm as possible. The chief annoyance arose from the noise made by
the mutineers. They had been seen wandering about, and appeared to have
hauled something on shore. Not long afterwards they began to sing, and
shout, and shriek out in the wildest fashion. At last the sounds died
away, and their fire alone, smouldering in the distance, showed where
they were.
Captain Westerway took but little rest; he seemed dreadfully cast down
at the loss of his ship, in spite of the consolation which Charles, Mr
Paget, and Harry tried to give him.
"I had thought, when I came in here, to get the leaks stopped, and
continue the voyage to New Zealand," he said, sighing deeply.
"We do not know what can be done yet," said Harry. "At all events, we
may build a new vessel out of the old one; and though she cannot carry
all the people, she may give notice of our condition, and a larger one
may be sent from New Zealand to our relief. So you see, Captain
Westerway, your loss is our gain; for had you not come in, months or
years might have passed before we could have made our escape, and the
anxiety of our friends have been relieved."