SIGHT OF LAND NOT ALWAYS PLEASANT--A SUSPICIOUS CHARACTER ON BOARD--A
DANGEROUS PREDICAMENT--HOW WE MADE OUR ESCAPE FROM IT--THE CAPE OF GOOD
HOPE--LAND AT CAPE TOWN.
The blue outline of the distant land, speaking of home and all its
endearments and comforts, is welcomed joyfully by the weary seaman after
a long voyage; but with a very different feeling does he view it when it
appears where he does not expect to see it, and when he would rather be
many miles away from it. It was in the latter way that we received the
cry of "Land ho!" on board the _Orion_, when one morning it was shouted
by the look-out from the mast-head.
"Where away?" asked Mr Henley, who was the mate of the watch.
"Right a-head, and a little on the starboard bow, sir," was the answer.
"I have thought so before," he whispered to me; "our compasses have been
tampered with. There exists some vile conspiracy on board to cast the
ship away--of that there can be no doubt. We must keep our counsel,
however, this time, Marsden, and try and counteract it by ourselves."
I assured him that I would gladly support him in any plan he might have
to suggest. Things had been going on much as usual since our encounter
with the pirate. The captain at first talked of going in search of a
man-of-war; but he abandoned that idea, and we continued our voyage, he
drinking as hard as usual, and often continuing in his cabin for three
or four days together, the passengers being informed that he had a bad
headache or a bilious attack. The first mate was almost as bad; and if
he was not so often tipsy, the reason was that he had a stronger head
and could take more liquor with impunity. The attack of the pirate on
us had been the subject of conversation for many a day. Those who knew
the coast of Africa best, said that there were many such vessels fitted
out as slavers under the Brazilian, Spanish, Portuguese, and sometimes
United States flags. If a favourable opportunity offered, they would
take a cargo of slaves in on the coast, and make the best of their way
to Cuba or the Brazils. If not, they would attack a slaver, take out
all her slaves, and paying her with manufactured goods, would send her
back to take in a fresh supply, and, of course, to run the chance of
being captured. As, however, manufactured goods were not always to be
procured, such fellows would not scruple to attack an outward-bound
merchantman, and having taken out of her what they required, let her go
free, pretty certain that she would not have the means of lodging a
complaint against them on board a man-of-war till they were far beyond
reach. Such was, undoubtedly, the character of our polite friend. It
occurred to me that possibly Cobb and his friends might have secretly
communicated with the pirate, and that the indignation of the latter was
only pretended, while they had between them arranged where to cast the
ship away.
"No, no," answered Mr Henley; "they are both villains, but of a
different stamp. The low, brutal Englishman and the keen, cunning
Yankee have few feelings in common. The latter looks upon all the world
as his prey; the former commits an atrocity for the sake of some
especial revenge, or to attain some particular object of sensual
gratification. We have only traitors on board to guard against, of that
I am certain."
"What do you propose to do, then?" I asked.
"Put the ship's head off shore, and try and get a good offing," he
answered. "But go aloft, and see what you can make out of the land."
I gladly obeyed, and went to the fore-topgallant mast-head. There I saw
clearly to the east and south-east of us a long blue irregular line,
which I took to be highland with a mountainous range beyond. Having
arranged in my mind in what words I should make my report, so as best to
make Mr Henley understand what I had seen, I descended on deck. I have
always found it very useful to settle on the spot exactly the terms I
would use to describe an object, so as to give those to whom I have had
to report the clearest view of it.
"I suspect that there is some extent of lowland between us and the
mountains you have seen," observed Mr Henley. "Report the facts to the
captain, and say that I am about to haul the ship up to the south-west."
I heard Mr Henley issue the order to brace up the yards as I was about
to enter the captain's cabin. I could scarcely make him comprehend what
had occurred.
"Make it so. Tell the second mate to do what he thinks best," he
answered, and then turned round and went off into a deep slumber again.
I told Mr Henley. "That is well; I will take him at his word," he
observed. "We will now have a look at the compass."
Fortunately Johnny Spratt was at the helm. He took off the top of the
binnacle, and examined it carefully in every direction.
"I thought so," he exclaimed at last, unscrewing a piece of steel which
had been secured to the west of the northern points, giving it a strong
westerly variation.
