"Some savages come on board, sir," I heard the mate sing out to the
captain, a fine-looking man, who was standing near the wheel; "an old
and a young one."
"No, please you, sir," said Dick, stepping aft. "We are not savages,
but unfortunate Englishmen. We have had a hard job to make our escape
from the savages, though, and if you will take my advice, sir, you will
not go into that harbour; for if you do, you will run a chance of being
treated as our ship was."
"How is that, my man?" asked the captain; and Dick thereupon told him
the way in which the _Dolphin_ had been cut off, and how all had been
kept prisoners for upwards of two years by the natives.
"I thank you for the warning, my friend," said the captain, "and we will
be on our guard against treachery. I think, however, that if we show
that we are well armed and on the watch, we need not fear them. We are
in want of water, wood, and vegetables, and by letting the natives
understand that we will pay fairly for them, we shall, I hope, obtain
what we require."
"As to that, sir, Charley Laurel and I can talk well enough to them; and
we will take good care to tell them that they must play no tricks."
"You may be of much service to me, then," said the captain, "and I shall
be glad to carry you and Charley Laurel, as you call him, to any place
we touch at where you may wish to land."
"Thank you, sir," said Dick; "but we can both work our passage, and
though it is better than two years since I was afloat, I don't think I
am less handy than before."
The ship, which we found to be the _Phoebe_, Captain Renton, having
brought up in the bay, a number of canoes came off to her. The captain
told me and Dick to say to them that he could allow no one on board.
The natives looked much surprised at seeing us on the deck, and they of
course guessing that we had told the captain what had happened to the
_Dolphin_, some of them paddled back again in a great fright, supposing
that he had come to punish them for what they had done. By the
captain's directions we told them not to be alarmed; that he wished to
be friends with them; and that if they behaved well, they would be
treated as friends.
In a short time Motakee came off. When we told Captain Renton who he
was, he was invited on deck. He seemed greatly concerned at the thought
of losing me, and asked me reproachfully how, after being treated as a
son, I could think of deserting him. I assured him that I was very
grateful for all his kindness, but that I wished to go back to live
among people of my own colour and habits, and that otherwise I would
gladly have remained with him. He soon made himself at home on board,
and when invited into the cabin behaved with great propriety, and told
me to express to the captain his regret for the massacre of the
_Dolphin's_ crew.
He put off his expedition on account of the arrival of the _Phoebe_, and
while she remained in harbour he was constantly on board, and used every
exertion to obtain what the captain wanted.
I at last parted from him with real regret, though Dick would not let me
venture on shore, lest he might show his affection for me by keeping me
a prisoner.
Captain Renton was a very different sort of person to poor Captain
Podgers. We had prayers every evening in his cabin, and he would allow
none of the officers to use abusive language towards the men, while he
maintained strict discipline on board.
He proposed cruising for some time for whales in those latitudes, and
then sailing south, to touch at one of the Society Islands.
The day after we sailed, the captain called me into his cabin.
"I have heard your history, my lad, from your friend, Dick Driver, and I
find that you have had no advantages of education, while I am afraid
that you are very ignorant of gospel truth, without which all education
is of no avail in God's sight."
"As I have not seen a book since I was on board the _Dolphin_, I suspect
that I should prove a bad hand at reading, sir," I answered: "but I have
not forgotten what Miss Kitty told me about the love of Jesus to sinful
man; how He willingly offered Himself up to be punished instead of us,
that all who believe on Him may be free, and be able to go to God as
children go to an affectionate father, and ask Him for all they want;
and that when we die we may be sure that we shall be taken to live with
Him in great joy and happiness for ever and ever."
"Ah, my dear boy," exclaimed the captain, his eye brightening with
pleasure, "you already know then the most important truths I can tell
you. And do you indeed believe that Jesus died for you, and is your
Saviour, and loves you, and watches over you, and sends His Holy Spirit
to help you to love Him, and serve Him, and to keep you out of
temptation?"
"Yes, indeed I do, sir," I answered. "I pray to God through Him every
night and morning, and I believe that He has preserved me from the many
dangers I have gone through."
Though I have not mentioned it, I had often talked with Dick of all Miss
Kitty had taught me, and the knowledge of God's love more than anything
else had supported us; and I am very sure that Dick felt as I did,
though he might not have been able to explain himself so clearly. I had
made great progress indeed under Miss Kitty's instruction; thus,
although for some time I at first found it difficult to read the New
Testament, which the captain put into my hands, I gradually regained the
knowledge I had lost.
The kind captain, after the conversation I have mentioned, invited me
into the cabin every day, and took great pains in instructing me in
reading and writing. Until I could do so myself, he read a portion of
God's Word, which he explained to me in a very simple and clear manner.
I did my utmost to learn, as I was now of an age to be ashamed of my
ignorance, especially when I found that the two ship's boys read and
wrote far better than I did. Every moment that I was off duty I was at
my studies, and when Dick found what progress I made, he declared his
intention of setting to work to learn to read himself. I did my best to
help him, and the captain kindly lent him some books that he might
instruct himself. In about four months I could read with perfect ease
and write very fairly, besides having gained some knowledge of
arithmetic and geography. As to history, I found I had a very confused
knowledge, and jumbled events together in a curious way.
I had not forgotten dear Miss Kitty, and I often talked about her, and
wondered whether she and the mate had made their escape. Dick always
said that he thought they had, as Mr Falconer was a good navigator, and
that they were very likely to have fallen in with some whaler, as he was
sure to have steered his course over the ground most frequented by them.
