THE EXPEDITION SETS SAIL
WE lost no time in preparing the "Fortuna" for her long voyage, for
the morning after her arrival at Fowey my father sent for Clemens,
the boat-builder, and instructed him to build a sound-proof bulkhead
right across the vessel just abaft the two for'ard state-rooms. These
two cabins were then thrown into the fo'c'sle, thus providing six
additional bunks; while, to meet the requirements of the increased
number of the crew, two large fresh-water tanks were placed below the
fo'c'sle floor, and connected with the deck by means of a small pump.
In the meantime my uncle had paid a hurried visit to the Midlands,
with the result that five heavy packing-cases arrived at our house.
The first contained a three-pounder Q.F. gun, with a light mounting,
the second a Maxim with both deck and field mountings, two others
contained cases of quick-firing and small-arm ammunition, and the
last a number of Lee-Enfield rifles, complete with bayonets, save
one, a light sporting rifle. "This is a present for you, Reggie,"
said my father, placing the latter in my hands. "It is a thoroughly
good weapon, and I hope you will appreciate and take great care of
it. And, remember, a true sportsman never takes life heedlessly."
"But, pater," I exclaimed, "why do we want such a formidable armoury?
Sporting guns I can understand the necessity of; but these are for
fighting purposes."
"For defensive purposes," corrected my father. "You remember
Findlay's description of the islands in the Pacific where the 'San
Philipo's' treasure lies--treacherous and bloodthirsty natives
--though, of course, it does not necessarily follow that the arms
will be required. We hope and pray they may not be. But forewarned is
forearmed, and the moral persuasion of these weapons may have a
salutary effect upon any treacherously inclined natives we may.
happen to meet."
"But I thought the missionaries had tamed the savage instincts of
these natives."
"Without wishing to disparage the splendid work done by the
missionaries, Reggie, I can safely assert that on hundreds of these
islands cannibalism and the savage rites of heathen worship are as
rampant as they were two hundred years ago. It seems remarkable to
hear the ideas some people have about foreign parts. Some imagine the
Pacific to be a veritable paradise of converted natives clad in gowns
of Manchester cotton prints; while, on the other hand, I heard of the
case of a youngster going to South Africa to Port Elizabeth, in
fact--who took with him a revolver to shoot roaming Kaffirs! To
change the subject, would you mind going over to Fowey and getting
the _Record_? I've sent an advertisement, and want to make sure that
it's in."
In less than an hour I returned with the paper, and this is a copy of
my father's announcement--
WANTED.--Twelve ex-naval men to form the crew of an auxiliary yacht
about to make a trip round the world. Twelve months' engagement.
Must be single men of exemplary character.--Apply by letter, giving
full particulars of rating, etc., to Box 1245, office of this
paper.
"That's satisfactory," said the pater. "We'll run up to Plymouth
to-morrow and call at the _Naval and Military Record_ offices, and
get the letters."
"So soon?"
"Aye; there'll be a score of replies in the post by now, if I'm not
mistaken."
We went to Plymouth as arranged, and, upon calling at the office, we
were handed a large wicker tray crammed full with letters and
post-cards.
"All these for me?" asked the pater. "Yes, sir, and almost as many
again will be in by to-night's post, I daresay."
"Then please destroy the rest, and insert a notice stating that the
vacancies have been filled, for I've no doubt that I can suit my
requirements from this budget."
From the newspaper office we went to a large firm of provision
merchants, and ordered casks and tins of provisions to be sent round
to Fowey for shipment on the "Fortuna," and thence to a sailmaker's,
where my father ordered a huge square sail to be made to the design
which he had drawn.
"What's that for?" I inquired as we left the sail-loft. "The
'Fortuna' does not carry square yards."
"Not at present," replied my father; "but she will do so ere long. I
found that on our run down from Hamble, for with the wind dead aft
there is always the danger of a gybe with a fore and aft rig, whereas
with a square sail the comfort and freedom from mishap is infinitely
greater. In the 'Trades' I have no doubt that the sail will be used
for days together."
Then twenty suits of clothing for tropical and home use had to be
ordered, together with numerous stores from a ship's chandler's,
till, almost worn out with the exertions of the day, we returned
home--but not to rest, for the huge budget of applications had to be
read and classified.
It was a curious mixture. Some letters were well written, others mere
scrawl; but the general tone of the whole batch was a willingness to
undergo any hardship rather than starve in England.
"Here are a likely dozen," said my father, after perusing nearly a
hundred letters. "Tell Johnston to come here and see if he knows any
of them."
Johnston, who was making rapid strides towards recovery, had so
impressed us with his quiet and orderly demeanour that we had decided
to take him with us, placing him on light duties till capable of
doing a regular day's work. In response to the summons he came and
read down the list of names my father had jotted down.
"No, sir, I don't think I 'know any of them."
"But do you think any of them might know you? It might be awkward,
you know."
"I suppose I must take the risk, sir," he replied. "Besides, I
shouldn't like my misfortunes to do another man out of a job."
"Very well, then. Here, Herbert, make yourself useful, and write
these twelve names on envelopes."
"But, I say----"
"What?"
"Why, with Johnston these twelve will make thirteen--horribly
unlucky, you know."
"But we also form part of the crew."
"Not as part of a paid crew."
"Well, to be on the safe side, cut down one," he said with a merry
laugh.