Thus, when the man at the helm, unconscious of the trick, fancied that
he was steering to the south, he was in reality steering east or
south-east. The second mate having removed the steel, charged Spratt to
say nothing about the matter. When breakfast was over, I saw Cobb come
on deck and look up at the sails. Then he strolled carelessly aft to
the compass, and in another minute he, with the same assumed look of
indifference, ascended the fore-rigging. He was some time aloft, and
when he came down he again went below to his companions. Our
difficulties were much increased by our not being able to trust Waller,
or indeed Sills and Broom. Sills, I believe, wished to be honest, but
he had no discretion. Broom, I feared, was an ill-disposed fellow,
without even a knowledge of what was right and wrong. I have met many
such persons possessed of a perfect moral blindness, who do all sorts of
wicked things, without in the slightest degree making their consciences
uncomfortable, or fancying that they are doing any harm. Mr Henley
again spoke to Dr Cuff, and was this time more successful in persuading
him that there was something wrong going forward on board. The
plotters, however, knowing that we suspected them, were on their guard,
and committed no acts to betray themselves.
Soon after our discovery that the compass had been tampered with, it
fell a dead calm. It continued all night and the following day. Mr
Henley and I never left the deck together all the time. One or the
other of us was always on the watch. At length, after sunset on the
second day, he told me to turn in. I did so, for I was nearly tired
out. I had been asleep some time, when I felt some one touch my
hammock.
"Hist, sir," whispered a voice close to my ear; "don't speak,
please--'tis only me, Tommy Bigg. They are going to do it this very
night--I've heard all about it, and I thought I'd come and tell you
first. There's some use in being little, for I was stowed away in a
corner where they didn't think a human being could have got."
"What is it, Tommy?" I asked, in a low voice.
I thought all the time he had been speaking that I had been dreaming,
and could not believe that the reality of what I had so long apprehended
had arrived.
"They intend just at eight bells, in the middle watch, to seize the
captain and all the officers, and those of the crew who won't join them,
and to turn them adrift in the long boat. Then they propose to run into
the coast, which they say is close aboard of us, land all the
passengers, and then make sail for America, or round Cape Horn for the
Pacific. At first there was a doubt about their having provisions
enough, from the pirates having taken so much from us; but then they
agreed that as they had been robbed, they might rob others in the same
way--they needn't be afraid about that matter."
I had so long expected an announcement of this sort in one form or
other, that I was not surprised at what little Tommy told me. His lucid
and brief statement showed me that he was a sharp, clever lad, and might
be relied on. I told him to go back quietly to his berth, and if he
could gain any further information, to try and let Mr Henley or me
know. I immediately dressed, and, followed by Solon, who jumped up as
soon as he saw me afoot, went on deck. I found Mr Henley standing near
the binnacle. It was a star-lit night. He was noting the bearing of
the stars by the compass.
"Ah, is that you, Marsden?" he said carelessly. "You cannot sleep with
this hot weather, nor can I--that is not surprising. What is strange,
however, is that our compasses are still in error--a wonderful
variation."
Taking another observation, he stepped forward with me to the break of
the poop, whence we had a clear view of the deck below us, and could be
certain that no one overheard what we said. I then informed him briefly
of what Tommy Bigg had told me, and asked what was to be done.
"I must consider," he answered. "We must take care, in the first place,
that the mutineers do not observe our movements. Do you wait a few
minutes, and then quietly slip below, and let the doctor and Mr Vernon
know, and tell them to be prepared." He mentioned also four or five of
the cabin passengers. "I will wait till just before the time to call
the first mate. He would only bluster now, and betray all our plans.
As to Waller, I doubt the fellow. If we could show him that he was
running his head into a halter, he would side with us. If you can get
hold of Tommy Bigg again, let him tell Spratt that I want him, quietly.
The doctor will do best to rouse all the second-class passengers who can
be trusted. There are four or five among them who would do anything
rather than work for an honest livelihood; but we shall not have much
difficulty in keeping them down, unless, as I suspect, there is some
seaman, a desperate character, among them, who is the real instigator of
this long meditated plot."
I asked him who he thought the man could be, for I had watched narrowly
since he had before suggested the idea to me, and could fix on no one as
at all likely to be the man. He, to my surprise, mentioned a quiet,
middle-aged looking man, dressed in a brown coat and wide-awake hat, who
wore large green spectacles, and announced himself to be a shoemaker--
Barwell he called himself.