At length, after sailing for some time south, and passing several
islands, we sighted one at which the captain said he intended to touch,
as the natives were Christians, and they could supply all his wants on
equitable terms, without the risk of treachery, which he must run at the
heathen islands. As we drew near I recognised the scenery, and on
asking Dick, he told me it was the very island at which the _Dolphin_
had touched when Miss Kitty and Mr Falconer had gone on shore to the
house of the missionary.
As soon as the anchor was down, the captain ordered a boat to be
lowered, and told me that I might accompany him.
Mr Newton, the missionary, who knew Captain Renton, came down to the
landing-place to welcome him, and conduct him up to his house. I
followed, but as he did not recognise me, I felt unwilling to address
him. They entered the house together.
"Come in, my lad," said Mr Newton, seeing me standing outside. "You
are heartily welcome."
I followed the captain into the sitting-room, where I saw two ladies.
One, whom I guessed was Mrs Newton, came forward to greet him as an old
acquaintance; the other rose, and as she did so and turned her face
towards me, my heart leaped with joy, for there I saw Miss Kitty,
looking as bright and blooming as ever.
"Miss Kitty!" I exclaimed; "is it you? is it you?"
The first moment she did not know me, for I was greatly changed. She
took both my hands, and looking into my face, she said--
"Charley, Charley Laurel, are you indeed alive and well? I had greatly
feared that you were lost. And has honest Dick too escaped?"
She made me sit down by her side, and I rapidly told her all that had
occurred.
"And how did you escape, Miss Kitty?" I asked; "we were fearfully
anxious about you."
"You had reason to be so," she answered. "Mr Falconer had expressed
some fears that the natives might prove treacherous while we were away
in the boats, and, on our return, he was remarking that he must try and
induce the captain to keep a strict watch on board, and to allow only a
few natives at a time on deck, when, through his glass, he observed that
the ship was surrounded by canoes, and that the natives in great numbers
were clambering on board. Still we sailed on, when we saw a dreadful
explosion, and shortly afterwards several canoes came paddling after us.
Mr Falconer pointed them out to the men, who agreed with him that the
ship had been taken by the savages, and that by some accident they had
blown her up. He immediately put the boat about, exclaiming to me, `For
your sake we will do our best to escape!' The wind increased: we were
standing out into the open ocean. Had it not been on my account Mr
Falconer would, I am sure, have gone back at all risks to ascertain the
fate of those on board. The fact, however, of the canoes following us,
showed the hostile intentions of the natives, and the men declared that
even had I not been in the boat they would not have run their heads into
danger for no purpose.
"As the wind increased we lost sight of the canoes, which were unable to
contend with the heavy sea to which the boat was now exposed.
"The prospect before us was a fearful one, but the alternative of
returning to the shore was worse. Still we could rely on the protecting
care of our heavenly Father, in whom we both trusted. We had but a
small supply of food and water, which, with the greatest economy, could
only last us three days. Mr Falconer, however, encouraged the men by
telling them that he hoped, before the end of that time, to make an
island, marked as uninhabited on the chart, where we might obtain water
and provisions.
"Happily the wind, though continuing fair, did not increase, and,
exactly at the time Mr Falconer expected, the island appeared in sight,
when the last drop of water had been exhausted. Coasting around the
island, we found a small harbour, which we entered. A grove of
cocoa-nut trees greeted our sight, fringing the shore, and near them was
a spring of fresh water. Mr Falconer shot several birds, and having
fishing-hooks and lines, the men quickly caught a supply of fish. They
then put up a hut for me, where I could enjoy that rest I so much
required. At night, also, a number of turtle were observed landing on
the sandy beach to lay their eggs, and we thus had no longer any fear of
suffering from starvation.
"So well satisfied were the men with the island, that they proposed
remaining, rather than venture again to sea. Mr Falconer inquired my
wishes. I knew that I could implicitly trust him. Months would perhaps
pass before any ship might appear. I begged that, if the men would be
persuaded to go, we might continue our voyage. They agreed at length to
do as he wished.
"Besides the casks, a number of cocoa-nuts were filled with water;
birds, and fish, and turtle, were salted, and four live turtle and a
number of cocoa-nuts were taken on board. Thus amply supplied with
provisions, we again set sail.
"We had been a week at sea, when a vessel was seen, hove-to in the
distance. We steered for her. Her boats were away in chase of a whale.
We received a kind welcome on board the ship, which was the _Harmony_,
from Captain Landon and his wife, who were Christian people. My
satisfaction was very great when I found that the captain intended
touching at this island, to refit his ship before proceeding to other
fishing-grounds. The second mate had died, and he offered Mr Falconer
the berth. He gladly accepted it. At the end of three weeks I had the
happiness of finding myself with these kind friends.
"I knew how Mr Falconer felt when he told me that he must continue on
board the _Harmony_, though he trusted on his arrival in England to be
able to obtain the command of a ship in which he might return here.
Since then no letter from him has reached me, nor have I received any
tidings of him. Still I feel perfect confidence that he is faithful and
true, and that he will return as soon as he can find the means of doing
so."
I felt very sorry when I heard the latter part of Miss Kitty's
narrative; for while I fully agreed with her that Mr Falconer would
return if he could, I feared that, had he not lost his life, he might
have been wrecked or taken prisoner, or detained somewhere by illness.
As Mr Newton afterwards observed to me, he had never seen any woman who
was so thoroughly sustained under a great trial by her confidence in the
man to whom she had given her heart, and her perfect trust that all was
ordered by God for the best.