So that evening notice that their services were accepted were posted
to the men, and the crew of the "Fortuna" was as follows:--
_Captain_: HOWARD TREVENA, R.N.R.
_Mate_: HERBERT TREVENA, R.N.R.
_Second Mate_: REGINALD TREVENA.
_Boatswain_: PETER WILKINS, late bos'n's mate, R.N.
_Quartermaster_: TRESCO LORD, late master-at-arms.
_Deck hands_:--
ROBERT DALLEY, late armourer, R.N.
WM. STAINER, late armourer, R.N.
EDWARD HINKS, late gunner's mate, R.N.
FREDK MONEY, late gunner's mate, R.N.
WM. LEWIS, A.B., late seaman diver, R.N.
GEORGE BURBIDGE, A.B., late seaman diver, R.N.
JOSEPH DIRHAM, A.B.
JOHN MILLS, A.B.
FREDK. BARNES, A.B.
ALEC JOHNSTON, A.B. (to act as officers' steward).
In spite of the greatest secrecy on our part, rumours of the object
of the voyage began to get about, older people naturally and
correctly associating the almost forgotten "San Philipo" treasure
with the expedition, greatly to my father's anger. However, we
managed to get the arms and ammunition on board, lowering the gun by
means of tackle from our garden into a boat which we brought
alongside at high water, working as silently as we could in the dead
of night.
By Saturday the last of the stores was aboard, including two diving
suits from Siebe, Gorman & Co., and all that remained was to fill up
the tanks with fresh water and ship the crew.
The latter had been told to assemble at the railway-station at 10
a.m. on Monday, and thither my uncle and I repaired to muster the
men and take them to the vessel. To our surprise we found that, long
before the arrival of the train, four men were already on the
platform, having tramped from Plymouth, over twenty-seven miles of
hilly road, for want of sufficient money to pay their railway fares.
The arrival of the train brought the rest of the contingent--not a
man was missing--and, led by my uncle and myself, the whole party
marched in an orderly manner down the narrow Fore Street, to the
undisguised astonishment of the townsfolk. In their civilian clothing
the men looked a nondescript lot, some bearded, some clean-shaven,
and a few, departing from the naval custom, had grown moustaches,
while each man carried either a bundle tied up in a blue handkerchief
or else a black ditty-box under his arm. Nevertheless, they were a
fine body of active, middle-aged men, and, with their previous
training, would soon fall into regular sea-going routine.
Outside the "King of Prussia" the party was joined by my father, who
led the men into a room where a well-laid breakfast awaited them.
This they did full justice to, the need of a good meal being
apparently no stranger to the majority of them.
Then my father addressed them. It was the first time I had heard him
speak in public, and the warmth and earnestness of his words
astonished me. He began by telling the men plainly that the voyage
was to be no mere pleasure-trip, but occasional hard work was
required, and even actual danger might have to be faced. On the other
hand, the "Fortuna," though small, was exceptionally seaworthy, and
everything that could be done for their comfort had been provided. He
even hinted at an additional reward for their services should the
voyage come up to anticipations, although he stated distinctly, that
he gave no definite promise on that account, and finally explained
that any man who wished to withdraw could do so, and his fare to and
from his home would be paid forthwith.
However, our new crew were unanimous in their choice, and the signing
of the men's papers was proceeded with. Then the party marched down
to Whitehouse Steps, where the watermen rowed them off to the
"Fortuna."
The rest of the day was spent in getting the men accustomed to the
vessel. Proper watches were set, the starboard watch under my father
and the bos'n, the port watch under Uncle Herbert and the
quartermaster, and ship's time took the place of shore time, the
hours and half-hours being sounded by the bell.
At four in the afternoon--or eight bells, as I should have expressed
it--we went ashore to our home in Polruan. All arrangements had been
made for the proper care of the home during our absence, and the
remainder of the day was spent in receiving our numerous friends who
had come over to bid us farewell and good luck; for, now that the
final details had been completed, there was little need to conceal
the fact that the "San Philipo" treasure was, as had been
conjectured, the object of our voyage.
It was nightfall ere we left the house for the last time for a good
many months. At Polruan Quay the gig awaited us, and, urged by the
powerful strokes of the rowers, the little craft was soon alongside
the "Fortuna." In true nautical style the shrill pipe of the bos'n's
whistle was heard, and the crew stood to attention as the yacht's
officers came on board. Then, directly the gig was hoisted in the
davits, the crew returned to their stand-easy on the fo'c'sle, the
dancing beams of the anchor light and the glowing bowls of the men's
pipes dimly illuminating the shadowy forms of the seamen, as in low
tones they discussed the projects of the voyage or talked
reminiscently of bygone commissions.
"I don't think you will ever be dull during the voyage, Reggie,"
remarked my father, indicating the knot of men with a wave of his
hand. "Amongst that little crew there is to be gathered a wealth of
adventure from all the five oceans. And some of their yarns are well
worth listening to, I can assure you."
At ten o'clock the following morning my father was rowed ashore to
obtain the necessary ship's papers from the Custom-house, and half an
hour later the "Fortuna" slipped her moorings, and, dipping her
ensign as a farewell salute to the Yacht Club, glided swiftly out of
Fowey Harbour on her long voyage to the coral islands of the Pacific.
Half an hour later the grim outlines of the Gribben were lost to
sight in the mist that overhung the land, and, with every sail
drawing, the "Fortuna" rapidly drew away from the shores of dear old
England.