"He is a seaman, of that I am very certain," observed Mr Henley. "And
I am almost equally so that he never made a pair of shoes in his life.
Why he conceals his calling, I do not know. Perhaps he has committed
some crime afloat or ashore, and is escaping from justice. I have
observed him more than once in close conversation with Cobb, and for
some time he seldom lost an opportunity of speaking to Waller whenever
he went forward, though he himself has never ventured aft. He evidently
has had a good education, and is a plausible, long-tongued fellow, well
able to influence men of inferior station."
From what Mr Henley said, I saw the man Barwell in a new light, and
quickly recalled to my mind several circumstances connected with him
which I had before forgotten. As it was still some time to midnight, we
were in no hurry to arouse our friends, but at length having arranged
our plans, I went below to perform the part I had undertaken. As I was
leaving the deck I patted Solon on the head, and made him understand
that he was to keep watch on the poop till my return. I was very
certain that I should hear his bark if anything unusual took place.
Mr Vernon was not much surprised nor alarmed with the information I
gave him. "I cannot fancy that such a scheme as these wretched men have
concocted has a chance of success," he observed calmly. "Forewarned, as
we providentially have been, we can easily counteract their plans."
The other gentlemen I summoned did not take things quite so coolly.
They all dressed immediately, and examined their pistols, which they put
in their pockets. They then declared themselves ready to obey the
second mate's orders. I therefore went to report this to him. I found
that he had collected a quantity of small rope, as also some of the arms
which the captain had so injudiciously distributed to the crew. I asked
him for what purpose he had got the rope.
"To steal a march on the mutineers, to seize their ringleaders, and to
lash them down in their berths," he answered. His plan was generally
approved of. We had now altogether twelve or fourteen persons prepared
for the expected emergency. It wag important to communicate with
Spratt, to collect the men forward who could be trusted. I volunteered
immediately to do this. I knew that there was considerable risk, for I
had already had an example of the way Cobb and his associates would
treat me if they suspected my object. Galling Solon, however, I went
forward. The watch were standing, with their hands in their pockets, on
the topgallant forecastle.
"Keep a bright look out, my lads," said I. "We are not far off the
land, and it won't do to run the ship ashore."
I wanted to ascertain who the men were, but none of them spoke I felt
pretty sure that one of them was Cobb. Presently I saw Mr Barwell come
up the fore-hatchway. I knew him by his dress and figure.
"A fine night, Mr Barwell," said I, as he stepped up on the topgallant
forecastle. "It's a sort of night you landsmen don't often meet with, I
suspect."
"Not often, youngster," he answered. "But one might suppose, from the
way you talk, that you had been all your life afloat."
"No, it's my first voyage, like yours, Mr Barwell; only, as you see, I
have taken kindly to the life; now, you probably would never become a
better seaman than you are now," I could not help replying. "However,
if you have a fancy to learn, I will teach you to knot and splice, and
show you all I know myself."
"Thank you, but I am contented to know how to make shoes," he drawled
out, in quite a different tone to that in which he had before spoken. I
was convinced that Mr Henley was right.
"Mend shoes! I wouldn't wish for a better man at the weather earing
when reefing topsails in a gale of wind--that is to say, if you were but
a seaman," I observed, laughing, as I turned to go aft.
He started, and my remarks evidently puzzled him not a little, as I
intended they should. As I was just abaft the main-mast, I heard my
name called, and looking under the booms, I discovered Tommy Bigg.
"Just step this way, sir, in case I should be seen," he whispered. "I
have heard more of their plans. They are going to shut up Spratt and
the rest who won't side with them in the fore-peak, and then hurry aft
and seize the arms, lock the cabin-doors, and lash the officers down in
their berths. They have divided themselves into three parties, and they
think that the whole work can be done in a couple of minutes or so. If
any resist on deck, they vow that they'll knock them overboard. They'll
not commit murder if they can help it, they say, but they'll not stand
on ceremony about the matter."
"Very well done, Tommy," I replied. "Get forward as quietly as you can,
and tell Spratt I want him and any true men he can bring; and, if
possible, not to let Cobb and the rest know that they have come aft. If
they slip out one by one, they can manage it. Do you then, Tommy, join
us, unless you find that you can stow yourself away safely forward."
"If you'll let me, sir, I'll do what seems best," answered Tommy.
"Maybe by stopping I may help you more than by being with you."
I told Tommy to do as he judged best, and returning to the poop, resumed
my usual walk. The night was very dark. The conspirators reckoned on
this to assist them, but it was of more use to us, as it enabled us to
move about and arrange our counter-plot without their discovering us.
Six bells struck. In the merchant service the bell is generally struck
only every hour. All our plans were arranged. As the time approached I
joined Mr Henley. We were all well armed. I found Spratt and some
other men had managed to come abaft, unperceived by the mutineers. Just
under the break of the poop there was an empty cabin. Some of our party
were concealed in it with lanterns. Others the doctor had stowed away
in his dispensary, close to which the mutineers must pass on their way
aft. I, with a third party, under Mr Henley's command, were concealed
in a cabin close to the arm-chest. We expected here to have the most
desperate resistance. All was ready.
Eight bells struck. I had a loop-hole to look out forward. I could
just distinguish the dark forms of the men, as, without their shoes,
they hurried aft. Their plans were well arranged. At the same moment
that one party rushed past the doctor's dispensary to secure the mates,
and another to overpower the cabin passengers, and the third to break
open the arm-chest, we all sprang out upon them. Cobb and Clink
struggled desperately, but Mr Henley and those with us soon had them
under. Mr Vernon showed that he could fight as well as preach, and not
one of the men about to enter the cabin escaped, while the doctor
secured most of those below. Two or three, however, in the scuffle with
us managed to escape forward before we had time to get our lanterns
lighted, and so furiously did the others resist, that we were unable to
spare any of our hands to follow them; we had not also discovered who
they were. We had ropes ready, and so we lashed all the fellows' arms
and legs, and made them fast to the ring bolts in the deck, where they
lay without power to move. Never was success so complete; no one was
hurt; not a pistol had been fired. The captain was not in a condition
to understand what had occurred, but Mr Grimes, hearing the scuffle,
rushed out of his cabin; he, however, stood irresolute, not knowing
whether friends or foes had the upper hand; and very much astonished was
he when he was told what had occurred. He did not receive the
information very graciously, and grumbled at not having been aroused
before. Mr Henley and I, with a strong party, meantime, holding
lanterns in our hands, commenced a search round the between-decks and
forward, to try and discover the people who had escaped from us. The
second-class passengers were all in their berths, and many of them
asleep. Mr Barwell was in his, and snoring loudly--so loudly, that I
could not help fancying it was feigned. Mr Henley threw the light of
the lantern in his face, and shook him by the shoulder. I expected to
find that he was dressed, but if he had been among the mutineers, he had
had time to take off his clothes.
"What's the matter? who wants me?" he exclaimed, in a husky voice.
"Up, up, sir," answered Mr Henley. "There's mutiny on board, and we
want you to help us."
"Mutiny! who's going to mutiny?" he said, rubbing his eyes. "I'll be up
soon and help you, of course."
I could not tell what Mr Henley thought about this reply. We met three
or four people coming aft, who seemed very much astonished at hearing
what had occurred, while all the suspected men whom we had not secured
were in their berths. Our difficulty was to secure those we had
captured, to guard against their being liberated. We had a dozen pair
of irons on board, which we clapped on those most likely to prove
refractory, and so there was little chance of their escaping. The third
mate came out of his cabin soon after eight bells, as he was to have had
the morning watch, but by that time all the mutineers were secured. The
remainder of the night passed slowly away. It was a time of great
anxiety. When the morning broke we looked eagerly towards the east.
There was the land not eight miles off--a rocky shore with a sandy
beach--trees in the foreground, and then ridges of hills rising into
mountains in the distance. There was not a breath of wind. The sea on
every side was like a polished mirror; but every now and then it seemed
to heave up as if a pulse beat beneath, and away towards the shore
progressed at a slow pace--not like a roller, but one swell rising at an
interval after the first had fallen, and I could well fancy with what a
roar it must be dashing on the rocky coast. The first mate, as he
looked towards the shore, ordered the lead to be hove, but no bottom was
found.
"I doubt if there is any holding-ground till close in-shore," observed
Mr Henley. "I pray that we may find a breeze to carry us away from it
before we get much nearer."
"More likely to have one to drive us on to it," answered the first mate,
in a gloomy tone. "How we managed to get here, I can't tell."
"We have now to consider how we may best secure an offing," remarked Mr
Henley. "We could do little at towing, even if we had all hands at
work; but with more than half the crew in irons--No, Mr Grimes; we must
trust in Providence, for vain is the help of man."
The first mate uttered some sneering expression; but still he could not
help acknowledging that the latter part of the remark was true. As I
looked over the side, I could see the circling eddies of a current which
was evidently setting in at a rapid rate towards the shore. Nearer and
nearer we got. There were reefs laid down in the chart as running a
long way off the coast, and we could not tell at what moment we might be
driven on them. As I watched I found that we were being swept, not
directly towards the shore, but to the southward and eastward, so that,
though the current was strong, our progress towards destruction was
slow, though not the less sure. Our position was already painful and
dangerous enough, with a drunken, half-mad master, a mutinous crew, many
of the passengers ready for any mischief, several of the officers worse
than useless, and on a dangerous, little known coast.
The cabin passengers and the most trustworthy of the second-class ones
formed themselves into a guard, and kept regular watch over the
prisoners, so as to prevent any attempt which might be made to rescue
them. Hour after hour passed away, leaving us still in a state of great
suspense and anxiety. Evening approached--the calm continued. Darkness
at length descended once more over the waters, and, though it concealed,
much increased our danger. We could feel, too, by the increased motion
of the ship, that although the calm continued, the form of the
undulations had changed, and that heavy rollers were now moving under us
towards the shore. Still the water was far too deep to allow us to
anchor with the slightest hope of our anchors holding. I asked Mr
Henley what he thought of the state of things.
"Why, Marsden, that I have never been in so dangerous a position in all
my life," he answered; "and to this condition we have been brought by
the folly and wickedness of one man. Had he done his duty, nothing of
this sort would have occurred. However, it is too late now to complain.
Let us, at all events, try to do ours. Oh, that we had but a breath of
wind, to get steerage way on the ship!"
As helpless as a mere log floated on our gallant ship, her head slowly
pointing round to all the points of the compass. How anxiously did
every one look out for the sign of a coming breeze! As to turning in,
no one who had the sense to comprehend the condition of the ship thought
of doing so. Sills and Broom came up, and inquiring what I thought of
the state of affairs, bitterly regretted their folly in coming to sea,
and asked me if I was not very sorry at having left home.
"No, far from it," I answered. "I had an important object to gain, and
I knew that it could not be obtained without encountering many dangers
and difficulties. This is one of them; but I do not despair of
escaping, though at present I do not see the way we shall do so."
"Ah, I am glad to hear you say that, Marsden," said Sills. "It's a
comfort, isn't it, Broom, to find that anybody thinks we shall escape?"
"If his opinion was worth much, it would be," growled out Broom. "For
my part, I have no great faith in what anybody says."
I answered that I would not quarrel with him on account of his polite
remarks, but that I only hoped my opinion would prove correct in this
instance, at all events.
About midnight, in spite of the darkness, we could see the land about a
mile and a half, or even less, from us, while the roar of the surf as it
broke on the shore could be heard with distinctness. Suddenly, as I was
standing on the deck, I felt one side of my cheek grow colder than the
other. I wetted my finger and held up my hand. There was a sensible
difference in the temperature. In another minute I had no doubt about
it. A breeze was springing up. The sails gave two or three loud flaps
against the masts. I looked at the compass; the breeze was from the
westward. Still, any wind was better than none at all, provided there
was not too much of it. Mr Henley felt it as soon as I did. I heard
his clear, manly voice issue the order to brace the yards sharp up; and
the ship, at length feeling her helm, was brought close to the wind.
Had the breeze been off the shore, our difficulties would have been
over; as it was, they were only mitigated. The land lay broad on our
port beam; and when I looked over the port bow I could not help
believing that I saw a cape or headland which it seemed scarcely
possible that we should weather. I pointed it out to Mr Henley. He
had seen it, and told me I was right. To go about was useless.
"Unless the wind shifts some four or five points, we shall have gained
but little," he observed.
Higher and more distinct drew the headland. Then it seemed to stand out
in the dark ocean like some monster of the deep about to overwhelm us.
It was a remarkable headland--once seen not likely to be forgotten. As
we all stood gazing at it with dread and anxiety, I observed a person
coming up on the poop deck. He advanced rapidly towards where the mates
were standing. I thought I recognised the figure and appearance of Mr
Barwell, who had never before come, that I was aware of, to that part of
the deck.
"There appears no small chance of the ship being cast away, and of our
losing our lives," he observed abruptly. "The ship will never weather
that point, let me assure you."
"Who are you?--what do you know about the matter?" exclaimed Mr Grimes,
turning sharply round on him.
"Who I am is of little consequence, provided I do know something of the
matter," answered the pretended shoemaker. "This is not the first time
by many that I have been off here, and if you will trust to my pilotage
I will take you into a bay where you may lie as securely as in Plymouth
Harbour. If you stand on as you are now doing, the ship will inevitably
be cast away."
This painful fact was too evident; still, I could not be surprised that
the mates should hesitate, even in this extremity, to trust a man who
was more than suspected of being one of the chief movers in the late
mutiny.
"You must decide quickly, gentlemen," he continued. "For my own sake, I
hope that you will accept my offer. I cannot compel you to trust me;
but I do tell you, that if the ship once strikes yonder headland, not a
plank of her will hold together, and not one human being on board will
ever reach the shore alive."
"I'll shoot him through the head if he plays us false," I heard Mr
Grimes say to the second mate.
"You'll do as you please," observed the stranger, with a low laugh. "I
don't fear your threats, but I must make a bargain with you. If I take
the ship into a safe anchorage, you must promise to grant me any request
I may make, provided it is not extravagant or injurious to you."
After a short consultation with Mr Vernon and other gentlemen, the
mates agreed to the stranger's terms, and the ship was put under his
charge.
"Starboard the helm! Square away the yards! Be smart, my lads!" he
shouted, and the ship was headed in towards the land.
The tone of voice and mode of speaking showed that the pretended Mr
Barwell was not only a seaman, but well accustomed to command. No
longer slouching about as he had been accustomed to do, he was quick and
active in all his movements. He took his post in the main rigging to
con the ship, and his full and clear voice was heard ever and anon
issuing his orders. As we stood on, high cliffs appeared right ahead of
us, and I fancied that I could distinguish one long, unbroken line of
surf directly across our course. It required great faith in the
stranger's assurances to believe that we were not rushing to
destruction. Every moment the breeze freshened, and shortened the
interval which must elapse before the point was settled. I heard Mr
Grimes cock his pistol. The dark outline of the land seemed to rise
above our mast-heads. Still on we went. I held my breath; so, I doubt
not, did every one on deck. I could not help expecting every moment to
hear the terrific crash of the ship striking on the rocks. Suddenly, as
I looked, I fancied that I could distinguish an opening in the surf. It
grew wider and wider. The ship entered it, while on either side the
white foam danced up frantically, as if trying to leap on board of us.
The next instant we were between high cliffs. Still on we glided.
"Starboard!" sung out her pilot; and the ship standing to the northward,
in a few minutes we were in a perfectly sheltered position. The sails
were furled, and the ship was brought to an anchor. Rocks and cliffs
appeared around us on every side, with here and there a palm-tree
standing up against the dear sky; and so completely land-locked were we,
that I could not discover the passage by which we had entered the bay.
"There!" exclaimed Mr Barwell; "I have performed my share of the
agreement. Now I will ask you to perform yours."
Most of the passengers and the officers of the ship were assembled on
the poop.
"What is your demand?" asked the first mate, who had not uttered a word
of thanks to the stranger who had certainly saved all our lives.
"My demand is that you land any of the unfortunate men you have in your
power who may desire to be liberated," answered the stranger firmly. "I
intend to leave the ship here; I have had enough of her. Of course, if
they do not wish to go, I can say nothing further; but ask them, and
fulfil your contract."
"I will see what the captain has to say to the matter," began the first
mate.
The stranger stamped on the deck with anger. "The captain has had
nothing to do with the affair!" he exclaimed. "I appeal to all on board
whether you did not make the promise, and whether, had I not performed
what I undertook to do, you would not ere this have been dashed
helplessly amid the breakers on the cliffs we saw ahead of the ship."